NameCensus.

UK surname

Sedgwick

An English habitational surname derived from places meaning "sedge creek" or "sedgy dwelling."

In the 1881 census there were 2,173 people recorded with the Sedgwick surname, ranking it #2,042 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,106, ranked #2,173, down from #2,042 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Sedbergh, Silkstone and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Lakeland, Dover and Craven.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sedgwick is 3,202 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 42.9%.

1881 census count

2,173

Ranked #2,042

Modern count

3,106

2016, ranked #2,173

Peak year

1999

3,202 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sedgwick had 2,173 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,042 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,106 in 2016, ranked #2,173.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,049 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Sedgwick surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sedgwick surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sedgwick 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 1,327 #2,163
1861 historical 1,256 #2,269
1881 historical 2,173 #2,042
1891 historical 2,237 #2,084
1901 historical 2,821 #1,974
1911 historical 3,049 #1,710
1997 modern 3,078 #2,082
1998 modern 3,157 #2,125
1999 modern 3,202 #2,107
2000 modern 3,171 #2,121
2001 modern 3,070 #2,145
2002 modern 3,132 #2,147
2003 modern 3,067 #2,139
2004 modern 3,031 #2,162
2005 modern 3,008 #2,153
2006 modern 2,993 #2,165
2007 modern 3,018 #2,167
2008 modern 3,016 #2,178
2009 modern 3,098 #2,179
2010 modern 3,136 #2,201
2011 modern 3,121 #2,185
2012 modern 3,112 #2,153
2013 modern 3,183 #2,148
2014 modern 3,184 #2,158
2015 modern 3,121 #2,172
2016 modern 3,106 #2,173

Geography

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Where Sedgwicks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Sedbergh, Silkstone, London parishes and Sheffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Lakeland, Dover, Craven and Barnsley. 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 Sedbergh Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Silkstone Yorkshire, West Riding
3 London parishes London 3
4 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Lakeland 009 South Lakeland
2 Dover 011 Dover
3 Craven 001 Craven
4 Dover 014 Dover
5 Barnsley 011 Barnsley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sedgwick

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sedgwick

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Sedgwick is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Sedgwick is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Sedgwick falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Sedgwick

The surname Sedgwick originates from England and dates back to the 11th century. It is a locational name derived from the Old English words "secg" meaning sedge or rush, and "wic" meaning a dwelling or settlement. The name likely refers to someone who lived near a sedge-covered area or a settlement surrounded by rushes.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Seggeswic" and "Segeswick." This suggests that the name was already well-established in various parts of England by the time of the Norman Conquest.

During the medieval period, the name was commonly spelled in various ways, including Segeswic, Seggeswick, and Sedgeswyke, reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling at the time.

One notable figure bearing this surname was Thomas Sedgwick (1686-1756), an English mathematician and philosopher who made significant contributions to the field of mechanics. He is particularly known for his work on the theory of motion and the principles of mechanics.

Another prominent individual was Adam Sedgwick (1785-1873), an English geologist and one of the founding fathers of modern geology. He served as the Woodwardian Professor of Geology at the University of Cambridge and made important discoveries in the field of stratigraphy and paleontology.

In the literary world, Catharine Maria Sedgwick (1789-1867) was an American novelist and one of the first prominent female writers in the United States. Her works, such as "Hope Leslie" and "The Linwoods," explored themes of national identity and the role of women in society.

John Sedgwick (1813-1864) was a distinguished Union Army officer during the American Civil War. He fought in several major battles, including Antietam and Gettysburg, and was known for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.

Another notable figure was Ellery Sedgwick (1872-1960), an American publisher and editor who played a significant role in the development of the Atlantic Monthly magazine. He served as the editor-in-chief of the magazine from 1908 to 1938 and helped establish its reputation as a leading literary publication.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have borne the surname Sedgwick, reflecting its long-standing presence in various parts of the English-speaking world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sedgwick families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sedgwick 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. Yorkshire leads with 668 Sedgwicks recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.18x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 668 3.18x
Lancashire 329 1.31x
Durham 197 3.12x
Middlesex 172 0.81x
Staffordshire 120 1.68x
Kent 114 1.58x
Surrey 97 0.94x
Warwickshire 78 1.46x
Derbyshire 59 1.78x
Westmorland 56 12.02x
Nottinghamshire 52 1.82x
Sussex 27 0.76x
Northumberland 23 0.73x
Buckinghamshire 19 1.48x
Northamptonshire 18 0.90x
Essex 17 0.41x
Bedfordshire 15 1.37x
Cumberland 14 0.77x
Hertfordshire 13 0.89x
Cheshire 12 0.26x
Hampshire 12 0.28x
Denbighshire 9 1.12x
Gloucestershire 9 0.22x
Leicestershire 7 0.30x
Midlothian 7 0.25x
Devon 5 0.11x
Oxfordshire 5 0.38x
Shropshire 4 0.22x
Aberdeenshire 3 0.15x
East Lothian 2 0.71x
Flintshire 2 0.35x
Lanarkshire 2 0.03x
Somerset 2 0.06x
Angus 1 0.05x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.07x
Cornwall 1 0.04x
Lincolnshire 1 0.03x
Royal Navy 1 0.40x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leeds in Yorkshire leads with 93 Sedgwicks recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.84x.

