NameCensus.

UK surname

Sigsworth

A habitational surname referring to someone who lived near a road or path.

In the 1881 census there were 368 people recorded with the Sigsworth surname, ranking it #8,454 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 540, ranked #9,422, down from #8,454 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Easingwold, Gateshead and Leeds. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hambleton, Stockton-on-Tees and Leeds.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sigsworth is 554 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 46.7%.

1881 census count

368

Ranked #8,454

Modern count

540

2016, ranked #9,422

Peak year

2013

554 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sigsworth had 368 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,454 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 540 in 2016, ranked #9,422.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 439 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Small Town Suburbia.

Sigsworth surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sigsworth surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sigsworth 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 286 #8,793
1881 historical 368 #8,454
1891 historical 404 #8,802
1901 historical 412 #9,283
1911 historical 439 #8,671
1997 modern 519 #9,058
1998 modern 541 #9,044
1999 modern 551 #8,974
2000 modern 525 #9,284
2001 modern 524 #9,141
2002 modern 518 #9,400
2003 modern 504 #9,433
2004 modern 522 #9,218
2005 modern 498 #9,467
2006 modern 501 #9,481
2007 modern 510 #9,432
2008 modern 519 #9,372
2009 modern 523 #9,530
2010 modern 534 #9,581
2011 modern 538 #9,444
2012 modern 528 #9,482
2013 modern 554 #9,279
2014 modern 551 #9,378
2015 modern 537 #9,505
2016 modern 540 #9,422

Geography

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Where Sigsworths are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Easingwold, Gateshead, Leeds, Middlesborough and Hartlepool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hambleton, Stockton-on-Tees, Leeds and Middlesbrough. 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 Easingwold Yorkshire, North Riding
2 Gateshead Durham
3 Leeds Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Middlesborough Durham
5 Hartlepool Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hambleton 011 Hambleton
2 Stockton-on-Tees 002 Stockton-on-Tees
3 Stockton-on-Tees 001 Stockton-on-Tees
4 Leeds 090 Leeds
5 Middlesbrough 007 Middlesbrough

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sigsworth

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sigsworth

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Sigsworth, 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

Retired Professionals

Group

Small Town Suburbia

Nationally, the Sigsworth surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Small Town Suburbia, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Sigsworth 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 is predominantly comprised of married couples with no resident dependent children, living in areas characterised neither by under-occupancy nor overcrowding throughout the UK in or adjacent to small towns. White ethnic groups and affiliation with Christianity predominates. Housing tends to be predominantly semi-detached or detached and workers are employed principally in managerial and professional occupations, with semi-skilled occupations also in evidence. These areas of the Supergroup are of higher population density.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Sigsworth 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

Sigsworth is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Sigsworth 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 Sigsworth is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Sigsworth, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Sigsworth

The surname SIGSWORTH has its origins in England, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "sigg" meaning small stream or waterway, and "worth" meaning an enclosed settlement or farm. The name likely referred to someone who lived near a small stream or waterway.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from 1297, where a Robert de Sigesworth is listed. The "de" prefix indicates the name was originally a locational surname, referring to the place of origin.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various spellings such as Sigesworth, Sygesworth, and Syggesworth, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling practices of the time. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 list a William de Sigeswrthe, which is believed to be an early spelling variation.

The SIGSWORTH name has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest recorded was John Sigsworth, a wealthy landowner from Yorkshire who lived in the late 15th century. Another noteworthy individual was Thomas Sigsworth, a prominent merchant from London who lived from 1624 to 1687.

In the 18th century, the SIGSWORTH name gained further prominence with the birth of William Sigsworth (1720-1795), a renowned scholar and poet who was widely published during his lifetime. His son, Robert Sigsworth (1761-1832), was also a respected academic and author.

Another influential figure was Sir Edward Sigsworth (1804-1876), a British politician and Member of Parliament who played a significant role in the passing of several important legislative reforms during the Victorian era.

While the SIGSWORTH name has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and immigration. However, the earliest recorded examples and historical references remain centered around the English counties of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, where the name is believed to have originated.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sigsworth families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sigsworth 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 243 Sigsworths recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.83x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 243 6.83x
Durham 64 5.99x
Lancashire 36 0.85x
Middlesex 10 0.28x
Northumberland 8 1.50x
Cheshire 4 0.50x
Surrey 3 0.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Westoe in Durham leads with 23 Sigsworths recorded in 1881 and an index of 37.99x.

