NameCensus.

UK surname

Oxenham

An English surname derived from a place name meaning "oxen homestead" or "a homestead where oxen are kept."

In the 1881 census there were 464 people recorded with the Oxenham surname, ranking it #7,157 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 634, ranked #8,340, down from #7,157 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Carmarthenshire, Cornwall and Leeds.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Oxenham is 650 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 36.6%.

1881 census count

464

Ranked #7,157

Modern count

634

2016, ranked #8,340

Peak year

1911

650 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Oxenham had 464 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,157 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 634 in 2016, ranked #8,340.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 650 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Oxenham surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Oxenham surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Oxenham 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 379 #6,300
1861 historical 242 #10,154
1881 historical 464 #7,157
1891 historical 508 #7,341
1901 historical 582 #7,241
1911 historical 650 #6,443
1997 modern 597 #8,177
1998 modern 620 #8,202
1999 modern 610 #8,353
2000 modern 619 #8,249
2001 modern 618 #8,104
2002 modern 646 #7,990
2003 modern 602 #8,313
2004 modern 613 #8,222
2005 modern 601 #8,267
2006 modern 585 #8,440
2007 modern 585 #8,527
2008 modern 583 #8,606
2009 modern 601 #8,591
2010 modern 611 #8,669
2011 modern 647 #8,183
2012 modern 631 #8,266
2013 modern 646 #8,252
2014 modern 641 #8,356
2015 modern 633 #8,366
2016 modern 634 #8,340

Geography

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Where Oxenhams are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and St Philip and Jacob. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Carmarthenshire, Cornwall, Leeds and North Devon. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 London parishes London 1
4 London parishes London 3
5 St Philip and Jacob Gloucestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Carmarthenshire 011 Carmarthenshire
2 Cornwall 034 Cornwall
3 Leeds 102 Leeds
4 Cornwall 024 Cornwall
5 North Devon 002 North Devon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Oxenham

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Oxenham

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Oxenham 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

Oxenham is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Oxenham falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Oxenham

The surname Oxenham originated in England and traces its roots back to the early medieval period. It is a locational name derived from the place name Oxenham, a village in Wiltshire. The name is thought to have evolved from the Old English words "oxa" meaning ox and "ham" meaning homestead or village, suggesting it was a settlement or farmstead associated with oxen.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Oxenham can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1195, where a person named Roger de Oxenham is listed. The Pipe Rolls were important financial records kept by the English Exchequer in the Middle Ages.

In the 13th century, the name Oxenham appeared in the Hundred Rolls, ancient records documenting land ownership and taxation in various English counties. An entry from 1275 mentions a Roger de Oxenham holding lands in Wiltshire.

The Oxenham surname is also found in the famous Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and settlements commissioned by William the Conqueror. While the exact spelling may vary, entries related to the place name Oxenham can be found in the records for Wiltshire and Somerset.

Notable historical figures bearing the Oxenham surname include John Oxenham (c. 1536-1580), an English explorer and privateer who led expeditions to the West Indies and Panama in the late 16th century. Another was Robert Oxenham (1592-1674), an English clergyman and author who served as a chaplain during the English Civil War.

In the 17th century, Edward Oxenham (1620-1670) was a prominent English merchant and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Great Bedwyn. Richard Oxenham (1654-1709) was an English clergyman and academic who became the Archdeacon of Lewes in the late 17th century.

During the 18th century, a notable figure was Henry Oxenham (1729-1803), an English writer and translator who is best known for his translations of French works into English. He was also a member of the Society of Antiquaries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Oxenham families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Oxenham 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 124 Oxenhams recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.10x.

County Total Index
Devon 124 13.10x
Middlesex 73 1.61x
Somerset 70 9.57x
Gloucestershire 36 4.04x
Surrey 28 1.26x
Cornwall 20 3.89x
Glamorgan 19 2.40x
Carmarthenshire 13 6.79x
Warwickshire 12 1.05x
Essex 9 1.00x
Leicestershire 8 1.59x
Hampshire 7 0.75x
Kent 7 0.45x
Buckinghamshire 6 2.18x
Lancashire 6 0.11x
Wiltshire 6 1.49x
Berkshire 5 1.47x
Durham 5 0.37x
Northumberland 5 0.74x
Worcestershire 5 0.84x
Channel Islands 1 0.74x
Royal Navy 1 1.85x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bristol St Philip Jacob in Gloucestershire leads with 18 Oxenhams recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.44x.

