NameCensus.

UK surname

Hodnett

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó hUidhneadha, meaning "descendant of Uidhneadh," a personal name of unknown meaning.

In the 1881 census there were 256 people recorded with the Hodnett surname, ranking it #10,885 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 534, ranked #9,515, up from #10,885 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, London parishes and Ellesmere (Ellesmere), Welshampton, Whittington, Halston. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Powys, Shropshire and South Angus.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hodnett is 545 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 108.6%.

1881 census count

256

Ranked #10,885

Modern count

534

2016, ranked #9,515

Peak year

2014

545 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hodnett had 256 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,885 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 534 in 2016, ranked #9,515.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 372 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Hodnett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hodnett surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hodnett 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 173 #11,629
1861 historical 116 #18,751
1881 historical 256 #10,885
1891 historical 273 #11,918
1901 historical 282 #12,145
1911 historical 372 #9,807
1997 modern 488 #9,470
1998 modern 538 #9,073
1999 modern 524 #9,319
2000 modern 532 #9,181
2001 modern 508 #9,344
2002 modern 523 #9,344
2003 modern 510 #9,350
2004 modern 509 #9,390
2005 modern 495 #9,516
2006 modern 495 #9,554
2007 modern 500 #9,562
2008 modern 503 #9,590
2009 modern 511 #9,685
2010 modern 519 #9,768
2011 modern 525 #9,609
2012 modern 518 #9,629
2013 modern 543 #9,432
2014 modern 545 #9,461
2015 modern 531 #9,584
2016 modern 534 #9,515

Geography

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Where Hodnetts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, London parishes, Ellesmere (Ellesmere), Welshampton, Whittington, Halston, Stanton Lacy, Onibury and West Bromwich. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Powys, Shropshire, South Angus and South Staffordshire. 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 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Ellesmere (Ellesmere), Welshampton, Whittington, Halston Shropshire
4 Stanton Lacy, Onibury Shropshire
5 West Bromwich Staffordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Powys 011 Powys
2 Shropshire 010 Shropshire
3 Shropshire 014 Shropshire
4 South Angus Angus
5 South Staffordshire 006 South Staffordshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hodnett

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hodnett

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hodnett, 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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Hodnett surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Hodnett household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Hodnett 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

Hodnett is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hodnett falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Hodnett

The surname Hodnett has its origins in England, dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "hod," meaning a hood or a hooded cloak, which was a common garment worn by peasants and laborers. The name likely referred to an occupation or a distinguishing physical characteristic of an early bearer.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Hodnett can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from the year 1195, where a William Hodenet is mentioned. Another early reference is in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, which lists a Roger Hodenett.

The name Hodnett has several spelling variations throughout history, including Hodnet, Hodenett, Hodenet, and Hoddenott. These variations are often linked to different regions and local dialects within England.

In the 14th century, records show a Robert Hodenett residing in the village of Hodnett, which is now a part of Warwickshire, England. This suggests a possible connection between the surname and the place name, although the exact nature of this relationship is unclear.

Several notable individuals have borne the surname Hodnett throughout history. One of the earliest was Sir John Hodnett (1486-1547), a member of the English gentry and a prominent landowner in Somerset. Another was Edward Hodnett (1628-1692), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Malmesbury.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Hodnett family established itself in Ireland, particularly in the counties of Cork and Tipperary. A notable figure from this period was James Hodnett (1745-1818), an Irish politician and landowner who served as a Member of the Irish House of Commons.

In the 19th century, the name Hodnett gained recognition in the United States. One prominent individual was William Hodnett (1815-1892), an American farmer and politician who served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives.

Another notable Hodnett was Thomas Francis Hodnett (1854-1925), an Irish-born prelate who served as the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore in Ireland from 1905 until his death.

While these are just a few examples, the surname Hodnett has a rich and varied history, spanning multiple countries and centuries. Its origins can be traced back to the 12th century in England, and it has since been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hodnett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hodnett 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. Shropshire leads with 90 Hodnetts recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.56x.

County Total Index
Shropshire 90 41.56x
Staffordshire 41 4.85x
Lancashire 22 0.74x
Warwickshire 22 3.48x
Middlesex 19 0.76x
Worcestershire 16 4.89x
Kent 14 1.64x
Herefordshire 13 12.65x
Devon 6 1.15x
Flintshire 2 2.97x
Wiltshire 2 0.90x
Yorkshire 2 0.08x
Angus 1 0.43x
Cheshire 1 0.18x
Essex 1 0.20x
Gloucestershire 1 0.20x
Hampshire 1 0.19x
Northamptonshire 1 0.42x
Royal Navy 1 3.35x
Sussex 1 0.24x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ellesmere in Shropshire leads with 26 Hodnetts recorded in 1881 and an index of 698.92x.