Place Total Index
Westoe 23 37.99x
Raskelf 21 3559.32x
Sculcoates 20 35.46x
Prestwich 16 150.52x
Guisbrough 15 193.05x
Hartlepool 15 98.81x
Heaton Norris 12 49.48x
Eskdaleside 11 628.57x
York St Mary 9 61.10x
Scarborough 8 24.75x
Sessay 8 2000.00x
Wortley In Bramley 8 28.40x
Bethnal Green London 7 4.49x
Bossall Claxton 7 2000.00x
Bradford 7 8.13x
Bridlington 7 86.00x
Hampsthwaite 7 1250.00x
Middlesbrough 7 15.11x
Morley 7 37.86x
Throston 7 341.46x
Barton Upon Irwell 6 18.71x
Linthorpe 6 28.26x
Richmond 6 107.91x
Stockton On Tees 6 11.66x
Tollerton 6 952.38x
Tweedmouth 6 90.09x
Welwick 6 1428.57x
Darlington 5 12.13x
Gillamoor 5 2173.91x
Great Ayton 5 229.36x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 5 10.81x
Kildale 5 1428.57x
Old Byland 5 2631.58x
Rievaulx 5 1785.71x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 4 12.07x
Birkenhead 4 6.33x
Huby 4 655.74x
Ampleforth Oswaldkirk 3 833.33x
Bishopwearmouth 3 3.27x
Hawksworth 3 1153.85x
Kilburn 3 625.00x
Lambeth 3 0.96x
Leeds 3 1.49x
Marske In Guisbrough 3 47.47x
Tottenham 3 5.25x
Barningham 2 625.00x
Easingwold 2 79.68x
Austonley 1 49.75x
Barmston 1 416.67x
Barughs Ambo 1 312.50x
Beverley St Martin 1 16.84x
Calverley Cum Farsley 1 9.90x
Chapel Allerton 1 18.80x
Clifton In York 1 13.44x
Fadmoor 1 555.56x
Farndale Low Quarter 1 476.19x
Garton Cum Grimstone 1 526.32x
Helmsley 1 52.36x
Helperby 1 126.58x
Hilderthorpe 1 55.56x
Marton Cum Moxby 1 555.56x
Marton In Skirlaugh 1 833.33x
Moss Side 1 4.46x
Newcastle On Tyne St John 1 14.25x
North Meols 1 2.40x
Pannal 1 29.33x
Pockley 1 434.78x
Skelton In Guisbrough 1 10.40x
Theakston 1 1666.67x
Welburn In Malton 1 144.93x
Westgate 1 3.02x
Wildon Grange 1 3333.33x
Wombleton 1 277.78x
York Holy Trinity Kings 1 136.99x
York St Crux 1 99.01x
York St Saviour 1 29.41x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 30
Jane 16
Ann 14
Sarah 14
Hannah 9
Alice 6
Elizabeth 6
Emily 5
Isabella 5
Ada 4
Annie 4
Edith 4
Ellen 4
Harriett 4
Eliza 3
Emma 3
Margaret 3
Barbara 2
Caroline 2
Charlotte 2
Clara 2
Elizth. 2
Harriet 2
Laura 2
Rachael 2
Rachel 2
Anne 1
Anny 1
Betty 1
Blanch 1
Catherine 1
Diana 1
Ellenor 1
Eva 1
Florence 1
Grace 1
Gracie 1
Henrietta 1
Janet 1
Julia 1
Lilly 1
Louis 1
Louisa 1
Lousia 1
M. 1
Margret 1
Maria 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
Theresa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 28
William 24
Thomas 18
George 15
James 14
Joseph 9
Edward 6
Arthur 5
Robert 5
Albert 4
Alfred 4
Charles 4
Frederick 3
Herbert 3
Benjamin 2
Geo. 2
Henry 2
Richard 2
W. 2
Abraham 1
Adam 1
Cuthbert 1
Daniel 1
Daniell 1
Earnest 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Georde 1
Harrison 1
Hubert 1
Infant 1
Issaac 1
Jas 1
Lawrence 1
Marmaduke 1
Marmeduke 1
Matthew 1
Oscar 1
Percy 1
Ralph 1
Richd. 1
Robt. 1
Samuel 1
Septimus 1
Thos. 1
Weston 1
Wilson 1
Wm. 1
Wood 1

FAQ

Sigsworth surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sigsworth surname in 1881?

In 1881, 368 people were recorded with the Sigsworth surname. That placed it at #8,454 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sigsworth surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 540 in 2016. That gives Sigsworth a modern rank of #9,422.

What does the Sigsworth surname mean?

A habitational surname referring to someone who lived near a road or path.

What does the Sigsworth map show?

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