NameCensus.

UK surname

Hanwell

A locational surname referring to those from the region of Hanwell.

In the 1881 census there were 415 people recorded with the Hanwell surname, ranking it #7,763 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 479, ranked #10,308, down from #7,763 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sheffield, Swindon and Charnwood.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hanwell is 523 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 15.4%.

1881 census count

415

Ranked #7,763

Modern count

479

2016, ranked #10,308

Peak year

1911

523 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hanwell had 415 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,763 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 479 in 2016, ranked #10,308.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 523 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Hanwell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hanwell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hanwell 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 269 #8,303
1861 historical 384 #6,667
1881 historical 415 #7,763
1891 historical 402 #8,842
1901 historical 457 #8,610
1911 historical 523 #7,566
1997 modern 491 #9,425
1998 modern 512 #9,414
1999 modern 522 #9,348
2000 modern 520 #9,339
2001 modern 506 #9,382
2002 modern 510 #9,500
2003 modern 490 #9,631
2004 modern 469 #9,983
2005 modern 452 #10,173
2006 modern 459 #10,088
2007 modern 465 #10,096
2008 modern 452 #10,369
2009 modern 486 #10,069
2010 modern 486 #10,264
2011 modern 477 #10,319
2012 modern 486 #10,073
2013 modern 504 #9,966
2014 modern 501 #10,063
2015 modern 488 #10,182
2016 modern 479 #10,308

Geography

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Where Hanwells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory and Penistone (Denby), Kirkburton (Cumberworth Half). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sheffield, Swindon, Charnwood and South Tyneside. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory Northamptonshire
5 Penistone (Denby), Kirkburton (Cumberworth Half) Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sheffield 014 Sheffield
2 Sheffield 004 Sheffield
3 Swindon 008 Swindon
4 Charnwood 022 Charnwood
5 South Tyneside 015 South Tyneside

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hanwell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hanwell

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hanwell, 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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Hanwell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Hanwell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Hanwell is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Hanwell is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hanwell falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hanwell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Hanwell

The surname Hanwell has its origins in England, with the earliest known records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the place name 'Hanwell,' a village located in the county of Middlesex, which was once a separate county but is now part of Greater London.

The name 'Hanwell' itself is thought to be derived from the Old English words 'hana' meaning 'cock' or 'rooster,' and 'well' meaning 'stream' or 'spring.' This suggests that the area was likely known for its abundant water sources and the presence of roosters, perhaps used for farming or as a local landmark.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Hanwell can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where the village is mentioned as 'Hanawelle.' This historical document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides valuable insights into the names and locations of settlements in England at that time.

Over the centuries, the name has been spelled in various ways, including 'Handwell,' 'Hannewell,' and 'Hannwell,' reflecting the evolution of language and regional variations in pronunciation. Some notable individuals bearing the surname Hanwell throughout history include:

1. Sir John Hanwell (c. 1520 - 1584), an English politician and Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. 2. Thomas Hanwell (1737 - 1806), a British architect and surveyor known for his work on churches and public buildings in London. 3. Mary Hanwell (1812 - 1895), a pioneering British nurse and midwife who played a significant role in improving healthcare for women and children. 4. William Hanwell (1856 - 1932), an English cricketer who played first-class cricket for Middlesex County Cricket Club in the late 19th century. 5. Ethel Hanwell (1880 - 1964), a British suffragette and activist who campaigned for women's rights and social reform in the early 20th century.

While the surname Hanwell is not among the most common surnames in England, it has a rich history and connection to the village of the same name, reflecting the influence of place names on the development of surnames in the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hanwell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hanwell 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 102 Hanwells recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.52x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 102 2.52x
Yorkshire 94 2.34x
Northamptonshire 38 9.98x
Buckinghamshire 25 10.21x
Oxfordshire 24 9.60x
Norfolk 17 2.73x
Staffordshire 15 1.10x
Hertfordshire 14 5.02x
Lancashire 14 0.29x
Kent 11 0.80x
Warwickshire 11 1.08x
Nottinghamshire 9 1.65x
Northumberland 8 1.33x
Sussex 8 1.17x
Berkshire 7 2.30x
Durham 7 0.58x
Leicestershire 4 0.89x
Surrey 3 0.15x
Cheshire 2 0.22x
Derbyshire 1 0.16x
Worcestershire 1 0.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Denby in Yorkshire leads with 32 Hanwells recorded in 1881 and an index of 1481.48x.

