NameCensus.

UK surname

Ledwidge

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "a clearing in a woodland".

In the 1881 census there were 40 people recorded with the Ledwidge surname, ranking it #28,011 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 271, ranked #15,874, up from #28,011 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hallglen and Glen Village, North East Lincolnshire and Coventry.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ledwidge is 280 in 2012. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 577.5%.

1881 census count

40

Ranked #28,011

Modern count

271

2016, ranked #15,874

Peak year

2012

280 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ledwidge had 40 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,011 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 271 in 2016, ranked #15,874.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 52 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Ledwidge surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ledwidge surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ledwidge 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 9 #31,675
1861 historical 31 #30,058
1881 historical 40 #28,011
1891 historical 25 #32,259
1901 historical 36 #30,099
1911 historical 52 #27,620
1997 modern 225 #16,352
1998 modern 228 #16,706
1999 modern 231 #16,646
2000 modern 250 #15,741
2001 modern 248 #15,606
2002 modern 252 #15,714
2003 modern 258 #15,293
2004 modern 259 #15,348
2005 modern 251 #15,590
2006 modern 251 #15,696
2007 modern 274 #14,932
2008 modern 279 #14,860
2009 modern 272 #15,475
2010 modern 276 #15,637
2011 modern 275 #15,517
2012 modern 280 #15,248
2013 modern 277 #15,644
2014 modern 279 #15,661
2015 modern 265 #16,139
2016 modern 271 #15,874

Geography

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Where Ledwidges are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hallglen and Glen Village, North East Lincolnshire, Coventry, Broadland and Bolton. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hallglen and Glen Village Falkirk
2 North East Lincolnshire 003 North East Lincolnshire
3 Coventry 024 Coventry
4 Broadland 016 Broadland
5 Bolton 002 Bolton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ledwidge

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ledwidge

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Ledwidge surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Ledwidge household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Ledwidge 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

Ledwidge is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ledwidge falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Ledwidge

The surname Ledwidge originated in Ireland, with its earliest known references dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old Irish words "léid" meaning "a half-portion" and "baigh" meaning "townland or territory," suggesting that the name may have been given to someone who held a portion of land or territory.

The name first appeared in records in County Longford, where it was associated with the Barony of Ardagh. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Fiants of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, which mentions a Thomas Ledwidge in 1585.

In the 17th century, the Ledwidge family was prominent in County Longford, with several members holding significant positions in the local community. One notable figure was Richard Ledwidge, who served as the High Sheriff of County Longford in 1684.

The Ledwidge surname also has connections to the Gaelic noble family of O'Farrell, who were Lords of Annaly in County Longford. Some historians suggest that the Ledwidge family may have been a sept (branch) of the O'Farrells, or may have been granted lands by them.

In the 18th century, the name appeared in various records, including the Birth, Marriage, and Death registers of the Church of Ireland. One notable individual from this period was Francis Ledwidge (1737-1815), a landowner and poet from County Longford.

The 19th century saw the rise of several prominent figures with the Ledwidge surname. Francis Ledwidge (1887-1917) was a renowned Irish poet and soldier who was killed during World War I. His collection of poems, "Songs of the Fields," published posthumously in 1918, is considered a masterpiece of Irish literature.

Another notable figure was Richard Ledwidge (1823-1887), an Irish lawyer and judge who served as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland from 1869 to 1887.

In the 20th century, the name continued to be associated with literary figures. Kathleen Ledwidge (1901-1972) was an Irish poet and playwright, known for works such as "The Lone Green Way" and "The Sea-Bird's Cry."

While the Ledwidge surname has its roots in Ireland, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through Irish emigration. However, its historical significance remains deeply rooted in the Irish counties of Longford and Westmeath, where it has been documented for over four centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ledwidge families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ledwidge 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 19 Ledwidges recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.11x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 19 4.11x
Middlesex 9 2.31x
Kirkcudbrightshire 8 141.59x
Staffordshire 2 1.52x
Dunbartonshire 1 9.54x
Oxfordshire 1 4.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 9 Ledwidges recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.81x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 9 23.81x
Liverpool 9 32.02x
Urr 7 958.90x
Salford 6 44.09x
Lower Darwen 3 491.80x
Stoke Upon Trent 2 14.33x
Kirkintilloch 1 70.42x
Oxford St Thomas 1 89.29x
Tongland 1 909.09x
Warrington 1 18.21x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Kate 2
Margaret 2
Maria 2
Mary 2
Agusta 1
Alice 1
Annie 1
Bridget 1
Catherine 1
Elizabeth 1
Evelyn 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Marcella 1
Susan 1
Winfred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Francis 2
Nicholas 2
William 2
Frederick 1
Joseph 1
Pat. 1
Peter 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Ledwidge surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ledwidge surname in 1881?

In 1881, 40 people were recorded with the Ledwidge surname. That placed it at #28,011 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ledwidge surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 271 in 2016. That gives Ledwidge a modern rank of #15,874.

What does the Ledwidge surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "a clearing in a woodland".

What does the Ledwidge map show?

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