UK surname
A surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from Harworth, Nottinghamshire.
In the 1881 census there were 45 people recorded with the Harworth surname, ranking it #27,314 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2, ranked #38,825, down from #27,314 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Dean and Gainford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Harworth is 140 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 95.6%.
1881 census count
45
Ranked #27,314
Modern count
2
2016, ranked #38,825
Peak year
1851
140 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Harworth surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Harworth surname density by area, 1891 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 | 140 | #13,593 |
| 1861 | historical | 42 | #28,691 |
| 1881 | historical | 45 | #27,314 |
| 1891 | historical | 128 | #20,393 |
| 1901 | historical | 23 | #31,466 |
| 1911 | historical | 65 | #26,343 |
| 1997 | modern | 10 | #37,060 |
| 1998 | modern | 3 | #38,304 |
| 1999 | modern | 5 | #37,872 |
| 2000 | modern | 2 | #38,472 |
| 2001 | modern | 2 | #38,335 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 3 | #38,241 |
| 2005 | modern | 3 | #38,312 |
| 2006 | modern | 4 | #38,130 |
| 2007 | modern | 3 | #38,372 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 3 | #38,494 |
| 2010 | modern | 2 | #38,775 |
| 2011 | modern | 1 | #39,015 |
| 2012 | modern | 1 | #38,986 |
| 2013 | modern | 3 | #38,526 |
| 2014 | modern | 3 | #38,552 |
| 2015 | modern | 4 | #38,392 |
| 2016 | modern | 2 | #38,825 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Dean, Gainford, Blackburn and Bolton-le-Moors. 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 | Rochdale | Lancashire |
| 2 | Dean | Lancashire |
| 3 | Gainford | Durham |
| 4 | Blackburn | Lancashire |
| 5 | Bolton-le-Moors | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Harworth 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 Harworth, 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 Harworth surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Harworth 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, Harworth 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 Harworth is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Harworth, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Harworth has its origins rooted in England, specifically dating back to the medieval period. The name is geographically derived from a place name, specifically referring to a village called Harworth located in Nottinghamshire. This area has historical significance dating back to early medieval times.
The etymology of Harworth can be broken down into Old English elements. The name likely originates from "here," meaning army, and "worth," meaning a farmstead or enclosure. Combining these elements, Harworth would historically imply a settlement associated with an army or military group, indicating its location could have been of strategic importance.
One of the earliest instances of the name appearing in records is found in the Domesday Book of 1086. The Domesday Book was a great survey commissioned by William the Conqueror, which provides extensive records about landholding and settlements in England. The village of Harworth is listed in the Domesday Book, affirming its presence and significance during that period, and by association, the Harworth surname has its roots around this timeline.
The name Harworth can be seen in various historical records and forms, such as in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire in 1379, where a Richard de Harworth is mentioned. These variations further underscore the deep historical presence of the surname in England.
One noteworthy person with the surname is John Harworth, born in the late 16th century. John Harworth was known for his role as a landholder and minor gentry in the Nottinghamshire area. His documented activities in land transfers and local governance provide insights into the status and responsibilities of individuals bearing this surname.
Another significant individual is William Harworth, born in 1605 and known for his contributions to the early industrial activities in Derbyshire. His efforts in coal mining operations are chronicled in local historical accounts, marking him as an important figure in the regional economic history.
Elizabeth Harworth, born in 1689, is another notable individual, known for her extensive charity work and contributions to the local community in Leicestershire. Her legacy continues to be celebrated through various philanthropic endeavors documented in church records and local history texts.
In the 19th century, Thomas Harworth, born in 1820, gained recognition as a railway engineer. His work on expanding the rail networks across northern England was pivotal during the Industrial Revolution, and his achievements are recorded in engineering historical journals of that period.
Arthur Harworth, born in 1856, became a prominent figure in the legal community in Staffordshire. His achievements as a barrister and later as a judge are well-documented in the annals of British legal history, illustrating the surname's association with various professional fields over the centuries.
The historical journey of the Harworth surname encapsulates a blend of geographical origin, linguistic development, and individual achievements spanning several centuries. Its legacy is reflected in historical records and the noteworthy contributions of those who carried the name, from medieval landholders to influential professionals in more recent centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Harworth 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 15 Harworths recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.88x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 15 | 2.88x |
| Yorkshire | 14 | 3.22x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 1.37x |
| Surrey | 4 | 1.87x |
| Kent | 3 | 2.00x |
| Essex | 1 | 1.15x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 1.69x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.68x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Blackburn in Lancashire leads with 8 Harworths recorded in 1881 and an index of 57.76x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Blackburn | 8 | 57.76x |
| Bradford | 6 | 56.98x |
| Over Darwen | 5 | 120.19x |
| York St Lawrence | 5 | 1111.11x |
| Islington London | 3 | 7.05x |
| Plumstead | 3 | 60.12x |
| Shoreditch London | 3 | 15.77x |
| Penge | 2 | 71.43x |
| Sculcoates | 2 | 29.03x |
| Carlton | 1 | 149.25x |
| Cowesby | 1 | 10000.00x |
| Eccleshall | 1 | 178.57x |
| Oldham | 1 | 5.95x |
| Preston | 1 | 7.18x |
| Rotherhithe | 1 | 18.45x |
| Walton Le Soken | 1 | 476.19x |
| Woking | 1 | 77.52x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Harworth 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 Harworth surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 45 people were recorded with the Harworth surname. That placed it at #27,314 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 2 in 2016. That gives Harworth a modern rank of #38,825.
A surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from Harworth, Nottinghamshire.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Harworth 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.