NameCensus.

UK surname

Wearne

An English surname derived from toponymic origins, possibly related to a place name.

In the 1881 census there were 373 people recorded with the Wearne surname, ranking it #8,380 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 360, ranked #12,867, down from #8,380 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Phillack, Wendron and Camborne. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wearne is 468 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 3.5%.

1881 census count

373

Ranked #8,380

Modern count

360

2016, ranked #12,867

Peak year

1911

468 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wearne had 373 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,380 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 360 in 2016, ranked #12,867.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 468 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Wearne surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wearne surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wearne 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 367 #6,469
1861 historical 299 #8,460
1881 historical 373 #8,380
1891 historical 424 #8,446
1901 historical 434 #8,940
1911 historical 468 #8,247
1997 modern 363 #11,849
1998 modern 382 #11,779
1999 modern 385 #11,771
2000 modern 390 #11,623
2001 modern 387 #11,484
2002 modern 390 #11,646
2003 modern 374 #11,828
2004 modern 379 #11,740
2005 modern 372 #11,813
2006 modern 353 #12,363
2007 modern 345 #12,714
2008 modern 352 #12,631
2009 modern 369 #12,447
2010 modern 363 #12,878
2011 modern 347 #13,167
2012 modern 345 #13,093
2013 modern 355 #13,045
2014 modern 359 #13,025
2015 modern 353 #13,086
2016 modern 360 #12,867

Geography

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Where Wearnes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Phillack, Wendron, Camborne, St Just and St Ives. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall. 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 Phillack Cornwall
2 Wendron Cornwall
3 Camborne Cornwall
4 St Just Cornwall
5 St Ives Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 059 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 014 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 071 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 042 Cornwall
5 Cornwall 072 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wearne

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wearne

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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, Wearne 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

Wearne is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Wearne falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Wearne

The surname WEARNE is believed to have originated in Cornwall, England in the medieval era. It is derived from the Old English word "wearn," meaning a defensive enclosure or fortified place. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near or was associated with a fortified settlement or stronghold.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name WEARNE can be found in the Cornish Subsidy Rolls of 1327, where it appears as "Warne." This document, which recorded taxes paid by residents, provides evidence of the name's existence and its regional concentration in Cornwall during the 14th century.

The WEARNE surname is also mentioned in the Cornish Lay Subsidy of 1524-1525, further solidifying its long-standing presence in the region. During this time, the name was occasionally spelled as "Warne" or "Waryn," reflecting the variations in spelling that were common before standardization.

One notable bearer of the WEARNE surname was John Wearne, a 17th-century English clergyman who served as the Rector of St. Anthony in Meneage, Cornwall, from 1628 until his death in 1653. This historical figure exemplifies the early presence of the name in the Cornish clergy.

Another individual of note was William Wearne (1616-1672), a renowned English mathematician and astronomer. Born in Stratton, Cornwall, Wearne made significant contributions to the field of mathematics and is particularly remembered for his work on logarithms and trigonometry.

In the 18th century, the WEARNE surname gained recognition through the achievements of John Wearne (1736-1808), a Cornish engineer and inventor. He is credited with designing and constructing several notable projects, including the Charlestown Leat, a remarkable aqueduct system that supplied water to the Cornish mining industry.

Moving into the 19th century, Thomas Wearne (1811-1884) was a prominent figure in the Cornish mining industry. He served as the manager of several mines, including the iconic Dolcoath Mine, and played a crucial role in the development of mining techniques and technologies.

Throughout its history, the WEARNE surname has maintained a strong connection to its Cornish roots, with many bearers of the name hailing from or tracing their ancestry back to this region in southwestern England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wearne families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wearne 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. Cornwall leads with 288 Wearnes recorded in 1881 and an index of 69.91x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 288 69.91x
Hampshire 35 4.69x
Middlesex 10 0.27x
Surrey 8 0.45x
Cheshire 6 0.75x
Cumberland 4 1.28x
Glamorgan 3 0.47x
Somerset 3 0.51x
Yorkshire 3 0.08x
Devon 2 0.26x
Essex 2 0.28x
Midlothian 2 0.41x
Staffordshire 2 0.16x
Angus 1 0.30x
Dorset 1 0.42x
Gloucestershire 1 0.14x
Lancashire 1 0.02x
Lincolnshire 1 0.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wendron in Cornwall leads with 47 Wearnes recorded in 1881 and an index of 821.68x.

