NameCensus.

UK surname

Waites

An English occupational surname referring to a watchman, guard, or hunter.

In the 1881 census there were 754 people recorded with the Waites surname, ranking it #4,895 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,216, ranked #4,893, up from #4,895 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Barking and Darlington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include County Durham, East Riding of Yorkshire and Wakefield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Waites is 1,268 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 61.3%.

1881 census count

754

Ranked #4,895

Modern count

1,216

2016, ranked #4,893

Peak year

2000

1,268 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Waites had 754 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,895 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,216 in 2016, ranked #4,893.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,108 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Waites surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Waites surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Waites 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 320 #7,250
1861 historical 335 #7,610
1881 historical 754 #4,895
1891 historical 807 #4,997
1901 historical 976 #4,850
1911 historical 1,108 #4,185
1997 modern 1,248 #4,564
1998 modern 1,257 #4,698
1999 modern 1,261 #4,723
2000 modern 1,268 #4,679
2001 modern 1,238 #4,677
2002 modern 1,253 #4,727
2003 modern 1,198 #4,811
2004 modern 1,202 #4,807
2005 modern 1,164 #4,887
2006 modern 1,163 #4,896
2007 modern 1,179 #4,888
2008 modern 1,186 #4,883
2009 modern 1,228 #4,851
2010 modern 1,247 #4,888
2011 modern 1,254 #4,801
2012 modern 1,231 #4,809
2013 modern 1,256 #4,800
2014 modern 1,266 #4,797
2015 modern 1,234 #4,848
2016 modern 1,216 #4,893

Geography

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Where Waites' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Barking, Darlington, Ross Foreign and Ross Borough and Driffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to County Durham, East Riding of Yorkshire and Wakefield. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 Barking Essex
3 Darlington Durham
4 Ross Foreign and Ross Borough Herefordshire
5 Driffield Yorkshire, East Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 County Durham 059 County Durham
2 East Riding of Yorkshire 044 East Riding of Yorkshire
3 County Durham 017 County Durham
4 East Riding of Yorkshire 045 East Riding of Yorkshire
5 Wakefield 034 Wakefield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Waites

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Waites

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Waites, 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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Waites surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Waites household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Waites 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

Waites is most concentrated in decile 9 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Waites 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 Waites 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 Waites, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Waites

The surname Waites is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "waiten" or "waiten," which means "to watch" or "to guard." It is believed to have emerged as an occupational surname during the medieval period, referring to individuals who served as watchmen or guards, particularly those who patrolled the streets at night.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century. One notable mention is found in the Hundred Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1273, where it appears as "Adam le Wayte." This indicates that the name was already in use during that time, likely referring to someone employed as a watchman or guard.

Throughout the centuries, the name has undergone various spelling variations, including Wayte, Waite, and Waytes. These variations were common due to the inconsistencies in record-keeping and spelling conventions during earlier periods.

The Waites surname is also associated with certain place names in England. For instance, there is a village called Waites Court in Somerset, which may have been named after individuals bearing this surname who resided in or owned land in that area.

One of the earliest notable figures associated with this surname was Sir Thomas Waite (c. 1419-1498), an English politician and lawyer who served as a Member of Parliament for Somerset during the 15th century.

Another prominent individual was Sir Nicholas Waite (c. 1530-1587), an English diplomat and administrator who served as Secretary of State during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

In the realm of literature, Robert Waites (1798-1859) was a notable English poet and author who published several works, including "Poems and Songs" (1827) and "The Maid of Moscow" (1836).

During the 18th century, John Waites (1744-1827) was a respected English clockmaker and instrument maker, known for his contributions to the development of precision timepieces.

More recently, Maurice Waites (1913-1992) was a British author and playwright, best known for his novel "Born in Captivity" (1966), which explored the theme of mental illness.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have borne the surname Waites throughout history, highlighting its longstanding presence and varied backgrounds across various fields and professions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Waites families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Waites 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 295 Waites' recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.06x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 295 4.06x
Durham 134 6.14x
Lancashire 53 0.61x
Middlesex 34 0.46x
Norfolk 32 2.84x
Monmouthshire 25 4.71x
Essex 24 1.66x
Cheshire 18 1.11x
Surrey 17 0.48x
Cumberland 16 2.53x
Herefordshire 13 4.32x
Cambridgeshire 11 2.37x
Lincolnshire 10 0.85x
Warwickshire 10 0.54x
Bedfordshire 8 2.11x
Kent 8 0.32x
Devon 6 0.39x
Nottinghamshire 6 0.61x
Gloucestershire 4 0.28x
Leicestershire 4 0.49x
Worcestershire 4 0.42x
Derbyshire 3 0.26x
Huntingdonshire 3 2.06x
Northamptonshire 3 0.43x
Somerset 3 0.25x
Wiltshire 3 0.46x
Hampshire 2 0.13x
Berkshire 1 0.18x
Royal Navy 1 1.14x
Westmorland 1 0.62x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hetton Le Hole in Durham leads with 29 Waites' recorded in 1881 and an index of 104.84x.

