NameCensus.

UK surname

Heward

A locational surname referring to someone from a place called Heward.

In the 1881 census there were 576 people recorded with the Heward surname, ranking it #6,047 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 670, ranked #7,986, down from #6,047 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Brampton (including Midgeholme) and Lanercost, Ibstock and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Torfaen, Kirklees and Stockton-on-Tees.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Heward is 958 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 16.3%.

1881 census count

576

Ranked #6,047

Modern count

670

2016, ranked #7,986

Peak year

1861

958 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Heward had 576 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,047 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 670 in 2016, ranked #7,986.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 958 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Heward surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Heward surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Heward 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 646 #4,019
1861 historical 958 #2,896
1881 historical 576 #6,047
1891 historical 893 #4,613
1901 historical 800 #5,648
1911 historical 852 #5,208
1997 modern 725 #7,045
1998 modern 757 #7,041
1999 modern 743 #7,198
2000 modern 749 #7,107
2001 modern 738 #7,073
2002 modern 756 #7,069
2003 modern 701 #7,381
2004 modern 704 #7,357
2005 modern 680 #7,516
2006 modern 677 #7,565
2007 modern 684 #7,568
2008 modern 669 #7,743
2009 modern 697 #7,662
2010 modern 709 #7,710
2011 modern 702 #7,684
2012 modern 671 #7,869
2013 modern 706 #7,685
2014 modern 699 #7,777
2015 modern 685 #7,854
2016 modern 670 #7,986

Geography

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Where Hewards are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Brampton (including Midgeholme) and Lanercost, Ibstock, London parishes, Hinckley (incl. Hydes Pastures) and Middleton-in-Teesdale. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Torfaen, Kirklees, Stockton-on-Tees, Lancaster and Ryedale. 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 Brampton (including Midgeholme) and Lanercost Cumberland
2 Ibstock Leicestershire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Hinckley (incl. Hydes Pastures) Leicestershire
5 Middleton-in-Teesdale Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Torfaen 001 Torfaen
2 Kirklees 011 Kirklees
3 Stockton-on-Tees 005 Stockton-on-Tees
4 Lancaster 017 Lancaster
5 Ryedale 008 Ryedale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Heward

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Heward

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Heward is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Heward is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Heward falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Heward is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Heward

The surname Heward has its origins in England, tracing back to the 11th century. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the Old English words "hege" meaning hedge or enclosure, and "worth" meaning an enclosed settlement or homestead. This suggests that the name originated from a place name referring to a hedged or fenced settlement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Heiuuard" in the county of Suffolk. This entry likely refers to a landowner or tenant of that time, indicating the name's use as a surname in that period.

In the 13th century, the surname is recorded in various forms such as "Heyward," "Hayward," and "Heywood." These variations reflect the different spellings used during that time, as standardized spellings were not yet established.

One notable bearer of the name was Sir John Heward, a prominent English soldier and diplomat who lived in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. He served under King Henry VII and played a significant role in the Wars of the Roses.

Another Heward of note was William Heward, a 17th-century English clergyman and author, who served as the rector of St. Michael Bassishaw in London and published several religious works.

In the 18th century, the Heward family had a strong presence in the county of Nottinghamshire, with several members holding positions of significance, including John Heward, who served as the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire in 1732.

Moving into the 19th century, the name is associated with Isaac Heward, a British engraver and artist born in 1806, who gained recognition for his works depicting landscapes and architectural subjects.

Another notable figure was Sir Edmund Heward, a British Army officer born in 1868, who served in the Boer War and World War I, earning the Distinguished Service Order for his military service.

Throughout its history, the surname Heward has been closely linked to its English roots, with various individuals bearing the name making contributions in various fields, from military service to the arts and literature.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Heward families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Heward 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. Yorkshire leads with 175 Hewards recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.15x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 175 3.15x
Durham 73 4.37x
Leicestershire 67 10.77x
Middlesex 55 0.98x
Cumberland 30 6.21x
Lancashire 28 0.42x
Sussex 23 2.43x
Lincolnshire 18 2.01x
Hampshire 15 1.30x
Warwickshire 15 1.06x
Essex 11 0.99x
Northumberland 11 1.32x
Derbyshire 8 0.91x
Devon 7 0.60x
Monmouthshire 7 1.73x
Caernarfonshire 6 2.65x
Surrey 6 0.22x
Cheshire 5 0.40x
Kent 5 0.26x
Lanarkshire 4 0.22x
Staffordshire 2 0.11x
Dorset 1 0.27x
Glamorgan 1 0.10x
Suffolk 1 0.15x
Worcestershire 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hugglescote in Leicestershire leads with 26 Hewards recorded in 1881 and an index of 284.15x.

