NameCensus.

UK surname

Towse

An English habitational surname derived from a place called Towse in Yorkshire.

In the 1881 census there were 392 people recorded with the Towse surname, ranking it #8,080 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 731, ranked #7,448, up from #8,080 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Billinghurst, East and West, Nafferton and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Riding of Yorkshire and Ryedale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Towse is 849 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 86.5%.

1881 census count

392

Ranked #8,080

Modern count

731

2016, ranked #7,448

Peak year

2002

849 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Towse had 392 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,080 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 731 in 2016, ranked #7,448.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 644 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Towse surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Towse surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Towse 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 183 #11,166
1861 historical 147 #15,539
1881 historical 392 #8,080
1891 historical 415 #8,610
1901 historical 611 #6,972
1911 historical 644 #6,486
1997 modern 789 #6,610
1998 modern 821 #6,624
1999 modern 829 #6,616
2000 modern 835 #6,551
2001 modern 818 #6,528
2002 modern 849 #6,462
2003 modern 799 #6,659
2004 modern 813 #6,581
2005 modern 794 #6,646
2006 modern 765 #6,876
2007 modern 771 #6,899
2008 modern 794 #6,797
2009 modern 810 #6,819
2010 modern 789 #7,107
2011 modern 772 #7,149
2012 modern 759 #7,156
2013 modern 749 #7,353
2014 modern 751 #7,369
2015 modern 743 #7,354
2016 modern 731 #7,448

Geography

Back to top

Where Towses are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Billinghurst, East and West, Nafferton, London parishes, Middleton and Beverley St Martin and St Nicholas. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Riding of Yorkshire and Ryedale. 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 Billinghurst, East and West Sussex
2 Nafferton Yorkshire, East Riding
3 London parishes London 3
4 Middleton Yorkshire, East Riding
5 Beverley St Martin and St Nicholas Yorkshire, East Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Riding of Yorkshire 019 East Riding of Yorkshire
2 East Riding of Yorkshire 018 East Riding of Yorkshire
3 East Riding of Yorkshire 015 East Riding of Yorkshire
4 East Riding of Yorkshire 045 East Riding of Yorkshire
5 Ryedale 008 Ryedale

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Towse

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Towse

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Towse is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

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

Towse 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

Towse falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Towse

The surname Towse has its origins in England, tracing back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "tun," meaning an enclosure or a village, and the Old French word "tous," meaning all or every. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived in or was associated with a particular town or settlement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Towse can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire, dated 1166, where a person named William Towse is mentioned. Another early record is from the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, which lists a Richard Towse as a landowner.

The Towse surname has also been linked to various place names throughout England, such as Towcester in Northamptonshire and Towsend in Kent. It is possible that the name may have originated from these or similar locations, with individuals adopting the names of their hometowns or villages.

Notable individuals bearing the Towse surname include John Towse (1564-1628), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Calne in Wiltshire. Another prominent figure was Richard Towse (1670-1743), a renowned clockmaker and member of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in London.

In the literary world, Thomas Towse (1781-1854) was a notable English poet and writer, known for his works such as "The Book of Nature" and "The Wanderer's Return." Additionally, William Towse (1833-1910) was a well-respected English painter and engraver, famous for his landscapes and portraits.

The Towse surname has also been found in historical records from other parts of the world, suggesting that individuals bearing this name may have migrated or settled in different regions over time. For instance, John Towse (1868-1957) was a Canadian politician and businessman who served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

While the surname Towse may not be among the most common surnames today, its rich history and origins can be traced back to the medieval era in England, reflecting the diverse cultural and linguistic influences that have shaped the English language and its naming traditions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Towse families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Towse 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 261 Towses recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.89x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 261 6.89x
Sussex 69 10.70x
Surrey 20 1.07x
Middlesex 15 0.39x
Kent 12 0.92x
Berkshire 4 1.39x
Cumberland 3 0.91x
Durham 3 0.26x
Hampshire 3 0.38x
Midlothian 2 0.39x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Middleton On Wolds in Yorkshire leads with 27 Towses recorded in 1881 and an index of 3253.01x.

