NameCensus.

UK surname

Wearing

A habitational surname derived from places called "Wear" or "Waring" in England.

In the 1881 census there were 915 people recorded with the Wearing surname, ranking it #4,192 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,055, ranked #5,529, down from #4,192 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lancaster Borough, Wednesbury and Enstone. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Barrow-in-Furness, Lancaster and Copeland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wearing is 1,213 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 15.3%.

1881 census count

915

Ranked #4,192

Modern count

1,055

2016, ranked #5,529

Peak year

1999

1,213 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wearing had 915 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,192 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,055 in 2016, ranked #5,529.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,126 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Wearing surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wearing surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wearing 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 586 #4,364
1861 historical 545 #4,820
1881 historical 915 #4,192
1891 historical 1,006 #4,124
1901 historical 1,091 #4,426
1911 historical 1,126 #4,131
1997 modern 1,098 #5,079
1998 modern 1,194 #4,905
1999 modern 1,213 #4,886
2000 modern 1,167 #5,019
2001 modern 1,139 #5,031
2002 modern 1,149 #5,094
2003 modern 1,096 #5,197
2004 modern 1,091 #5,222
2005 modern 1,058 #5,300
2006 modern 1,069 #5,248
2007 modern 1,069 #5,304
2008 modern 1,070 #5,329
2009 modern 1,108 #5,296
2010 modern 1,125 #5,332
2011 modern 1,133 #5,241
2012 modern 1,097 #5,303
2013 modern 1,108 #5,338
2014 modern 1,096 #5,411
2015 modern 1,064 #5,514
2016 modern 1,055 #5,529

Geography

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Where Wearings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lancaster Borough, Wednesbury, Enstone, West Derby and Preston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Barrow-in-Furness, Lancaster, Copeland and South Lakeland. 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 Lancaster Borough Lancashire
2 Wednesbury Staffordshire
3 Enstone Oxfordshire
4 West Derby Lancashire
5 Preston Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Barrow-in-Furness 002 Barrow-in-Furness
2 Lancaster 018 Lancaster
3 Barrow-in-Furness 008 Barrow-in-Furness
4 Copeland 008 Copeland
5 South Lakeland 013 South Lakeland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wearing

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wearing

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Wearing is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Wearing 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

Wearing falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Wearing

The surname WEARING is of English origin, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "wer," which meant "to clothe" or "to wear." The name likely originated as an occupational surname, referring to those who worked as weavers or tailors, crafting clothing and textiles.

In the early days, the name was sometimes spelled as "Wering" or "Werring," reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling that were common in those times. It is believed that the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landowners and tenants commissioned by William the Conqueror.

One notable historical figure bearing the WEARING surname was Sir Thomas Wearing, a knight and landowner who lived in the 14th century. He was mentioned in several records from that era, including the Court Rolls of Warwickshire, where his estate was located.

Another prominent individual was John Wearing, a merchant and alderman in the city of London during the 16th century. He was involved in the wool trade and played a significant role in the city's affairs, serving as a member of the Court of Aldermen.

In the 17th century, William Wearing was a respected scholar and theologian who authored several influential works on religious doctrine and biblical interpretation. He served as a rector in the Church of England and was widely recognized for his erudition.

During the 18th century, the name gained further prominence with the birth of Elizabeth Wearing, a renowned novelist and poet. Her works were widely acclaimed for their vivid descriptions and insightful commentary on the social issues of her time.

In the 19th century, Charles Wearing was a distinguished architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the iconic Wearing House, which still stands today as a testament to his skill and vision.

Throughout its history, the WEARING surname has been associated with various professions and achievements, from landowners and merchants to scholars and artists. While its origins can be traced back to the medieval era, the name has endured and continues to be carried by individuals across the English-speaking world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wearing families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wearing 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 372 Wearings recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.51x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 372 3.51x
Staffordshire 68 2.25x
Oxfordshire 62 11.24x
Middlesex 59 0.66x
Westmorland 49 24.95x
Gloucestershire 48 2.74x
Yorkshire 38 0.43x
Warwickshire 24 1.07x
Cornwall 22 2.17x
Cumberland 22 2.86x
Cheshire 15 0.76x
Devon 15 0.81x
Surrey 15 0.34x
Hertfordshire 13 2.11x
Berkshire 12 1.79x
Northamptonshire 12 1.43x
Leicestershire 9 0.91x
Wiltshire 8 1.01x
Nottinghamshire 7 0.58x
Suffolk 7 0.64x
Northumberland 5 0.38x
Worcestershire 5 0.43x
Clackmannanshire 4 5.42x
Kent 4 0.13x
Monmouthshire 4 0.62x
Durham 3 0.11x
Glamorgan 3 0.19x
Hampshire 2 0.11x
Lanarkshire 2 0.07x
Sussex 2 0.13x
Essex 1 0.06x
Midlothian 1 0.08x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.35x
Royal Navy 1 0.94x
Somerset 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lancaster in Lancashire leads with 35 Wearings recorded in 1881 and an index of 55.48x.

