NameCensus.

UK surname

Purslow

An English habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "person from Purslow" or "the valley of the purees".

In the 1881 census there were 461 people recorded with the Purslow surname, ranking it #7,193 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 596, ranked #8,758, down from #7,193 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury St Chad, Wroxeter, Atcham, Berrington and Shrewsbury St Alkmond, St Julian, St Mary (pt), Meole Brace. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Shropshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Purslow is 721 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 29.3%.

1881 census count

461

Ranked #7,193

Modern count

596

2016, ranked #8,758

Peak year

1998

721 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Purslow had 461 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,193 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 596 in 2016, ranked #8,758.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 720 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Purslow surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Purslow surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Purslow 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 236 #9,174
1861 historical 220 #11,076
1881 historical 461 #7,193
1891 historical 490 #7,550
1901 historical 626 #6,839
1911 historical 720 #5,933
1997 modern 687 #7,353
1998 modern 721 #7,307
1999 modern 713 #7,418
2000 modern 673 #7,724
2001 modern 662 #7,683
2002 modern 683 #7,656
2003 modern 661 #7,733
2004 modern 674 #7,634
2005 modern 621 #8,056
2006 modern 603 #8,256
2007 modern 631 #8,050
2008 modern 632 #8,085
2009 modern 652 #8,046
2010 modern 651 #8,233
2011 modern 638 #8,281
2012 modern 609 #8,508
2013 modern 619 #8,526
2014 modern 629 #8,473
2015 modern 615 #8,556
2016 modern 596 #8,758

Geography

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Where Purslows are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury St Chad, Wroxeter, Atcham, Berrington, Shrewsbury St Alkmond, St Julian, St Mary (pt), Meole Brace, Worthen and Westbury. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Shropshire. 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 Shrewsbury St Chad, Wroxeter, Atcham, Berrington Shropshire
3 Shrewsbury St Alkmond, St Julian, St Mary (pt), Meole Brace Shropshire
4 Worthen Montgomeryshire
5 Westbury Shropshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Shropshire 026 Shropshire
2 Shropshire 023 Shropshire
3 Shropshire 039 Shropshire
4 Shropshire 030 Shropshire
5 Shropshire 022 Shropshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Purslow

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Purslow

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Purslow is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Purslow 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

Purslow falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Purslow

The surname Purslow is an English locational name that originated in the county of Shropshire. It is derived from the Old English words "pyrs" meaning pear tree and "hlaw" meaning a small hill or mound. The name likely referred to a homestead or settlement near a pear tree on a hill.

The earliest recorded spelling of the name is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as Perslow, referring to a place in Shropshire. Over time, the name evolved into various spellings such as Purselowe, Purselow, and eventually Purslow.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Richard de Perslow, who was recorded in the Hundred Rolls of Shropshire in 1273. Another early reference is John Purselow, mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1428.

In the 16th century, the name Purslow appeared in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Shropshire in 1524 with the entry of Thomas Purslow. Around the same time, the name was also found in the Muster Rolls of Shropshire in 1543 with the mention of William Purslow.

One notable bearer of the name was Henry Purslow (1617-1681), an English clergyman who served as the Rector of Llandrillo in Denbighshire, Wales. Another prominent figure was John Purslow (1761-1828), a British naval officer who served during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.

In the 19th century, the name Purslow was still predominantly found in Shropshire and surrounding areas. Thomas Purslow (1811-1888) was a prominent English architect who designed several notable buildings in Shropshire, including the Shrewsbury Unitarian Church.

Other notable individuals with the surname Purslow include Frank Purslow (1853-1947), an English cricketer who played for Gloucestershire, and Bert Purslow (1887-1957), an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for several clubs, including Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Purslow families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Purslow 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. Shropshire leads with 199 Purslows recorded in 1881 and an index of 51.56x.

County Total Index
Shropshire 199 51.56x
Staffordshire 84 5.57x
Lancashire 49 0.92x
Derbyshire 18 2.57x
Middlesex 17 0.38x
Cheshire 15 1.52x
Surrey 15 0.69x
Worcestershire 10 1.71x
Warwickshire 9 0.80x
Merionethshire 7 8.56x
Bedfordshire 6 2.59x
Buckinghamshire 6 2.22x
Yorkshire 6 0.14x
Durham 5 0.38x
Devon 3 0.32x
Herefordshire 2 1.09x
Montgomeryshire 2 1.95x
Brecknockshire 1 1.12x
Denbighshire 1 0.59x
Gloucestershire 1 0.11x
Lanarkshire 1 0.07x
Royal Navy 1 1.88x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Minsterley in Shropshire leads with 37 Purslows recorded in 1881 and an index of 2605.63x.

