NameCensus.

UK surname

Honeywell

A habitational surname denoting someone living near a honey-producing spring or well.

In the 1881 census there were 173 people recorded with the Honeywell surname, ranking it #14,112 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 298, ranked #14,801, down from #14,112 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Totnes and Kirk Leatham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire and North Somerset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Honeywell is 311 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 72.3%.

1881 census count

173

Ranked #14,112

Modern count

298

2016, ranked #14,801

Peak year

2014

311 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Honeywell had 173 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,112 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 298 in 2016, ranked #14,801.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 200 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Honeywell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Honeywell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Honeywell 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 87 #18,695
1861 historical 106 #20,147
1881 historical 173 #14,112
1891 historical 183 #15,918
1901 historical 200 #15,120
1911 historical 185 #15,686
1997 modern 270 #14,515
1998 modern 280 #14,550
1999 modern 285 #14,438
2000 modern 301 #13,873
2001 modern 293 #13,933
2002 modern 285 #14,483
2003 modern 293 #14,037
2004 modern 290 #14,178
2005 modern 273 #14,708
2006 modern 268 #15,000
2007 modern 270 #15,080
2008 modern 277 #14,940
2009 modern 280 #15,141
2010 modern 302 #14,661
2011 modern 293 #14,834
2012 modern 293 #14,742
2013 modern 307 #14,522
2014 modern 311 #14,464
2015 modern 300 #14,758
2016 modern 298 #14,801

Geography

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Where Honeywells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Totnes, Kirk Leatham, Portsmouth, Portsea and Stokeinteignhead, Combeinteignhead, Haccombe, St Nicholas. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire, North Somerset and Redcar and Cleveland. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Totnes Devon
3 Kirk Leatham Yorkshire, North Riding
4 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
5 Stokeinteignhead, Combeinteignhead, Haccombe, St Nicholas Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Gloucestershire 031 South Gloucestershire
2 Monmouthshire 006 Monmouthshire
3 North Somerset 023 North Somerset
4 North Somerset 017 North Somerset
5 Redcar and Cleveland 005 Redcar and Cleveland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Honeywell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Honeywell

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

Honeywell 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

Honeywell falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Honeywell

The surname Honeywell has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from a topographical name, referring to someone who lived near a spring or well that was known for its sweet-tasting water, resembling honey.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, where it appears as "Honeywill." This suggests that the name was already in use during the 13th century and has evolved over time to its current spelling.

Throughout the centuries, the Honeywell surname has been associated with various places across England. For instance, in the 16th century, there were records of Honeywells residing in the counties of Warwickshire and Staffordshire.

A notable figure bearing this surname was Robert Honeywell, who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries (c. 1566-1624). He was an English clergyman and author, known for his work titled "The Honourable Courtier, a Discourse upon the Gentry of England."

Another prominent individual was John Honeywell (c. 1600-1681), an English divine and philosopher. He served as the Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Oxford and was renowned for his scholarly works.

In the 18th century, the name gained further recognition with Thomas Honeywell (1714-1798), a renowned English clockmaker. His intricate timepieces were highly sought after and are now considered valuable antiques.

The Honeywell surname also found its way across the Atlantic, with records of individuals bearing this name in colonial America. One notable figure was Richard Honeywell (1706-1785), a prominent merchant and landowner in New Jersey.

Another significant Honeywell was James Honeywell (1784-1865), a British artist and engraver. His works, which included landscapes and portraits, were highly acclaimed during his lifetime.

These examples illustrate the rich history and widespread presence of the Honeywell surname, which has been documented in various parts of England, as well as in the United States and other regions, over several centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Honeywell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Honeywell 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. Devon leads with 54 Honeywells recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.20x.