Place Total Index
Lancaster 35 55.48x
Enstone 30 887.57x
Wednesbury 29 38.47x
Ulverston 25 80.96x
Preston 24 8.46x
West Bromwich 24 13.90x
Everton 21 6.21x
Kirkby Lonsdale 17 320.15x
West Derby 17 5.48x
Little Bolton 15 11.00x
Liverpool 15 2.33x
Islington London 14 1.62x
Stoke Climsland 14 216.72x
Dalton In Furness 13 31.76x
Over Darwen 13 15.35x
Shifford 13 6190.48x
Bethnal Green London 12 3.09x
Ellel 12 219.38x
Toxteth Park 12 3.34x
Upper Holker 12 480.00x
Birkenhead 11 7.00x
Garsdale 10 543.48x
Levens 10 346.02x
Sarratt 10 467.29x
Aldingham 9 254.24x
Besselsleigh 9 2812.50x
Lower Allithwaite 9 354.33x
Mile End Old Town 9 6.38x
Millom 9 38.17x
Limehouse London 8 8.16x
Standlake 8 368.66x
Whittington 8 1159.42x
Bibury 7 331.75x
Cheetham 7 8.85x
Clayton Le Moors 7 34.03x
Colton 7 126.58x
Kendal 7 19.47x
Kirkby Ireleth 7 132.33x
Kirkley 7 76.84x
Oddington 7 454.55x
Southwark Christchurch 7 16.72x
Stoke Damerel 7 5.38x
Swindon 7 11.42x
Ambleside 6 98.52x
Ardwick 6 6.27x
Aston 6 0.97x
Barrow In Furness 6 4.16x
Battersea 6 1.82x
Bothamsall 6 740.74x
Clint 6 500.00x
Habergham Eaves 6 6.19x
Livesey 6 32.24x
North Kilworth 6 437.96x
North Leigh 6 298.51x
Skerton 6 68.97x
Staveley 6 483.87x
Woodford Cum Membris 6 333.33x
Yealand Conyers 6 631.58x
Bentham 5 74.07x
Birmingham 5 0.67x
Claife 5 295.86x
Ingleton 5 100.40x
Little Crosby 5 292.40x
North Meols 5 4.82x
Rochester 5 476.19x
Skelton 5 225.23x
Wednesfield 5 11.26x
Weedon Beck 5 83.06x
Wetheral 5 49.07x
Whittington 5 471.70x
Winson 5 1000.00x
Chilvers Coton 4 43.15x
Colesbourne 4 459.77x
Dollar 4 52.29x
Hackney London 4 0.80x
Preston Richard 4 222.22x
St Just In Penwith 4 20.38x
Walton Le Dale 4 14.04x
Westbury On Trym 4 6.74x
Wolstanton 4 4.37x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 80
John 63
James 35
Thomas 35
George 27
Henry 25
Richard 23
Robert 22
Joseph 16
Charles 12
Frederick 8
Albert 6
Arthur 6
Edwin 5
Samuel 5
Alfred 4
Walter 4
David 3
Elijah 3
Ernest 3
Harry 3
Herbert 3
Edward 2
Fred 2
Geo. 2
Leonard 2
Lewis 2
Mark 2
Nathaniel 2
Nelson 2
Peter 2
Stanley 2
Stephen 2
Archie 1
Aubrey 1
Chas.Fredk. 1
Christopher 1
Dennis 1
Earnest 1
Elija 1
Francis 1
Fredrick 1
Goerge 1
Joe 1
Joshua 1
Margaret 1
Moses 1
Owen 1
Paul 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Wearing surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wearing surname in 1881?

In 1881, 915 people were recorded with the Wearing surname. That placed it at #4,192 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wearing surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,055 in 2016. That gives Wearing a modern rank of #5,529.

What does the Wearing surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from places called "Wear" or "Waring" in England.

What does the Wearing map show?

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