NameCensus.

UK surname

Warder

A guard or lookout, particularly for a prison or castle.

In the 1881 census there were 446 people recorded with the Warder surname, ranking it #7,361 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 322, ranked #14,033, down from #7,361 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Newchurch, London parishes and Easter, High. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Isle of Wight, Guildford and Burnley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Warder is 586 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 27.8%.

1881 census count

446

Ranked #7,361

Modern count

322

2016, ranked #14,033

Peak year

1901

586 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Warder had 446 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,361 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 322 in 2016, ranked #14,033.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 586 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Warder surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Warder surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Warder 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 345 #6,823
1861 historical 409 #6,283
1881 historical 446 #7,361
1891 historical 467 #7,846
1901 historical 586 #7,201
1911 historical 535 #7,445
1997 modern 368 #11,719
1998 modern 361 #12,280
1999 modern 361 #12,347
2000 modern 350 #12,564
2001 modern 341 #12,588
2002 modern 352 #12,557
2003 modern 363 #12,096
2004 modern 356 #12,299
2005 modern 338 #12,698
2006 modern 339 #12,754
2007 modern 336 #12,975
2008 modern 338 #13,044
2009 modern 344 #13,138
2010 modern 361 #12,933
2011 modern 354 #12,982
2012 modern 327 #13,654
2013 modern 325 #13,924
2014 modern 328 #13,951
2015 modern 329 #13,800
2016 modern 322 #14,033

Geography

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Where Warders are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Newchurch, London parishes, Easter, High, Yarmouth and Portsmouth, Portsea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Isle of Wight, Guildford and Burnley. 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 Newchurch Hampshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Easter, High Essex
4 Yarmouth Hampshire
5 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Isle of Wight 011 Isle of Wight
2 Guildford 012 Guildford
3 Burnley 003 Burnley
4 Guildford 010 Guildford
5 Isle of Wight 008 Isle of Wight

Forenames

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First names often paired with Warder

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Warder

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

Warder is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Warder

The surname Warder is of English origin, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is an occupational surname derived from the Old English word "weardor," which means "guardian" or "watchman."

In the Middle Ages, a warder was a person appointed to guard a castle, prison, or other fortified structure. These individuals played a crucial role in maintaining security and defending against potential threats. The name likely arose as a way to identify those who held this important position.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Warder can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Cambridgeshire from the late 12th century, where it appears as "Warderus." This document provides evidence of the name's existence during this time period.

The Warder surname also appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, indicating its presence in various regions of England. Additionally, the name is mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, further solidifying its historical roots.

Notably, the Warder name is associated with several notable individuals throughout history. In the 14th century, John Warder was a prominent cleric who served as the Rector of St. Mary's Church in Devizes, Wiltshire, from 1376 to 1397.

Another significant figure was Sir Robert Warder, a knight who lived during the reign of King Edward III in the 14th century. He played a role in the Hundred Years' War and was recorded as participating in the Battle of Crécy in 1346.

In the 16th century, William Warder (1535-1608) was a respected English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works, including "A Briefe Discourse of the Troubled Mariage" published in 1592.

Moving into the 17th century, John Warder (1620-1683) was a renowned horticulturist and botanist from England. He is credited with introducing several plant species to England, including the horse chestnut tree.

Lastly, Joseph Warder (1800-1864) was an American horticulturist and pioneer in the field of pomology, the study of fruit cultivation. He authored several influential works on the subject and is recognized for his contributions to the development of horticulture in the United States.

The Warder surname has a rich history rooted in the medieval period, with connections to various occupations, locations, and prominent individuals throughout the centuries. Its origins as an occupational name have left a lasting legacy, reflecting the importance of guardianship and protection in medieval society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Warder families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Warder 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. Hampshire leads with 163 Warders recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.36x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 163 18.36x
Essex 56 6.55x
Middlesex 56 1.29x
Kent 31 2.10x
Warwickshire 22 2.01x
Shropshire 18 4.81x
Gloucestershire 14 1.65x
Northamptonshire 10 2.45x
Surrey 9 0.43x
Cheshire 8 0.84x
Lancashire 8 0.16x
Hertfordshire 7 2.34x
Staffordshire 7 0.48x
Devon 6 0.67x
Dorset 6 2.11x
Durham 4 0.31x
Somerset 4 0.57x
Norfolk 3 0.45x
Worcestershire 3 0.53x
Aberdeenshire 2 0.50x
Leicestershire 2 0.42x
Monmouthshire 2 0.64x
Yorkshire 2 0.05x
Cornwall 1 0.20x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Yarmouth in Hampshire leads with 44 Warders recorded in 1881 and an index of 3760.68x.

