NameCensus.

UK surname

Unsworth

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "settlement near the wooded stream."

In the 1881 census there were 3,437 people recorded with the Unsworth surname, ranking it #1,329 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4,390, ranked #1,554, down from #1,329 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Winwick, Wigan and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wigan.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Unsworth is 4,652 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 27.7%.

1881 census count

3,437

Ranked #1,329

Modern count

4,390

2016, ranked #1,554

Peak year

1911

4,652 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Unsworth had 3,437 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,329 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 4,390 in 2016, ranked #1,554.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4,652 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Unsworth surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Unsworth surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Unsworth 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 2,125 #1,373
1861 historical 2,007 #1,450
1881 historical 3,437 #1,329
1891 historical 3,592 #1,335
1901 historical 4,212 #1,335
1911 historical 4,652 #1,112
1997 modern 4,363 #1,499
1998 modern 4,417 #1,529
1999 modern 4,540 #1,507
2000 modern 4,568 #1,491
2001 modern 4,453 #1,494
2002 modern 4,547 #1,497
2003 modern 4,429 #1,497
2004 modern 4,412 #1,509
2005 modern 4,305 #1,518
2006 modern 4,330 #1,513
2007 modern 4,372 #1,516
2008 modern 4,392 #1,515
2009 modern 4,514 #1,511
2010 modern 4,579 #1,524
2011 modern 4,551 #1,510
2012 modern 4,383 #1,534
2013 modern 4,490 #1,527
2014 modern 4,488 #1,538
2015 modern 4,424 #1,544
2016 modern 4,390 #1,554

Geography

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Where Unsworths are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Winwick, Wigan, Manchester, Leigh and Bolton-le-Moors. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wigan. 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 Winwick Lancashire
2 Wigan Lancashire
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Leigh Lancashire
5 Bolton-le-Moors Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wigan 018 Wigan
2 Wigan 027 Wigan
3 Wigan 013 Wigan
4 Wigan 021 Wigan
5 Wigan 010 Wigan

Forenames

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First names often paired with Unsworth

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Unsworth

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Unsworth, 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 Unsworth surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Unsworth 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, Unsworth 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

Unsworth is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Unsworth 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 Unsworth is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Unsworth

The surname UNSWORTH originates from the northern regions of England, likely Lancashire or Yorkshire, during the 12th or 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "un" meaning a ridge or hill, and "worth" meaning an enclosed settlement or homestead. Thus, the name UNSWORTH would have originally referred to someone who lived near or owned a homestead located on a ridge or hill.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name UNSWORTH can be found in the Lancashire Inquests of 1310-1333, where a person named Adam de Undesworth is mentioned. The spelling variations during this time included Undesworth, Undysworthe, and Undisworth, reflecting the regional dialects and evolving spellings of the name.

In the 16th century, the Unsworth family was well-established in the area around Bury, Lancashire. Records from this period mention individuals such as John Unsworth (born around 1520) and his son, Richard Unsworth (born around 1560), who were landowners in the region.

The name UNSWORTH can also be found in historical documents related to the English Civil War. One notable figure from this period was Captain James Unsworth (1615-1680), a Royalist officer who fought for King Charles I and later served as a Member of Parliament after the Restoration.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the UNSWORTH name became more widespread across England, with families settling in various counties. One prominent individual was Sir James Unsworth (1768-1846), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and was knighted for his services.

Another notable figure was the English poet and playwright Thomas Unsworth (1810-1876), whose works included plays such as "The Bride of Lammermoor" and "The Doom of Destiny." He was born in Bury, Lancashire, where the Unsworth name had its roots.

In the 20th century, the UNSWORTH surname continued to be associated with various fields, including literature and sports. One example is the English novelist and playwright Stanley Unsworth (1911-1976), known for his novels "The Spiral Staircase" and "The Big Chapeau."

The surname UNSWORTH has a rich history rooted in the northern regions of England, originally referring to individuals who lived near a homestead on a ridge or hill. Over the centuries, the name has been carried by notable figures in various domains, reflecting its enduring presence in English society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Unsworth families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Unsworth 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 2,935 Unsworths recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.37x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 2,935 7.37x
Cheshire 173 2.33x
Durham 58 0.58x
Yorkshire 54 0.16x
Middlesex 34 0.10x
Westmorland 28 3.79x
Staffordshire 22 0.19x
Flintshire 21 2.33x
Hampshire 18 0.26x
Warwickshire 18 0.21x
Derbyshire 16 0.30x
Isle of Man 9 1.44x
Surrey 9 0.06x
Glamorgan 7 0.12x
Kent 7 0.06x
Oxfordshire 6 0.29x
Dumfriesshire 5 0.67x
Leicestershire 4 0.11x
Shropshire 4 0.14x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.07x
Angus 2 0.06x
Devon 2 0.03x
Wiltshire 2 0.07x
Herefordshire 1 0.07x
Northumberland 1 0.02x
Royal Navy 1 0.25x
Suffolk 1 0.02x
Worcestershire 1 0.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Great Bolton in Lancashire leads with 159 Unsworths recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.13x.

