NameCensus.

UK surname

Wain

A surname derived from the Old English word 'waegn,' meaning cart or wagon.

In the 1881 census there were 2,525 people recorded with the Wain surname, ranking it #1,769 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,701, ranked #1,843, down from #1,769 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Glossop, London parishes and Burslem. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cheshire East, Derbyshire Dales and Wakefield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wain is 3,859 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 46.6%.

1881 census count

2,525

Ranked #1,769

Modern count

3,701

2016, ranked #1,843

Peak year

1998

3,859 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wain had 2,525 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,769 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,701 in 2016, ranked #1,843.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,689 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Wain surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wain surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wain 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 1,459 #1,968
1861 historical 1,616 #1,761
1881 historical 2,525 #1,769
1891 historical 2,699 #1,760
1901 historical 3,235 #1,727
1911 historical 3,689 #1,408
1997 modern 3,545 #1,825
1998 modern 3,859 #1,749
1999 modern 3,830 #1,772
2000 modern 3,814 #1,772
2001 modern 3,726 #1,770
2002 modern 3,825 #1,773
2003 modern 3,717 #1,781
2004 modern 3,685 #1,794
2005 modern 3,591 #1,818
2006 modern 3,598 #1,815
2007 modern 3,620 #1,816
2008 modern 3,659 #1,811
2009 modern 3,715 #1,825
2010 modern 3,777 #1,844
2011 modern 3,750 #1,829
2012 modern 3,711 #1,813
2013 modern 3,800 #1,806
2014 modern 3,797 #1,816
2015 modern 3,737 #1,821
2016 modern 3,701 #1,843

Geography

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Where Wains are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Glossop, London parishes, Burslem, St Werburgh and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cheshire East, Derbyshire Dales, Wakefield, South Derbyshire and Staffordshire Moorlands. 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 Glossop Derbyshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Burslem Staffordshire
4 St Werburgh Derbyshire
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cheshire East 020 Cheshire East
2 Derbyshire Dales 001 Derbyshire Dales
3 Wakefield 044 Wakefield
4 South Derbyshire 008 South Derbyshire
5 Staffordshire Moorlands 007 Staffordshire Moorlands

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wain

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wain

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

Wain 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

Wain falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Wain

The surname WAIN originated in England and dates back to the Anglo-Saxon era. It is derived from the Old English word "waegn," meaning a wagon or cart. This name was likely given to someone who was involved in the transportation or driving of wagons.

One of the earliest known references to the name WAIN can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is recorded as "Wagne." This suggests that the name was already in use by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.

During the Middle Ages, the name WAIN was prevalent in various regions of England, particularly in the counties of Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Lincolnshire. It is believed that some variations of the name, such as Waine and Wayne, may have originated as spellings influenced by local dialects or scribal errors.

In the 14th century, a notable figure named John Wain appears in records as a member of the Guild of St. Mary's in York. This guild was an influential organization that played a significant role in the city's religious and economic life.

Another early recorded instance of the name WAIN is found in the 16th century, when a man named Thomas Wain was born in Lincolnshire in 1536. He later became a respected landowner and local magistrate in the county.

During the 17th century, the name WAIN gained prominence in the village of Wainfleet, which is located in Lincolnshire. It is possible that the name of this village may have been derived from the surname Wain, or vice versa.

One of the most famous individuals with the surname WAIN was Robert Wain (1695-1764), a noted English portrait painter who was known for his artistic depictions of the British aristocracy and gentry. His works can be found in various prestigious collections, including the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Another notable person with the surname WAIN was John Wain (1925-1994), a British novelist, poet, and critic. He was born in Staffordshire and is best known for his novels set in the industrial Midlands region of England, such as "Hurry on Down" and "The Contenders."

In the 20th century, the surname WAIN was also carried by the English cricketer and educator Michael Wain (1905-1984), who played first-class cricket for Oxford University and later served as the Headmaster of Eton College.

While the surname WAIN has been prevalent in England for centuries, it has also been found in other parts of the world, likely due to migration and the spread of English-speaking populations. However, its origins and historical significance remain deeply rooted in the English language and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wain families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wain 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. Derbyshire leads with 587 Wains recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.29x.

County Total Index
Derbyshire 587 15.29x
Staffordshire 444 5.37x
Lancashire 247 0.85x
Yorkshire 240 0.99x
Leicestershire 217 7.98x
Middlesex 118 0.48x
Kent 117 1.40x
Warwickshire 110 1.78x
Lincolnshire 91 2.32x
Cheshire 72 1.33x
Surrey 68 0.57x
Nottinghamshire 42 1.27x
Oxfordshire 28 1.85x
Buckinghamshire 20 1.35x
Gloucestershire 14 0.29x
Hertfordshire 12 0.71x
Sussex 12 0.29x
Berkshire 10 0.54x
Durham 9 0.12x
Hampshire 9 0.18x
Norfolk 9 0.24x
Worcestershire 8 0.25x
Wiltshire 6 0.28x
Dorset 3 0.19x
Glamorgan 3 0.07x
Herefordshire 3 0.30x
Royal Navy 3 1.03x
Essex 2 0.04x
Lanarkshire 2 0.03x
Somerset 2 0.05x
Devon 1 0.02x
Midlothian 1 0.03x
Monmouthshire 1 0.06x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.13x
Suffolk 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stoke Upon Trent in Staffordshire leads with 85 Wains recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.69x.

