NameCensus.

UK surname

Shuttleworth

A surname derived from a combination of "shuttle" and "worth", possibly referring to a weaver or someone associated with the shuttle used in weaving.

In the 1881 census there were 3,552 people recorded with the Shuttleworth surname, ranking it #1,273 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,425, ranked #1,991, down from #1,273 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Kildwick, Preston and Keighley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lancaster, Bradford and South Lakeland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shuttleworth is 4,620 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 3.6%.

1881 census count

3,552

Ranked #1,273

Modern count

3,425

2016, ranked #1,991

Peak year

1911

4,620 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Shuttleworth had 3,552 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,273 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,425 in 2016, ranked #1,991.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4,620 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Shuttleworth surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Shuttleworth surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Shuttleworth 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 2,218 #1,326
1861 historical 2,113 #1,375
1881 historical 3,552 #1,273
1891 historical 3,798 #1,269
1901 historical 4,320 #1,309
1911 historical 4,620 #1,120
1997 modern 3,695 #1,754
1998 modern 3,771 #1,785
1999 modern 3,830 #1,772
2000 modern 3,814 #1,772
2001 modern 3,723 #1,773
2002 modern 3,809 #1,782
2003 modern 3,752 #1,771
2004 modern 3,741 #1,772
2005 modern 3,642 #1,791
2006 modern 3,599 #1,813
2007 modern 3,622 #1,815
2008 modern 3,602 #1,841
2009 modern 3,714 #1,828
2010 modern 3,752 #1,854
2011 modern 3,681 #1,865
2012 modern 3,511 #1,919
2013 modern 3,570 #1,919
2014 modern 3,576 #1,931
2015 modern 3,478 #1,960
2016 modern 3,425 #1,991

Geography

Back to top

Where Shuttleworths are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Kildwick, Preston, Keighley, Blackburn and Birmingham Town: Birmingham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Lancaster, Bradford, South Lakeland and North West Leicestershire. 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 Kildwick Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Preston Lancashire
3 Keighley Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Blackburn Lancashire
5 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Lancaster 002 Lancaster
2 Bradford 004 Bradford
3 Lancaster 001 Lancaster
4 South Lakeland 007 South Lakeland
5 North West Leicestershire 008 North West Leicestershire

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Shuttleworth

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Shuttleworth

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Shuttleworth 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

Shuttleworth 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

Shuttleworth falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Shuttleworth

The surname Shuttleworth originates from England, with its earliest known roots dating back to the 13th century. The name is derived from the Old English words "scutel" and "worth," meaning "shuttle" and "enclosure" respectively. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, referring to a place where shuttles were made or sold.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire in 1332, where a Robert de Shutelworth was listed as a taxpayer. This suggests that the name was already established in the region at that time.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Shutleworth, Shuttelworth, and Shittleworth, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation that were common in those times.

The Shuttleworth family is known to have held lands and estates in Lancashire, particularly in the area around Burnley and Clitheroe. One notable member of the family was Sir James Shuttleworth (1472-1540), who served as a Member of Parliament for Lancashire and was knighted by King Henry VIII.

Another prominent figure bearing the Shuttleworth name was Robert Shuttleworth (1810-1887), a British industrialist and philanthropist. He founded the Shuttleworth Trust, which aimed to promote education and social welfare in the town of Burnley.

In the literary world, Graham Shuttleworth (1904-1984) was a British poet and writer, known for his works such as "The Kestrel Road" and "The Bright Wind."

The Shuttleworth name has also been associated with aviation history. Richard Ormonde Shuttleworth (1909-1940) was a British aviator and racing driver who established the Shuttleworth Collection, a renowned collection of historic aircraft and vehicles.

Another notable figure was Sir Ughtred James Kay-Shuttleworth (1844-1939), a British educationist and civil servant who played a significant role in shaping the education system in England during the 19th century.

While the Shuttleworth surname is most commonly found in England, particularly in the northwest regions like Lancashire and Yorkshire, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and family connections.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Shuttleworth families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Shuttleworth 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. Lancashire leads with 1,499 Shuttleworths recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.65x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 1,499 3.65x
Yorkshire 949 2.76x
Warwickshire 252 2.88x
Middlesex 181 0.52x
Cheshire 173 2.26x
Essex 81 1.18x
Surrey 54 0.32x
Lincolnshire 49 0.88x
Staffordshire 48 0.41x
Kent 42 0.36x
Derbyshire 34 0.63x
Leicestershire 31 0.81x
Worcestershire 29 0.64x
Durham 17 0.16x
Westmorland 15 1.97x
Northumberland 9 0.17x
Nottinghamshire 9 0.19x
Flintshire 8 0.86x
Hampshire 7 0.10x
Berkshire 6 0.23x
Cumberland 6 0.20x
Northamptonshire 6 0.18x
Argyllshire 4 0.41x
Merionethshire 4 0.63x
Sussex 4 0.07x
Cornwall 3 0.08x
Dorset 3 0.13x
Gloucestershire 3 0.04x
Monmouthshire 3 0.12x
Pembrokeshire 3 0.27x
Somerset 3 0.05x
Wiltshire 3 0.10x
Bedfordshire 2 0.11x
Devon 2 0.03x
Dumfriesshire 2 0.26x
Norfolk 2 0.04x
Suffolk 2 0.05x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.05x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.07x
Glamorgan 1 0.02x
Oxfordshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Keighley in Yorkshire leads with 133 Shuttleworths recorded in 1881 and an index of 36.34x.