Place Total Index
Great Bolton 159 30.13x
Atherton 80 55.16x
Bedford 80 95.99x
Tyldesley Cum Shakerley 79 68.88x
Ince In Makerfield 77 41.53x
Liverpool 75 3.10x
Ashton In Makerfield 74 65.23x
Bury 71 15.60x
Pendleton In Salford 70 14.75x
Salford 67 5.72x
Golborne 63 121.32x
Warrington 63 13.34x
Pemberton 62 39.03x
Pennington In Leigh 62 81.11x
Wigan 57 10.24x
Hulme 56 6.73x
Worsley 56 22.80x
Little Hulton 55 83.37x
Billinge Higher End 54 334.57x
Halliwell 54 37.24x
Manchester 50 2.79x
Windle 47 20.97x
Hindley 42 24.72x
Everton 41 3.23x
Farnworth 39 16.34x
Little Bolton 39 7.61x
Toxteth Park 39 2.89x
Westleigh 39 43.10x
Widnes 39 13.57x
Tottington Lower End 38 20.07x
Haydock 37 53.90x
Oldham 35 2.72x
Lowton 33 121.77x
Preston 33 3.10x
Orrell 30 60.56x
Upholland 30 58.77x
Astley 28 91.12x
Culcheth 27 103.45x
Abram 26 85.05x
West Derby 26 2.23x
Latchford 25 50.77x
Barton Upon Irwell 24 8.00x
Newton In Makerfield 22 18.03x
Southworth With Croft 22 184.72x
Birkdale 21 20.83x
Great Lever 20 47.31x
Rainford 20 46.41x
Tranmere 20 7.34x
Droylsden 19 14.62x
Parr 19 13.33x
Blackrod 18 36.36x
Kirkdale 18 2.69x
Radcliffe 17 8.85x
Bishopwearmouth 16 1.87x
Carnforth 16 73.13x
Kendal 16 11.84x
Adlington 15 40.20x
Broughton In Salford 15 4.12x
Elton 15 10.90x
Over Darwen 15 4.71x
Cheadle 14 9.89x
Openshaw 14 7.50x
Skelmersdale 14 21.08x
Ashton Under Lyne 13 1.49x
Chorlton On Medlock 13 2.05x
Litherland 13 15.61x
Little Lever 13 25.52x
Dukinfield 12 3.50x
Cheetham 11 3.70x
Prestwich 11 11.07x
Strickland Kettle 11 156.03x
Ainsworth 10 64.85x
Anderton 10 266.67x
Barrow In Furness 10 1.85x
Dewsbury 10 2.93x
Eccleston In Prescot 10 5.00x
Pilkington 10 6.61x
Rumworth 10 17.56x
Twyford 10 60.79x
Winwick With Hulme 10 178.25x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 280
Elizabeth 166
Sarah 131
Jane 103
Margaret 102
Alice 99
Ann 91
Ellen 81
Martha 56
Annie 46
Hannah 40
Eliza 36
Emma 34
Catherine 24
Elizth. 18
Maria 17
Ada 16
Betsy 14
Agnes 13
Esther 13
Harriet 13
Frances 11
Edith 10
Emily 10
Margt. 10
Anne 9
Charlotte 9
Lucy 9
Clara 8
Eleanor 8
Isabella 8
Nancy 8
Betty 7
Caroline 7
Lydia 7
Fanny 6
Florence 6
Grace 6
Lilly 6
Rachel 6
Helen 5
Kate 5
Margery 5
Margret 5
Abigail 4
Amelia 4
Amy 4
Bertha 4
Louisa 4
Minnie 4

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 247
James 202
William 186
Thomas 159
Joseph 119
Richard 63
Robert 62
George 54
Henry 52
Peter 46
Edward 44
Charles 26
Samuel 24
Alfred 23
Ralph 21
Harry 16
Arthur 14
Walter 14
Albert 13
Isaac 13
Frederick 12
Wm. 12
Abraham 8
Ernest 8
Thos. 8
Herbert 7
Robt. 7
Edwin 6
David 5
Frank 5
Wright 5
Andrew 4
Edmund 4
Harold 4
Jno. 4
Aaron 3
Ambrose 3
Ashton 3
Daniel 3
Eli 3
Francis 3
Fred 3
Geo. 3
Jas. 3
Joshua 3
Roger 3
Walker 3
Wm.James 3
Earnest 2
Philip 2

FAQ

Unsworth surname: questions and answers

How common was the Unsworth surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3,437 people were recorded with the Unsworth surname. That placed it at #1,329 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Unsworth surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 4,390 in 2016. That gives Unsworth a modern rank of #1,554.

What does the Unsworth surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "settlement near the wooded stream."

What does the Unsworth map show?

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