NameCensus.

UK surname

Myerscough

An English locational surname derived from a place called Myerscough near Preston, Lancashire.

In the 1881 census there were 446 people recorded with the Myerscough surname, ranking it #7,361 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 781, ranked #7,060, up from #7,361 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Manchester, Lytham and Cockerham (Ellel), Lancaster (Preesall with Hackersall) , Garstang (Pilling). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wyre, Preston and Fylde.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Myerscough is 864 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 75.1%.

1881 census count

446

Ranked #7,361

Modern count

781

2016, ranked #7,060

Peak year

1998

864 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Myerscough had 446 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,361 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 781 in 2016, ranked #7,060.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 764 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Myerscough surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Myerscough surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Myerscough 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 263 #8,439
1861 historical 321 #7,938
1881 historical 446 #7,361
1891 historical 600 #6,384
1901 historical 645 #6,678
1911 historical 764 #5,664
1997 modern 833 #6,335
1998 modern 864 #6,350
1999 modern 838 #6,558
2000 modern 858 #6,406
2001 modern 858 #6,293
2002 modern 853 #6,444
2003 modern 836 #6,422
2004 modern 837 #6,420
2005 modern 821 #6,469
2006 modern 814 #6,522
2007 modern 814 #6,590
2008 modern 809 #6,681
2009 modern 832 #6,674
2010 modern 832 #6,807
2011 modern 792 #7,009
2012 modern 780 #7,002
2013 modern 811 #6,866
2014 modern 807 #6,947
2015 modern 796 #6,960
2016 modern 781 #7,060

Geography

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Where Myerscoughs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Manchester, Lytham, Cockerham (Ellel), Lancaster (Preesall with Hackersall) , Garstang (Pilling), Dalton-in-Furness and Preston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wyre, Preston and Fylde. 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 Manchester Lancashire
2 Lytham Lancashire
3 Cockerham (Ellel), Lancaster (Preesall with Hackersall) , Garstang (Pilling) Lancashire
4 Dalton-in-Furness Lancashire
5 Preston Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wyre 007 Wyre
2 Wyre 006 Wyre
3 Preston 002 Preston
4 Preston 009 Preston
5 Fylde 008 Fylde

Forenames

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First names often paired with Myerscough

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Myerscough

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Myerscough, 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 Myerscough surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Myerscough 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, Myerscough 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

Myerscough is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Myerscough 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 Myerscough 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 Myerscough, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Myerscough

The surname Myerscough is of English origin and can be traced back to the medieval period in Lancashire, England. It is a locational name derived from the village of Myerscough, located near Preston. The name is believed to come from the Old English words "mere" meaning "lake" or "pool" and "sceaga" meaning "small wood" or "copse", essentially translating to "the wood by the pool".

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Merescohe". This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, was a comprehensive survey of land and landholdings in England, providing valuable insight into the names and locations of that era.

In the 13th century, the name was recorded as "Merescoghe" and "Mereschoghe" in various historical records. Over time, the spelling evolved to its modern form, Myerscough.

Notable individuals bearing the Myerscough surname include John Myerscough (1453-1519), an English Catholic priest and diplomat who served as the Rector of the University of Paris. Another prominent figure was Richard Myerscough (1630-1711), an English Catholic priest and author who wrote several religious works during his lifetime.

In the 18th century, Thomas Myerscough (1707-1787) was a renowned English Catholic theologian and philosopher who taught at the English College in Douai, France. His contributions to the field of philosophy were significant during that era.

Moving into the 19th century, Edward Myerscough (1810-1878) was an English Catholic priest and educator who served as the President of Ushaw College, a prominent seminary in Durham, England.

Another notable figure was John Myerscough (1847-1924), an English Catholic priest and author who wrote extensively on religious topics and served as the Rector of the English College in Rome.

These are just a few examples of individuals who carried the Myerscough surname throughout history, demonstrating its long-standing presence in various regions of England and its association with prominent religious and academic figures.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Myerscough families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Myerscough 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 418 Myerscoughs recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.10x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 418 8.10x
Yorkshire 7 0.16x
Devon 4 0.44x
Surrey 4 0.19x
Cheshire 3 0.31x
Sussex 3 0.41x
Flintshire 2 1.71x
Middlesex 2 0.05x
Westmorland 2 2.09x
Durham 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Preston in Lancashire leads with 89 Myerscoughs recorded in 1881 and an index of 64.44x.

