NameCensus.

UK surname

Powis

A locational surname originating from the town of Powis in Wales.

In the 1881 census there were 1,145 people recorded with the Powis surname, ranking it #3,498 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,472, ranked #4,183, down from #3,498 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Wellington, Wrockwardine, Eyton-on-the-Moors, Preston-on-the-Moors and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Somerset, Herefordshire and Cheltenham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Powis is 1,617 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 28.6%.

1881 census count

1,145

Ranked #3,498

Modern count

1,472

2016, ranked #4,183

Peak year

1911

1,617 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Powis had 1,145 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,498 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,472 in 2016, ranked #4,183.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,617 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Powis surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Powis surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Powis 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 680 #3,826
1861 historical 617 #4,321
1881 historical 1,145 #3,498
1891 historical 1,200 #3,569
1901 historical 1,456 #3,500
1911 historical 1,617 #3,007
1997 modern 1,493 #3,920
1998 modern 1,534 #3,973
1999 modern 1,565 #3,936
2000 modern 1,574 #3,903
2001 modern 1,541 #3,897
2002 modern 1,579 #3,900
2003 modern 1,503 #3,992
2004 modern 1,492 #4,022
2005 modern 1,465 #4,037
2006 modern 1,479 #4,019
2007 modern 1,484 #4,040
2008 modern 1,521 #3,963
2009 modern 1,548 #3,999
2010 modern 1,545 #4,094
2011 modern 1,535 #4,070
2012 modern 1,485 #4,126
2013 modern 1,500 #4,156
2014 modern 1,506 #4,163
2015 modern 1,477 #4,192
2016 modern 1,472 #4,183

Geography

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Where Powis' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Wellington, Wrockwardine, Eyton-on-the-Moors, Preston-on-the-Moors, London parishes and Walsall. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to West Somerset, Herefordshire and Cheltenham. 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 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 Wellington, Wrockwardine, Eyton-on-the-Moors, Preston-on-the-Moors Shropshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Walsall Staffordshire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 West Somerset 003 West Somerset
2 Herefordshire 002 Herefordshire, County of
3 Herefordshire 003 Herefordshire, County of
4 Herefordshire 007 Herefordshire, County of
5 Cheltenham 013 Cheltenham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Powis

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Powis

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Powis, 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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Powis surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Powis household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Powis 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

Powis 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

Powis falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Powis is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Powis

The surname Powis is believed to have originated in Wales, tracing its roots back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Welsh place name "Powys," which refers to an ancient Welsh kingdom and modern-day county. The name itself is thought to come from the Old Welsh word "powys," meaning "land at the end" or "country on the border."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Powis can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Pouis" and "Powis." This ancient manuscript, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides a valuable insight into the distribution of surnames in England and Wales during the 11th century.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, including "Powyes" and "de Powys," indicating its association with the Welsh kingdom. Notable individuals bearing the Powis surname during this period include Gruffudd ap Gwenwynwyn, Prince of Powys (c. 1230-1286), and Owain ap Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn, Lord of Powys (c. 1260-1293).

The 14th century saw the emergence of prominent members of the Powis family, such as Sir John de Charlton, Lord of Powys (c. 1300-1353), and Owain ap Thomas ap Rhodri, Lord of Powys (c. 1350-1390). These individuals played significant roles in the political and military affairs of Wales during their time.

In the 15th century, Edward Grey, Baron Grey of Powis (c. 1415-1489), a notable English nobleman and military commander, held the title of Lord of Powis. His descendants continued to be associated with the region, further reinforcing the connection between the surname and the place name.

During the 16th century, Sir Edward Herbert, 1st Baron Herbert of Cherbury (1583-1648), a notable philosopher, historian, and diplomat, was born to a family with connections to Powis. His descendants continued to use the surname, contributing to its longevity and prominence.

Throughout the centuries, the Powis surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including clergymen, scholars, and military personnel. While the name has evolved in spelling over time, its roots remain firmly planted in the ancient Welsh kingdom and its cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Powis families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Powis 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. Staffordshire leads with 295 Powis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.84x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 295 7.84x
Middlesex 164 1.47x
Shropshire 118 12.26x
Herefordshire 96 21.02x
Surrey 74 1.36x
Gloucestershire 68 3.11x
Warwickshire 63 2.24x
Glamorgan 42 2.17x
Lancashire 35 0.26x
Cheshire 29 1.18x
Yorkshire 29 0.26x
Worcestershire 21 1.44x
Monmouthshire 14 1.74x
Brecknockshire 13 5.84x
Pembrokeshire 11 3.11x
Derbyshire 7 0.40x
Radnorshire 7 7.79x
Somerset 7 0.39x
Nottinghamshire 5 0.33x
Suffolk 5 0.37x
Sussex 5 0.27x
Devon 4 0.17x
Essex 4 0.18x
Hampshire 4 0.18x
Kent 4 0.11x
Berkshire 3 0.36x
Caernarfonshire 3 0.67x
Denbighshire 3 0.71x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.15x
Cornwall 1 0.08x
Cumberland 1 0.10x
Durham 1 0.03x
Hertfordshire 1 0.13x
Leicestershire 1 0.08x
Lincolnshire 1 0.06x
Northamptonshire 1 0.10x
Wiltshire 1 0.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wolverhampton in Staffordshire leads with 39 Powis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.49x.

