NameCensus.

UK surname

Shadwell

A surname derived from a place name referring to a shallow well or spring.

In the 1881 census there were 339 people recorded with the Shadwell surname, ranking it #8,948 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 262, ranked #16,256, down from #8,948 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Prestbury, Bury (Walmersley and Tottington, Heap),Middleton (Birtle with Bamford, Pilsworth) and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Basingstoke and Deane, Warrington and Test Valley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shadwell is 420 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 22.7%.

1881 census count

339

Ranked #8,948

Modern count

262

2016, ranked #16,256

Peak year

1901

420 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Shadwell had 339 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,948 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 262 in 2016, ranked #16,256.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 420 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Shadwell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Shadwell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Shadwell 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 274 #8,176
1861 historical 371 #6,875
1881 historical 339 #8,948
1891 historical 414 #8,628
1901 historical 420 #9,169
1911 historical 404 #9,221
1997 modern 296 #13,646
1998 modern 301 #13,861
1999 modern 301 #13,926
2000 modern 293 #14,141
2001 modern 282 #14,294
2002 modern 284 #14,524
2003 modern 276 #14,604
2004 modern 282 #14,451
2005 modern 264 #15,085
2006 modern 252 #15,642
2007 modern 245 #16,134
2008 modern 256 #15,817
2009 modern 273 #15,436
2010 modern 271 #15,856
2011 modern 271 #15,708
2012 modern 256 #16,253
2013 modern 269 #15,963
2014 modern 260 #16,470
2015 modern 261 #16,318
2016 modern 262 #16,256

Geography

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Where Shadwells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Prestbury, Bury (Walmersley and Tottington, Heap),Middleton (Birtle with Bamford, Pilsworth), London parishes, Hurstmonceux, Wartling and St Marylebone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Basingstoke and Deane, Warrington, Test Valley, Eastbourne and Watford. 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 Prestbury Cheshire
2 Bury (Walmersley and Tottington, Heap),Middleton (Birtle with Bamford, Pilsworth) Lancashire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Hurstmonceux, Wartling Sussex
5 St Marylebone London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Basingstoke and Deane 022 Basingstoke and Deane
2 Warrington 023 Warrington
3 Test Valley 007 Test Valley
4 Eastbourne 009 Eastbourne
5 Watford 007 Watford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Shadwell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Shadwell

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Shadwell 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

Shadwell 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

Shadwell falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Shadwell

The surname Shadwell has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "sceadu" meaning shade and "well" meaning a source of water, often a spring or stream. This suggests that the name was likely given to someone who lived near a shaded well or water source.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shadwell can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a great survey of landowners and properties commissioned by William the Conqueror. In this record, the name appears as "Scadewelle," referring to a place name in Yorkshire.

The Shadwell family can trace their roots to the village of Shadwell in the parish of Thorner, near Leeds in West Yorkshire. This village was mentioned in the Domesday Book as "Scadewelle," and it is believed to be the ancestral home of the Shadwell family.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Shadwell was John Shadwell, who was born around 1450 in Shadwell, Yorkshire. He was a prominent landowner and member of the local gentry.

Another notable figure was Thomas Shadwell (c. 1642-1692), an English playwright and poet laureate. He is best known for his satirical plays, including "The Virtuoso" and "The Squire of Alsatia." Shadwell was born in Norfolk and educated at Cambridge University.

In the 18th century, Sir John Shadwell (1738-1817) was a distinguished naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. He rose to the rank of Admiral and was knighted for his services.

Sir Lancelot Shadwell (1779-1850) was a British lawyer and judge who served as Vice-Chancellor of England from 1827 to 1850. He was born in London and was known for his expertise in equity law.

Charles Lancelot Shadwell (1840-1919) was a British diplomat and author. He served as a member of the British diplomatic service in various countries, including Greece and Denmark. He also wrote several books on travel and history.

