NameCensus.

UK surname

Thewlis

A surname derived from a place name, possibly related to Tuesley or Tueesley in Surrey, England.

In the 1881 census there were 664 people recorded with the Thewlis surname, ranking it #5,418 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 792, ranked #6,979, down from #5,418 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Kirkheaton, Birstall and Batley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kirklees, Wakefield and North Lincolnshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Thewlis is 923 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 19.3%.

1881 census count

664

Ranked #5,418

Modern count

792

2016, ranked #6,979

Peak year

1901

923 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Thewlis had 664 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,418 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 792 in 2016, ranked #6,979.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 923 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Thewlis surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Thewlis surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Thewlis 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 330 #7,062
1861 historical 308 #8,233
1881 historical 664 #5,418
1891 historical 750 #5,311
1901 historical 923 #5,049
1911 historical 894 #4,981
1997 modern 797 #6,556
1998 modern 825 #6,596
1999 modern 842 #6,534
2000 modern 831 #6,575
2001 modern 817 #6,534
2002 modern 831 #6,575
2003 modern 815 #6,554
2004 modern 785 #6,771
2005 modern 783 #6,711
2006 modern 769 #6,851
2007 modern 794 #6,737
2008 modern 798 #6,757
2009 modern 796 #6,922
2010 modern 816 #6,904
2011 modern 815 #6,832
2012 modern 779 #7,012
2013 modern 803 #6,933
2014 modern 794 #7,046
2015 modern 787 #7,026
2016 modern 792 #6,979

Geography

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Where Thewlis' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Kirkheaton, Birstall, Batley, Almondbury and Huddersfield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kirklees, Wakefield, North Lincolnshire, North Tyneside and Leeds. 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 Kirkheaton Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Birstall Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Batley Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Almondbury Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Huddersfield Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kirklees 059 Kirklees
2 Wakefield 022 Wakefield
3 North Lincolnshire 008 North Lincolnshire
4 North Tyneside 027 North Tyneside
5 Leeds 072 Leeds

Forenames

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First names often paired with Thewlis

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Thewlis

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Thewlis surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Thewlis household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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, Thewlis 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

Thewlis is most concentrated in decile 9 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Thewlis 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 Thewlis is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Thewlis

The surname Thewlis is of English origin, originating from the northern counties of England, particularly Yorkshire. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "ðeaw" and "hyll," which translate to "custom" and "hill," respectively. This suggests that the name may have referred to someone who lived on a customary or traditional hill.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century. One of the earliest documented references is found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1273, which mention a person named Richard de Theweles. The name also appears in various medieval records and manuscripts from Yorkshire, such as the Yorkshire Inquisitions and the Yorkshire Feet of Fines.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various spellings, including Theweles, Thewlis, and Thewlys. These variations likely arose due to the inconsistencies in spelling and pronunciation during that period.

One notable individual with the surname Thewlis was Sir John Thewlis, a Member of Parliament for Yorkshire during the reign of King Edward IV in the late 15th century. He was a prominent figure in the Wars of the Roses and played a significant role in supporting the House of York.

Another historical figure was Robert Thewlis, a 17th-century clergyman and author born in Yorkshire in 1620. He wrote several religious works, including "The Christian's Duty" and "A Treatise on the Sabbath."

In the 18th century, the name Thewlis was associated with the village of Thewliss (or Thewles) in the West Riding of Yorkshire. This place name likely derived from the same Old English roots as the surname, further solidifying the connection between the name and the Yorkshire region.

One prominent individual from this era was William Thewlis (1719-1795), a renowned clockmaker from Yorkshire. His clocks and timepieces were highly regarded and can still be found in various museums and private collections.

In the 19th century, a notable figure was Sir John Thewlis (1848-1926), a successful businessman and philanthropist from Yorkshire. He made significant contributions to the development of the city of Leeds and was knighted for his charitable work.

While the surname Thewlis is relatively uncommon today, it maintains a strong connection to its Yorkshire roots and the historical significance it holds in the northern counties of England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Thewlis families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Thewlis 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 550 Thewlis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.58x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 550 8.58x
Lancashire 66 0.86x
Northumberland 22 2.29x
Westmorland 15 10.55x
Cheshire 8 0.56x
Sussex 2 0.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lepton in Yorkshire leads with 66 Thewlis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 986.55x.

