NameCensus.

UK surname

Walbridge

A habitational name taken from a place name meaning "street by a bridge".

In the 1881 census there were 150 people recorded with the Walbridge surname, ranking it #15,489 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 189, ranked #20,334, down from #15,489 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Poorstock, Southampton St Mary and Netherbury. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Weymouth and Portland, North Dorset and West Dorset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Walbridge is 235 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 26.0%.

1881 census count

150

Ranked #15,489

Modern count

189

2016, ranked #20,334

Peak year

2000

235 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Walbridge had 150 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,489 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 189 in 2016, ranked #20,334.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 202 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Walbridge surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Walbridge surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Walbridge 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 89 #18,446
1861 historical 202 #11,906
1881 historical 150 #15,489
1891 historical 155 #17,920
1901 historical 186 #15,839
1911 historical 175 #16,246
1997 modern 224 #16,392
1998 modern 228 #16,706
1999 modern 232 #16,594
2000 modern 235 #16,423
2001 modern 220 #16,914
2002 modern 217 #17,388
2003 modern 223 #16,905
2004 modern 218 #17,230
2005 modern 205 #17,838
2006 modern 209 #17,784
2007 modern 206 #18,142
2008 modern 212 #17,950
2009 modern 217 #18,070
2010 modern 218 #18,375
2011 modern 212 #18,575
2012 modern 204 #18,973
2013 modern 201 #19,454
2014 modern 203 #19,504
2015 modern 197 #19,774
2016 modern 189 #20,334

Geography

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Where Walbridges are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Poorstock, Southampton St Mary, Netherbury, Winford Eagle and Toller Porcorum. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Weymouth and Portland, North Dorset and West Dorset. 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 Poorstock Dorset
2 Southampton St Mary Hampshire
3 Netherbury Dorset
4 Winford Eagle Dorset
5 Toller Porcorum Dorset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Weymouth and Portland 009 Weymouth and Portland
2 North Dorset 006 North Dorset
3 West Dorset 004 West Dorset
4 Weymouth and Portland 005 Weymouth and Portland
5 North Dorset 007 North Dorset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Walbridge

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Walbridge

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Walbridge surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Walbridge household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Walbridge is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Walbridge is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Walbridge falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Walbridge

The surname Walbridge has its origins in England, traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name derived from a place name, most likely from a town or village called 'Walbridge' or a similar spelling. The prefix 'Wal' is thought to be derived from the Old English word 'weall,' meaning a wall or rampart, while the suffix 'bridge' refers to a bridge or crossing.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Walbridge can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as 'Wallebrigg.' This entry suggests that the name was already in use by the late 11th century, potentially referring to someone who lived near a walled bridge or a settlement with a defensive wall and a crossing.

In the 13th century, records show a Robert de Walebrugge, who was mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1292. The use of the prefix 'de' indicates a locational origin, further reinforcing the connection between the surname and a specific place.

During the 16th century, variations of the spelling emerged, including Wallbridge, Walbrydge, and Walbredge. One notable bearer of this surname was Richard Walbridge, born in 1572 in Leicestershire, England, who was a prominent merchant and landowner.

In the 17th century, the name Walbridge continued to appear in various records. John Walbridge, born in 1612 in Somerset, was a renowned author and scholar who wrote extensively on religious and philosophical topics.

Another significant figure was William Walbridge, born in 1668 in Kent, England. He was a highly respected architect and was commissioned to design several notable buildings, including the St. Clement's Church in Oxford.

As the centuries progressed, the Walbridge family spread across different regions of England and beyond. In the 19th century, notable individuals included Mary Walbridge, born in 1822 in Gloucestershire, who was a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights.

Throughout history, the surname Walbridge has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including merchants, scholars, architects, and social reformers. While the exact origin and meaning of the name may have evolved over time, it remains a testament to the rich tapestry of English history and the enduring legacy of place names in shaping surnames.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Walbridge families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Walbridge 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. Dorset leads with 91 Walbridges recorded in 1881 and an index of 83.62x.

County Total Index
Dorset 91 83.62x
Hampshire 31 9.12x
Channel Islands 17 34.60x
Somerset 15 5.62x
Surrey 6 0.74x
Devon 3 0.87x
Royal Navy 2 10.12x
Gloucestershire 1 0.31x
Hertfordshire 1 0.87x
Kent 1 0.18x
Middlesex 1 0.06x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.45x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Powerstock in Dorset leads with 29 Walbridges recorded in 1881 and an index of 6170.21x.

Place Total Index
Powerstock 29 6170.21x
Toller Porcorum 23 9200.00x
Netherbury 18 2000.00x
Southampton St Mary 14 65.51x
St Peter Port 11 121.01x
Misterton 9 2368.42x
Wynford Eagle 8 8888.89x
Bridport 5 223.21x
Portsea 5 7.51x
Ringwood 5 230.41x
Southwark St George Martyr 5 14.98x
St Sampson 5 226.24x
St Mary Extra 4 145.99x
Abbotsbury 3 535.71x
Royal Navy 2 11.84x
Sparkford 2 1428.57x
Walcot 2 14.06x
Alverstoke 1 8.13x
Bedminster 1 3.99x
Brading 1 22.12x
Bristol St Augustine 1 19.05x
Burton Bradstock 1 185.19x
Chatham 1 6.43x
East Stonehouse 1 14.71x
East Teignmouth 1 70.92x
Exeter St David 1 33.90x
Great Hadham 1 135.14x
Islington London 1 0.62x
Lambeth 1 0.69x
Melcombe Regis 1 22.17x
Northwood 1 20.66x
Nottingham St Mary 1 1.73x
Portland 1 17.09x
Shaftesbury Holy Trinity 1 178.57x
Sherborne 1 31.15x
St Helier 1 6.25x
Taunton St James 1 25.71x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 20
Mary 13
Emma 4
Eliza 3
Alice 2
Ann 2
Caroline 2
Harriet 2
Jane 2
Laura 2
Sarah 2
Sophia 2
Adeline 1
Agnes 1
Anna 1
Annie 1
Cranby 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Emaly 1
Emily 1
Fanny 1
Frances 1
Francis 1
Geneviere 1
Harriett 1
Hester 1
Isabella 1
J.H. 1
Jessie 1
Kate 1
Lavinia 1
Lelia 1
Liza 1
Louanna 1
Louise 1
Lucy 1
Mabel 1
Maria 1
Martha 1
Maud 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 11
William 11
John 10
James 6
Samuel 5
Thomas 5
Frederick 3
Tom 3
Edward 2
Henry 2
Robert 2
Alfred 1
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Cornelius 1
Dan 1
Daniel 1
Ezekiel 1
Fredk.W. 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Geo.W. 1
Harry 1
Harvey 1
Herbert 1
Isaac 1
Joseph 1
Leonard 1
Levi 1
Richard 1
Robt.A. 1
Sidney 1
Simeon 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Walbridge surname: questions and answers

How common was the Walbridge surname in 1881?

In 1881, 150 people were recorded with the Walbridge surname. That placed it at #15,489 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Walbridge surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 189 in 2016. That gives Walbridge a modern rank of #20,334.

What does the Walbridge surname mean?

A habitational name taken from a place name meaning "street by a bridge".

What does the Walbridge map show?

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