Place Total Index
Hetton Le Hole 29 104.84x
Shildon 24 136.83x
Leeds 21 5.12x
Darlington 20 23.74x
West Ham 18 5.63x
Ackworth 17 304.66x
Great Driffield 16 107.24x
Stranton 16 21.78x
Normanton 13 59.52x
Ross 13 108.70x
Wakefield 13 23.30x
Millom 12 62.02x
Richmond 12 105.63x
Stockton On Tees 12 11.41x
Bridlington 11 66.11x
Stockport 11 13.20x
Aston 10 1.96x
Southcoates 10 24.78x
Newport 9 35.57x
Skipton 9 39.34x
St Peterat Gowts Lincoln 9 54.55x
Wetwang 9 573.25x
Bedwellty 8 8.54x
Hunmanby 8 235.99x
Liverpool 8 1.51x
Lund 8 689.66x
Penshaw 8 121.95x
Rawmarsh 8 31.15x
Ampthill 7 123.46x
Brandon Byshottles 7 25.60x
Chesterton 7 48.85x
Hutton Cranswick 7 228.76x
Islington London 7 0.98x
Lancaster 7 13.52x
Maidstone 7 9.39x
Nafferton 7 225.81x
St Marylebone London 7 1.79x
Barking 6 14.16x
Barnard Castle 6 55.61x
Barnstaple 6 25.03x
Binham 6 500.00x
Bury 6 6.03x
Kingston On Thames 6 6.99x
Limehouse London 6 7.45x
Sale 6 30.21x
Tottenham 6 5.14x
Toxteth Park 6 2.04x
Battersea 5 1.85x
Brompton In Scarborough 5 289.02x
Castleford 5 18.89x
Clayworth 5 454.55x
Dodworth 5 66.23x
Gate Fulford 5 29.46x
Halifax 5 4.69x
Huggate 5 362.32x
Kirk Deighton 5 561.80x
Norwich St John Sepulchre 5 68.31x
Shipley 5 13.26x
Skircoat 5 17.44x
West Clayton 5 138.50x
Wold Newton 5 632.91x
Eastburn 4 6666.67x
Emley 4 123.08x
Ferryhill 4 52.42x
Helmington Row 4 39.37x
Kings Norton 4 4.66x
Lambeth 4 0.63x
Mynyddyslwyn 4 19.12x
Over Darwen 4 5.75x
Pelton 4 38.54x
Reighton 4 625.00x
Skerton 4 55.94x
Yapham With Meltonby 4 677.97x
Allestree 3 204.08x
Holy Trinity 3 1.72x
Peterborough 3 6.01x
Ratcliffe London 3 7.41x
Sculcoates 3 2.60x
Somersham 3 84.75x
West Monkton 3 115.38x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 55
John 54
George 39
Thomas 23
James 22
Joseph 15
Charles 12
Robert 12
Henry 11
Edward 10
Richard 9
Frederick 7
Samuel 7
Alfred 4
David 4
Harry 4
Walter 4
Arthur 3
Benjamin 3
Frank 3
Herbert 3
Isaac 3
Albert 2
Allen 2
Edwin 2
Hugh 2
Matthew 2
Priestley 2
Sagar 2
August 1
Charley 1
Christopher 1
Elijah 1
Ernest 1
Foster 1
Fred 1
Fredk.W. 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Gilbert 1
Jack 1
Jesse 1
Joe 1
Johnson 1
Jonah 1
Jonathan 1
Lateines 1
Lot 1
Marshall 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Waites surname: questions and answers

How common was the Waites surname in 1881?

In 1881, 754 people were recorded with the Waites surname. That placed it at #4,895 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Waites surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,216 in 2016. That gives Waites a modern rank of #4,893.

What does the Waites surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to a watchman, guard, or hunter.

What does the Waites map show?

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