NameCensus.

UK surname

Hartwell

A locational surname referring to someone from any of the various places named Hartwell, meaning "deer spring."

In the 1881 census there were 1,231 people recorded with the Hartwell surname, ranking it #3,290 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,688, ranked #3,707, down from #3,290 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Chipping Campden and Kidderminster. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Staffordshire, Wychavon and Wyre Forest.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hartwell is 1,885 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 37.1%.

1881 census count

1,231

Ranked #3,290

Modern count

1,688

2016, ranked #3,707

Peak year

1999

1,885 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hartwell had 1,231 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,290 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,688 in 2016, ranked #3,707.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,830 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Hartwell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hartwell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hartwell 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 676 #3,839
1861 historical 807 #3,409
1881 historical 1,231 #3,290
1891 historical 1,422 #3,070
1901 historical 1,599 #3,231
1911 historical 1,830 #2,695
1997 modern 1,743 #3,422
1998 modern 1,880 #3,333
1999 modern 1,885 #3,344
2000 modern 1,852 #3,377
2001 modern 1,786 #3,414
2002 modern 1,849 #3,382
2003 modern 1,823 #3,363
2004 modern 1,818 #3,365
2005 modern 1,773 #3,416
2006 modern 1,755 #3,449
2007 modern 1,807 #3,391
2008 modern 1,796 #3,442
2009 modern 1,806 #3,498
2010 modern 1,819 #3,535
2011 modern 1,767 #3,580
2012 modern 1,697 #3,649
2013 modern 1,730 #3,645
2014 modern 1,731 #3,669
2015 modern 1,712 #3,655
2016 modern 1,688 #3,707

Geography

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Where Hartwells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Chipping Campden and Kidderminster. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Staffordshire, Wychavon, Wyre Forest, Rugby and Cherwell. 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 Chipping Campden Warwickshire
4 Kidderminster Worcestershire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Staffordshire 001 South Staffordshire
2 Wychavon 013 Wychavon
3 Wyre Forest 008 Wyre Forest
4 Rugby 005 Rugby
5 Cherwell 002 Cherwell

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hartwell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hartwell

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hartwell, 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 Hartwell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Hartwell 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, Hartwell 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

Hartwell is most concentrated in decile 4 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hartwell falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hartwell 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 Hartwell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Hartwell

The surname Hartwell is of English origin and dates back to the late medieval period. It is a locational name derived from one of the several places in England called Hartwell or Harthill. The name is composed of the Old English words "heorot," meaning "hart" or "stag," and "well," meaning "spring" or "stream." This suggests that the original bearers of the name lived near a stream or spring frequented by deer.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1166, which mention a William de Herthewelle. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also include references to people with the name Hartwell residing in various counties, such as Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the name appeared in various forms, including Hertwell, Hertewelle, and Herthwell, reflecting the variations in spelling common during that period. The Subsidy Rolls of 1327 list a John de Hertwell in Cambridgeshire, while the Poll Tax Returns of 1379 mention a Thomas Hertewell in Yorkshire.

One notable bearer of the name Hartwell was Abbot William Hartwell, who lived in the late 15th century and served as the Abbot of St. Mary's Abbey in York from 1476 to 1509.

In the 16th century, the name Hartwell gained prominence with Sir John Hartwell (c. 1485-1554), a lawyer and member of the English Parliament. He was instrumental in the dissolution of the monasteries under King Henry VIII.

Another prominent figure was Sir Abraham Hartwell (1549-1605), a wealthy merchant and Member of Parliament for Northampton. He was known for his philanthropic endeavors and founded several almshouses in Buckinghamshire.

The 17th century saw the birth of Benjamin Hartwell (1638-1720), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works, including "A Treatise on Defamation and Evil Speaking."

In the 18th century, Samuel Hartwell (1715-1792) was a notable English minister and author who wrote extensively on theological subjects.

Throughout history, the Hartwell surname has been associated with various locations, including Hartwell House in Buckinghamshire, a renowned country house that served as a residence for several notable figures, including Louis XVIII of France during his exile from 1809 to 1814.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hartwell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hartwell 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 171 Hartwells recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.42x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 171 1.42x
Warwickshire 129 4.26x
Worcestershire 120 7.65x
Northamptonshire 87 7.70x
Bedfordshire 84 13.50x
Gloucestershire 83 3.52x
Surrey 56 0.96x
Staffordshire 53 1.31x
Berkshire 44 4.88x
Oxfordshire 44 5.93x
Lancashire 43 0.30x
Buckinghamshire 37 5.09x
Yorkshire 31 0.26x
Kent 26 0.63x
Leicestershire 24 1.80x
Westmorland 24 9.09x
Essex 21 0.89x
Hertfordshire 16 1.93x
Devon 13 0.52x
Cheshire 12 0.45x
Northumberland 11 0.62x
Nottinghamshire 11 0.68x
Sussex 11 0.54x
Derbyshire 10 0.53x
Herefordshire 9 1.83x
Durham 8 0.22x
Lincolnshire 8 0.42x
Somerset 7 0.36x
Cambridgeshire 5 0.66x
Channel Islands 4 1.12x
Dorset 4 0.51x
Monmouthshire 4 0.46x
Norfolk 4 0.22x
Suffolk 4 0.27x
Hampshire 3 0.12x
Cornwall 2 0.15x
Glamorgan 2 0.10x
Wiltshire 2 0.19x
Brecknockshire 1 0.42x
Cumberland 1 0.10x
Denbighshire 1 0.22x
Isle of Man 1 0.45x
Royal Navy 1 0.70x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kidderminster Borough in Worcestershire leads with 38 Hartwells recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.37x.

