NameCensus.

UK surname

Nosworthy

An English locational surname likely derived from a Devonshire place name meaning "north-worth" or "northern homestead".

In the 1881 census there were 330 people recorded with the Nosworthy surname, ranking it #9,088 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 318, ranked #14,159, down from #9,088 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Tormoham with Torquay, London parishes and Torbryan, Denbury, Highweek. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Teignbridge, Conwy and Stockport.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nosworthy is 393 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 3.6%.

1881 census count

330

Ranked #9,088

Modern count

318

2016, ranked #14,159

Peak year

1891

393 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Nosworthy had 330 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,088 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 318 in 2016, ranked #14,159.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 393 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Nosworthy surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Nosworthy surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Nosworthy 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 345 #6,823
1861 historical 245 #10,057
1881 historical 330 #9,088
1891 historical 393 #8,995
1901 historical 367 #10,076
1911 historical 390 #9,455
1997 modern 316 #13,080
1998 modern 332 #12,990
1999 modern 342 #12,829
2000 modern 332 #13,023
2001 modern 325 #13,030
2002 modern 326 #13,241
2003 modern 303 #13,718
2004 modern 300 #13,871
2005 modern 295 #13,972
2006 modern 303 #13,834
2007 modern 307 #13,822
2008 modern 318 #13,604
2009 modern 324 #13,689
2010 modern 328 #13,856
2011 modern 313 #14,200
2012 modern 302 #14,451
2013 modern 311 #14,368
2014 modern 312 #14,430
2015 modern 315 #14,247
2016 modern 318 #14,159

Geography

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Where Nosworthys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Tormoham with Torquay, London parishes, Torbryan, Denbury, Highweek, Manaton and Widecombe-in-the-Moor. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Teignbridge, Conwy, Stockport and Stratford-on-Avon. 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 London parishes London 3
3 Torbryan, Denbury, Highweek Devon
4 Manaton Devon
5 Widecombe-in-the-Moor Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Teignbridge 002 Teignbridge
2 Teignbridge 003 Teignbridge
3 Conwy 014 Conwy
4 Stockport 027 Stockport
5 Stratford-on-Avon 012 Stratford-on-Avon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Nosworthy

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Nosworthy

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Nosworthy 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

Nosworthy 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

Nosworthy falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Nosworthy

The surname Nosworthy originated in the county of Cornwall, England, during the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Cornish phrase "nans worthy," which translates to "worthy valley" or "valley of the stream." This suggests that the name may have been originally associated with a particular geographical location or a place name.

The earliest known recording of the name Nosworthy can be traced back to the Parish Records of St. Columb Major, Cornwall, in 1589, where a certain Richard Nosworthy was mentioned. It is possible that this individual or their ancestors may have resided in or near a valley or a stream, leading to the adoption of the surname.

In the 17th century, the Nosworthy family had established a presence in the parish of Egloshayle, Cornwall. Records from this period show several members of the family, including William Nosworthy (born in 1625) and John Nosworthy (born in 1642).

The Nosworthy surname has also been linked to the historic Cornish town of Wadebridge, which was formerly known as "Wadebridge Nosworthy." This suggests that the name may have been associated with a specific area or settlement within Cornwall.

Notable individuals with the surname Nosworthy throughout history include:

1. Sir John Nosworthy (1630-1688), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Mitchell, Cornwall, during the reign of King Charles II. 2. Reverend William Nosworthy (1712-1782), a prominent Anglican clergyman and scholar who served as the Rector of St. Dominick, Cornwall. 3. Mary Nosworthy (1788-1864), an influential Cornish diarist and author, known for her detailed accounts of life in 19th-century Cornwall. 4. John Nosworthy (1826-1901), a Cornish mining engineer and entrepreneur who played a significant role in the development of the mining industry in South Africa. 5. Sir James Nosworthy (1870-1948), a British naval officer and Admiral of the Fleet, who served during World War I and received numerous military honors.

While the Nosworthy surname has its roots in Cornwall, it has since spread to other parts of England and beyond, with families bearing this name residing in various regions of the United Kingdom and other parts of the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Nosworthy families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Nosworthy 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 210 Nosworthys recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.25x.

County Total Index
Devon 210 31.25x
Surrey 32 2.03x
Middlesex 19 0.59x
Lancashire 15 0.39x
Kent 13 1.18x
Leicestershire 8 2.23x
Worcestershire 8 1.90x
Glamorgan 7 1.25x
Wiltshire 6 2.10x
Sussex 3 0.55x
Berkshire 2 0.83x
Cheshire 2 0.28x
Derbyshire 1 0.20x
Gloucestershire 1 0.16x
Hampshire 1 0.15x
Hertfordshire 1 0.45x
Royal Navy 1 2.60x
Yorkshire 1 0.03x

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 34 Nosworthys recorded in 1881 and an index of 119.55x.