Place Total Index
Bristol St Philip Jacob 18 21.44x
Bampton 15 517.24x
Llandilo Fawr 13 152.22x
Wiveliscombe 13 318.63x
Dulverton 12 560.75x
Tiverton 12 73.62x
Buckfastleigh 11 251.72x
Paddington London 11 6.58x
Islington London 10 2.27x
Aberdare 9 16.57x
Stoke Damerel 9 13.59x
Dovercourt 8 253.16x
Huntsham 8 2666.67x
Keyham 8 1777.78x
Newington 8 4.76x
Bedminster 7 10.18x
Chelsea London 7 5.11x
Lynton 7 370.37x
Portsea 7 3.83x
Aston 6 1.90x
Birmingham 6 1.57x
Bristol St George 6 14.55x
Bristol St James St Paul 6 20.18x
Bromley London 6 6.00x
Buckland Brewer 6 521.74x
Egloshayle 6 248.96x
Enfield 6 20.11x
Eton 6 96.31x
Exeter St Thomas The 6 62.18x
Keynsham 6 114.29x
Lostwithel 6 410.96x
Rotherhithe 6 10.68x
Whitchurch 6 361.45x
Ashcott 5 446.43x
Boyton 5 833.33x
Cardiff St Mary 5 11.47x
Clewer 5 35.77x
Great Bolton 5 7.00x
Hilperton 5 390.63x
Kensington London 5 1.98x
Leatherhead 5 90.09x
Luffincott 5 5000.00x
Marytavy 5 359.71x
St Marylebone London 5 2.06x
Walcot 5 12.83x
Williton 5 204.08x
Cardiff St John 4 15.47x
Clerkenwell London 4 3.73x
Cramlington 4 44.74x
Dawdon 4 24.05x
Exeter Heavitree 4 56.74x
Exeter St Sidwell 4 18.46x
Greenwich 4 5.53x
Lambeth 4 1.01x
St Pancras London 4 1.09x
Tormoham 4 9.99x
Bath St James 3 39.32x
Claverton 3 769.23x
Dodbrooke 3 159.57x
Hampstead London 3 4.24x
Twitchen 3 937.50x
Walton On Thames 3 29.50x
Wotton Under Edge 3 57.14x
Ashwater 2 149.25x
Bristol St Paul In 2 8.42x
Clawton 2 289.86x
Cutcombe 2 227.27x
Hackney London 2 0.78x
Lewisham 2 2.42x
Lyncombe Widcombe 2 10.44x
Mile End Old Town 2 2.79x
Plymouth Charles The 2 4.80x
St Peter Tavy 2 416.67x
Staple Fitzpaine 2 689.66x
Stourbridge 2 13.10x
Tavistock 2 18.55x
Tetcott 2 487.80x
Tottenham 2 2.76x
Truro St Mary 2 46.30x
Upperswinford 2 39.84x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 29
Sarah 16
Elizabeth 15
Jane 13
Florence 10
Ann 9
Alice 7
Fanny 7
Eliza 6
Emma 5
Anne 4
Annie 4
Charlotte 4
Harriet 4
Ada 3
Amelia 3
Caroline 3
Clara 3
Edith 3
Ellen 3
Frances 3
Irena 3
Susan 3
Bessie 2
E. 2
Grace 2
Laura 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Lydia 2
Martha 2
Minnie 2
Phoebe 2
Rachel 2
Rosa 2
Sophia 2
Susanna 2
Alberta 1
Anna 1
Betsy 1
Blanche 1
Bridget 1
Dinah 1
Elenor 1
Emily 1
Kate 1
Laititia 1
Lavinia 1
Lillian 1
W. 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 35
William 30
Thomas 20
James 13
Charles 12
George 12
Henry 12
Alfred 6
Richard 6
Walter 5
Albert 4
Frederick 4
Thos. 4
Arthur 3
Edward 3
Ernest 3
Hy. 3
Joseph 3
Robert 3
Alfd. 2
Charlie 2
Fred 2
Hugh 2
R. 2
Robt. 2
Samuel 2
Sydney 2
Blanche 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Dennis 1
Earnest 1
Edmund 1
F. 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Geo.D. 1
Geo.J. 1
Herbert 1
Jonathan 1
Lewis 1
Louis 1
Orlando 1
Peter 1
Rudolph 1
Sidney 1
Sydenham 1
Wyndham 1

FAQ

Oxenham surname: questions and answers

How common was the Oxenham surname in 1881?

In 1881, 464 people were recorded with the Oxenham surname. That placed it at #7,157 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Oxenham surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 634 in 2016. That gives Oxenham a modern rank of #8,340.

What does the Oxenham surname mean?

An English surname derived from a place name meaning "oxen homestead" or "a homestead where oxen are kept."

What does the Oxenham map show?

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