NameCensus.

UK surname

Prewitt

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "Prue's wood" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 64 people recorded with the Prewitt surname, ranking it #24,561 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 111, ranked #29,049, down from #24,561 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Conwy, Herefordshire and Waveney.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Prewitt is 112 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 73.4%.

1881 census count

64

Ranked #24,561

Modern count

111

2016, ranked #29,049

Peak year

1998

112 bearers

Map years

2

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Prewitt had 64 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,561 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 111 in 2016, ranked #29,049.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 85 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Prewitt surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Prewitt surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Prewitt 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 22 #29,378
1861 historical 44 #28,433
1881 historical 64 #24,561
1891 historical 85 #26,080
1901 historical 74 #25,958
1911 historical 63 #26,537
1997 modern 107 #25,924
1998 modern 112 #25,856
1999 modern 102 #27,468
2000 modern 107 #26,700
2001 modern 100 #27,402
2002 modern 96 #28,534
2003 modern 92 #28,974
2004 modern 88 #29,758
2005 modern 91 #29,406
2006 modern 92 #29,576
2007 modern 101 #28,505
2008 modern 104 #28,341
2009 modern 107 #28,483
2010 modern 104 #29,618
2011 modern 101 #29,938
2012 modern 105 #29,362
2013 modern 108 #29,379
2014 modern 112 #28,934
2015 modern 111 #28,986
2016 modern 111 #29,049

Geography

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Where Prewitts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Conwy, Herefordshire, Waveney, West Oxfordshire and Southampton. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Conwy 009 Conwy
2 Herefordshire 016 Herefordshire, County of
3 Waveney 002 Waveney
4 West Oxfordshire 004 West Oxfordshire
5 Southampton 004 Southampton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Prewitt

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Prewitt

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

Prewitt is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Prewitt

The surname Prewitt is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "preost" meaning "priest" and "wic" meaning "dwelling" or "village." It suggests that the name was originally used to identify someone who lived near a priest's residence or in a village with a church.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Prewitt dates back to the 13th century in the county of Wiltshire, England, where it appeared in the form "Preostwic." This spelling variation reflects the linguistic evolution of the name over time.

In the renowned Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, there are references to several places with names that may have contributed to the formation of the surname Prewitt, such as "Prestewicha" in Gloucestershire and "Prestewald" in Essex.

One notable individual bearing the name Prewitt was Sir John Prewitt, a prominent English landowner who lived in the 14th century. He was granted various estates and properties by King Edward III in recognition of his loyal service during the Hundred Years' War.

Another historical figure associated with the surname Prewitt was Thomas Prewitt, a wealthy merchant from Bristol, England, who lived in the late 16th century. He made significant contributions to the city's economy and was involved in international trade ventures.

In the 17th century, the Prewitt family established themselves in the colonies of Virginia and Maryland, where they were among the early settlers. One member of this family, William Prewitt (1635-1701), was a prominent landowner and farmer in Stafford County, Virginia.

During the American Revolutionary War, Captain John Prewitt (1740-1821) served in the Continental Army and participated in several key battles, including the Battle of Monmouth and the Battle of Yorktown.

Another notable Prewitt was Mary Prewitt (1810-1888), a pioneer and early settler in Oregon. She and her husband were among the first families to travel the Oregon Trail, and they played a significant role in the development of the Pacific Northwest region.

Throughout history, the surname Prewitt has been associated with various professions, including clergy, landowners, merchants, soldiers, and pioneers, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and experiences of those who bore this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Prewitt families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Prewitt 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. Warwickshire leads with 26 Prewitts recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.51x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 26 16.51x
Monmouthshire 9 19.94x
Gloucestershire 6 4.90x
Wiltshire 6 10.87x
Surrey 5 1.64x
Hertfordshire 4 9.30x
Somerset 3 2.99x
Hampshire 2 1.56x
Yorkshire 2 0.32x
Middlesex 1 0.16x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 17 Prewitts recorded in 1881 and an index of 32.40x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 17 32.40x
St Woollos 8 158.73x
Aston 7 16.15x
Bristol St George 5 88.34x
Lambeth 5 9.18x
West Grimstead 5 10000.00x
Bushey 4 392.16x
Coleshill 2 400.00x
Leeds 2 5.73x
Westbury 2 1538.46x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 1 8.67x
Britford 1 277.78x
Hound 1 114.94x
Mitchel Troy 1 1428.57x
Romsey Infra 1 232.56x
St Pancras London 1 1.99x
Weston Super Mare 1 39.37x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 5
Thomas 4
Joseph 3
Frederick 2
Albert 1
Bertie 1
Bertram 1
Charles 1
Chas 1
Danl.Everett 1
George 1
Harry 1
Hugh 1
J. 1
Jacob 1
Theodore 1
Thos. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Prewitt surname: questions and answers

How common was the Prewitt surname in 1881?

In 1881, 64 people were recorded with the Prewitt surname. That placed it at #24,561 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Prewitt surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 111 in 2016. That gives Prewitt a modern rank of #29,049.

What does the Prewitt surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "Prue's wood" in Old English.

What does the Prewitt map show?

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