UK surname
An English surname derived from place names meaning "hill spur" or "hill estate."
In the 1881 census there were 128 people recorded with the Towsend surname, ranking it #17,079 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 13, ranked #37,278, down from #17,079 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Basford, Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet, and Otford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Towsend is 131 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 89.8%.
1881 census count
128
Ranked #17,079
Modern count
13
2016, ranked #37,278
Peak year
1891
131 bearers
Map years
5
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Towsend surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Towsend surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 58 | #22,928 |
| 1861 | historical | 130 | #17,164 |
| 1881 | historical | 128 | #17,079 |
| 1891 | historical | 131 | #20,073 |
| 1901 | historical | 118 | #20,721 |
| 1911 | historical | 103 | #22,328 |
| 1997 | modern | 96 | #27,490 |
| 1998 | modern | 75 | #30,471 |
| 1999 | modern | 92 | #28,833 |
| 2000 | modern | 59 | #32,217 |
| 2001 | modern | 17 | #36,053 |
| 2002 | modern | 20 | #35,894 |
| 2003 | modern | 16 | #36,304 |
| 2004 | modern | 16 | #36,439 |
| 2005 | modern | 17 | #36,407 |
| 2006 | modern | 18 | #36,412 |
| 2007 | modern | 16 | #36,714 |
| 2008 | modern | 15 | #36,843 |
| 2009 | modern | 16 | #36,850 |
| 2010 | modern | 26 | #36,220 |
| 2011 | modern | 24 | #36,306 |
| 2012 | modern | 11 | #37,394 |
| 2013 | modern | 13 | #37,224 |
| 2014 | modern | 12 | #37,355 |
| 2015 | modern | 12 | #37,371 |
| 2016 | modern | 13 | #37,278 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Basford, Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, Otford, London parishes and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basford | Nottinghamshire |
| 2 | Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet, | Gloucestershire |
| 3 | Otford | Kent |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard | Nottinghamshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Towsend surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Towsend, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Towsend surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Towsend household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Towsend is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Towsend is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Towsend, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Towsend originated in England. It is a locational name deriving from one of the places named Townsend in counties such as Buckinghamshire, Derbyshire, Essex, and Hertfordshire. The name is derived from the Old English words 'tun' meaning an enclosure or homestead, and 'sende' meaning a sandy or gravelly place.
The earliest recorded instance of the Towsend surname dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as 'Tunessende' and 'Tunissenda'. During the 13th century, the name appeared in various records with spellings like 'Tunissende', 'Touneshende', and 'Tounissende'.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname was Roger de Touneshende, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Buckinghamshire in 1212. Another early bearer was Ralph de Tunsend, who was recorded in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1292.
In the 14th century, the name Towsend appeared in several places, including the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327, where a William Touneshende was listed. A Johanna Towneshend was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1332.
A notable individual with the surname was Sir Roger Townesend (c. 1435-1493), who was a member of the English Parliament and served as a justice of the peace. Another prominent figure was Sir John Townsend (1564-1603), an English politician and courtier during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
The Towsend surname also had a presence in literature. Thomas Townsend (1597-1667) was an English theologian and author who wrote several religious works. James Townsend (1737-1787) was a British clergyman and writer, best known for his work 'A Journey Through Spain in the Years 1786 and 1787'.