Place Total Index
Preston 89 64.44x
Chorley 20 69.04x
Barrow In Furness 15 21.36x
Liverpool 15 4.78x
Cowpe Lench Newhall Hey 14 253.62x
Lytham 14 177.67x
Eccleston In Prescot 13 50.15x
Little Bolton 12 18.08x
Manchester 12 5.17x
Blackburn 11 8.01x
Ellel 11 413.53x
Poulton Le Fylde 11 601.09x
Walton Le Dale 11 79.31x
Aighton Bailey 9 361.45x
Goosnargh 9 538.92x
Preesall With 8 634.92x
Woodplumpton 8 432.43x
Fishwick 7 219.44x
Gorton 7 14.42x
Leeds 7 2.88x
North Meols 7 13.85x
Accrington 6 12.79x
Castleton 6 11.64x
Hulme 6 5.57x
Grimsargh With 5 909.09x
Hardhorn With Newton 5 793.65x
Lower Booths 5 54.05x
Thornton In Fylde 5 44.29x
Ardwick 4 8.59x
Barton Upon Irwell 4 10.29x
Fulwood 4 71.68x
Kirkham 4 58.57x
Lancaster 4 13.02x
Layton With Warbreck 4 21.12x
Pleasington 4 579.71x
Plymouth St Andrew 4 5.73x
Southwark Christchurch 4 19.62x
Whittle Le Woods 4 233.92x
Brighton 3 2.03x
Cockerham 3 227.27x
Rishton 3 49.51x
Tottington Lower End 3 12.23x
Widnes 3 8.06x
Barton In Preston 2 363.64x
Bootle Cum Linacre 2 4.88x
Dunham Massey 2 68.03x
Great Bolton 2 2.92x
Kendal 2 11.43x
Lea Ashton Ingol 2 58.31x
Livesey 2 22.08x
Marton 2 58.31x
Rhuddlan 2 19.44x
Tonge With Haulgh 2 19.90x
Toxteth Park 2 1.14x
West Derby 2 1.32x
Adlington 1 20.70x
Billington 1 47.39x
Broughton In Preston 1 112.36x
Broughton In Salford 1 2.12x
Cheetham 1 2.60x
Esh 1 10.62x
Garstang 1 85.47x
Liscard 1 5.78x
Pendleton In Salford 1 1.63x
Penwortham 1 40.82x
Singleton 1 188.68x
Spitalfields London 1 3.06x
Spotland 1 1.74x
St George Hanover 1 1.76x
Stalmine With Staynall 1 133.33x
Westhoughton 1 7.26x
Whittingham 1 44.05x
Windle 1 3.44x
Worthington 1 263.16x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 39
Elizabeth 31
Jane 20
Margaret 14
Ellen 13
Alice 11
Ann 7
Annie 7
Sarah 7
Agnes 6
Isabella 6
Ada 4
Charlotte 3
Eliza 3
Hannah 3
Betsy 2
Dorothy 2
Eliz. 2
Emma 2
Frances 2
Gertrude 2
Harriet 2
Marion 2
Sophia 2
Teresa 2
Anna 1
Anne 1
Betty 1
Catherine 1
Clara 1
Deborah 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Elizbeth 1
Elizth. 1
Esther 1
Fanny 1
Helena 1
Jannet 1
Jennett 1
June 1
M. 1
Margt.H. 1
Minon 1
Rachael 1
Rosella 1
Ruth 1
Selina 1
Susan 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 35
James 28
Thomas 28
William 20
Joseph 15
Richard 15
Robert 15
Edward 12
Henry 5
George 4
Andrew 3
Charles 3
Francis 2
Saml. 2
Samuel 2
Septimus 2
Thos. 2
Alexander 1
Alfred 1
Anderson 1
Anthony 1
Arthur 1
Austin 1
B. 1
Barnabas 1
Benjamin 1
C. 1
Doctor 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Jno. 1
Lawrence 1
Leonard 1
Luke 1
Nicholas 1
Osborne 1
Rd. 1
Richd. 1
Richd.Bradford 1
Richd.Jos. 1
Riley 1
Rowland 1
Sam 1
Simon 1
T.G.G. 1
Tom 1
Wilfred 1
Wm.Robertson 1

FAQ

Myerscough surname: questions and answers

How common was the Myerscough surname in 1881?

In 1881, 446 people were recorded with the Myerscough surname. That placed it at #7,361 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Myerscough surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 781 in 2016. That gives Myerscough a modern rank of #7,060.

What does the Myerscough surname mean?

An English locational surname derived from a place called Myerscough near Preston, Lancashire.

What does the Myerscough map show?

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