NameCensus.

UK surname

Haws

Derived from Middle English "haw," referring to a person who lived near or worked in a hedged enclosure.

In the 1881 census there were 334 people recorded with the Haws surname, ranking it #9,025 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 111, ranked #29,049, down from #9,025 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Coveney, Manea, Mepal, Downham, Witcham, Witchford, Wentworth, Rudham, East and Watford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Guildford, South Tyneside and Test Valley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Haws is 442 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 66.8%.

1881 census count

334

Ranked #9,025

Modern count

111

2016, ranked #29,049

Peak year

1851

442 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Haws had 334 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,025 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 111 in 2016, ranked #29,049.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 442 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Haws surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Haws surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Haws 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 442 #5,570
1861 historical 313 #8,103
1881 historical 334 #9,025
1891 historical 274 #11,880
1901 historical 225 #14,047
1911 historical 197 #15,101
1997 modern 113 #25,106
1998 modern 118 #25,041
1999 modern 121 #24,855
2000 modern 115 #25,591
2001 modern 108 #26,184
2002 modern 112 #26,165
2003 modern 112 #25,948
2004 modern 108 #26,741
2005 modern 101 #27,854
2006 modern 95 #29,113
2007 modern 101 #28,505
2008 modern 105 #28,180
2009 modern 99 #29,754
2010 modern 105 #29,453
2011 modern 110 #28,478
2012 modern 115 #27,717
2013 modern 110 #29,028
2014 modern 110 #29,294
2015 modern 111 #28,986
2016 modern 111 #29,049

Geography

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Where Haws' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Coveney, Manea, Mepal, Downham, Witcham, Witchford, Wentworth, Rudham, East, Watford, Burston and West Derby. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Guildford, South Tyneside, Test Valley and Southampton. 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 Coveney, Manea, Mepal, Downham, Witcham, Witchford, Wentworth Cambridgeshire
2 Rudham, East Norfolk
3 Watford Hertfordshire
4 Burston Norfolk
5 West Derby Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Guildford 003 Guildford
2 South Tyneside 009 South Tyneside
3 Test Valley 012 Test Valley
4 Guildford 016 Guildford
5 Southampton 028 Southampton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Haws

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Haws

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Haws is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Haws is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Haws falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Haws

The surname HAWS is of English origin, deriving from the Old English word 'haga' meaning a hedge or enclosure. It is a topographic name that originated in the medieval period, referring to someone who lived near a hedge or enclosed area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name HAWS can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1166, where it is listed as 'de Haga'. This suggests that the name was initially used as a locational surname, indicating someone from a place called Haga or living near a hedge.

In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, the name is recorded as 'Hagh' and 'Haghes', further demonstrating the evolution of the spelling over time. The Suffolk Hearth Tax Rolls of 1674 also include entries for 'Hawes' and 'Haws', indicating the continued use of the name in various forms.

One notable historical figure bearing the surname HAWS was John Haws, a 16th-century English clergyman and author. He was born in 1555 and served as the Rector of Stowmarket in Suffolk. Haws wrote several religious works, including a commentary on the Book of Revelation.

Another notable individual was William Haws, a 17th-century English botanist and gardener. Born in 1626, he is best known for his work at the Chelsea Physic Garden in London, where he served as the head gardener from 1673 until his death in 1689.

In the 18th century, James Haws (1722-1798) was a renowned English clockmaker based in Camberwell, London. His clocks and watches were highly regarded for their quality and craftsmanship.

Moving into the 19th century, John Haws (1797-1867) was a prominent English architect who worked in the Gothic Revival style. He designed several churches and other buildings, including the Church of St. Andrew in Willesden, London.

Lastly, Edward Haws (1846-1919) was a British engineer and inventor who patented several designs for drinking fountains and outdoor water dispensers. His company, the Haws Corporation, continues to manufacture drinking fountains to this day, carrying on his legacy.

While the surname HAWS may have originated from humble beginnings, referring to those living near hedges or enclosures, it has been borne by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Haws families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Haws 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. Norfolk leads with 73 Haws' recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.57x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 73 14.57x
Essex 28 4.35x
Middlesex 26 0.80x
Cambridgeshire 25 12.12x
Suffolk 25 6.30x
Durham 23 2.37x
Surrey 22 1.39x
Lancashire 20 0.52x
Yorkshire 16 0.50x
Kent 11 0.99x
Hampshire 9 1.35x
Gloucestershire 8 1.25x
Aberdeenshire 6 1.99x
Derbyshire 6 1.18x
Lincolnshire 6 1.15x
Hertfordshire 5 2.23x
Leicestershire 5 1.38x
Cheshire 3 0.42x
Northamptonshire 3 0.98x
Sussex 3 0.55x
Angus 2 0.66x
Berkshire 2 0.82x
Worcestershire 2 0.47x
Denbighshire 1 0.81x
Northumberland 1 0.21x
Somerset 1 0.19x
Staffordshire 1 0.09x
Warwickshire 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Burwell in Cambridgeshire leads with 16 Haws' recorded in 1881 and an index of 647.77x.

