NameCensus.

UK surname

Isherwood

A habitational surname derived from the Old English elements "isern" meaning iron and "wudu" meaning wood, likely referring to someone from an area known for its iron production.

In the 1881 census there were 3,447 people recorded with the Isherwood surname, ranking it #1,325 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,830, ranked #2,383, down from #1,325 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Leigh and Blackburn. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bury, Bolton and Wigan.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Isherwood is 4,132 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 17.9%.

1881 census count

3,447

Ranked #1,325

Modern count

2,830

2016, ranked #2,383

Peak year

1911

4,132 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Isherwood had 3,447 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,325 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,830 in 2016, ranked #2,383.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4,132 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Isherwood surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Isherwood surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Isherwood 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 2,001 #1,449
1861 historical 2,072 #1,393
1881 historical 3,447 #1,325
1891 historical 3,571 #1,344
1901 historical 4,123 #1,363
1911 historical 4,132 #1,248
1997 modern 3,044 #2,109
1998 modern 3,162 #2,121
1999 modern 3,187 #2,124
2000 modern 3,182 #2,111
2001 modern 3,150 #2,090
2002 modern 3,200 #2,099
2003 modern 3,175 #2,071
2004 modern 3,119 #2,101
2005 modern 3,005 #2,155
2006 modern 2,981 #2,176
2007 modern 3,003 #2,172
2008 modern 3,015 #2,180
2009 modern 3,029 #2,224
2010 modern 3,046 #2,270
2011 modern 2,975 #2,292
2012 modern 2,902 #2,306
2013 modern 2,918 #2,328
2014 modern 2,898 #2,360
2015 modern 2,873 #2,351
2016 modern 2,830 #2,383

Geography

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Where Isherwoods are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Leigh, Blackburn, Bolton-le-Moors and Bury (Walmersley and Tottington, Heap),Middleton (Birtle with Bamford, Pilsworth). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bury, Bolton, Wigan and Salford. 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 Rochdale Lancashire
2 Leigh Lancashire
3 Blackburn Lancashire
4 Bolton-le-Moors Lancashire
5 Bury (Walmersley and Tottington, Heap),Middleton (Birtle with Bamford, Pilsworth) Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bury 001 Bury
2 Bolton 012 Bolton
3 Wigan 031 Wigan
4 Salford 029 Salford
5 Bolton 013 Bolton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Isherwood

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Isherwood

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Isherwood surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Isherwood household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Isherwood 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

Isherwood 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

Isherwood falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Isherwood is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Isherwood

The surname Isherwood originates from England, and it dates back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "isern" and "wudu," which translate to "iron" and "wood," respectively. This suggests that the name may have been associated with someone who worked with iron or lived near an area known for its iron production or ironworking.

The name Isherwood is believed to have originated in the county of Lancashire, specifically in the area around Manchester and surrounding towns. Some of the earliest recorded spellings of the name include Isernwude and Isernwode, which appeared in the Pipe Rolls of Lancashire in the late 12th century.

The Isherwood name can be found in various historical records, including the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is mentioned in relation to land holdings in Lancashire. One notable early reference to the name is in the Chartulary of Whalley Abbey, which dates back to the 13th century.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Isherwood surname was John Isherwood, who was mentioned in the Lancashire Inquests of 1322. Another early bearer of the name was Robert Isherwood, who was recorded in the Wills and Inventories of the Archdeaconry of Richmond in 1557.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the Isherwood surname. One of the most famous was Christopher Isherwood (1904-1986), a renowned English novelist and playwright. His works include "The Berlin Stories," which inspired the musical "Cabaret."

Another notable Isherwood was Thomas Isherwood (1805-1874), an English engineer and industrialist who played a significant role in the development of the cotton industry in Manchester during the Industrial Revolution.

Sir Henry Isherwood (1834-1906) was a British naval architect and shipbuilder who made significant contributions to the design and construction of steamships in the late 19th century.

In the realm of sports, John Isherwood (1938-2012) was an English professional football player who played as a striker for several clubs, including Manchester United and Preston North End, in the 1960s.

Lastly, Vivian Isherwood (1911-1988) was a British author and screenwriter who penned several novels and contributed to notable films such as "The Man in the White Suit" and "The Forsyte Saga."

