NameCensus.

UK surname

Newsam

A habitational surname derived from Newsome, a location name in Yorkshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 191 people recorded with the Newsam surname, ranking it #13,224 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 342, ranked #13,398, down from #13,224 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Silkstone, Kirby Moorside and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Riding of Yorkshire, West Dorset and Middlesbrough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Newsam is 369 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 79.1%.

1881 census count

191

Ranked #13,224

Modern count

342

2016, ranked #13,398

Peak year

2010

369 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Newsam had 191 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,224 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 342 in 2016, ranked #13,398.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 242 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Newsam surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Newsam surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Newsam 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 196 #10,573
1861 historical 138 #16,365
1881 historical 191 #13,224
1891 historical 234 #13,352
1901 historical 228 #13,929
1911 historical 242 #13,193
1997 modern 328 #12,758
1998 modern 332 #12,990
1999 modern 333 #13,049
2000 modern 337 #12,901
2001 modern 327 #12,970
2002 modern 337 #12,965
2003 modern 328 #13,026
2004 modern 338 #12,781
2005 modern 337 #12,738
2006 modern 339 #12,754
2007 modern 343 #12,773
2008 modern 346 #12,813
2009 modern 353 #12,894
2010 modern 369 #12,726
2011 modern 363 #12,738
2012 modern 356 #12,784
2013 modern 354 #13,079
2014 modern 355 #13,125
2015 modern 346 #13,284
2016 modern 342 #13,398

Geography

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Where Newsams are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Silkstone, Kirby Moorside, Edinburgh, Beckenham and Sheffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Riding of Yorkshire, West Dorset, Middlesbrough and Sheffield. 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 Silkstone Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Kirby Moorside Yorkshire, North Riding
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Beckenham Kent
5 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Riding of Yorkshire 039 East Riding of Yorkshire
2 West Dorset 004 West Dorset
3 Middlesbrough 018 Middlesbrough
4 East Riding of Yorkshire 032 East Riding of Yorkshire
5 Sheffield 075 Sheffield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Newsam

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Newsam

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

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Newsam is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Newsam 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

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

Meaning and origin of Newsam

The surname Newsam is believed to have originated in England, specifically in the northern county of Yorkshire. It is derived from the Old English word "niwe," meaning new, and "ham," which refers to a homestead or village. This suggests that the name likely originated from a new settlement or hamlet.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Newsam can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Newesham." This entry indicates the existence of a village or landholding with a similar name in Yorkshire at the time of the Norman Conquest.

During the medieval period, the surname Newsam was primarily concentrated in the Yorkshire region. Historical records from the 13th and 14th centuries mention individuals with variations of the name, such as Neusum, Newsom, and Newesham, residing in villages around the area.

In the 16th century, a notable bearer of the Newsam surname was Sir Ralph Newsam (c. 1530-1590), a wealthy merchant and member of the Company of Merchant Adventurers in York. He served as the Lord Mayor of York in 1572 and was a prominent figure in the city's civic affairs.

Another individual of historical significance was John Newsam (1597-1661), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Master of University College, Oxford, from 1653 until his death. He played a influential role in the university's administration during the turbulent period of the English Civil War.

During the 17th century, the Newsam name also appeared in the records of early settlers in the American colonies. One such individual was Thomas Newsam, who immigrated to Virginia in 1635 and established a plantation in Henrico County.

In the 18th century, the Newsam family had a presence in the English county of Nottinghamshire. Reverend Roger Newsam (1730-1807) was a prominent clergyman and author who served as the rector of Woodborough in Nottinghamshire for over 40 years.

Another notable figure was Sir William Newsam (1772-1855), a British naval officer who distinguished himself during the Napoleonic Wars. He rose to the rank of Admiral and was knighted for his service to the Royal Navy.

As the Newsam surname spread across England and eventually to other parts of the world, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Newsome, Newsholme, and Newsholme. However, the name's connection to its Old English roots and the concept of a "new settlement" or "new homestead" remained a common thread throughout its history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Newsam families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Newsam 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. Yorkshire leads with 95 Newsams recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.15x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 95 5.15x
Middlesex 19 1.02x
Derbyshire 14 4.80x
Lancashire 11 0.50x
Kent 10 1.57x
Denbighshire 7 9.95x
Hampshire 6 1.57x
Nottinghamshire 5 1.99x
Lincolnshire 4 1.34x
Cornwall 3 1.42x
Northumberland 3 1.08x
Pembrokeshire 2 3.38x
Surrey 2 0.22x
Warwickshire 2 0.43x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.58x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.89x
Durham 1 0.18x
Essex 1 0.27x
Hertfordshire 1 0.78x
Norfolk 1 0.35x
Somerset 1 0.33x
Worcestershire 1 0.41x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barnsley in Yorkshire leads with 22 Newsams recorded in 1881 and an index of 115.55x.

Place Total Index
Barnsley 22 115.55x
Litchurch 14 119.25x
Leeds 13 12.47x
Kirkby Moorside 11 932.20x
Beckenham 10 120.34x
Clerkenwell London 9 20.47x
Atherton 7 86.96x
Denbigh 7 248.23x
Easington In Patrington 7 2916.67x
Kirk Hammerton 5 2777.78x
Norton In Doncaster 5 1315.79x
Nottingham St Mary 5 7.70x
Out Newton 5 16666.67x
St George Hanover 5 20.56x
Upper Clatford 5 1063.83x
Otley 4 89.29x
Brough 3 3750.00x
Holy Trinity St Mary 3 106.76x
Linkinhorne 3 204.08x
Middlesbrough 3 12.48x
Southcoates 3 29.27x
St Martin Lincoln 3 108.70x
Aston 2 1.55x
Bradford 2 4.48x
Grays Inn Staple Inn 2 833.33x
Headingley Cum Burley 2 16.84x
Kirkdale 2 5.38x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 2 12.08x
South Otterington 2 909.09x
St Issells 2 160.00x
St Luke London 2 6.69x
Adel Cum Eccup 1 131.58x
Ashton Under Lyne 1 2.07x
Battersea 1 1.46x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 1 15.85x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 2.85x
Croydon 1 1.98x
Ellon 1 42.19x
Haughton Le Skerne 1 217.39x
Kings Norton 1 4.58x
Mexborough 1 27.32x
North Shields 1 18.08x
Scriven Cum Tentergate 1 147.06x
St Bartholomew Hyde 1 109.89x
Stoke Ferry 1 227.27x
Stowe And Normanby 1 2000.00x
Tottenham 1 3.37x
Wanstead 1 15.53x
Watford 1 10.04x
Wavendon 1 161.29x
Weston Super Mare 1 13.21x
York St Mary 1 13.07x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 18
William 16
Charles 8
Henry 6
Robert 6
Frederick 5
George 3
James 3
Harry 2
Joseph 2
Richard 2
Thomas 2
Alderson 1
Alfred 1
Arthur 1
Dan 1
David 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Frances 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Harold 1
Herbert 1
Isaiah 1
Matthew 1
Peter 1
Rob. 1
Samuel 1
Simon 1
Stephen 1
Willm.B.B. 1

FAQ

Newsam surname: questions and answers

How common was the Newsam surname in 1881?

In 1881, 191 people were recorded with the Newsam surname. That placed it at #13,224 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Newsam surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 342 in 2016. That gives Newsam a modern rank of #13,398.

What does the Newsam surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from Newsome, a location name in Yorkshire, England.

What does the Newsam map show?

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