Place Total Index
Burwell 16 647.77x
Welney 13 1130.43x
Camberwell 9 4.32x
Ovington 9 2903.23x
Watton 9 573.25x
Bishopwearmouth 8 9.62x
Brentwood 8 204.08x
Clifton 8 24.77x
Haddenham 8 412.37x
Sotterley 8 2666.67x
Ashdon 7 744.68x
Lambeth 7 2.46x
Rawdon 7 184.21x
Toxteth Park 7 5.35x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 6 10.63x
East Rudham 6 681.82x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 6 14.29x
Lowestoft 6 32.00x
Matlock 6 87.59x
Ospringe 6 437.96x
Stratton St Michael 6 2068.97x
Burnham 5 210.08x
Collierley 5 115.74x
Coulsdon 5 173.01x
Kensington London 5 2.76x
Portsea 5 3.82x
Gillingham 4 800.00x
Great Warley 4 273.97x
Great Yarmouth 4 9.64x
Hackney London 4 2.19x
Hemel Hempstead 4 39.53x
Islington London 4 1.27x
Southburgh 4 1111.11x
Sunderland 4 23.36x
Weasenham All Sts 4 975.61x
Burgate 3 937.50x
Caytn Deepdal Kilrby 3 441.18x
Desborough 3 130.43x
Gedgrave 3 3750.00x
Gorton 3 8.26x
Harpley 3 638.30x
Hindringham 3 454.55x
Littlehampton 3 68.49x
Newton In Makerfield 3 25.34x
Sculcoates 3 5.86x
Spalding 3 29.01x
Wavertree 3 24.25x
Barking 2 10.63x
Burnham Westgate 2 185.19x
Dundee 2 1.77x
Fulham London 2 4.23x
Leicester St Margaret 2 2.27x
Lewisham 2 3.37x
Liscard 2 15.43x
Otley 2 281.69x
Shanklin 2 100.50x
Smallburgh 2 338.98x
West Derby 2 1.77x
Wortham 2 188.68x
Blofield 1 78.74x
Boston 1 6.33x
Eldersfield 1 149.25x
Ely Holy Trinity St Mary 1 11.11x
Epsom 1 12.92x
Great Bowden 1 30.40x
Hayes 1 30.12x
Holdenhurst 1 5.71x
Holywell 1 40.16x
Hurley 1 78.74x
Newton Flotman 1 312.50x
Ombersley 1 42.19x
Rockland St Peter 1 357.14x
Shoreditch London 1 0.71x
St George Martyr London 1 15.15x
St Marylebone London 1 0.57x
St Pancras London 1 0.38x
Swaffham 1 24.57x
Tring 1 16.67x
Yeovil 1 9.38x
York St Nicholas In 1 54.95x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 16
Elizabeth 10
Jane 9
Emma 8
Sarah 8
Alice 7
Annie 7
Eliza 7
Hannah 6
Ada 4
Edith 4
Ellen 4
Ann 3
Emily 3
Isabella 3
Maria 3
Rebecca 3
Amy 2
Anna 2
Charlotte 2
Elisebeth 2
Eva 2
Frances 2
Jemima 2
Kate 2
Kezia 2
Lydia 2
Martha 2
Minnie 2
Bertha 1
Caroline 1
Elen 1
Elizth. 1
Florence 1
Francis 1
Happuch 1
Harriet 1
Helen 1
Isabel 1
Katherine 1
Lillie 1
Lilly 1
Lois 1
Lorance 1
Louisa 1
Lousia 1
Lucy 1
Margret 1
Marion 1
Sussana 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 19
John 15
George 14
Robert 13
Thomas 9
Edward 7
Henry 7
James 7
Charles 6
Harry 6
Alfred 4
Frank 3
Jonathan 3
Walter 3
Arthur 2
Benjamin 2
Frederick 2
Joseph 2
Willie 2
Adam 1
Alexr. 1
Allison 1
Arther 1
Bentley 1
Burton 1
Christopher 1
D.G. 1
Edwin 1
Elijih 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Fuller 1
Garnett 1
Geo. 1
Geo.D. 1
Herbert 1
Isaac 1
Jesse 1
Matthew 1
Mowbray 1
Norris 1
Peter 1
Philip 1
Reuben 1
Richard 1
Richd. 1
Samuel 1
Stephen 1
Thos. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Haws surname: questions and answers

How common was the Haws surname in 1881?

In 1881, 334 people were recorded with the Haws surname. That placed it at #9,025 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Haws surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 111 in 2016. That gives Haws a modern rank of #29,049.

What does the Haws surname mean?

Derived from Middle English "haw," referring to a person who lived near or worked in a hedged enclosure.

What does the Haws map show?

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