NameCensus.

UK surname

Healing

An English occupational surname referring to a practitioner of medicinal treatments or cures.

In the 1881 census there were 249 people recorded with the Healing surname, ranking it #11,103 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 233, ranked #17,625, down from #11,103 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Shrewsbury St Chad, Wroxeter, Atcham, Berrington and Tewkesbury. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wirral, Cheshire West and Chester and Isle of Wight.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Healing is 354 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 6.4%.

1881 census count

249

Ranked #11,103

Modern count

233

2016, ranked #17,625

Peak year

1911

354 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Healing had 249 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,103 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 233 in 2016, ranked #17,625.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 354 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Healing surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Healing surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Healing 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 174 #11,590
1861 historical 267 #9,290
1881 historical 249 #11,103
1891 historical 352 #9,781
1901 historical 338 #10,709
1911 historical 354 #10,192
1997 modern 250 #15,281
1998 modern 259 #15,320
1999 modern 266 #15,150
2000 modern 272 #14,868
2001 modern 247 #15,637
2002 modern 254 #15,641
2003 modern 249 #15,653
2004 modern 244 #15,948
2005 modern 232 #16,480
2006 modern 227 #16,842
2007 modern 231 #16,835
2008 modern 233 #16,885
2009 modern 250 #16,421
2010 modern 247 #16,931
2011 modern 243 #16,968
2012 modern 248 #16,618
2013 modern 248 #16,877
2014 modern 251 #16,865
2015 modern 239 #17,322
2016 modern 233 #17,625

Geography

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Where Healings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Shrewsbury St Chad, Wroxeter, Atcham, Berrington, Tewkesbury and Nuneaton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wirral, Cheshire West and Chester, Isle of Wight, Birmingham and Rushcliffe. 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 Shrewsbury St Chad, Wroxeter, Atcham, Berrington Shropshire
3 Tewkesbury Gloucestershire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Nuneaton Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wirral 039 Wirral
2 Cheshire West and Chester 015 Cheshire West and Chester
3 Isle of Wight 012 Isle of Wight
4 Birmingham 087 Birmingham
5 Rushcliffe 010 Rushcliffe

Forenames

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First names often paired with Healing

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Healing

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

Healing 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

Healing 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 Healing is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Healing

The surname "HEALING" originates from England in the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "hælan," which means "to heal" or "to cure." The name was likely initially given as a descriptive name to someone who worked as a healer or a physician.

In medieval times, the name was often spelled as "Helying" or "Helyng." One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1273, where a person named Robert Helyng is mentioned.

The surname "HEALING" may also have connections to certain place names in England. For example, there is a village called Healing in Lincolnshire, which could have influenced the surname's development. Additionally, the name may be related to the Healing Well, a historical spring in Bath, Somerset, known for its supposed healing properties.

One notable bearer of the surname "HEALING" was Richard Healing (c. 1570-1635), an English clergyman and author who served as the Dean of Rochester Cathedral. Another was William Healing (1739-1821), a prominent English engraver and artist who worked on several notable publications, including the "Biographical Mirrour" and "The Antiquities of Windsor."

In the 16th century, a family with the surname "HEALING" was recorded in the parish records of Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire. One member of this family, John Healing (1554-1625), was a prominent landowner and served as a churchwarden in the local parish church.

Another individual of historical significance was Thomas Healing (1773-1853), a British naval officer who participated in several battles during the Napoleonic Wars. He was commended for his bravery and leadership during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

The surname "HEALING" has also been associated with various occupations throughout history, including medicine, clergy, and craftsmanship. While not as widespread as some other English surnames, it has left a notable mark on various historical records and accounts.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Healing families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Healing 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. Gloucestershire leads with 53 Healings recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.31x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 53 11.31x
Middlesex 32 1.34x
Warwickshire 31 5.14x
Lancashire 30 1.06x
Worcestershire 19 6.09x
Cheshire 18 3.41x
Shropshire 15 7.27x
Yorkshire 9 0.38x
Flintshire 7 10.90x
Hertfordshire 7 4.25x
Kent 5 0.61x
Staffordshire 5 0.62x
Montgomeryshire 4 7.30x
Caernarfonshire 2 2.07x
Bedfordshire 1 0.81x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.69x
Devon 1 0.20x
Glamorgan 1 0.24x
Merionethshire 1 2.29x
Surrey 1 0.09x
Sussex 1 0.25x
Wiltshire 1 0.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cheltenham in Gloucestershire leads with 19 Healings recorded in 1881 and an index of 52.54x.

