UK surname
A surname derived from an English place name referring to someone from Hanway.
In the 1881 census there were 26 people recorded with the Hanway surname, ranking it #29,911 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 33, ranked #35,829, down from #29,911 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Chingford, Eccles and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hanway is 138 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 26.9%.
1881 census count
26
Ranked #29,911
Modern count
33
2016, ranked #35,829
Peak year
1861
138 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hanway surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hanway surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 65 | #21,747 |
| 1861 | historical | 138 | #16,365 |
| 1881 | historical | 26 | #29,911 |
| 1891 | historical | 56 | #29,638 |
| 1901 | historical | 31 | #30,616 |
| 1911 | historical | 32 | #29,838 |
| 1997 | modern | 40 | #33,666 |
| 1998 | modern | 40 | #33,856 |
| 1999 | modern | 41 | #33,866 |
| 2000 | modern | 40 | #33,976 |
| 2001 | modern | 42 | #33,658 |
| 2002 | modern | 39 | #34,219 |
| 2003 | modern | 40 | #34,215 |
| 2004 | modern | 34 | #34,868 |
| 2005 | modern | 33 | #35,119 |
| 2006 | modern | 34 | #35,255 |
| 2007 | modern | 34 | #35,410 |
| 2008 | modern | 32 | #35,610 |
| 2009 | modern | 32 | #35,730 |
| 2010 | modern | 37 | #35,566 |
| 2011 | modern | 37 | #35,553 |
| 2012 | modern | 39 | #35,415 |
| 2013 | modern | 37 | #35,582 |
| 2014 | modern | 38 | #35,547 |
| 2015 | modern | 35 | #35,702 |
| 2016 | modern | 33 | #35,829 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Chingford, Eccles, Manchester, St George the Martyr, St Andrew Holborn above the Bars, Furnival's Inn and Childwall. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chingford | Essex |
| 2 | Eccles | Lancashire |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | St George the Martyr, St Andrew Holborn above the Bars, Furnival's Inn | London (Central Districts) |
| 5 | Childwall | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hanway surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hanway, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Hanway surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hanway household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Hanway is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hanway is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hanway, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Hanway has its origins in England and dates back to the late 16th century. It is believed to be derived from a place name, specifically the town of Handworth, which was located near Birmingham in the West Midlands region. The earliest recorded spelling of the name was "Handwey," found in the Parish Registers of Worcestershire in 1591.
Hanway is thought to have evolved from the Old English words "hond," meaning "hand," and "worþ," meaning "an enclosed homestead or farm." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived on or owned a farm or estate with the word "hand" potentially indicating a distinctive feature or landmark.
In the Domesday Book of 1086, a record of landholders in England commissioned by William the Conqueror, there are several references to places with similar names, such as "Hanedene" and "Hanedene." While not a direct mention of the surname Hanway, these entries provide evidence of the existence of related place names during the Norman era.
One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Hanway was William Hanway, who was born in 1685 in Worcestershire. He became a prominent merchant and traveler, publishing a book titled "An Historical Account of the British Trade over the Caspian Sea" in 1753, detailing his experiences in Russia and Persia.
Another notable figure was Jonas Hanway (1712-1786), a philanthropist and writer from Portsmouth, England. He is credited with popularizing the use of umbrellas in England and advocating for various social reforms, including the establishment of the Marine Society, which aimed to provide employment for orphaned boys in the Royal Navy.
In the 19th century, Richard Hanway (1804-1881) was a prominent English architect who designed several notable buildings, including the Royal Albert Hall in London. He was also involved in the restoration of various churches and cathedrals across England.
Mary Hanway (1865-1949) was a notable English artist and sculptor, known for her portrait busts and allegorical figures. Her works were exhibited at the Royal Academy and other prestigious venues during her lifetime.
Joseph Hanway (1886-1967) was an American businessman and philanthropist, best known for establishing the Hanway Institute in Scranton, Pennsylvania, which provided vocational training and education for underprivileged youth.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hanway surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 12 Hanways recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.99x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 12 | 3.99x |
| Surrey | 8 | 6.47x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 1.58x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 1.79x |
| Kent | 1 | 1.16x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Manchester in Lancashire leads with 6 Hanways recorded in 1881 and an index of 44.35x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester | 6 | 44.35x |
| Bermondsey | 5 | 66.23x |
| Camberwell | 3 | 18.52x |
| Hulme | 2 | 31.85x |
| Islington London | 2 | 8.14x |
| Toxteth Park | 2 | 19.63x |
| Gorton | 1 | 35.34x |
| Hurdsfield | 1 | 294.12x |
| Ramsgate | 1 | 70.92x |
| St George Hanover Square | 1 | 22.37x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 4.90x |
| West Derby | 1 | 11.36x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hanway surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Hanway surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Hanway households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| A B Seaman | 1 |
| Carman | 1 |
| Clerk H M Customs | 1 |
| Cloth Sorter (Rag Dlr) | 1 |
| Laborer Wharf | 1 |
| Labour | 1 |
| Labourer At Forge (Iron) | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Pavior | 1 |
| Railway Lab | 1 |
| Railway Porter | 1 |
| Stableman | 1 |
| Works In Warehouse | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 26 people were recorded with the Hanway surname. That placed it at #29,911 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 33 in 2016. That gives Hanway a modern rank of #35,829.
A surname derived from an English place name referring to someone from Hanway.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hanway bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.