NameCensus.

UK surname

Hanshaw

Derived from a place name meaning "Hann's wood" or "Hann's thicket," referring to a person who lived there.

In the 1881 census there were 120 people recorded with the Hanshaw surname, ranking it #17,756 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 261, ranked #16,309, up from #17,756 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Acton, St George in the East and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North East Derbyshire, Leeds and Spelthorne.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hanshaw is 292 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 117.5%.

1881 census count

120

Ranked #17,756

Modern count

261

2016, ranked #16,309

Peak year

1999

292 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hanshaw had 120 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #17,756 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 261 in 2016, ranked #16,309.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 253 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Hanshaw surname distribution map

The map shows where the Hanshaw surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Hanshaw surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hanshaw over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 100 #17,164
1861 historical 231 #10,572
1881 historical 120 #17,756
1891 historical 224 #13,760
1901 historical 188 #15,742
1911 historical 253 #12,776
1997 modern 283 #14,037
1998 modern 285 #14,351
1999 modern 292 #14,204
2000 modern 278 #14,659
2001 modern 270 #14,734
2002 modern 286 #14,442
2003 modern 283 #14,368
2004 modern 284 #14,377
2005 modern 274 #14,663
2006 modern 275 #14,732
2007 modern 272 #14,994
2008 modern 270 #15,219
2009 modern 277 #15,260
2010 modern 269 #15,935
2011 modern 283 #15,193
2012 modern 264 #15,904
2013 modern 271 #15,875
2014 modern 271 #15,986
2015 modern 258 #16,443
2016 modern 261 #16,309

Geography

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Where Hanshaws are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Acton, St George in the East, London parishes, Willesden and St Pancras. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North East Derbyshire, Leeds, Spelthorne, Blackburn with Darwen and Nairn East. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Acton Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
2 St George in the East London (East Districts)
3 London parishes London 1
4 Willesden Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
5 St Pancras London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North East Derbyshire 012 North East Derbyshire
2 Leeds 017 Leeds
3 Spelthorne 011 Spelthorne
4 Blackburn with Darwen 005 Blackburn with Darwen
5 Nairn East Highland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hanshaw

These lists show first names that appear often with the Hanshaw surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hanshaw

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hanshaw, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Hanshaw surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Hanshaw household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Hanshaw is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Hanshaw is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hanshaw falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hanshaw is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Hanshaw, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Hanshaw

The surname Hanshaw has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, derived from a place name that combined the Old English elements "hana" meaning "rock" or "stone" and "sceaga" meaning "small wood" or "thicket." This suggests that the name may have referred to a rocky wooded area or a settlement near such a location.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1166, where it appears as "Hansaghe." This early spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time. Other historical documents, such as the Hundred Rolls of 1273, mention individuals with the surname Hanshaw or its variants, indicating its presence in various regions of England.

In the 13th century, a Walter de Hanshawe was recorded in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire, providing evidence of the name's use during that period. Additionally, the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1327 include a reference to a John Hanshaw, further solidifying the name's presence in different parts of the country.

Notably, the Hanshaw surname has been connected to several notable figures throughout history. One such individual was John Hanshaw (1753-1809), an American lawyer and politician from Virginia who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and later as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Joseph Hanshaw (1766-1836), an American farmer and Revolutionary War soldier from Pennsylvania. He fought in several battles during the war and later settled in Ohio, where he became a prominent figure in the local community.

In the literary realm, Thomas Hanshaw (1812-1885) was an English poet and author known for his works on rural life and nature. His collection of poems, "The Lays of a Lancashire Peasant," published in 1860, received critical acclaim and captured the essence of the countryside.

Moving forward in time, Elizabeth Hanshaw (1879-1951) was an American operatic soprano who performed with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. She was renowned for her interpretations of various roles and made significant contributions to the opera world in the early 20th century.

Another notable figure was Robert Hanshaw (1920-2002), an American businessman and philanthropist. He co-founded the Hanshaw Exploration Company, a successful oil and gas exploration firm, and later established the Hanshaw Foundation to support educational and charitable causes.

These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of individuals bearing the Hanshaw surname throughout history, reflecting the name's enduring presence across various fields and regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hanshaw families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hanshaw surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 49 Hanshaws recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.26x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 49 4.26x
Yorkshire 18 1.58x
Hertfordshire 16 20.17x
Surrey 11 1.96x
Kent 9 2.29x
Lancashire 3 0.22x
Shropshire 3 3.02x
Gloucestershire 2 0.89x
Leicestershire 2 1.57x
Berkshire 1 1.16x
Durham 1 0.29x
Northumberland 1 0.58x
Staffordshire 1 0.26x
Sussex 1 0.52x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Clerkenwell London in Middlesex leads with 11 Hanshaws recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.49x.

Place Total Index
Clerkenwell London 11 40.49x
Doncaster 9 108.04x
Leeds 9 13.97x
St Albans 9 552.15x
St George In East London 9 83.10x
Islington London 7 6.27x
St Pancras London 7 7.56x
Hammersmith London 6 21.16x
Crayford 5 290.70x
Sutton 4 98.52x
Deptford St Paul 3 9.90x
Hendon 3 72.46x
Lambeth 3 2.99x
Tring 3 141.51x
Wellington 3 53.67x
Bethnal Green London 2 4.00x
Bushey 2 105.82x
Camberwell 2 2.72x
Elstree 2 769.23x
Gloucester St Michael 2 384.62x
Liverpool 2 2.41x
Newington 2 4.70x
Whitwick 2 123.46x
Brighton 1 2.55x
Bromley London 1 3.95x
Checkley 1 99.01x
Elswick 1 7.32x
Frindsbury 1 67.57x
Manchester 1 1.63x
Sonning 1 105.26x
St Andrew Holborn London 1 20.08x
St George Hanover Square 1 4.93x
Tottenham 1 5.46x
Whitworth 1 39.84x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hanshaw surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Elizabeth 5
Mary 5
Ellen 4
Alice 3
Emma 3
Ann 2
Charlotte 2
Edith 2
Eliza 2
Esthr. 2
Ethel 2
Florence 2
Hannah 2
Martha 2
Sarah 2
Agnes 1
Alina 1
Amelia 1
Catherine 1
Dinah 1
Eleanor 1
Emily 1
Fannie 1
Fanny 1
Habboy 1
Johannah 1
Laura 1
Letitia 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
Maud 1
Minnie 1
Silney 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Hanshaw surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 7
Thomas 6
William 6
Charles 5
George 5
Wm. 4
Ernest 3
Harry 3
James 3
Arthur 2
Frederick 2
Joseph 2
Archibald 1
Bertie 1
Charley 1
Edward 1
F. 1
Geo. 1
Herbert 1
Samuel 1

FAQ

Hanshaw surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hanshaw surname in 1881?

In 1881, 120 people were recorded with the Hanshaw surname. That placed it at #17,756 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hanshaw surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 261 in 2016. That gives Hanshaw a modern rank of #16,309.

What does the Hanshaw surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "Hann's wood" or "Hann's thicket," referring to a person who lived there.

What does the Hanshaw map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hanshaw bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.