Place Total Index
Yarmouth 44 3760.68x
Northwood 31 245.25x
High Easter 22 1864.41x
Minster In Sheppey 20 81.70x
Portsea 16 9.20x
Whippingham 16 238.10x
Islington London 15 3.57x
Brading 14 118.64x
St Helens 12 186.05x
Aston 11 3.66x
Mile End Old Town 10 14.63x
Alveley 9 608.11x
Northampton St Sepulchre 9 43.44x
Shanklin 9 340.91x
Boreham 8 540.54x
Lymington 8 122.70x
Runcorn 7 31.76x
Tipton 7 15.64x
Bromley London 6 6.30x
Plymouth St Andrew 6 8.64x
Carisbrooke 5 40.58x
Chelmsford 5 34.08x
Cheshunt 5 47.89x
Hatfield Broad Oak 5 173.61x
Kensington London 5 2.08x
Quatford 5 1724.14x
Roxwell 5 413.22x
Ryde 5 26.22x
Westminster St John 5 9.48x
Bermondsey 4 3.10x
Birmingham 4 1.10x
Burnham 4 75.33x
Forthampton 4 655.74x
Gillingham 4 13.13x
Lewisham 4 5.08x
Tanworth 4 138.41x
Harlow 3 81.52x
Monkwearmouth Shore 3 11.93x
West Derby 3 2.00x
Weymouth 3 55.76x
Wyke Regis 3 73.53x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 2 2.66x
Berners Roothing 2 1538.46x
Chelsea London 2 1.53x
Cheltenham 2 3.05x
Happisburgh 2 240.96x
Loughton 2 47.28x
Maltby In Rotherham 2 166.67x
Navestock 2 161.29x
Newland 2 28.01x
Oldbury 2 526.32x
Penhow 2 540.54x
Poplar London 2 2.45x
St Marylebone London 2 0.86x
Upton Snodsbury 2 370.37x
Westminster St 2 12.52x
Willesden 2 4.90x
Winchcomb 2 47.51x
Wotton St Mary 2 45.35x
Wyken 2 1111.11x
Anstey 1 476.19x
Bridgnorth St Leonard 1 23.58x
Catherington 1 51.02x
Crumpsall 1 8.26x
Deptford St Paul 1 0.88x
Falmouth 1 5.76x
Liverpool 1 0.32x
Lowton 1 28.57x
Market Harborough 1 46.08x
Narborough 1 76.34x
Orsett 1 44.84x
Overbury 1 101.01x
Rotherhithe 1 1.87x
Sevenoaks 1 8.35x
St Martin In Fields 1 3.86x
St Pancras London 1 0.29x
Watford 1 4.32x
Wellingborough 1 4.88x
Willingale Doe 1 158.73x
Wimbledon 1 4.22x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 27
William 26
George 14
James 12
Henry 11
Charles 10
Thomas 9
Frederick 7
Alfred 6
Edwin 6
Joseph 6
Albert 5
Harry 5
Edward 4
Frank 4
Richard 4
Ambrose 3
Arthur 3
David 3
Robert 3
Francis 2
Herbert 2
Simeon 2
Walter 2
Abraham 1
Bernard 1
Bertie 1
Clifford 1
Daniel 1
Eli 1
Enever 1
Ernest 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Gerald 1
Isaac 1
Ivan 1
Jesley 1
Leonard 1
Martin 1
Nathan 1
Percy 1
Richd. 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Simon 1
Willie 1
Willoughby 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Warder surname: questions and answers

How common was the Warder surname in 1881?

In 1881, 446 people were recorded with the Warder surname. That placed it at #7,361 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Warder surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 322 in 2016. That gives Warder a modern rank of #14,033.

What does the Warder surname mean?

A guard or lookout, particularly for a prison or castle.

What does the Warder map show?

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