NameCensus.

UK surname

Madgwick

An English toponymic surname derived from the place name Madgwick in West Sussex.

In the 1881 census there were 328 people recorded with the Madgwick surname, ranking it #9,126 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 641, ranked #8,262, up from #9,126 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst, London parishes and Chiddingfold, Haslemere. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Winchester, Chichester and Portsmouth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Madgwick is 726 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 95.4%.

1881 census count

328

Ranked #9,126

Modern count

641

2016, ranked #8,262

Peak year

1998

726 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Madgwick had 328 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,126 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 641 in 2016, ranked #8,262.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 545 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Madgwick surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Madgwick surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Madgwick 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 233 #9,272
1861 historical 239 #10,273
1881 historical 328 #9,126
1891 historical 432 #8,311
1901 historical 512 #7,918
1911 historical 545 #7,342
1997 modern 699 #7,254
1998 modern 726 #7,277
1999 modern 714 #7,408
2000 modern 710 #7,412
2001 modern 681 #7,513
2002 modern 720 #7,346
2003 modern 684 #7,529
2004 modern 668 #7,691
2005 modern 643 #7,832
2006 modern 632 #7,973
2007 modern 638 #7,984
2008 modern 640 #8,007
2009 modern 660 #7,978
2010 modern 666 #8,091
2011 modern 655 #8,104
2012 modern 647 #8,103
2013 modern 655 #8,163
2014 modern 659 #8,161
2015 modern 645 #8,249
2016 modern 641 #8,262

Geography

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Where Madgwicks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst, London parishes, Chiddingfold, Haslemere, Portsmouth, Portsea and Frensham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Winchester, Chichester and Portsmouth. 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 Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst Sussex
2 London parishes London 3
3 Chiddingfold, Haslemere Surrey
4 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
5 Frensham Surrey

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Winchester 014 Winchester
2 Chichester 013 Chichester
3 Chichester 012 Chichester
4 Portsmouth 010 Portsmouth
5 Portsmouth 007 Portsmouth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Madgwick

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Madgwick

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

Ageing Communities

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Madgwick is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Madgwick is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Madgwick falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Madgwick

The surname Madgwick is believed to have originated in England, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. It is thought to be a locational surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to a homestead or village called "Madgewic" or a similar variation.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Madegewic." This historical document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides a valuable record of landowners and tenants across England at the time.

In the 13th century, the name appears in various records with spellings such as "Madgewyk" and "Madgewyk." These variations likely reflect the regional dialects and scribal variations common during that period.

One notable figure bearing the Madgwick surname was John Madgwick, a prominent merchant and landowner who lived in the 15th century. Records indicate that he owned substantial property in the county of Wiltshire.

During the 16th century, the surname continued to spread across various regions of England. Thomas Madgwick, born in 1547, was a clergyman who served as the vicar of St. Mary's Church in Devizes, Wiltshire.

In the 17th century, the Madgwick family had established roots in the county of Sussex. William Madgwick, born in 1621, was a respected farmer and landowner in the village of Petworth, where he owned several acres of land.

The 18th century saw the emergence of notable figures such as James Madgwick, a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including St. Paul's Church in Covent Garden, completed in 1795.

Moving into the 19th century, the Madgwick surname gained further prominence with individuals like Robert Madgwick, a prominent industrialist and philanthropist born in 1818. He established several successful businesses and was known for his charitable contributions to local communities.

Throughout history, the Madgwick surname has been associated with various occupations, including merchants, clergymen, farmers, architects, and industrialists, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of those who bore this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Madgwick families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Madgwick 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. Sussex leads with 156 Madgwicks recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.92x.

County Total Index
Sussex 156 28.92x
Surrey 63 4.04x
Hampshire 41 6.25x
Lancashire 14 0.37x
Yorkshire 12 0.38x
Hertfordshire 9 4.08x
Nottinghamshire 9 2.09x
Northumberland 7 1.47x
Middlesex 6 0.19x
Devon 4 0.60x
Glamorgan 4 0.72x
Bedfordshire 1 0.60x
Durham 1 0.11x
Wiltshire 1 0.35x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Fernhurst in Sussex leads with 19 Madgwicks recorded in 1881 and an index of 1596.64x.