County Total Index
Devon 54 15.20x
Hampshire 18 5.14x
Middlesex 16 0.94x
Gloucestershire 15 4.48x
Cumberland 13 8.85x
Monmouthshire 9 7.29x
Yorkshire 9 0.53x
Kent 8 1.37x
Lincolnshire 8 2.93x
Sussex 8 2.78x
Surrey 7 0.84x
Wiltshire 5 3.31x
Channel Islands 2 3.95x
Dorset 2 1.79x
Essex 1 0.30x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Portsea in Hampshire leads with 16 Honeywells recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.33x.

Place Total Index
Portsea 16 23.33x
Millom 13 288.89x
Buckfastleigh 9 548.78x
Kirkleatham 9 394.74x
Beckley 8 1111.11x
St Woollos 8 58.10x
Kingskerswell 6 1016.95x
Alford 5 295.86x
Combeinteignhead 5 2000.00x
Deptford St Paul 5 11.13x
Exeter St Olave 5 1086.96x
Kingston On Thames 5 25.03x
Paddington London 5 7.97x
St Pancras London 5 3.64x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 4 131.15x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 4 12.69x
Newton Abbot St Mary 4 134.23x
Bickington 3 2142.86x
Hankerton 3 1500.00x
Ratcliffe London 3 31.81x
Skirbeck Quarter 3 600.00x
Stonehouse East 3 166.67x
Bristol Temple 2 90.91x
Camberwell 2 1.83x
Clifton 2 11.82x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 7.31x
Salisbury St Thomas 2 166.67x
St Peter Port 2 21.37x
Tormoham 2 13.31x
Woodland 2 2222.22x
Woolwich 2 9.29x
Ashburton 1 58.82x
Barking 1 10.14x
Bristol St Augustine 1 18.52x
Bristol St Nicholas 1 166.67x
Bristol St Paul In 1 11.21x
Broadhempston 1 303.03x
Chalbury 1 833.33x
Dartmouth St Saviour 1 99.01x
Dartmouth Townstall 1 68.97x
Devonport 1 24.51x
East Stonehouse 1 14.29x
Kensington London 1 1.05x
Kings Nympton 1 270.27x
Moreton Hampstead 1 108.70x
Newport 1 16.98x
Portsmouth 1 12.41x
Ramsgate 1 10.52x
Sidmouth 1 49.26x
Sopley 1 208.33x
South Brent 1 131.58x
Totnes 1 48.08x
West Teignmouth 1 36.76x
Westminster St James 1 5.70x
Whitechapel London 1 5.94x
Wimborne 1 73.53x
Wolborough 1 22.27x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 11
Ellen 9
Ann 4
Annie 4
Elizabeth 4
Sarah 4
Beatrice 3
Emma 3
Kate 3
Margaret 3
Susan 3
Anna 2
Clara 2
Eliza 2
Emily 2
Fanny 2
Florence 2
Martha 2
(Mrs) 1
A. 1
Adelina 1
Allice 1
Amelia 1
Caroline 1
Charlotte 1
Dorcas 1
Edna 1
Elizth. 1
H.L.J. 1
Hannah 1
Jane 1
Janet 1
Lillie 1
Lilly 1
Lotty 1
M. 1
Maria 1
Marion 1
Matilda 1
Rose 1
Selina 1
Susannah 1
Theresa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 16
William 9
George 8
Albert 6
James 5
Charles 4
Samuel 4
Alfred 3
Richard 3
Edwin 2
Harry 2
Thomas 2
Wm. 2
Abt. 1
Albt. 1
Ernest 1
F. 1
Fk. 1
Francis 1
Frederic 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
G.I.W. 1
G.J. 1
H. 1
Henery 1
Jas. 1
Jonas 1
Joseph 1
Sydney 1
Wm.Jno. 1

FAQ

Honeywell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Honeywell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 173 people were recorded with the Honeywell surname. That placed it at #14,112 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Honeywell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 298 in 2016. That gives Honeywell a modern rank of #14,801.

What does the Honeywell surname mean?

A habitational surname denoting someone living near a honey-producing spring or well.

What does the Honeywell map show?

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