NameCensus.

UK surname

Henwood

A locational surname derived from a place in Cornwall, England called Henwood.

In the 1881 census there were 1,227 people recorded with the Henwood surname, ranking it #3,299 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,243, ranked #4,800, down from #3,299 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Columb Minor and Liskeard, St Cleer. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Waveney and Pembrokeshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Henwood is 1,573 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 1.3%.

1881 census count

1,227

Ranked #3,299

Modern count

1,243

2016, ranked #4,800

Peak year

1911

1,573 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Henwood had 1,227 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,299 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,243 in 2016, ranked #4,800.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,573 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Henwood surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Henwood surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Henwood 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 1,053 #2,658
1861 historical 890 #3,112
1881 historical 1,227 #3,299
1891 historical 1,271 #3,399
1901 historical 1,465 #3,484
1911 historical 1,573 #3,086
1997 modern 1,217 #4,655
1998 modern 1,269 #4,668
1999 modern 1,290 #4,627
2000 modern 1,290 #4,610
2001 modern 1,270 #4,576
2002 modern 1,302 #4,561
2003 modern 1,256 #4,624
2004 modern 1,269 #4,583
2005 modern 1,271 #4,527
2006 modern 1,233 #4,668
2007 modern 1,250 #4,655
2008 modern 1,282 #4,565
2009 modern 1,291 #4,635
2010 modern 1,296 #4,715
2011 modern 1,277 #4,720
2012 modern 1,248 #4,754
2013 modern 1,271 #4,751
2014 modern 1,262 #4,814
2015 modern 1,250 #4,805
2016 modern 1,243 #4,800

Geography

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Where Henwoods are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Columb Minor, Liskeard, St Cleer, Plymouth St Charles the Martyr and Portsmouth, Portsea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Waveney and Pembrokeshire. 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 3
2 St Columb Minor Cornwall
3 Liskeard, St Cleer Cornwall
4 Plymouth St Charles the Martyr Devon
5 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 059 Cornwall
2 Waveney 004 Waveney
3 Cornwall 018 Cornwall
4 Pembrokeshire 013 Pembrokeshire
5 Cornwall 032 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Henwood

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Henwood

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Henwood is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Henwood is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Henwood falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Henwood

The surname HENWOOD is of English origin, derived from a locational name referring to a person who lived near a wood or forest owned by someone named Henna or Henne. The name is believed to have originated in the South West of England, particularly in the counties of Devon and Cornwall, where it can be traced back to the 13th century.

The earliest recorded spelling of the name is found in the Assize Rolls of Somerset, dated 1268, where it appears as Henewode. Other early variations include Hennewode (1327), Henewod (1334), and Henwode (1379). These variations suggest that the name was originally derived from the Old English words "henna" and "wudu," meaning "henna's wood."

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was John Henwood, who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Devon in 1327. Another early record is of William Henwood, who was mentioned in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Hartland, Devon, in 1379.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name was well-established in various parts of Devon and Cornwall. Notable individuals from this period include John Henwood (1546-1614), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Lostwithiel, Cornwall, and Richard Henwood (1616-1692), a prominent clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Northam in Devon.

In the 18th century, the name spread to other parts of England, particularly London and the surrounding areas. One notable bearer was Samuel Henwood (1732-1805), a successful businessman and philanthropist from London, who established several charitable foundations.

The 19th century saw the name HENWOOD associated with several notable figures, including William Jory Henwood (1805-1875), a geologist and mining engineer from Cornwall, known for his pioneering work in the study of underground temperatures and the behavior of gases in mines. Another prominent individual was Francis Bramwell Henwood (1831-1900), a barrister and judge who served as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Calcutta in British India.

Throughout its history, the surname HENWOOD has been closely tied to its origins in the South West of England, particularly Devon and Cornwall, where it remains a relatively common name to this day.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Henwood families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Henwood 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. Cornwall leads with 395 Henwoods recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.52x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 395 28.52x
Devon 163 6.40x
Middlesex 125 1.02x
Hampshire 95 3.79x
Berkshire 74 8.06x
Surrey 61 1.02x
Yorkshire 49 0.40x
Lancashire 37 0.25x
Oxfordshire 27 3.57x
Durham 23 0.63x
Kent 22 0.53x
Channel Islands 20 5.52x
Staffordshire 19 0.46x
Gloucestershire 17 0.71x
Wiltshire 17 1.57x
Glamorgan 14 0.66x
Sussex 13 0.63x
Hertfordshire 10 1.19x
Somerset 10 0.51x
Essex 8 0.33x
Nottinghamshire 8 0.49x
Warwickshire 8 0.26x
Caernarfonshire 6 1.21x
Pembrokeshire 6 1.54x
Royal Navy 6 4.12x
Buckinghamshire 4 0.54x
Derbyshire 4 0.21x
Worcestershire 4 0.25x
Leicestershire 3 0.22x
Northumberland 3 0.16x
Lincolnshire 2 0.10x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liskeard in Cornwall leads with 57 Henwoods recorded in 1881 and an index of 246.01x.