Place Total Index
Ellesmere 26 698.92x
Kingswinford 14 45.57x
Wolverhampton 13 19.98x
Birmingham 12 5.70x
West Bromwich 12 24.77x
Docklow 9 5294.12x
Benthall 8 2051.28x
Mile End Old Town London 8 15.00x
Stottesdon 8 816.33x
Cleobury North 7 4375.00x
Newton In Makerfield 7 76.84x
Stanton Lacy 7 374.33x
Toxteth Park 7 6.95x
Clerkenwell London 6 10.14x
Greenwich 6 15.03x
Milverton 6 324.32x
Much Wenlock 6 300.00x
Plumstead 6 21.05x
Worcester St Martin 6 135.75x
Cullompton 4 175.44x
Much Woolton 4 99.01x
Oldbury 4 24.83x
Aston 3 1.72x
Dawley 3 38.07x
Kinnerley 3 291.26x
Atcham 2 571.43x
Bangor Is Y Coed 2 571.43x
Britford 2 136.99x
Bromfield 2 416.67x
Ditton Priors 2 392.16x
Hartlebury 2 102.56x
Loughton 2 2857.14x
Madeley 2 25.19x
Onibury 2 512.82x
Poplar London 2 4.23x
Sheinton 2 2222.22x
Shrewsbury St Mary 2 23.39x
Stoke St Milborough 2 444.44x
Wellington 2 16.43x
Whitbourne 2 312.50x
Woolwich 2 6.33x
Birkenhead 1 2.27x
Blackburn 1 1.26x
Brighton 1 1.17x
Bromley London 1 1.81x
Broughton 1 555.56x
Cheltenham 1 2.64x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 2.12x
Dinedor 1 454.55x
Leamington Priors 1 6.43x
Leeds 1 0.71x
Leintwardine 1 95.24x
Leominster 1 23.53x
Leyton Low 1 9.94x
Liff Benvie 1 2.84x
Lower Mitton 1 34.72x
Norton Canes 1 32.47x
Norton Folgate London 1 121.95x
Oldham 1 1.04x
Portsea 1 0.99x
Rock 1 76.34x
Royal Navy 1 3.92x
Tenbury 1 55.87x
Uffculme 1 64.52x
Wavertree 1 10.50x
Wellingborough 1 8.43x
Westminster St James 1 3.88x
Whiston 1 83.33x
Whittington 1 57.80x
Woodbury 1 64.52x
Worcester St John 1 25.58x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 23
Elizabeth 10
Sarah 9
Ann 8
Martha 8
Jane 7
Emma 5
Maria 5
Eliza 4
Hannah 4
Annie 3
Elizth. 3
Fanny 3
Ada 2
Bertha 2
Eleanor 2
Esther 2
Florence 2
Abbey 1
Adah 1
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Anne 1
Catherine 1
Clara 1
Edith 1
Emily 1
F. 1
Gertrude 1
Harriet 1
Harriett 1
Helen 1
Isabella 1
Laura 1
Lily 1
Lucy 1
M.K. 1
Margaret 1
Margret 1
Margt.E. 1
Maud 1
Nellie 1
Rebecca 1
Rose 1
Sina 1
Sinah 1
Theoadosia 1
Thomas 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 20
Thomas 17
John 16
James 13
George 9
Joseph 5
Alfred 3
Charles 3
Edward 3
Edwin 3
Robert 3
Arthur 2
Benjamin 2
Ernest 2
Henry 2
Herbert 2
Richard 2
Willm. 2
Aurthur 1
David 1
Edwd. 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Harry 1
J. 1
Jeremiah 1
Michael 1
Micheal 1
Moses 1
Samuel 1
Stephen 1
Wiliam 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Hodnett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hodnett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 256 people were recorded with the Hodnett surname. That placed it at #10,885 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hodnett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 534 in 2016. That gives Hodnett a modern rank of #9,515.

What does the Hodnett surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó hUidhneadha, meaning "descendant of Uidhneadh," a personal name of unknown meaning.

What does the Hodnett map show?

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