Place Total Index
Hugglescote 26 284.15x
Hinckley 15 101.69x
Middleton In Teesdale 15 340.91x
Nether Hallam 15 19.95x
Sessay 15 2419.35x
Bishopwearmouth 14 9.77x
Ryde 11 44.53x
Birmingham 10 2.12x
Poplar London 10 9.45x
West Ham 10 4.09x
Liversedge 9 36.38x
Preston 9 54.51x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 8 15.45x
Barrow In Furness 8 8.84x
Ecclesfield 8 19.63x
Sheffield 8 4.52x
St Pancras London 8 1.77x
Stockton On Tees 8 9.95x
Brampton 7 105.74x
Christchurch 7 55.82x
Derby St Werburgh 7 13.80x
Duggleby 7 1521.74x
Heckmondwike 7 39.15x
Longbenton 7 19.80x
Rotherham 7 22.34x
Bishop Auckland 6 26.80x
Bold 6 363.64x
Brightside Bierlow 6 5.50x
Cheriton Bishop 6 526.32x
Husthwaite 6 714.29x
Llandwrog 6 75.47x
Packington 6 270.27x
St Botolph Aldersgate 6 93.31x
Waterhead 6 1000.00x
Acton 5 15.21x
Bewcastle 5 292.40x
Bexley 5 29.55x
Burtholme 5 806.45x
Dawdon 5 24.37x
Islington London 5 0.92x
Knaresborough 5 57.27x
Lower Dunsforth 5 2631.58x
Newbiggin 5 423.73x
Rugby 5 26.12x
Stamford St Michael 5 196.08x
Swinton In Rotherham 5 34.01x
Tottenham 5 5.60x
Trotton 5 641.03x
Bethnal Green London 4 1.64x
Breedon On The Hill 4 213.90x
Egglescliffe 4 317.46x
Forest Frith 4 273.97x
Glasgow 4 1.24x
Gorton 4 6.39x
Holwick 4 888.89x
Longton 4 142.86x
Lund 4 454.55x
Lunedale 4 540.54x
Monk Frystone 4 412.37x
Newburn Hall 4 254.78x
Ratby 4 128.21x
Ripon 4 31.03x
Beverley St Mary 3 36.95x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 3 15.78x
Birkenhead 3 3.04x
Castle Carlton 3 7500.00x
Dunston 3 200.00x
Ellenthorpe Humburton 3 1153.85x
Gateshead 3 2.40x
Hackney London 3 0.95x
Kingston On Thames 3 4.57x
Littlehampton 3 39.74x
Minskip 3 714.29x
Oakthorpe Donsthorpe 3 180.72x
Pendleton In Salford 3 3.78x
Pickering 3 42.86x
Portsea 3 1.33x
Ryhill Camerton 3 566.04x
Trough 3 1250.00x
Whitwick 3 37.93x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 46
George 32
William 28
Thomas 25
James 14
Henry 13
Joseph 11
Richard 11
Frederick 9
Arthur 7
Charles 6
Robert 5
Albert 4
Alfred 4
Edward 4
Hugh 3
Peter 3
Samuel 3
Walter 3
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Geo. 2
Isaac 2
Jacob 2
Philip 2
Timothy 2
Wm. 2
Andrew 1
Clement 1
Colin 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Edwin 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Fredr.G. 1
Harley 1
Harold 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Herold 1
Jonathan 1
Josiah 1
Nathan 1
Nelson 1
North 1
Oswald 1
Percival 1
Ralphee 1
Reuben 1

FAQ

Heward surname: questions and answers

How common was the Heward surname in 1881?

In 1881, 576 people were recorded with the Heward surname. That placed it at #6,047 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Heward surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 670 in 2016. That gives Heward a modern rank of #7,986.

What does the Heward surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from a place called Heward.

What does the Heward map show?

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