NameCensus.

UK surname

Holwell

A habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "hollow well" or "marshy area".

In the 1881 census there were 274 people recorded with the Holwell surname, ranking it #10,362 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 306, ranked #14,543, down from #10,362 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, St Margaret and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Riding of Yorkshire, Lichfield and Exeter.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Holwell is 360 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 11.7%.

1881 census count

274

Ranked #10,362

Modern count

306

2016, ranked #14,543

Peak year

1911

360 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Holwell had 274 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,362 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 306 in 2016, ranked #14,543.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 360 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Holwell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Holwell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Holwell 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 247 #8,868
1861 historical 237 #10,359
1881 historical 274 #10,362
1891 historical 278 #11,746
1901 historical 297 #11,721
1911 historical 360 #10,063
1997 modern 279 #14,175
1998 modern 307 #13,690
1999 modern 320 #13,398
2000 modern 304 #13,791
2001 modern 292 #13,967
2002 modern 309 #13,733
2003 modern 294 #14,002
2004 modern 299 #13,904
2005 modern 300 #13,837
2006 modern 298 #13,973
2007 modern 300 #14,048
2008 modern 293 #14,364
2009 modern 299 #14,445
2010 modern 305 #14,561
2011 modern 301 #14,563
2012 modern 297 #14,607
2013 modern 312 #14,332
2014 modern 308 #14,571
2015 modern 305 #14,579
2016 modern 306 #14,543

Geography

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Where Holwells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, St Margaret, Lambeth, Wymeswould and Dalby-on-the-Wolds. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Riding of Yorkshire, Lichfield, Exeter and Newport. 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 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
2 St Margaret Leicestershire
3 Lambeth London (South Districts)
4 Wymeswould Leicestershire
5 Dalby-on-the-Wolds Leicestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Riding of Yorkshire 019 East Riding of Yorkshire
2 Lichfield 004 Lichfield
3 Exeter 013 Exeter
4 Newport 018 Newport
5 East Riding of Yorkshire 039 East Riding of Yorkshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Holwell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Holwell

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Holwell is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Holwell is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Holwell falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Holwell

The surname HOLWELL originated in England, with the earliest known records dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the village of Holwell in Dorset, which is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Holevile." The name is thought to derive from the Old English words "hol" meaning "hollow" and "wielle" meaning "stream."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname HOLWELL is in the parish records of Holwell, Dorset, where a John Holwell is listed as being christened in 1596. Another early record is from the Subsidy Rolls of Dorset in 1628, which mention a Thomas Holwell.

In the 17th century, the HOLWELL surname began to spread beyond Dorset, with records showing individuals with this name in various parts of England. One notable figure was John Holwell (1649-1686), an English clergyman who served as the Rector of Terrington St. Clement in Norfolk.

The 18th century saw the rise of several prominent individuals bearing the HOLWELL surname. John Zephaniah Holwell (1711-1798) was a British East India Company surgeon and author, best known for his account of the Black Hole of Calcutta incident in 1756. Another notable figure was William Holwell (1718-1798), a British actor and playwright who wrote several successful comedies.

In the 19th century, the HOLWELL name continued to be represented in various fields. John Thomas Holwell (1809-1879) was an English clergyman and author who wrote several works on theology and history. William Pitt Holwell (1829-1895) was a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Albert Hall.

The 20th century saw the HOLWELL surname spread further across the globe, with individuals bearing this name residing in various countries. One notable figure was John Arundell Holwell (1897-1960), a British naval officer and author who wrote several books on maritime history.

Throughout its history, the HOLWELL surname has been associated with various place names and variants, such as Holwill, Holwall, and Holwel. While the name originated in Dorset, it has since become more widespread, with individuals bearing this surname found in various parts of the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Holwell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Holwell 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. Leicestershire leads with 38 Holwells recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.64x.

County Total Index
Leicestershire 38 12.64x
Devon 35 6.20x
Middlesex 32 1.18x
Nottinghamshire 29 7.93x
Essex 22 4.11x
Yorkshire 17 0.63x
Somerset 15 3.44x
Derbyshire 13 3.06x
Surrey 11 0.83x
Glamorgan 9 1.91x
Dorset 8 4.50x
Hampshire 6 1.08x
Lincolnshire 6 1.38x
Monmouthshire 6 3.06x
Cambridgeshire 5 2.91x
Kent 5 0.54x
Wiltshire 5 2.09x
Royal Navy 4 12.38x
Sussex 4 0.87x
Lancashire 2 0.06x
Norfolk 2 0.48x
Shropshire 2 0.85x
Hertfordshire 1 0.54x
Northumberland 1 0.25x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wymeswold in Leicestershire leads with 19 Holwells recorded in 1881 and an index of 2183.91x.