Place Total Index
Minsterley 37 2605.63x
Worthen Hope 32 3902.44x
Wolverhampton 21 18.11x
Worthen 20 487.80x
Shrewsbury St Chad 17 125.46x
Bilston 16 54.74x
Shrewsbury St Julian 16 167.54x
Barrow In Furness 11 15.26x
Manchester 11 4.61x
Newington 11 6.67x
Meole Brace 10 500.00x
Pontesbury 10 213.22x
Shrewsbury Holy Cross 9 211.27x
Shrewsbury St Alkmond 9 420.56x
Stockport 9 17.73x
Stone 8 41.47x
Wednesfield 8 36.05x
Birmingham 7 1.86x
Corwen 7 339.81x
Sedgley 7 12.50x
West Bromwich 7 8.11x
Bedford St Paul 6 37.81x
Horton In Bradford 6 8.68x
Ilkeston 6 30.60x
Islington London 6 1.39x
Kidderminster Borough 6 17.57x
Shrewsbury St Mary 6 39.40x
Warrington 6 9.55x
Weston In Runcorn 6 234.38x
Wolverton 6 107.33x
Bishop Auckland 5 28.04x
Bitterley 5 326.80x
Bradford 5 20.15x
Newbold Dunston 5 75.19x
Walsall Foreign 5 6.42x
Wednesbury 5 13.27x
Grinshill 4 754.72x
Hope Baggot 4 3333.33x
Hulme 4 3.61x
Lambeth 4 1.03x
Matlock 4 42.60x
Wem 4 69.69x
Willesden 4 9.50x
Everton 3 1.78x
Glossop Dale 3 9.16x
St Martin In Fields 3 11.22x
St Pancras London 3 0.83x
Stafford St Mary 3 14.05x
West Derby 3 1.93x
Aston 2 0.64x
Berrington 2 132.45x
Buildwas 2 500.00x
Ford 2 350.88x
Leominster 2 26.39x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 2.79x
Pool 2 25.91x
Rodington 2 327.87x
Ashford Carbonell 1 222.22x
Bersham 1 13.89x
Beswick 1 7.37x
Bury 1 1.65x
Cainham 1 55.87x
Cannock 1 3.80x
Chirbury 1 44.05x
Cirencester 1 8.43x
Devonport 1 9.35x
Dudley 1 1.41x
Ercall Magna 1 36.23x
Farnworth 1 3.15x
Halesowen 1 19.53x
Handsworth 1 2.69x
Harborne 1 2.07x
Leintwardine 1 53.48x
Liverpool 1 0.31x
Ludford 1 140.85x
Moreton Corbet 1 263.16x
Royal Navy 1 2.20x
Westbury 1 50.25x
Whittingham 1 42.74x
Willenhall 1 3.54x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 33
Sarah 22
Elizabeth 19
Ann 12
Jane 10
Eliza 8
Emma 8
Hannah 7
Martha 7
Alice 5
Emily 5
Margaret 4
Fanny 3
Agnes 2
Annie 2
Beatrice 2
Edith 2
Ellen 2
Florence 2
Frances 2
Harriet 2
Joyce 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Maria 2
Minnie 2
Naomi 2
Rebecca 2
Ruth 2
Susannah 2
Anne 1
Bessie 1
Caroline 1
Charlotte 1
Comfort 1
Cornalia 1
Ethel 1
Flor.E. 1
George 1
Gertrude 1
Grace 1
Hanna 1
Judith 1
Julia 1
June 1
Lilian 1
Lousia 1
Lydia 1
Matilda 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 38
William 35
Thomas 25
Henry 10
Benjamin 9
Charles 9
George 9
James 8
Joseph 8
Samuel 7
Edward 6
Richard 6
Alfred 4
Ernest 4
Frederick 4
Robert 4
Thos. 4
Edwin 3
Harry 3
Walter 3
Wm. 3
Abraham 2
Arthur 2
Jethro 2
Percy 2
Richd. 2
Agustus 1
Albt.Edd.Jno. 1
Alfd. 1
Auther 1
Ben 1
Daniel 1
Edwd 1
Eman 1
Enoch 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Geo.A. 1
Herbert 1
Horace 1
Hy.Chal.Theodore 1
John. 1
Jonathon 1
Lydia 1
Norgrave 1
Saml. 1
Stanley 1
Thos.Hy. 1
Williams 1
Wm.Thos 1

FAQ

Purslow surname: questions and answers

How common was the Purslow surname in 1881?

In 1881, 461 people were recorded with the Purslow surname. That placed it at #7,193 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Purslow surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 596 in 2016. That gives Purslow a modern rank of #8,758.

What does the Purslow surname mean?

An English habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "person from Purslow" or "the valley of the purees".

What does the Purslow map show?

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