Place Total Index
Fernhurst 19 1596.64x
Portsea 18 14.00x
Haslemere 17 1382.11x
Frensham 16 698.69x
Lewes All Sts 15 697.67x
Midhurst 12 677.97x
Aldershot 9 40.97x
Hurstpierpoint 9 300.00x
Linchmere 9 2368.42x
Nottingham St Mary 9 8.07x
Rickmansworth 9 148.27x
Bosham 8 583.94x
Cheetham 8 28.25x
Thursley 8 714.29x
Wisborough Green 8 441.99x
Albury 7 492.96x
Alciston 7 3333.33x
Battersea 7 5.95x
Fittleworth 7 921.05x
Broadwater 6 48.50x
Lurgashall 6 750.00x
Saddleworth 6 24.53x
Chirton 5 46.43x
East Worldham 5 1724.14x
Heyshott 5 1020.41x
North Ambersham 5 2777.78x
Bramshott 4 246.91x
Brighton 4 3.68x
Hove 4 16.90x
Pagham 4 421.05x
Ystradyfodwg 4 8.19x
Bury 3 526.32x
Cocking 3 476.19x
Manchester 3 1.76x
Rotherfield 3 63.16x
Storrington 3 202.70x
York St Helen Stonegate 3 612.24x
Andover 2 32.26x
Buxted 2 94.79x
Clifton In York 2 30.17x
Eastbourne 2 8.06x
Edburton 2 540.54x
Kensington London 2 1.12x
Longparish 2 270.27x
North Shields 2 21.05x
Reigate Foreign 2 11.85x
Shoreditch London 2 1.44x
Toxteth Park 2 1.56x
Werrington 2 277.78x
West Lavington 2 1176.47x
West Teignmouth 2 39.29x
Ampthill 1 40.49x
Ardingly 1 58.14x
Arundel 1 33.11x
Bishopwearmouth 1 1.22x
Cold Waltham 1 232.56x
Devizes St Mary 1 34.97x
Eccleston In Prescot 1 5.25x
Farnham 1 8.25x
Hambledon 1 60.61x
Hastings St Leonards 1 12.61x
Kirdford 1 53.48x
Lambeth 1 0.36x
Paddington London 1 0.85x
Petworth 1 31.06x
Richmond 1 4.58x
Shere 1 53.19x
Southwick 1 35.09x
Stoke 1 13.59x
Stopham 1 588.24x
Tadcaster West 1 39.84x
Twickenham 1 7.29x
Widley 1 85.47x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 27
George 18
James 15
Thomas 15
John 11
Charles 10
Henry 9
Richard 5
Frank 4
Albert 3
Alfred 3
Frederick 3
Robert 3
Arthur 2
Daniel 2
Edward 2
Elias 2
Fredrick 2
Herbert 2
Jesse 2
Mark 2
Benjamin 1
Christopher 1
Clement 1
Cornelius 1
Edmund 1
Florence 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.J. 1
Harold 1
Harry 1
Harvey 1
Ian 1
Jas. 1
Joseph 1
Maurice 1
Michael 1
Morris 1
Octavius 1
Oliver 1
Oswald 1
Paul 1
Peter 1
Rufus 1
Saml. 1
Saml.S. 1
Sidney 1
Stanley 1

FAQ

Madgwick surname: questions and answers

How common was the Madgwick surname in 1881?

In 1881, 328 people were recorded with the Madgwick surname. That placed it at #9,126 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Madgwick surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 641 in 2016. That gives Madgwick a modern rank of #8,262.

What does the Madgwick surname mean?

An English toponymic surname derived from the place name Madgwick in West Sussex.

What does the Madgwick map show?

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