Place Total Index
Cheltenham 19 52.54x
Tewkesbury 18 430.62x
Liverpool 14 8.13x
Nuneaton 14 200.57x
Longdon 13 3023.26x
Shrewsbury St Chad 9 124.14x
Birmingham 8 3.98x
Great Little Saughall 8 1379.31x
St Clement Danes London 8 161.62x
Abbots Langley 7 285.71x
Rugby 7 85.89x
St Pancras London 7 3.64x
Ashleworth 6 1463.41x
Hawarden 6 118.81x
Wakefield 6 33.00x
Corse 5 1162.79x
Kirkdale 5 10.48x
Ledsham 5 7142.86x
Mile End Old Town London 5 9.83x
Old Artillery Ground 5 242.72x
Shrewsbury St Mary 5 61.35x
Wavertree 5 55.07x
Wolverhampton 5 8.06x
Margate St John Baptist 4 26.79x
Newtown 4 114.29x
Chelsea London 3 4.17x
Deerhurst 3 441.18x
Kensington London 3 2.26x
Redmarley 3 365.85x
Chilvers Coton 2 80.65x
Leigh 2 52.77x
Little Sutton 2 281.69x
Llandudno 2 58.14x
West Derby 2 2.41x
Alverthorpe Cum Thornes 1 11.63x
Aylesbury 1 15.63x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 1 12.35x
Bradford On Avon 1 14.77x
Broadwater 1 10.82x
Cardiff St Mary 1 4.36x
Chester Holy Trinity 1 40.49x
Chester St Oswald 1 10.47x
Clifton 1 4.22x
Everton 1 1.11x
Halifax 1 2.88x
Hanley Castle 1 53.48x
Huyton With Roby 1 30.12x
Lambeth 1 0.48x
Lechlade 1 104.17x
Llanycil 1 42.55x
Luton 1 4.67x
Northop 1 44.05x
Oldham 1 1.09x
Ramsgate 1 7.51x
Shavington Cum Gresty 1 114.94x
Shawbury 1 126.58x
Tormoham 1 4.75x
Tottenham 1 2.63x
Walton On Hill 1 6.51x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Ann 7
Elizabeth 7
Annie 6
Sarah 5
Florence 4
Kate 4
Amy 3
Catherine 3
Charlotte 3
Emma 3
Fanny 3
Jane 3
Jessie 3
Louisa 3
Ada 2
Alice 2
Eliza 2
Ellen 2
Emily 2
Lucy 2
Rebecca 2
Susan 2
Anne 1
Beatrice 1
Bertha 1
Caroline 1
Cathn. 1
Elizth. 1
Elsie 1
Ethel 1
Frances 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Harriett 1
Helen 1
Lavirth 1
Leah 1
Lilian 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1
Marion 1
Mgt. 1
Minnie 1
Nellie 1
Rosa 1
Rosetta 1
Selina 1
Thirza 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 13
John 11
Thomas 10
Henry 9
Alfred 7
Charles 6
James 6
Samuel 5
George 4
Harry 4
Francis 3
Lewis 3
Robert 3
Wm. 3
Benjamin 2
Frederick 2
Joseph 2
Arthur 1
Charley 1
Chas.M. 1
D. 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Edward 1
Edwd. 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Hubert 1
Jacob 1
Lancelot 1
Leonard 1
Lucius 1
Mathew 1
Mortimer 1
Oswald 1
Percival 1
Peter 1
Ralph 1
Richard 1
Robt.Chas. 1
Rueben 1
Same. 1
Stephen 1
Thos. 1
Waldemar 1
Willie 1
Wm.Hy. 1

FAQ

Healing surname: questions and answers

How common was the Healing surname in 1881?

In 1881, 249 people were recorded with the Healing surname. That placed it at #11,103 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Healing surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 233 in 2016. That gives Healing a modern rank of #17,625.

What does the Healing surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to a practitioner of medicinal treatments or cures.

What does the Healing map show?

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