Place Total Index
Tormoham 34 119.55x
Widdecombeinthe Moor 23 2555.56x
Highweek 19 791.67x
Exeter St Thomas The 14 204.38x
Newington 14 11.74x
Stoke Gabriel 12 1690.14x
Topsham 12 378.55x
Minster In Sheppey 10 54.79x
Denbury 8 2162.16x
Dodderhill 8 444.44x
Lambeth 8 2.84x
Wolborough 8 94.12x
Belgrave 7 86.63x
East Stonehouse 7 52.87x
Paignton 7 136.99x
Roath 7 27.42x
Shoreditch London 7 5.00x
Tavistock 7 91.38x
Battersea 6 5.05x
Broughton In Salford 6 17.13x
Exeter St Sidwell 6 38.99x
Melksham 6 120.97x
Virginstow 6 4615.38x
Buckland In The Moor 5 6250.00x
Hennock 5 588.24x
Manaton 5 1351.35x
Bromley London 4 5.63x
Camberwell 4 1.94x
Chagford 4 248.45x
Exminster 4 165.29x
Great Crosby 4 38.28x
Walkhampton 4 625.00x
Plymouth Charles The 3 10.13x
St Budeaux 3 143.54x
Toxteth Park 3 2.31x
Berry Pomeroy 2 180.18x
Brighton 2 1.82x
Brixham 2 25.67x
Deptford St Paul 2 2.35x
Exeter St David 2 34.84x
Liscard 2 15.58x
Mortimer 2 172.41x
North Bovey 2 408.16x
Walton On Hill 2 9.64x
Aylestone 1 35.46x
Bradninch 1 52.63x
Cliffe 1 40.16x
Edmonton 1 3.84x
Exeter Alphington 1 81.30x
Hackney London 1 0.55x
Hayes 1 30.40x
Headingley Cum Burley 1 4.85x
Holdenhurst 1 5.76x
Horfield 1 15.70x
Hornsey 1 2.45x
Ilsington 1 85.47x
Lullington 1 121.95x
Moreton Hampstead 1 57.47x
Okehampton 1 39.53x
Paddington London 1 0.84x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 1.93x
Poplar London 1 1.64x
Portslade 1 30.03x
Royal Navy 1 3.04x
St Pancras London 1 0.38x
Walkern 1 106.38x
Westminster St John 1 2.54x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 21
Elizabeth 12
Sarah 8
Susan 8
Alice 7
Ann 6
Eliza 5
Beatrice 4
Charlotte 4
Florence 4
Frances 4
Jane 4
Clara 3
Edith 3
Ellen 3
Emily 3
Emma 3
Harriet 3
Margaret 3
Maria 3
Anna 2
Annie 2
Blanche 2
Caroline 2
Celia 2
Fanny 2
Hannah 2
Harriett 2
Martha 2
Maud 2
Mercy 2
Rebecca 2
Rose 2
Bissie 1
Eleanor 1
Elizh. 1
Eva 1
Gertrude 1
H.C. 1
Isabella 1
John 1
Kate 1
Kezia 1
Lillian 1
Lilly 1
Lily 1
Louis 1
Louisa 1
Margaratt 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 23
William 22
Robert 15
Thomas 11
George 10
James 8
Henry 7
Richard 7
Alfred 4
Ambrose 4
Oliver 4
Albert 3
Joseph 3
Arthur 2
Charles 2
Edmund 2
Edward 2
Ernest 2
Gilbert 2
Matthew 2
Stephen 2
Thos. 2
Andrew 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Herbert 1
Herculos 1
Hubert 1
J.G. 1
Jen. 1
Louis 1
Mary 1
Mathew 1
Percy 1
Philip 1
Reginald 1
Samuel 1
Thompson 1
Wm 1
Wm.G. 1

FAQ

Nosworthy surname: questions and answers

How common was the Nosworthy surname in 1881?

In 1881, 330 people were recorded with the Nosworthy surname. That placed it at #9,088 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Nosworthy surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 318 in 2016. That gives Nosworthy a modern rank of #14,159.

What does the Nosworthy surname mean?

An English locational surname likely derived from a Devonshire place name meaning "north-worth" or "northern homestead".

What does the Nosworthy map show?

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