Place Total Index
Denby 32 1481.48x
St Marylebone London 22 10.18x
Brightside Bierlow 17 21.61x
Woodstock 16 1019.11x
Long Buckby 15 426.14x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 13 69.56x
St Anne Soho London 13 56.23x
Paddington London 10 6.72x
Penistone 10 319.49x
Nottingham St Mary 9 6.38x
Sculcoates 9 14.15x
Burton Upon Trent 8 25.02x
Chirton 8 58.69x
Ditchling 8 430.11x
Great Marlow 8 121.03x
Hampstead London 8 12.69x
Hornsey 8 15.63x
Northampton St Sepulchre 8 41.30x
Darlaston 7 37.08x
Northampton All Sts 7 54.18x
Pelton 7 122.16x
Bethnal Green London 6 3.41x
Dallington 6 267.86x
Deptford St Nicholas 6 54.74x
Great Kimble 6 1052.63x
Middlesbrough 6 11.49x
Aston 5 1.78x
Hornsea 5 196.85x
Monks Risborough 5 427.35x
New Windsor 5 48.92x
Shenley 5 271.74x
St Giles In Fields London 5 25.18x
St Pancras London 5 1.53x
Thurgoland 5 184.50x
Watford 5 23.12x
Bow London 4 7.76x
Heigham 4 11.97x
Hulme 4 3.99x
Islington London 4 1.02x
Kildwick 4 109.59x
Leicester St Margaret 4 3.65x
Liverpool 4 1.37x
Neithrop 4 47.62x
St Martin In Fields 4 16.50x
Tring 4 53.69x
Birmingham 3 0.88x
Rugby 3 21.72x
St George Hanover Square 3 4.21x
St Michael Queenhithe 3 1153.85x
Bermondsey 2 1.66x
Cookham 2 21.12x
Eccleston 2 444.44x
Lewisham 2 2.72x
Northampton Priory St 2 8.75x
Princes Risborough 2 60.98x
Shoreditch London 2 1.14x
Toxteth Park 2 1.23x
Almondbury 1 5.15x
Aylesbury 1 9.23x
Banbury 1 19.96x
Bradfield 1 6.47x
Bridlington 1 10.89x
Bromley 1 4.75x
Combe 1 133.33x
Greenwich 1 1.55x
Kings Norton 1 2.11x
Lambeth 1 0.28x
Litchurch 1 3.92x
Newchurch 1 2.54x
Newport Pagnell 1 19.53x
Poplar London 1 1.31x
Saunderton 1 169.49x
St Mary Le Bow London 1 555.56x
Stonesfield 1 123.46x
Sutton Stoneferry 1 8.71x
Tottenham 1 1.55x
Willesden 1 2.62x
Woolwich 1 1.96x
Wraysbury 1 109.89x
Wressell 1 192.31x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 23
George 16
John 16
Henry 15
Thomas 14
James 12
Arthur 11
Charles 8
Joseph 8
Richard 6
Alfred 5
Robert 5
Frederick 4
Harry 4
Walter 4
Albert 3
Aaron 2
Chas. 2
David 2
Earnest 2
Edwin 2
Fredk. 2
Nathaniel 2
Sidney 2
B.A. 1
B.R. 1
Benjamin 1
C. 1
C.W.S. 1
Christopher 1
Cyril 1
Dick 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fred. 1
Geo. 1
Hammons 1
Herbert 1
Horace 1
Jesse 1
Louise 1
Mark 1
Martin 1
Percy 1
Reginald 1
Sam 1
Samuel 1
T.M. 1

FAQ

Hanwell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hanwell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 415 people were recorded with the Hanwell surname. That placed it at #7,763 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hanwell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 479 in 2016. That gives Hanwell a modern rank of #10,308.

What does the Hanwell surname mean?

A locational surname referring to those from the region of Hanwell.

What does the Hanwell map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hanwell 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.