NameCensus.

UK surname

Waterworth

An English surname derived from a place name meaning "dwelling near a body of water".

In the 1881 census there were 1,314 people recorded with the Waterworth surname, ranking it #3,121 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,612, ranked #3,863, down from #3,121 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Barnoldswick, Leigh and Guiseley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wigan, South Staffordshire and West Lancashire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Waterworth is 1,941 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 22.7%.

1881 census count

1,314

Ranked #3,121

Modern count

1,612

2016, ranked #3,863

Peak year

1911

1,941 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Waterworth had 1,314 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,121 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,612 in 2016, ranked #3,863.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,941 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Waterworth surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Waterworth surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Waterworth 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 825 #3,273
1861 historical 833 #3,311
1881 historical 1,314 #3,121
1891 historical 1,468 #2,996
1901 historical 1,688 #3,057
1911 historical 1,941 #2,561
1997 modern 1,712 #3,482
1998 modern 1,724 #3,592
1999 modern 1,802 #3,471
2000 modern 1,782 #3,490
2001 modern 1,736 #3,502
2002 modern 1,751 #3,559
2003 modern 1,684 #3,607
2004 modern 1,669 #3,637
2005 modern 1,642 #3,653
2006 modern 1,645 #3,650
2007 modern 1,653 #3,662
2008 modern 1,665 #3,664
2009 modern 1,710 #3,650
2010 modern 1,730 #3,689
2011 modern 1,663 #3,788
2012 modern 1,607 #3,834
2013 modern 1,632 #3,854
2014 modern 1,633 #3,872
2015 modern 1,628 #3,840
2016 modern 1,612 #3,863

Geography

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Where Waterworths are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Barnoldswick, Leigh, Guiseley, Whalley and Prescot. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wigan, South Staffordshire and West Lancashire. 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 Barnoldswick Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Leigh Lancashire
3 Guiseley Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Whalley Lancashire
5 Prescot Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wigan 031 Wigan
2 South Staffordshire 012 South Staffordshire
3 West Lancashire 005 West Lancashire
4 Wigan 040 Wigan
5 Wigan 038 Wigan

Forenames

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First names often paired with Waterworth

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Waterworth

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Waterworth is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Waterworth is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Waterworth 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 Waterworth 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Waterworth

The surname Waterworth is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the medieval era. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, referring to individuals who hailed from a place where water was a significant feature, such as a river, stream, or lake.

The name Waterworth is a combination of two Old English words: "wæter," meaning water, and "worth," which translates to an enclosed homestead or settlement. This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname likely resided in a settlement situated near a body of water.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Waterworth can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire, dated 1175. These ancient records document a person named Robert de Waterwrth, indicating the name's existence in the 12th century.

During the 13th century, the name appeared in various spellings, including Waterwrth, Waterwurth, and Waterwryth, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling practices of the time. These variations were common in medieval England, as standardized spellings had yet to be established.

Notable individuals bearing the Waterworth surname throughout history include Sir John Waterworth (1580-1659), an English merchant and politician who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1648. Another prominent figure was Sir Edward Waterworth (1640-1712), a successful businessman and landowner in Lancashire, England.

In the 18th century, John Waterworth (1730-1805) gained recognition as a renowned English composer and organist, known for his contributions to sacred music. His compositions were widely performed in churches across England during his lifetime.

Moving into the 19th century, Mary Waterworth (1820-1892) made a name for herself as a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights. She established one of the first schools for girls in Manchester, England, and campaigned for equal educational opportunities for women.

Finally, in the 20th century, David Waterworth (1916-2001) achieved prominence as a British diplomat and served as the Ambassador to Spain from 1974 to 1978, playing a crucial role in strengthening diplomatic ties between the two nations.

While the surname Waterworth may have evolved over time, its origins can be traced back to the medieval period, reflecting the close connection between the early bearers of this name and the natural elements of water and settlement.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Waterworth families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Waterworth 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. Lancashire leads with 619 Waterworths recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.11x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 619 4.11x
Yorkshire 508 4.04x
Cheshire 47 1.68x
Surrey 19 0.31x
Middlesex 18 0.14x
Essex 15 0.60x
Hampshire 11 0.42x
Durham 10 0.26x
Bedfordshire 9 1.37x
Staffordshire 7 0.16x
Cornwall 5 0.35x
Derbyshire 5 0.25x
Kent 4 0.09x
Northumberland 4 0.21x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.23x
Suffolk 4 0.26x
Devon 3 0.11x
Caernarfonshire 2 0.39x
Hertfordshire 2 0.23x
Sussex 2 0.09x
Flintshire 1 0.29x
Midlothian 1 0.06x
Royal Navy 1 0.66x
Sutherland 1 1.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Habergham Eaves in Lancashire leads with 96 Waterworths recorded in 1881 and an index of 69.69x.