Place Total Index
Stoke Upon Trent 85 9.69x
Hartington Upper 45 245.77x
Rugeley 38 63.99x
Burslem 37 15.61x
Birmingham 36 1.75x
Glossop Dale 36 20.03x
Wolstanton 35 13.93x
Warslow Elkstone 33 674.85x
Leicester St Margaret 29 4.38x
Wirksworth 29 83.12x
Belper 28 37.63x
Ecclesall Bierlow 28 5.67x
Heage 26 128.02x
Manchester 25 1.91x
Aston 23 1.35x
Marston Upon Dove 23 186.39x
Church Gresley 22 36.03x
Gainsborough 20 21.65x
Hinckley 20 31.02x
Ardwick 19 7.24x
Chislehurst 18 40.13x
Derby St Werburgh 18 8.12x
Long Whatton 18 305.60x
Sudbury 18 410.96x
Salford 17 1.99x
Bakewell 16 76.19x
Belgrave 16 26.08x
Darley 16 103.16x
Horbury 16 37.66x
Leicester St Mary 16 7.29x
Macclesfield 16 6.65x
Uttoxeter 16 37.77x
Ashborne 15 57.47x
Boston 15 12.61x
Great Grimsby 15 6.03x
Stapenhill 15 26.26x
Anstey 14 130.35x
Brampton 14 26.10x
Chesterfield 14 9.73x
Hulme 14 2.31x
Sheffield 14 1.81x
Shirland 14 48.76x
Walsall Foreign 14 3.28x
Blackburn 13 1.68x
Crayford 13 35.59x
Derby St Peter 13 10.63x
Croydon 12 1.81x
Derby All Sts 12 37.44x
Hollingworth 12 53.79x
Leamington Hastings 12 310.08x
Litchurch 12 7.77x
Loughborough 12 9.73x
Nottingham St Mary 12 1.40x
Ogley Hay 12 69.85x
Quarnford 12 326.98x
Stanton 12 187.79x
Ashton Under Lyne 11 1.73x
Aspull 11 16.08x
Burton Extra 11 23.19x
Buxton 11 33.87x
Ecclesfield 11 6.18x
Everton 11 1.19x
Haughton 11 25.93x
Lee 11 9.06x
Paddington London 11 1.22x
Plumstead 11 3.95x
Sheepshed 11 29.53x
Leeds 10 0.73x
Nether Hallam 10 3.04x
Rawdon 10 34.95x
St George Hanover 10 3.13x
St Marylebone London 10 0.76x
West Bromwich 10 2.11x
Wilmington 10 85.69x
York St Saviour 10 43.12x
Coal Aston 9 136.16x
Eyam 9 83.96x
Great Bolton 9 2.34x
Lambeth 9 0.42x
Tideswell 9 54.02x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 193
Sarah 126
Elizabeth 101
Ann 54
Emma 48
Jane 42
Annie 38
Eliza 38
Hannah 38
Ellen 33
Alice 30
Martha 26
Emily 23
Fanny 21
Louisa 18
Harriet 17
Maria 16
Edith 15
Agnes 13
Frances 13
Florence 12
Margaret 11
Ada 10
Charlotte 10
Harriett 9
Anne 8
Caroline 8
Clara 8
Susannah 8
Kate 7
Sophia 7
Catherine 6
Lucy 6
Lydia 6
Minnie 6
Rachel 6
Rebecca 6
Elizth. 5
Gertrude 5
Jessie 5
Lilian 5
Matilda 5
Maud 5
Rose 5
Amy 4
Dorothy 4
Esther 4
Julia 4
Mercy 4
Mildred 4

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 182
William 139
George 110
Thomas 104
James 72
Charles 64
Joseph 59
Henry 38
Richard 29
Samuel 29
Arthur 28
Robert 27
Alfred 18
Walter 18
Albert 16
Edward 14
Harry 14
Isaac 12
Francis 11
Frank 11
Frederick 11
David 9
Abel 8
Benjamin 8
Edwin 6
Ernest 6
Herbert 6
Stephen 6
Wm. 6
Fred 5
Fredrick 5
Peter 5
Alexander 4
Daniel 4
Elijah 4
Geo. 4
Reuben 4
Thos. 4
Anthony 3
Edwd. 3
Fredk. 3
Jas. 3
Josiah 3
Mathew 3
Matthew 3
Percy 3
Philip 3
Phillip 3
Ralph 3
Micah 2

FAQ

Wain surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wain surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,525 people were recorded with the Wain surname. That placed it at #1,769 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wain surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,701 in 2016. That gives Wain a modern rank of #1,843.

What does the Wain surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old English word 'waegn,' meaning cart or wagon.

What does the Wain map show?

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