Place Total Index
Wolverhampton 39 13.49x
West Bromwich 37 17.19x
Lambeth 32 3.29x
Birmingham 30 3.20x
Islington London 28 2.59x
Bilston 26 35.68x
Aston 24 3.10x
Cannock 23 35.05x
Dawley 21 59.97x
Stoke Upon Trent 21 5.27x
Dyffryn Clydach 18 386.27x
Mile End Old Town 18 10.24x
Harborne 17 14.11x
Walsall Foreign 17 8.75x
Avening 16 207.25x
Wellington 16 29.58x
Rugeley 15 55.60x
Sedgley 15 10.74x
Woolhope 14 492.96x
Audley 12 32.25x
Bethnal Green London 12 2.48x
Downton 12 1739.13x
Minchinhampton 12 68.93x
Newington 12 2.92x
Shrewsbury St Mary 12 31.60x
Bermondsey 11 3.32x
Christchurch 11 44.16x
Leintwardine 11 236.56x
Orleton 11 2558.14x
Westminster St John 11 8.11x
Cheltenham 10 5.93x
Edmonton 10 11.14x
Fazeley 10 146.20x
Shadwell London 10 32.08x
Willaston In Nantwich 10 131.75x
Winslow 10 636.94x
Cardiff St John 9 14.20x
Kingsland 9 222.22x
Wellington 9 386.27x
Burslem 8 7.43x
Poplar London 8 3.81x
Rodington 8 529.80x
Shoreditch London 8 1.66x
Wales 8 91.74x
Walsall Borough 8 27.41x
Wednesbury 8 8.51x
West Dean 8 22.54x
Birkenhead 7 3.57x
Broseley 7 40.94x
Clerkenwell London 7 2.66x
Eaton Constantine 7 769.23x
Hereford All Sts 7 33.44x
Pulford 7 693.07x
Winshill 7 62.95x
Croydon 6 1.99x
Eaton Bishop 6 346.82x
Everton 6 1.42x
Horninglow 6 33.88x
Leamington 6 32.22x
Leintwardine 6 402.68x
Moss Side 6 8.63x
Neath 6 15.20x
St Giles In Fields 6 15.62x
St Pancras London 6 0.67x
Stroud 6 14.11x
Withington 6 251.05x
Wolstanton Knutton 6 26.13x
Eglwysilan 5 14.85x
Handsworth 5 5.39x
Ipswich St Nicholas 5 66.93x
Kimberworth 5 8.16x
Llandissilio 5 128.21x
Llanelly 5 18.76x
St George Hanover 5 3.44x
St George Martyr 5 26.62x
Wednesfield 5 9.04x
Narberth North 4 63.49x
Richards Castle 4 136.99x
St Marylebone London 4 0.67x
West Ham 4 0.82x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 61
John 60
George 48
Thomas 38
Charles 34
James 27
Henry 23
Joseph 22
Arthur 17
Richard 17
Edward 16
Alfred 11
Samuel 11
Benjamin 9
Harry 9
Robert 9
Albert 7
David 7
Frederick 7
Walter 7
Enoch 6
Frank 6
Ernest 4
Edwin 3
Fredk. 3
Herbert 3
Saml. 3
Stephen 3
Christopher 2
Eli 2
Francis 2
Fredrick 2
Geo. 2
W. 2
Agins 1
Caleb 1
Ch.Edw.Lloyd 1
Chares 1
Chas. 1
Fred. 1
Isaac 1
Jesse 1
Jno.H. 1
Jonathan 1
Joshua 1
Leigh 1
Lenard 1
Littleton 1
Lyttleton 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Powis surname: questions and answers

How common was the Powis surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,145 people were recorded with the Powis surname. That placed it at #3,498 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Powis surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,472 in 2016. That gives Powis a modern rank of #4,183.

What does the Powis surname mean?

A locational surname originating from the town of Powis in Wales.

What does the Powis map show?

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