Place Total Index
Habergham Eaves 96 69.69x
Barnoldswick 67 381.33x
Golborne 40 203.67x
Runcorn 37 57.24x
Leeds 36 5.07x
Yeadon 36 126.67x
Accrington 32 23.35x
Eccleston In Prescot 29 38.33x
Huddersfield 26 14.18x
Bradford 25 8.21x
Great Little Marsden 24 34.76x
Worsley 24 25.83x
Keighley 23 17.15x
Wigan 23 10.92x
Horton In Bradford 22 11.19x
Upholland 22 113.93x
Preston 19 4.71x
Abram 18 155.71x
Burnley 17 13.39x
Lowton 17 165.85x
Eccleshill 16 52.24x
Haydock 16 61.61x
Bingley 15 18.71x
Thornton In Craven 14 138.61x
West Ardsley 13 85.81x
Wortley In Bramley 13 13.04x
Newton In Makerfield 12 26.00x
Westleigh 12 35.07x
Dewsbury 10 7.75x
Guiseley 10 62.03x
York Holy Trinity Kings 10 386.10x
Cowdens Ambo 9 1730.77x
Luton 9 7.91x
Ashton In Makerfield 8 18.64x
Blackburn 8 2.00x
Colne 8 17.82x
Darcy Lever 8 92.17x
Harpurhey 8 38.24x
Newport 8 56.66x
Rivington 8 555.56x
St Pancras London 8 0.78x
Westhoughton 8 19.89x
Windle 8 9.43x
Almondbury 7 11.50x
Barton Upon Irwell 7 6.17x
Batley 7 5.85x
Hulme 7 2.22x
Lancaster 7 7.81x
Newcastle Under Lyme 7 9.23x
Pickering Marishes 7 507.25x
Rishton 7 39.59x
Slaidburn 7 324.07x
West Derby 7 1.59x
West Ham 7 1.26x
York St Maurice 7 29.54x
Barnsley 6 4.62x
Bury 6 3.49x
Easington In Clitheroe 6 461.54x
Gate Fulford 6 20.42x
Hemsworth 6 82.99x
Layer Breton 6 472.44x
Lytham 6 26.08x
Manchester 6 0.89x
Mile End Old Town 6 2.99x
North Meols 6 4.07x
Pennington In Leigh 6 20.75x
Southwark St George Martyr 6 2.35x
York St Saviour 6 49.92x
Cheetham 5 4.45x
Clapham 5 3.15x
Farnley In Bramley 5 31.83x
Maker 5 37.65x
North Duffield 5 306.75x
Parr 5 9.27x
Ribby With Wray 5 287.36x
Toxteth Park 5 0.98x
Trawden 5 53.02x
Austhorpe 4 294.12x
Grindleton 4 147.60x
Tynemouth 4 3.95x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 108
Sarah 52
Elizabeth 47
Ellen 32
Jane 27
Alice 26
Margaret 23
Hannah 22
Ann 20
Martha 19
Annie 15
Isabella 12
Ada 11
Emma 11
Nancy 9
Emily 8
Agnes 7
Amelia 7
Catherine 7
Caroline 6
Edith 6
Eliza 6
Maria 5
Anne 4
Clara 4
Eliz. 4
Florence 4
Harriet 4
Rebecca 4
Amy 3
Elizth. 3
Esther 3
Frances 3
Kate 3
Lilian 3
Louisa 3
Polly 3
Rose 3
Ruth 3
Sophia 3
Susannah 3
Betsy 2
Betty 2
Charlotte 2
Christania 2
Eleanor 2
Helen 2
Maggie 2
Marian 2
Rachel 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 91
William 75
Thomas 62
James 52
George 35
Joseph 28
Richard 18
Henry 17
Robert 17
Alfred 16
Edward 13
Charles 12
Arthur 9
Harry 9
Samuel 8
Wm. 7
Edwin 6
Albert 5
Benjamin 5
Francis 5
Frank 5
Fred 5
Herbert 5
Ralph 5
Jonathan 4
Simon 4
Thos. 4
Andrew 3
Benj. 3
David 3
Ernest 3
Frederick 3
Hy. 3
Jeremiah 3
Jno. 3
Joe 3
Middleton 3
Tom 3
Abraham 2
Allen 2
Ashton 2
Daniel 2
Edmund 2
Eli 2
Hugh 2
Isaac 2
Jas. 2
Joshua 2
Robinson 2
Sam 2

FAQ

Waterworth surname: questions and answers

How common was the Waterworth surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,314 people were recorded with the Waterworth surname. That placed it at #3,121 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Waterworth surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,612 in 2016. That gives Waterworth a modern rank of #3,863.

What does the Waterworth surname mean?

An English surname derived from a place name meaning "dwelling near a body of water".

What does the Waterworth map show?

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