NameCensus.

UK surname

Wadsley

A locational surname derived from a place called Wadsley in Yorkshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 164 people recorded with the Wadsley surname, ranking it #14,624 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 310, ranked #14,406, up from #14,624 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Horbling, Dunsby and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Fenland, North Kesteven and Broxtowe.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wadsley is 339 in 2003. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 89.0%.

1881 census count

164

Ranked #14,624

Modern count

310

2016, ranked #14,406

Peak year

2003

339 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wadsley had 164 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,624 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 310 in 2016, ranked #14,406.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 200 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Wadsley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wadsley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wadsley 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 110 #16,093
1861 historical 103 #20,650
1881 historical 164 #14,624
1891 historical 177 #16,330
1901 historical 179 #16,227
1911 historical 200 #14,960
1997 modern 325 #12,832
1998 modern 327 #13,126
1999 modern 335 #12,993
2000 modern 320 #13,360
2001 modern 316 #13,258
2002 modern 334 #13,045
2003 modern 339 #12,714
2004 modern 334 #12,897
2005 modern 321 #13,195
2006 modern 321 #13,258
2007 modern 314 #13,618
2008 modern 321 #13,516
2009 modern 326 #13,630
2010 modern 333 #13,717
2011 modern 336 #13,498
2012 modern 311 #14,173
2013 modern 300 #14,744
2014 modern 302 #14,772
2015 modern 303 #14,646
2016 modern 310 #14,406

Geography

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Where Wadsleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Horbling, Dunsby, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Algarkirk (incl. Algarkirk Allotments) and Southampton St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Fenland, North Kesteven, Broxtowe and Ashfield. 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 Horbling Lincolnshire
2 Dunsby Lincolnshire
3 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
4 Algarkirk (incl. Algarkirk Allotments) Lincolnshire
5 Southampton St Mary Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Fenland 004 Fenland
2 North Kesteven 007 North Kesteven
3 Broxtowe 002 Broxtowe
4 Ashfield 016 Ashfield
5 Broxtowe 003 Broxtowe

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wadsley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wadsley

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Wadsley is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Wadsley 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

Wadsley falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Wadsley

The surname Wadsley originates from England and dates back to the 13th century. It is a locational name derived from the town of Wadsley, which is located in the parish of Ecclesfield, near Sheffield, Yorkshire. The name is thought to come from the Old English words "wad" meaning ford, and "leah" meaning woodland clearing or meadow.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Wadsley can be found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, where a John de Waddesley is listed as residing in Yorkshire. The name also appears in the Pipe Rolls of Nottinghamshire from 1195, where it is spelled as "Waddesleia".

The Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of land and property ownership commissioned by William the Conqueror, does not contain any direct references to the name Wadsley. However, it does mention the village of Ecclesfield, which later became the parish that Wadsley was a part of.

In the 16th century, a notable individual with the surname Wadsley was Richard Wadsley (c.1520-1588), who was a wealthy landowner and yeoman farmer from Yorkshire. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, he served as a member of the local militia and was involved in the defense of the region against potential threats.

Another prominent figure was John Wadsley (1672-1737), who was a successful merchant and landowner from Derbyshire. He accumulated significant wealth through his trading ventures and went on to purchase several estates in the area.

In the 18th century, Joseph Wadsley (1701-1772) was a notable clergyman and author from Yorkshire. He wrote several religious texts and served as the vicar of Ecclesfield for over 40 years.

Moving into the 19th century, there was William Wadsley (1813-1876), who was a prominent industrialist and engineer from Sheffield. He played a significant role in the development of the city's steel industry and was involved in the construction of several notable bridges and buildings.

Finally, in the early 20th century, Sir Charles Wadsley (1883-1962) was a British businessman and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for the Conservative Party. He was also involved in various philanthropic initiatives and was knighted for his contributions to public service.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wadsley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wadsley 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. Lincolnshire leads with 88 Wadsleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 34.40x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 88 34.40x
Northamptonshire 21 13.96x
Yorkshire 17 1.07x
Cambridgeshire 11 10.86x
Hampshire 7 2.13x
Nottinghamshire 7 3.25x
Norfolk 6 2.44x
Cheshire 4 1.13x
Warwickshire 2 0.50x
Middlesex 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Castor in Northamptonshire leads with 14 Wadsleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2187.50x.

Place Total Index
Castor 14 2187.50x
Wisbech St Peter 11 216.54x
Amber Hill 7 3181.82x
Hacconby 7 3043.48x
Kirton 7 686.27x
Millbrook 7 84.75x
Carlton 6 243.90x
North Kyme 6 1578.95x
Peterborough 6 55.10x
Threckingham Swaton 6 3750.00x
Wells Next Sea 6 419.58x
Acomb 5 602.41x
Dunsby 5 4166.67x
Morton In Bourn 5 961.54x
Sculcoates 5 19.90x
Swineshead 5 595.24x
Wigtoft 5 1351.35x
Frampton 4 833.33x
Horbling 4 1481.48x
Billingborough 3 461.54x
Boston 3 38.66x
Doncaster 3 25.91x
Gargrave 3 422.54x
Spalding 3 59.06x
Chester St Mary On Hill 2 66.01x
Little Steeping 2 1333.33x
Rugby 2 36.63x
Sutterton 2 392.16x
Tetford 2 625.00x
Timberland 2 714.29x
Toynton All Sts 2 1111.11x
Aldford 1 357.14x
Alger Kirk Amber Hill 1 833.33x
Chester Holy Trinity 1 60.24x
Coleby 1 416.67x
Crowland 1 62.50x
East Kirkby 1 555.56x
Grantham 1 30.03x
Halton Holegate 1 370.37x
Hampstead London 1 4.01x
Hornsea 1 99.01x
Kirton Simon Weir 1 384.62x
Marton 1 416.67x
Nottingham St Mary 1 1.79x
Pilsgate 1 1428.57x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 15
George 9
John 9
James 5
Robert 5
Thomas 5
Edward 4
Charles 3
Richard 3
Albert 2
Harry 2
Henry 2
Mark 2
Bertram 1
Brockton 1
Dick 1
Felix 1
Frederick 1
Gordon 1
Laurence 1
Lucas 1
Philip 1
Phillip 1
Reginald 1
Roy 1
Walter 1
Willie 1
Wm.E.B. 1
Wm.Hy. 1

FAQ

Wadsley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wadsley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 164 people were recorded with the Wadsley surname. That placed it at #14,624 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wadsley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 310 in 2016. That gives Wadsley a modern rank of #14,406.

What does the Wadsley surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place called Wadsley in Yorkshire, England.

What does the Wadsley map show?

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