Place Total Index
Lepton 66 986.55x
Liversedge 60 210.30x
Batley 51 83.73x
Huddersfield 45 48.20x
Leeds 37 10.22x
Oldham 31 12.52x
Almondbury 25 80.67x
Dalton In Huddersfield 23 160.17x
Tynemouth 17 32.99x
Ardsley 16 216.51x
Lockwood 16 69.38x
Soothill 14 60.48x
Churwell 13 297.48x
Holbeck 13 30.62x
Bradford 12 7.73x
Scalthwaiterigg 12 1666.67x
Gorton 11 15.25x
Barnsley 10 15.13x
Ashton Under Lyne 9 5.37x
Wooldale 9 82.80x
Chadderton 8 21.32x
Cumberworth 7 214.72x
Gomersal 7 23.40x
Kirkheaton 7 67.37x
Mirfield 7 19.89x
Morley 7 21.01x
Thurgoland 7 162.04x
Austonley 6 165.29x
Cartworth 6 113.21x
Headingley Cum Burley 6 14.55x
Horton In Bradford 6 6.00x
Thurstonland 6 270.27x
Upperthong 6 110.09x
Honley 5 44.56x
North Shields 5 26.04x
Ovenden 5 17.53x
Saddleworth 5 10.12x
Sculcoates 5 4.92x
Stretford 5 11.84x
Gildersome 4 51.95x
South Crosland 4 59.26x
Hipperholme Cum 3 10.65x
Kendal 3 11.53x
Meltham 3 30.09x
Northowram 3 6.68x
Pudsey 3 8.76x
Sowerby In Halifax 3 14.31x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 3 10.08x
Sutton In Macclesfield 3 20.26x
Thornton In Bradford 3 14.06x
Chorlton On Medlock 2 1.64x
Darton 2 30.49x
Dewsbury 2 3.04x
Hollingworth 2 33.96x
Latchford 2 21.10x
Ossett Cum Gawthorpe 2 8.74x
Bramley In Bramley 1 4.08x
Cawood 1 40.65x
Ecclesfield 1 2.13x
Elland Cum Greetland 1 3.46x
Halifax 1 1.06x
Keymer 1 12.99x
Monks Coppenhall 1 1.86x
Newhaven 1 11.29x
Warley 1 5.40x
York St Giles In 1 16.56x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 49
Sarah 30
Elizabeth 26
Emma 22
Hannah 22
Ann 19
Jane 13
Annie 11
Martha 9
Ada 8
Eliza 8
Harriet 8
Alice 7
Ruth 7
Florence 6
Clara 5
Ellen 5
Emily 5
Rebecca 5
Anne 4
Betty 4
Eleanor 4
Lucy 3
Lydia 3
Margaret 3
Minnie 3
Edith 2
Helena 2
Judith 2
Julia 2
Maria 2
Rachel 2
Agnes 1
Amy 1
Beatrice 1
Catherine 1
Elizth. 1
Elner 1
Emmah 1
Esther 1
Everetta 1
Fanny 1
Hephzibah 1
Isabella 1
Kate 1
Lavinia 1
Lilly 1
Lizzie 1
Loren 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 38
James 22
Joseph 17
William 12
George 11
Arthur 10
Charles 8
Fred 8
Thomas 8
David 7
Herbert 7
Tom 7
Walter 7
Alfred 5
Benjamin 5
Albert 4
Harry 4
Joe 4
Joshua 4
Mark 4
Ben 3
Edward 3
Henry 3
Jonas 3
Jonathan 3
Robert 3
Sam 3
Thos. 3
Willie 3
Allen 2
Andrew 2
Dan 2
Daniel 2
Edgar 2
Edwin 2
Eli 2
Ephraim 2
Frank 2
Frederick 2
Friend 2
Harrison 2
Jim 2
Mathew 2
Shaw 2
Thornton 2
Wright 2
Alexander 1
Ed. 1
Elijah 1
Henery 1

FAQ

Thewlis surname: questions and answers

How common was the Thewlis surname in 1881?

In 1881, 664 people were recorded with the Thewlis surname. That placed it at #5,418 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Thewlis surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 792 in 2016. That gives Thewlis a modern rank of #6,979.

What does the Thewlis surname mean?

A surname derived from a place name, possibly related to Tuesley or Tueesley in Surrey, England.

What does the Thewlis map show?

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