Place Total Index
Wendron 47 821.68x
Phillack 42 789.47x
Helston 31 724.30x
St Just In Penwith 27 337.92x
St Ives 22 272.95x
Illogan 19 174.15x
Sway 15 1500.00x
Milford 13 596.33x
Camborne 11 64.82x
St Erth 11 440.00x
Redruth 10 85.84x
Sithney 9 216.35x
Paul 8 106.95x
Truro St Mary 8 231.21x
Kensington London 7 3.46x
Madron Penzance 7 46.73x
Towednack 7 864.20x
Monks Coppenhall 6 19.80x
Battersea 4 2.99x
Millom 4 41.67x
Northwood 4 37.66x
Ruan Minor 4 1111.11x
St Buryan 4 235.29x
Bedminster 3 5.45x
Budock 3 96.77x
Gwennap 3 38.61x
Ruan Lanihorne 3 731.71x
St John Near Swansea 3 38.31x
Breage 2 53.19x
Constantine 2 83.33x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 2 1.02x
Hackney London 2 0.98x
Handsworth 2 6.61x
Lambeth 2 0.63x
Newington 2 1.49x
St Hilary Marazion 2 178.57x
Walton Le Soken 2 116.96x
Whorlton 2 235.29x
Grade 1 277.78x
Leeds 1 0.49x
Liskeard 1 14.51x
Madron 1 30.03x
Montrose 1 4.89x
Newport 1 24.69x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 1.71x
Portland 1 7.79x
Ryde 1 6.24x
St Anthony In Meneage 1 370.37x
St Faith Winchester 1 28.74x
St Hilary 1 83.33x
St Keverne 1 44.05x
St Pancras London 1 0.34x
Stamford St Michael 1 60.61x
Stoke Damerel 1 1.89x
Tottington Higher End 1 20.37x
Westbury On Trym 1 4.14x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 37
Elizabeth 21
Ann 10
Catherine 9
Eliza 9
Jane 8
Emily 6
Margaret 6
Grace 5
Martha 5
Annie 4
Edith 4
Ellen 4
Caroline 3
Lavinia 3
Minnie 3
Susan 3
Bathsheba 2
Elizth. 2
Emma 2
Harriett 2
Kate 2
Louisa 2
Matilda 2
Aliza 1
Amy 1
Beatrice 1
Bertha 1
Bessie 1
Charlotte 1
Elisabeth 1
Elizebth 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Eveline 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Harriet 1
Janie 1
Johanna 1
Juliana 1
Katie 1
Levinia 1
Lillie 1
Lilly 1
Loveday 1
Lucy 1
Lydia 1
Margery 1
Wilmot 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 20
Richard 18
William 18
James 17
Thomas 14
George 12
Joseph 11
Daniel 8
Charles 7
Edwin 3
Frederick 3
Harry 3
Robert 3
Arthur 2
Benjamine 2
Henry 2
Nicholas 2
Samuel 2
Walter 2
Edward 1
Edwyn 1
Eli 1
Ellen 1
Emerson 1
Emilo 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Hammon 1
Hy.Combellack 1
J. 1
Jabez 1
Jas. 1
Jonathan 1
Josiah 1
Lewis 1
Naboth 1
Peter 1
Rd.H. 1
Richd. 1
Roger 1
Stephen 1
Timothy 1
Triggs 1
Willm. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Wearne surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wearne surname in 1881?

In 1881, 373 people were recorded with the Wearne surname. That placed it at #8,380 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wearne surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 360 in 2016. That gives Wearne a modern rank of #12,867.

What does the Wearne surname mean?

An English surname derived from toponymic origins, possibly related to a place name.

What does the Wearne map show?

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