Throughout its history, the surname Shadwell has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including landowners, writers, military officers, and legal professionals. While the name originated in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and family connections.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Shadwell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Shadwell 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. Middlesex leads with 88 Shadwells recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.65x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 88 2.65x
Hampshire 55 8.07x
Sussex 41 7.31x
Essex 29 4.42x
Lancashire 22 0.56x
Wiltshire 22 7.48x
Cambridgeshire 18 8.54x
Cheshire 13 1.77x
Surrey 10 0.62x
Berkshire 9 3.60x
Northamptonshire 7 2.24x
Yorkshire 7 0.21x
Dorset 3 1.37x
Gloucestershire 3 0.46x
Huntingdonshire 3 4.54x
Kent 3 0.26x
Staffordshire 3 0.27x
Channel Islands 2 2.03x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.50x
Cornwall 1 0.27x
Somerset 1 0.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Caxton in Cambridgeshire leads with 17 Shadwells recorded in 1881 and an index of 2615.38x.

Place Total Index
Caxton 17 2615.38x
Eastbourne 17 65.87x
Kensington London 15 8.11x
Walthamstow 12 50.78x
Ealing 11 37.00x
St Marylebone London 11 6.19x
Bighton 10 3846.15x
Stoke Newington London 9 34.74x
Devizes St James 8 204.60x
East Ham 8 65.63x
Herstmonceaux 8 473.37x
Little Ilford 8 701.75x
Milton 8 470.59x
Overton 8 490.80x
Over Wallop 7 1129.03x
Paddington London 7 5.72x
Butley 6 952.38x
Elton 6 43.99x
Melksham 6 117.42x
Wartling 6 882.35x
Adlington 5 510.20x
Bethnal Green London 5 3.46x
Dallington 5 271.74x
Fulham London 5 10.36x
Islington London 5 1.55x
Saddleworth 5 19.67x
Gorton 4 10.78x
Great Cheverell 4 869.57x
Reading St Mary 4 20.00x
Andover 3 46.58x
Bromley London 3 4.10x
Cheriton 3 428.57x
Clerkenwell London 3 3.82x
Crumpsall 3 32.26x
Everton 3 2.38x
Fairlight 3 545.45x
Putney 3 19.79x
Westminster St James 3 8.77x
Woodhurst 3 789.47x
Acton 2 10.26x
Bermondsey 2 2.02x
Bury 2 4.44x
Clifton 2 6.06x
East Hendred 2 215.05x
East Meon 2 112.36x
Hastings St Clement 2 37.88x
Hastings St Mary In The 2 16.72x
Kingston On Thames 2 5.14x
Lyme Regis 2 76.63x
Newbury 2 25.00x
Ovington 2 1176.47x
Salisbury St Martin 2 65.36x
St George Hanover 2 4.61x
St Helier 2 6.23x
St Mary Kalendar 2 140.85x
Tottington Lower End 2 10.66x
West Bromwich 2 3.11x
Woodford 2 114.94x
Brighton 1 0.88x
Burwash 1 38.46x
Chester St Oswald 1 7.52x
Devizes St Mary 1 33.67x
Dyrham Hinton 1 217.39x
Ely Holy Trinity St Mary 1 10.88x
Grately 1 344.83x
Hammersmith London 1 1.22x
Hornsey 1 2.38x
Hungerford 1 29.59x
Langley 1 238.10x
Lanteglos By Fowey 1 65.36x
Laverstoke 1 476.19x
Lewisham 1 1.65x
Mayfield 1 30.12x
Melcombe Regis 1 11.05x
Mile End Old Town 1 1.90x
South Kirkby 1 138.89x
South Stoneham 1 6.76x
Southampton All Sts 1 8.55x
St Pancras London 1 0.37x
St Thomas Winchester 1 20.79x

Top female names

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

FAQ

Shadwell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Shadwell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 339 people were recorded with the Shadwell surname. That placed it at #8,948 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Shadwell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 262 in 2016. That gives Shadwell a modern rank of #16,256.

What does the Shadwell surname mean?

A surname derived from a place name referring to a shallow well or spring.

What does the Shadwell map show?

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