Place Total Index
Middleton On Wolds 27 3253.01x
Beverley St Martin 16 253.16x
Billingshurst 12 568.72x
Lewisham 12 17.25x
Nafferton 12 740.74x
South Bersted 12 218.98x
Holme On Spalding Moor 11 443.55x
Upton 11 3142.86x
West Chiltington 11 1309.52x
Filey 9 294.12x
Horsham 9 71.89x
Hunslet 9 15.23x
Sidlesham 9 725.81x
Bow London 8 16.43x
Slinfold 8 792.08x
Yapham With Meltonby 8 2580.65x
Bridlington 7 80.65x
Market Weighton Arras 7 284.55x
Seaton Wassand 7 1272.73x
Sunk Island 7 1272.73x
Wintringham 7 1666.67x
Goodmanham 6 1463.41x
Londesborough Cum 6 1276.60x
South Dalton 6 1764.71x
Woking 6 53.43x
Atwick 5 1190.48x
Drypool 5 86.21x
Holbeck 5 19.92x
Hornsea 5 208.33x
Luttons Ambo 5 632.91x
Storrington 5 282.49x
Streatham 5 17.62x
Thorngumbald 5 1428.57x
Burnby 4 2500.00x
Great Driffield 4 51.41x
Pickering 4 83.86x
Selby 4 50.51x
Thixendale 4 1212.12x
West Ayton 4 666.67x
York St Mary 4 25.49x
Graystoke 3 508.47x
Leavening 3 588.24x
Long Riston 3 625.00x
St Michael Crooked 3 3750.00x
St Pancras London 3 0.97x
Stranton 3 7.83x
Bradford 2 2.18x
Camberwell 2 0.82x
Easton 2 6666.67x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 2 0.97x
Goxhill 2 2000.00x
Heckfield 2 273.97x
New Shoreham 2 51.81x
North Skirlaugh 2 540.54x
Reading St Giles 2 7.10x
Scorborough 2 2222.22x
Winestead 2 952.38x
Bempton 1 250.00x
Brighton 1 0.77x
Capel 1 56.82x
Duggleby 1 322.58x
Etton 1 153.85x
Horley 1 32.05x
Horton In Bradford 1 1.69x
Kensington London 1 0.47x
Kilham 1 62.89x
Lambeth 1 0.30x
Nunburnholme 1 312.50x
Old Malton 1 42.02x
Old Windsor 1 30.12x
Routh 1 476.19x
Sandhurst 1 17.99x
Scarborough 1 2.90x
Snainton 1 98.04x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 1.30x
St Faith Winchester 1 27.40x
Sutton Stoneferry 1 9.23x
Thornton In Pocklington 1 476.19x
Towthorpe In Driffield 1 1111.11x
Wressell 1 204.08x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 25
Jane 13
Elizabeth 12
Sarah 11
Annie 8
Alice 6
Eliza 6
Ellen 5
Caroline 4
Emily 4
Hannah 4
Rose 4
Ada 3
Ann 3
Emma 3
Grace 3
Kate 3
Laura 3
Maria 3
Matilda 3
Agnes 2
Anne 2
Betsy 2
Clara 2
Dinah 2
Elizth. 2
Fanny 2
Frances 2
Francis 2
Harriet 2
Jessie 2
Lily 2
Louisa 2
Margaret 2
Rachel 2
Susan 2
Annette 1
Catharine 1
Charlotte 1
Dianah 1
Emmeline 1
Erquelina 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Evelyn 1
Florence 1
June 1
Louise 1
Lucy 1
Tamer 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 35
William 18
Richard 12
James 9
Robert 9
Thomas 9
Charles 8
George 8
Albert 6
David 6
Harry 6
Daniel 5
Joseph 5
Walter 5
Peter 4
Alfred 3
Arthur 3
Edward 3
Francis 3
Frank 3
Henry 3
Herbert 3
Samuel 3
Tom 3
Fewson 2
Fred 2
Frederick 2
Addison 1
Augustine 1
Benjamin 1
Christopher 1
Earnest 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Frances 1
Harold 1
Harrison 1
Hezekiah 1
Infant 1
Leonard 1
Maurice 1
Percy 1
Richardson 1
Stephen 1
Ted 1
Welburn 1
Wile 1

FAQ

Towse surname: questions and answers

How common was the Towse surname in 1881?

In 1881, 392 people were recorded with the Towse surname. That placed it at #8,080 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Towse surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 731 in 2016. That gives Towse a modern rank of #7,448.

What does the Towse surname mean?

An English habitational surname derived from a place called Towse in Yorkshire.

What does the Towse map show?

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