NameCensus.

UK surname

Norsworthy

Derived from a place name meaning "northern enclosure" or "enclosure of the Northmen" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 165 people recorded with the Norsworthy surname, ranking it #14,559 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 273, ranked #15,800, down from #14,559 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Tormoham with Torquay, Dittisham and Woolborough with Newton Abbot. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Plymouth, Shropshire and Hart.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Norsworthy is 307 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 65.5%.

1881 census count

165

Ranked #14,559

Modern count

273

2016, ranked #15,800

Peak year

2002

307 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Norsworthy had 165 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,559 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 273 in 2016, ranked #15,800.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 238 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Norsworthy surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Norsworthy surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Norsworthy 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 96 #17,594
1861 historical 127 #17,469
1881 historical 165 #14,559
1891 historical 171 #16,733
1901 historical 230 #13,851
1911 historical 238 #13,356
1997 modern 291 #13,792
1998 modern 300 #13,877
1999 modern 304 #13,843
2000 modern 286 #14,385
2001 modern 293 #13,933
2002 modern 307 #13,805
2003 modern 279 #14,506
2004 modern 287 #14,286
2005 modern 269 #14,869
2006 modern 273 #14,804
2007 modern 270 #15,080
2008 modern 270 #15,219
2009 modern 288 #14,838
2010 modern 302 #14,661
2011 modern 279 #15,353
2012 modern 266 #15,828
2013 modern 285 #15,313
2014 modern 289 #15,251
2015 modern 286 #15,270
2016 modern 273 #15,800

Geography

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Where Norsworthys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Tormoham with Torquay, Dittisham, Woolborough with Newton Abbot, Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) and Bidstone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Plymouth, Shropshire, Hart and Malvern Hills. 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 Tormoham with Torquay Devon
2 Dittisham Devon
3 Woolborough with Newton Abbot Devon
4 Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) Devon
5 Bidstone Cheshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Plymouth 031 Plymouth
2 Shropshire 039 Shropshire
3 Plymouth 025 Plymouth
4 Hart 005 Hart
5 Malvern Hills 001 Malvern Hills

Forenames

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First names often paired with Norsworthy

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Norsworthy

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Norsworthy is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Norsworthy is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Norsworthy falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Norsworthy is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Norsworthy

The surname Norsworthy is of English origin, deriving from the Old English words "norð" meaning "north" and "worðig" meaning "worthy" or "estate". It is believed to have originated in the northern regions of England, particularly in areas such as Yorkshire and Lancashire, where it was used to denote someone who lived in or owned lands in the northern part of a village or estate.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Norsworthy can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Norðworðig" in reference to a landowner in the county of Yorkshire. This suggests that the name was already in use by the late 11th century.

During the Middle Ages, the spelling of the name varied considerably, with forms such as Northeworth, Northworthy, and Norswordi being common. These variations reflect the regional dialects and linguistic changes that occurred over time.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the name Norsworthy was John Norsworthy (c. 1520-1580), a wealthy merchant and landowner from the town of Halifax in West Yorkshire. His descendants continued to hold significant influence in the region for several generations.

Another noteworthy individual was Sir Edward Norsworthy (1605-1666), a member of the English gentry who served as a Member of Parliament during the reign of Charles I. He was a staunch Royalist during the English Civil War and played a role in the defense of York against the Parliamentarian forces.

In the 18th century, the name Norsworthy was associated with the village of Norsworthy, located in the parish of Widecombe-in-the-Moor in Devon. This place name likely derives from the same Old English roots as the surname, indicating that the family may have had connections to this area as well.

Among the more prominent figures with the surname Norsworthy in the 19th century was Sir William Norsworthy (1827-1904), a British naval officer who achieved the rank of Admiral and served as Commander-in-Chief of the North America and West Indies Station.

In the field of literature, the name Norsworthy was borne by the English writer and journalist Edward Norsworthy (1851-1923), who was known for his novels and travel writings, including his work "The Cruise of the Tomahawk" published in 1888.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Norsworthy families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Norsworthy 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. Devon leads with 110 Norsworthys recorded in 1881 and an index of 32.63x.

County Total Index
Devon 110 32.63x
Surrey 16 2.03x
Cumberland 7 5.02x
Kent 7 1.27x
Lincolnshire 7 2.70x
Middlesex 7 0.43x
Cornwall 6 3.27x
Caernarfonshire 2 3.05x
Oxfordshire 2 2.00x
Gloucestershire 1 0.31x
Royal Navy 1 5.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tormoham in Devon leads with 14 Norsworthys recorded in 1881 and an index of 98.18x.

Place Total Index
Tormoham 14 98.18x
East Molesey 12 655.74x
Wolborough 12 281.69x
Dittisham 11 3333.33x
Coffinswell 9 8181.82x
Plymouth Charles The 8 53.87x
Plymstock 8 454.55x
West Teignmouth 8 310.08x
Clee With Weelsby 7 123.46x
Millom 7 163.93x
Islington London 5 3.19x
Antony 4 225.99x
East Stonehouse 4 60.24x
Kingskerswell 4 714.29x
Sidbury 4 555.56x
Staverton 4 975.61x
Ashburton 3 186.34x
Gillingham 3 26.34x
Harberton 3 389.61x
Lambeth 3 2.12x
Littleham 3 121.95x
Plymouth St Andrew 3 11.55x
Buckfastleigh 2 128.21x
Callington 2 186.92x
Chislehurst 2 67.57x
Llanbeblig 2 30.12x
Nettlebed 2 540.54x
Ottery St Mary 2 90.50x
Bethnal Green London 1 1.42x
Bristol St James St Paul 1 9.44x
Devonport 1 25.84x
Ermington 1 81.30x
Exeter St David 1 34.72x
Exminster 1 82.64x
Finchley 1 16.10x
Greenwich 1 3.88x
Lewisham 1 3.39x
Rattery 1 454.55x
Royal Navy 1 6.06x
Stoke Gabriel 1 277.78x
Totnes 1 50.76x
Wandsworth 1 6.41x
Winkleigh 1 147.06x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 14
Elizabeth 12
Emma 6
Sarah 6
Jane 4
Ellen 3
Alice 2
Margaret 2
Maria 2
Ann 1
Anne 1
Annie 1
Augusta 1
Barbara 1
Beatrice 1
Bertha 1
Bessie 1
Caroline 1
Carrey 1
Carrie 1
Charlotte 1
Edith 1
Elenora 1
Eliz. 1
Eliza 1
Elizh. 1
Emeline 1
Emily 1
Grace 1
Harriett 1
Harritt 1
Kathleen 1
Keturah 1
Laura 1
Marie 1
Martha 1
Natalie 1
Paillina 1
Rebecca 1
Selina 1
Sophie 1
Susan 1
T. 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 16
John 10
Richard 8
Thomas 6
James 5
George 4
Samuel 3
Alfred 2
Christopher 2
Francis 2
Joseph 2
Albert 1
Ambrose 1
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Edwin 1
Emily 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Fredrick 1
Henry 1
Herbert 1
Hubert 1
Jno. 1
Jno.T. 1
Mark 1
Martin 1
Robert 1
Saml. 1
T.G. 1
Thos. 1
Victor 1

FAQ

Norsworthy surname: questions and answers

How common was the Norsworthy surname in 1881?

In 1881, 165 people were recorded with the Norsworthy surname. That placed it at #14,559 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Norsworthy surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 273 in 2016. That gives Norsworthy a modern rank of #15,800.

What does the Norsworthy surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "northern enclosure" or "enclosure of the Northmen" in Old English.

What does the Norsworthy map show?

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