Place Total Index
Leeds 93 7.84x
Bury 38 13.22x
Birmingham 37 2.08x
Dent 36 410.02x
Barnsley 35 16.15x
Bishop Auckland 32 37.81x
Aston 31 2.11x
Darlington 30 12.32x
Sedbergh 27 348.39x
Huddersfield 26 8.49x
Lambeth 26 1.41x
Wigan 26 7.39x
Brightside Bierlow 25 6.07x
Nottingham St Mary 25 3.38x
Brighton 20 2.77x
Stockton On Tees 20 6.58x
Croydon 19 3.31x
Oldham 19 2.34x
Ingleton 18 152.16x
Mile End Old Town 18 5.38x
Preston 18 2.67x
Burnley 17 8.02x
Dover St Mary Virgin 17 24.28x
Everton 17 2.12x
St Marylebone London 17 1.50x
Walsall Foreign 17 4.60x
Habergham Eaves 15 6.52x
Hackney London 15 1.26x
Lichfield St Mary 15 72.64x
Pelsall 15 70.49x
Southwark St George Martyr 15 3.51x
Aspley Guise 14 133.21x
Bishopwearmouth 14 2.59x
Derby St Alkmund 14 14.07x
Lichfield St Michael 14 62.31x
Maidstone 14 6.50x
St Pancras London 14 0.82x
Bradford 13 2.56x
Padiham 13 21.38x
Snenton 13 11.58x
Wolverhampton 13 2.36x
Chesham 12 25.40x
Eldon 12 120.00x
Hunslet 12 3.66x
Middlesbrough 12 4.39x
West Ham 12 1.30x
Armitage 11 118.03x
Burntwood Edial 11 24.05x
Houghton Le Spring 11 25.22x
Stretford 11 7.95x
Alverstoke 10 6.36x
Bentham 10 62.46x
Calverley Cum Farsley 10 16.76x
Chorlton On Medlock 10 2.50x
Claylane 10 21.67x
Grayrigg 10 602.41x
Normanby In 10 17.80x
Ratcliffe London 10 8.54x
Ravenstonedale 10 153.85x
Sedburgh 10 114.29x
Turton 10 24.27x
Walton Le Dale 10 14.79x
Watford 10 8.82x
Bingley 9 6.72x
Bromley London 9 1.93x
Carlton In Skipton 9 73.29x
Crakehall 9 254.96x
Ealing 9 4.75x
Egham 9 14.19x
Gateshead 9 1.91x
Horton In Bradford 9 2.74x
Keighley 9 4.02x
Lewisham 9 2.33x
Monk Bretton 9 42.29x
Morley 9 8.24x
Nether Hallam 9 3.17x
Sculcoates 9 2.70x
Sheffield 9 1.35x
West Derby 9 1.22x
West Witton 8 220.39x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 142
Elizabeth 107
Sarah 83
Margaret 55
Jane 53
Alice 36
Annie 33
Ann 31
Ellen 31
Emma 26
Eliza 24
Hannah 24
Isabella 21
Emily 19
Martha 17
Caroline 16
Agnes 15
Amy 14
Harriet 14
Edith 13
Frances 13
Clara 12
Ada 11
Charlotte 11
Florence 11
Kate 11
Amelia 10
Catherine 9
Rose 9
Maria 8
Betsy 7
Ethel 6
Fanny 6
Louisa 6
Lucy 5
Minnie 5
Phoebe 5
Susan 5
Anna 4
Anne 4
Gertrude 4
Laura 4
Mabel 4
Rachel 4
Rebecca 4
Dorothy 3
Eleanor 3
Harriett 3
Lily 3
Winifred 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 138
John 134
Thomas 72
James 66
George 63
Joseph 50
Henry 39
Charles 31
Robert 26
Richard 20
Edward 19
Alfred 18
Arthur 17
Samuel 17
Frederick 15
Thos. 15
Walter 15
Herbert 13
Wm. 12
Harry 11
Albert 10
Frank 10
Leonard 9
Edwin 8
Christopher 7
Ernest 7
Francis 7
Benjamin 5
Daniel 5
David 5
Fred 5
Geo. 5
Mathew 5
Ralph 5
Anthony 4
Sidney 4
Abraham 3
Chas. 3
Douglas 3
Edmund 3
Fredk. 3
Isaac 3
Jno. 3
Mark 3
Matthew 3
Percy 3
Peter 3
Sam 3
Stephen 3
Willie 3

FAQ

Sedgwick surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sedgwick surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,173 people were recorded with the Sedgwick surname. That placed it at #2,042 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sedgwick surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,106 in 2016. That gives Sedgwick a modern rank of #2,173.

What does the Sedgwick surname mean?

An English habitational surname derived from places meaning "sedge creek" or "sedgy dwelling."

What does the Sedgwick map show?

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