In the United States, one of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname was Henry Townsend, who arrived in Virginia in 1635. Another early American bearer was Thomas Townsend, who settled in Boston, Massachusetts in 1637.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Towsend surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Nottinghamshire leads with 16 Towsends recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.51x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Nottinghamshire | 16 | 9.51x |
| Gloucestershire | 15 | 6.13x |
| Middlesex | 14 | 1.12x |
| Monmouthshire | 11 | 12.19x |
| Wiltshire | 11 | 9.96x |
| Kent | 10 | 2.35x |
| Huntingdonshire | 9 | 36.31x |
| Surrey | 8 | 1.31x |
| Somerset | 6 | 2.99x |
| Berkshire | 4 | 4.27x |
| Warwickshire | 4 | 1.27x |
| Cambridgeshire | 3 | 3.79x |
| Staffordshire | 3 | 0.71x |
| Buckinghamshire | 2 | 2.65x |
| Channel Islands | 2 | 5.41x |
| Midlothian | 2 | 1.20x |
| Northamptonshire | 2 | 1.70x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.16x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.38x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.27x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 0.46x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.07x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Basford in Nottinghamshire leads with 16 Towsends recorded in 1881 and an index of 206.19x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Basford | 16 | 206.19x |
| Otford | 10 | 1694.92x |
| St Andrew Holborn | 10 | 236.41x |
| Aberystruth | 8 | 100.50x |
| Brampton | 7 | 1346.15x |
| Southwark Christchurch | 7 | 119.66x |
| Biddestone St Nicholas | 6 | 3333.33x |
| Gloucester Barton St Mary | 5 | 111.61x |
| Lyncombe Widcombe | 5 | 95.06x |
| Norton | 5 | 2631.58x |
| Bradford On Avon | 4 | 112.99x |
| Reading St Giles | 4 | 43.48x |
| Bedwellty | 3 | 18.82x |
| Napton On Hill | 3 | 789.47x |
| Stetchworth | 3 | 1153.85x |
| Abbotsley | 2 | 1000.00x |
| Cheltenham | 2 | 10.59x |
| Edinburgh St Andrews | 2 | 144.93x |
| Great Houghton | 2 | 1428.57x |
| Shalstone | 2 | 2500.00x |
| St Peter Port | 2 | 29.24x |
| Willesden | 2 | 16.99x |
| Wolverhampton | 2 | 6.17x |
| Ampney Crucis | 1 | 434.78x |
| Bath St James | 1 | 47.62x |
| Bristol St Philip Jacob | 1 | 4.34x |
| Broughton In Salford | 1 | 7.38x |
| Cannock | 1 | 13.61x |
| Churchdown | 1 | 204.08x |
| Ecclesall Bierlow | 1 | 3.97x |
| Eston | 1 | 37.17x |
| Hedworth Monkton Jarrow | 1 | 6.22x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 1.44x |
| Newington | 1 | 2.17x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 2.18x |
| Southam | 1 | 129.87x |
| Swansea Town | 1 | 5.61x |
| Swindon | 1 | 11.67x |
| Wolborough | 1 | 30.40x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Towsend surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Towsend surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Towsend households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 19 |
| Ag Lab | 8 |
| Coal Worker (Miner) | 2 |
| Gen Serv | 2 |
| Laundress | 2 |
| Quarryman | 2 |
| Scholor | 2 |
| Schr | 2 |
| Agricultural Labourer | 1 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Baker | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Blacksmith At Gas Works | 1 |
| Blacksmith Wife | 1 |
| Boy At Works (Tin Plate Wks) | 1 |
| Brewers Lab | 1 |
| Cabman | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Carrier | 1 |
| Coachman | 1 |
| Cook Domestic | 1 |
| Domestic | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Farmer Of 195 Acres Employing 4 Men 1 Boy | 1 |
| Farmer Of 300 Acres Emp 6 Men & 3 Boys | 1 |
| Farmers Wife | 1 |
| Green Grocer | 1 |
| Hairdresser | 1 |
| Hat Trimmer | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Housewife | 1 |
| Ironstone Miner | 1 |
| Jeweller | 1 |
| Jurneman Chair Maker (Cabt Mk) | 1 |
| Lace Maker | 1 |
| Lace Mender | 1 |
| Lacemaker & Wife | 1 |
| Machine Fitter | 1 |
| Master Mason | 1 |
| Platelayer | 1 |
| Porter | 1 |
| Refreshment Ho Keeper (Employg 1 Waiter) | 1 |
| Servent | 1 |
| Servt Domestic | 1 |
| Tailoress | 1 |
| Waggoner Ag Lab | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 128 people were recorded with the Towsend surname. That placed it at #17,079 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 13 in 2016. That gives Towsend a modern rank of #37,278.
An English surname derived from place names meaning "hill spur" or "hill estate."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Towsend bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.