Place Total Index
Keighley 133 36.34x
Preston 125 11.36x
Birmingham 110 3.78x
Cowling 81 363.88x
Blackburn 71 6.49x
Accrington 64 17.12x
Great Bolton 57 10.47x
Over Darwen 52 15.83x
Oswaldtwistle 49 33.73x
Little Bolton 47 8.89x
Aston 37 1.54x
Bowling 33 9.70x
Burnley 33 9.53x
Carlton In Skipton 33 164.42x
Thornton In Craven 33 119.78x
Oldham 32 2.41x
Skipton 31 28.69x
Halliwell 29 19.38x
Great Little Marsden 28 14.87x
West Derby 27 2.24x
Bradford 26 3.13x
Manningham 26 6.15x
Shoreditch London 26 1.73x
Bedford 25 29.07x
Salford 25 2.07x
Stockport 25 6.35x
Manchester 24 1.30x
Stansfield 24 18.99x
Colne 23 18.78x
Idle 23 14.45x
North Hyckeham 23 425.93x
Tyldesley Cum Shakerley 23 19.43x
Bollin Fee 22 64.86x
Overton 22 571.43x
Bethnal Green London 21 1.40x
Glusburn 21 108.30x
Shipley 21 11.79x
Bentham 20 76.45x
Islington London 20 0.60x
Newchurch 20 5.95x
Pudsey 20 10.90x
Over Kellet 19 324.23x
Atherton 18 12.03x
Barrow In Furness 18 3.22x
Lancaster 18 7.36x
Dalton In Furness 17 10.71x
Dilworth 17 67.49x
Lambeth 17 0.56x
Rishton 17 35.25x
Silsden 17 167.82x
Cononley 16 162.27x
Halifax 16 3.17x
North Meols 16 3.98x
Pennington In Leigh 16 20.28x
Yardley 16 13.82x
Ashby De La Zouch 15 16.84x
Barnoldswick 15 31.30x
Heaton 15 86.51x
Reddish 15 26.49x
Chadderton 14 6.97x
Chorlton On Medlock 13 1.99x
Dukinfield 13 3.68x
Harborne 13 3.47x
St George Bloomsbury 13 6.54x
Sutton In Keighley 13 66.87x
Widnes 13 4.38x
Colton 12 56.00x
Coventry St Michael 12 4.28x
Everton 12 0.92x
Fulham London 12 2.39x
Fulshaw 12 85.23x
Habergham Eaves 12 3.19x
Hindley 12 6.85x
Hunslet 12 2.24x
Martons Both 12 430.11x
Morton In Keighley 12 44.49x
Northallerton 12 27.38x
Spotland 12 2.63x
Ulverston 12 10.02x
Willesden 12 3.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 282
Sarah 147
Elizabeth 130
Ann 87
Jane 76
Ellen 67
Alice 63
Margaret 62
Martha 56
Hannah 50
Annie 41
Eliza 39
Emma 38
Clara 27
Emily 26
Isabella 21
Ada 20
Harriet 20
Catherine 18
Agnes 16
Edith 16
Maria 16
Betty 14
Elizth. 14
Fanny 14
Esther 13
Lucy 13
Susan 13
Anne 12
Harriett 12
Florence 11
Louisa 11
Nancy 11
Betsy 9
Kate 9
Amy 8
Caroline 8
Charlotte 8
Margt. 7
Ruth 7
Beatrice 6
Gertrude 6
Grace 6
Jessie 6
Nellie 6
Rose 6
Amelia 5
Bertha 5
Minnie 5
Selina 5

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 227
William 190
James 148
Thomas 130
Joseph 85
George 82
Henry 69
Richard 63
Robert 54
Charles 45
Edward 38
Samuel 38
Arthur 32
Alfred 29
Harry 21
Wm. 20
Frank 18
Walter 17
Albert 13
David 13
Frederick 13
Thos. 12
Herbert 11
Benjamin 10
Fred 10
Tom 10
Edmund 9
Abraham 8
Robt. 8
Daniel 7
Edwin 7
Bernard 6
Francis 6
Jas. 6
Isaac 5
Moses 5
Percy 5
Smith 5
Andrew 4
Geo. 4
Heaton 4
Hugh 4
Joshua 4
Mark 4
Oliver 4
Peter 4
Stephen 4
Jonah 3
Jonas 3
Jonathan 3

FAQ

Shuttleworth surname: questions and answers

How common was the Shuttleworth surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3,552 people were recorded with the Shuttleworth surname. That placed it at #1,273 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Shuttleworth surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,425 in 2016. That gives Shuttleworth a modern rank of #1,991.

What does the Shuttleworth surname mean?

A surname derived from a combination of "shuttle" and "worth", possibly referring to a weaver or someone associated with the shuttle used in weaving.

What does the Shuttleworth map show?

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