Place Total Index
Kidderminster Borough 38 41.37x
Aston 34 4.07x
Lambeth 31 2.96x
Cople 25 1322.75x
Badsey 22 924.37x
Chelsea London 20 5.52x
Chipping Campden 20 260.76x
Kensington London 19 2.84x
Neithrop 17 68.16x
Turvey 17 432.57x
Farnborough 16 1032.26x
Bourton On The Water 14 291.67x
Islington London 13 1.12x
Abingdon St Helen 12 45.51x
Farthinghoe 12 821.92x
Shipston On Stour 12 168.07x
Thornborough 12 502.09x
Byfield 11 337.42x
Aspley Guise 10 167.79x
Newington 10 2.25x
Pebworth 10 352.11x
St George Hanover Square 10 4.72x
Stoke Newington London 10 10.68x
West Bromwich 10 4.31x
Bedford St Mary 9 56.14x
Elford 9 511.36x
Habergham Eaves 9 6.90x
Hackney London 9 1.34x
Hammersmith London 9 3.04x
Hornsey 9 5.92x
Marton 9 584.42x
Naunton Beauchamp 9 1636.36x
Oxford St Thomas 9 25.99x
St Marylebone London 9 1.40x
Waitby 9 3214.29x
Yardley 9 22.42x
Battersea 8 1.81x
Birmingham 8 0.79x
Brill 8 150.09x
Coventry St Michael 8 8.22x
Grays Thurrock 8 36.28x
Greenwich 8 4.18x
Idlicote 8 1702.13x
Kirkby Stephen 8 116.79x
Leicester St Mary 8 7.43x
St Albans St Peter 8 28.62x
Willersey 8 493.83x
Wokingham 8 38.85x
Ashby De La Zouch 7 22.66x
Barby Cum Onley 7 299.15x
Blockley 7 78.92x
Brackley St James 7 270.27x
Esh 7 26.90x
Finedon 7 70.71x
Kendal 7 14.48x
North Hincksey 7 700.00x
Shoreditch London 7 1.34x
Soothill 7 16.27x
St Clement Danes London 7 28.15x
St Nicholas Lincoln 7 38.11x
St Pancras London 7 0.72x
Stow On The Wold 7 133.59x
Warkworth 7 68.83x
Willenhall 7 9.21x
Bilton 6 85.84x
Cardington 6 118.58x
Elswick 6 4.20x
Fritwell 6 259.74x
Hunslet 6 3.23x
Kenton 6 76.05x
Kirklington 6 659.34x
Maugersbury 6 265.49x
Mursley 6 256.41x
Newton 6 5.46x
Northampton Priory St 6 8.85x
Northampton St Giles 6 13.93x
Pleasley 6 126.58x
Teddington London 6 22.03x
Wednesbury 6 5.92x
Wednesfield 6 10.05x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 85
John 80
George 52
James 39
Thomas 37
Charles 26
Joseph 24
Henry 22
Alfred 20
Arthur 14
Albert 12
Edward 12
Harry 11
Frederick 9
David 8
Frank 8
Richard 8
Walter 8
Daniel 7
Ernest 7
Robert 5
Samuel 5
Benjamin 4
Chas. 4
Fred 4
Reuben 4
Sidney 4
Ambrose 3
Amos 3
Francis 3
Herbert 3
Michael 3
Willm. 3
Benjamen 2
Cornelius 2
Edwin 2
Eli 2
Elijah 2
Geo. 2
Jonathan 2
Nathan 2
Philip 2
Silas 2
Thos. 2
Tom 2
Willie 2
Caleb 1
Elias 1
Ellis 1
Willm.J. 1

FAQ

Hartwell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hartwell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,231 people were recorded with the Hartwell surname. That placed it at #3,290 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hartwell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,688 in 2016. That gives Hartwell a modern rank of #3,707.

What does the Hartwell surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from any of the various places named Hartwell, meaning "deer spring."

What does the Hartwell map show?

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