Place Total Index
Wymeswold 19 2183.91x
Broadhempston 9 1698.11x
West Ham 9 7.62x
Allington 8 503.14x
Bedminster 8 19.50x
Barnstaple 7 79.01x
Knighton 7 411.76x
Lambeth 7 2.96x
Orston 7 1555.56x
Alfreton 6 46.51x
Chigwell 6 118.81x
Leeds 6 3.95x
Lenton 6 69.69x
Long Eaton 6 107.14x
St Woollos 6 27.42x
Walcot 6 25.81x
Westminster St Margaret 6 45.87x
Brightside Bierlow 5 9.49x
Hampstead London 5 11.84x
Newton 5 746.27x
Nottingham St Mary 5 5.29x
Sculcoates 5 11.74x
Swansea Town 5 12.92x
Chelsea London 4 4.90x
Fittleworth 4 615.38x
Leicester St Margaret 4 5.46x
Morchard Bishop 4 338.98x
Morthoe 4 1000.00x
Newark Upon Trent 4 30.44x
Ratcliffe London 4 26.72x
Royal Navy 4 14.48x
Spittlegate 4 66.67x
Stanton On Wolds 4 4000.00x
Walthamstow 4 20.76x
Bishopston Lower 3 909.09x
Deptford St Paul 3 4.20x
Hinckley 3 42.08x
Islington London 3 1.14x
Mile End Old Town London 3 5.20x
Tormoham 3 12.56x
Trowbridge 3 28.30x
Willesden 3 11.74x
Broughton 2 238.10x
Chippenham 2 39.76x
Christchurch 2 16.60x
Dalby In The Wolds 2 645.16x
Eling 2 35.52x
Loughborough 2 14.66x
Nether Exe 2 3333.33x
Newport 2 70.67x
Stamford All Sts 2 82.30x
Stoke Damerel 2 5.06x
Stourmouth 2 666.67x
Sutton 2 18.54x
Theydon Garnon 2 163.93x
Basford 1 5.93x
Camberwell 1 0.58x
Clapham 1 2.95x
Colchester St Botolph 1 21.98x
Exeter Allhallows On The 1 107.53x
Finchley 1 9.62x
Hunslet 1 2.39x
Kingston On Thames 1 3.15x
Littleham 1 24.21x
Newcastle On Tyne 1 232.56x
Newington 1 1.00x
Newton Abbot St Mary 1 21.14x
Norton St Philip 1 208.33x
Norwich St James 1 30.58x
Paddington London 1 1.00x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 2.30x
Rhyndwyclydach 1 30.49x
Sawley 1 78.13x
St George Hanover Square 1 2.09x
St Giles Cripplegate 1 27.78x
Stanford On Soar 1 1000.00x
Thoroton 1 714.29x
Trowse Cum Newton 1 97.09x
Ware 1 18.66x
Wigston Magna 1 25.06x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 18
Elizabeth 13
Sarah 12
Annie 8
Ada 6
Jane 6
Eliza 5
Ann 4
Emma 4
Sophia 4
Clara 3
Emily 3
Hannah 3
Lucy 3
Barbara 2
Edith 2
Ellen 2
Fanny 2
Harriet 2
Kate 2
Margaret 2
Maria 2
Alice 1
Amelia 1
Bertha 1
Betsy 1
Cath. 1
Catherine 1
E. 1
Esther 1
Flora 1
Florence 1
Harriett 1
Harrietta 1
Hetty 1
Julia 1
Laura 1
Lavinia 1
Lillian 1
Louisa 1
Lydia 1
Mabel 1
Marrion 1
Mercy 1
Rachel 1
Rebecca 1
Rose 1
Rosehanna 1
Susan 1
Susanah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 20
John 16
Henry 10
James 9
Charles 8
George 7
Edward 6
Frederick 6
Thomas 6
Alfred 5
Robert 5
Walter 5
Edwin 4
Arthur 3
Joseph 3
Abraham 2
David 2
Josiah 2
Peter 2
Samuel 2
Albert 1
Alexander 1
Bennett 1
Charley 1
Clemens 1
E. 1
Ellen 1
Ernest 1
Eustace 1
Furmer 1
Giles 1
Herbert 1
J. 1
Jacob 1
Marmaduke 1
Richard 1
Sidney 1
Wm.C. 1
Wm.H. 1

FAQ

Holwell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Holwell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 274 people were recorded with the Holwell surname. That placed it at #10,362 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Holwell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 306 in 2016. That gives Holwell a modern rank of #14,543.

What does the Holwell surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "hollow well" or "marshy area".

What does the Holwell map show?

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