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Isherwood families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Isherwood 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. Lancashire leads with 2,895 Isherwoods recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.22x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 2,895 7.22x
Yorkshire 210 0.63x
Cheshire 147 1.97x
Middlesex 36 0.11x
Channel Islands 25 2.50x
Staffordshire 22 0.19x
Derbyshire 21 0.40x
Durham 14 0.14x
Wigtownshire 11 2.45x
Bedfordshire 10 0.57x
Surrey 9 0.05x
Kent 7 0.06x
Northamptonshire 7 0.22x
Somerset 7 0.13x
Isle of Man 6 0.96x
Westmorland 4 0.54x
Worcestershire 4 0.09x
Ayrshire 3 0.12x
Carmarthenshire 3 0.21x
Hampshire 3 0.04x
Midlothian 3 0.07x
Warwickshire 3 0.04x
Caernarfonshire 2 0.15x
Essex 2 0.03x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.05x
Cumberland 1 0.03x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.13x
Glamorgan 1 0.02x
Gloucestershire 1 0.02x
Hertfordshire 1 0.04x
Northumberland 1 0.02x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.02x
Oxfordshire 1 0.05x
Royal Navy 1 0.25x
Sussex 1 0.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Blackburn in Lancashire leads with 178 Isherwoods recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.68x.

Place Total Index
Blackburn 178 16.68x
Tottington Lower End 160 83.95x
Little Bolton 152 29.48x
Over Darwen 135 42.14x
Great Bolton 115 21.65x
Turton 93 141.62x
Farnworth 73 30.38x
Radcliffe 69 35.69x
Preston 64 5.96x
Kearsley 63 74.65x
Oldham 60 4.63x
Warrington 60 12.62x
Manchester 59 3.27x
Halliwell 57 39.05x
Edgeworth 55 255.34x
Bedford 49 58.41x
Westleigh 48 52.70x
Tyldesley Cum Shakerley 47 40.71x
Bury 42 9.17x
Pennington In Leigh 42 54.58x
Pilkington 41 26.91x
Salford 41 3.48x
Castleton 40 9.99x
Chorley 37 16.44x
Pendleton In Salford 37 7.74x
Hulme 34 4.06x
Spotland 34 7.62x
Sharples 32 73.56x
Tonge With Haulgh 32 40.98x
Haslingden 28 16.86x
Hindley 27 15.79x
Elton 25 18.04x
Macclesfield 24 7.24x
Westhoughton 24 22.42x
Newton In Clitheroe 23 600.52x
Over Hulton 23 201.75x
Habergham Eaves 22 6.00x
Middleton In Oldham 22 18.29x
Chorlton On Medlock 21 3.30x
Lower Darwen 20 37.99x
Walmersley Cum 20 31.21x
Wigan 20 3.57x
Cleckheaton 19 15.40x
Glossop Dale 19 7.67x
Newton 19 6.15x
St Helier 19 5.83x
Stretford 19 8.61x
Accrington 18 4.94x
Worsley 18 7.28x
Great Lever 17 39.95x
West Bromwich 16 2.45x
Broughton In Salford 15 4.09x
Horwich 15 34.29x
Ardwick 14 3.87x
Cheetham 14 4.68x
Leeds 14 0.74x
Levenshulme 14 33.91x
Liverpool 14 0.57x
Quarlton 14 445.86x
Blackrod 13 26.08x
Butterworth 13 13.30x
North Meols 13 3.31x
Ribchester 13 85.75x
Ashton Under Lyne 12 1.37x
Burtonwood 12 81.52x
Heaton Norris 12 5.26x
Poynton 12 47.85x
Stockport 12 3.13x
Beswick 11 10.72x
Bradshaw 11 125.71x
Bramley In Bramley 11 8.58x
Breightmet 11 62.36x
Chadderton 11 5.61x
Dukinfield 11 3.19x
Horton In Bradford 11 2.10x
Hunslet 11 2.11x
Kirkdale 11 1.63x
Penketh 11 76.18x
Rusholme 11 10.28x
Sorbie 11 56.07x

FAQ

Isherwood surname: questions and answers

How common was the Isherwood surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3,447 people were recorded with the Isherwood surname. That placed it at #1,325 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Isherwood surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,830 in 2016. That gives Isherwood a modern rank of #2,383.

What does the Isherwood surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from the Old English elements "isern" meaning iron and "wudu" meaning wood, likely referring to someone from an area known for its iron production.

What does the Isherwood map show?

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