Place Total Index
Liskeard 57 246.01x
St Columb Minor 48 412.73x
Stoke Damerel 44 24.69x
Portsea 42 8.55x
Plymouth St Andrew 37 18.86x
St Blazey 24 197.37x
Plymouth Charles The 21 18.72x
Staines 18 92.93x
Tavistock 18 62.05x
Brotton 17 107.46x
Padstow 17 184.78x
St Agnes 17 87.63x
St Issey 15 530.04x
Bradfield 14 288.07x
Iffley 14 219.78x
Everton 13 2.81x
Longdon 12 209.79x
Maker 11 86.00x
Reading St Giles 11 12.21x
St Breock 11 147.06x
Tywardreath 11 123.73x
Basingstoke 10 34.67x
Bodmin 10 43.65x
Ealing 10 9.15x
Lambeth 10 0.94x
Paddington London 10 2.22x
Shalden 10 1176.47x
East Barnet 9 53.83x
Heytesbury 9 227.85x
Marton In Middlesbrough 9 203.16x
St Ive 9 101.35x
Aston 8 0.94x
Basildon 8 289.86x
Bow London 8 5.14x
Bray 8 29.65x
Charlton Kings 8 48.19x
Lanteglos By Fowey 8 141.84x
Lofthouse 8 44.20x
Reading St Mary 8 10.88x
Sonning 8 78.90x
Southwark St George Martyr 8 3.25x
St Helier 8 6.78x
Streatham 8 8.81x
Swansea Town 8 4.58x
Bethnal Green London 7 1.32x
Budock 7 67.18x
Camberwell 7 0.90x
Croydon 7 2.12x
Great Little Marsden 7 10.53x
Gulval 7 78.56x
Kenwyn 7 19.33x
Lanivet 7 162.41x
Limehouse London 7 5.21x
Little Petherick 7 777.78x
Manchester 7 1.07x
Poundstock 7 319.63x
Stoke Climsland 7 79.19x
Chiswick 6 8.98x
Colan 6 588.24x
Devonport 6 20.51x
Gillingham 6 6.97x
Lanlivery 6 103.09x
Lewes St Michael 6 146.34x
Llanbeblig 6 11.95x
Middlestone 6 82.19x
Pembroke St Mary 6 11.99x
Roche 6 85.35x
Royal Navy 6 4.82x
St Columb Major 6 52.22x
St Lawrence 6 60.67x
Uxbridge 6 42.92x
Whitworth 6 22.52x
Wimbledon 6 8.97x
Woodford 6 21.95x
Woolwich 6 3.89x
Worsbrough 6 16.89x
Newlyn 5 84.60x
Reading St Lawrence 5 25.46x
St Austell 5 10.56x
St Margaret Lothbury 5 1000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 92
John 78
James 38
Thomas 38
George 37
Henry 34
Charles 28
Richard 28
Samuel 17
Alfred 13
Arthur 13
Francis 11
Harry 11
Frederick 10
Joseph 10
Albert 9
Edwin 9
Ernest 8
Robert 7
Wm. 6
David 5
Edward 5
Frank 4
Fred 4
Nicholas 4
Sidney 4
Thos. 4
Benjamin 3
Walter 3
Augustus 2
Charley 2
Christopher 2
Edgar 2
Fredrick 2
Geo. 2
Giles 2
Jno. 2
Nehemiah 2
Oliver 2
Philip 2
Sydney 2
W. 2
Eden 1
Felix 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.Geo. 1
Jas. 1
Jeston 1
Jos. 1
Wm.Hall 1

FAQ

Henwood surname: questions and answers

How common was the Henwood surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,227 people were recorded with the Henwood surname. That placed it at #3,299 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Henwood surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,243 in 2016. That gives Henwood a modern rank of #4,800.

What does the Henwood surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place in Cornwall, England called Henwood.

What does the Henwood map show?

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