NameCensus.

UK surname

Was

Of English origin, an occupational surname for a person who maintained wayside lodgings.

In the 1881 census there were 6 people recorded with the Was surname, ranking it #32,926 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 119, ranked #27,704, up from #32,926 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Nottingham, Moffat and Hillingdon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Was is 119 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1883.3%.

1881 census count

6

Ranked #32,926

Modern count

119

2016, ranked #27,704

Peak year

2016

119 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Was had 6 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,926 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 119 in 2016, ranked #27,704.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 6 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Was surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Was surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Was 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 4 #32,658
1881 historical 6 #32,926
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1997 modern 26 #35,135
1998 modern 21 #35,788
1999 modern 24 #35,514
2000 modern 21 #35,799
2001 modern 20 #35,754
2002 modern 21 #35,798
2003 modern 21 #35,825
2004 modern 24 #35,697
2005 modern 29 #35,431
2006 modern 49 #34,152
2007 modern 49 #34,422
2008 modern 54 #34,232
2009 modern 58 #34,144
2010 modern 68 #33,632
2011 modern 72 #33,323
2012 modern 94 #31,258
2013 modern 99 #30,934
2014 modern 106 #30,030
2015 modern 113 #28,645
2016 modern 119 #27,704

Geography

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Where Was' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Nottingham, Moffat, Hillingdon, Greenwich and Poole. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Nottingham 029 Nottingham
2 Moffat Dumfries and Galloway
3 Hillingdon 025 Hillingdon
4 Greenwich 006 Greenwich
5 Poole 015 Poole

Forenames

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First names often paired with Was

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Was

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Was surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Was household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Was is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Was is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Was 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 Was is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Was, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Was

The surname "Was" is believed to have originated in Germany, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is thought to be derived from the Old High German word "wahs," meaning "growth" or "increase." This name may have been initially given to families living in an area known for its fertile land or thriving crops.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "Was" can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus, a collection of historical documents from the 8th to the 13th century. In this collection, there is a reference to a person named "Wasso" in the year 1090, which is likely an early variation of the surname.

During the 13th century, the name "Was" appeared in various medieval records, including the Urkundenbuch der Stadt Basel, a compilation of records from the city of Basel, Switzerland. This suggests that the name may have been present in this region during that time period.

In the 15th century, a notable figure with the surname "Was" was Johannes Was, a German theologian and philosopher born in 1420. He was known for his contributions to the development of scholastic philosophy and his works on metaphysics.

Another prominent individual with this surname was Wilhelm Was, a German painter and engraver who lived from 1548 to 1621. He was renowned for his religious artworks and his contributions to the development of the Northern Renaissance art style.

In the 18th century, the surname "Was" appeared in the records of the town of Wittenberg, Germany, where a family of that name resided. This included Johann Christoph Was, a Lutheran minister born in 1712, who served as a pastor in the local church.

Moving into the 19th century, a notable figure with the surname "Was" was Karl Was, a German politician and lawyer born in 1824. He played an active role in the German Revolutions of 1848-1849 and advocated for democratic reforms in his country.

Throughout history, the surname "Was" has been found in various regions of Germany, as well as in neighboring countries like Switzerland and Austria, where it likely spread due to migration and cultural exchange. While its origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages, the name has persisted and evolved over the centuries, becoming a part of the rich tapestry of German heritage and genealogy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Was families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Was 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. Durham leads with 1 Was' recorded in 1881 and an index of 34.84x.

County Total Index
Durham 1 34.84x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Framwellgate in Durham leads with 1 Was' recorded in 1881 and an index of 5000.00x.

Place Total Index
Framwellgate 1 5000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Was households.

Occupation Count
Servant (General) 1

FAQ

Was surname: questions and answers

How common was the Was surname in 1881?

In 1881, 6 people were recorded with the Was surname. That placed it at #32,926 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Was surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 119 in 2016. That gives Was a modern rank of #27,704.

What does the Was surname mean?

Of English origin, an occupational surname for a person who maintained wayside lodgings.

What does the Was map show?

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