NameCensus.

UK surname

Wedgwood

A surname denoting an individual from a place called Wedgwood.

In the 1881 census there were 279 people recorded with the Wedgwood surname, ranking it #10,230 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 594, ranked #8,788, up from #10,230 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolstanton, Burslem and West Derby. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Stoke-on-Trent, Redcar and Cleveland and Wakefield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wedgwood is 614 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 112.9%.

1881 census count

279

Ranked #10,230

Modern count

594

2016, ranked #8,788

Peak year

2010

614 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wedgwood had 279 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,230 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 594 in 2016, ranked #8,788.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 604 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Wedgwood surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wedgwood surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wedgwood 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 228 #9,418
1861 historical 227 #10,749
1881 historical 279 #10,230
1891 historical 418 #8,561
1901 historical 456 #8,624
1911 historical 604 #6,806
1997 modern 474 #9,693
1998 modern 593 #8,464
1999 modern 607 #8,379
2000 modern 593 #8,486
2001 modern 573 #8,552
2002 modern 593 #8,527
2003 modern 562 #8,700
2004 modern 568 #8,661
2005 modern 567 #8,608
2006 modern 579 #8,509
2007 modern 567 #8,703
2008 modern 562 #8,812
2009 modern 571 #8,911
2010 modern 614 #8,638
2011 modern 612 #8,546
2012 modern 581 #8,804
2013 modern 584 #8,911
2014 modern 591 #8,913
2015 modern 589 #8,850
2016 modern 594 #8,788

Geography

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Where Wedgwoods are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolstanton, Burslem, West Derby, St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles and Skelton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Stoke-on-Trent, Redcar and Cleveland, Wakefield, Allerdale and Stockton-on-Tees. 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 Wolstanton Staffordshire
2 Burslem Staffordshire
3 West Derby Lancashire
4 St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles Yorkshire, East Riding
5 Skelton Yorkshire, North Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Stoke-on-Trent 030 Stoke-on-Trent
2 Redcar and Cleveland 016 Redcar and Cleveland
3 Wakefield 009 Wakefield
4 Allerdale 005 Allerdale
5 Stockton-on-Tees 003 Stockton-on-Tees

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wedgwood

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wedgwood

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

Wedgwood 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

Wedgwood falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Wedgwood

The surname Wedgwood is of English origin and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English words "wedg" meaning "wedge" and "wudu" meaning "wood", suggesting that it may have originally referred to someone who lived near a wedge-shaped piece of woodland or perhaps worked as a woodcutter or forester.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Wedgwood appear in various medieval documents and charters from the county of Staffordshire, England. For example, a Thomas de Wedgewood is mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1286. This suggests that the name likely originated in this region and may have been associated with a specific place or location.

Over time, variations in spelling emerged, such as Wedgewode, Weggewode, and Weggewood. These variations often reflected regional dialects and the personal preferences of record keepers and scribes. It is also possible that the name was influenced by the Old English words "weg" meaning "way" or "path" and "wudu" meaning "wood", which could suggest a connection to someone living near a wooded path or road.

One of the most notable individuals to bear the surname Wedgwood was Josiah Wedgwood (1730-1795), the renowned English potter and entrepreneur who pioneered many innovative techniques and founded the world-famous Wedgwood pottery company. His contributions to the industry and his dedication to quality and design helped establish the Wedgwood name as a symbol of excellence in ceramics.

Other historical figures with the surname Wedgwood include Ralph Wedgwood (1766-1837), a British politician and Member of Parliament; Hensleigh Wedgwood (1803-1891), a philologist and scholar; Josiah Wedgwood II (1769-1843), a potter and industrialist who succeeded his father in running the family business; and Julia Wedgwood (1833-1913), an English writer and activist.

While the Wedgwood surname has ancient roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through emigration and marriage. However, its enduring connections to Staffordshire and the pottery industry have cemented its place in British history and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wedgwood families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wedgwood 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. Staffordshire leads with 132 Wedgwoods recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.37x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 132 14.37x
Yorkshire 32 1.19x
Cumberland 24 10.24x
Lancashire 20 0.62x
Surrey 20 1.51x
Middlesex 18 0.66x
Gloucestershire 11 2.06x
Cheshire 6 1.00x
Durham 4 0.49x
Kent 4 0.43x
Sussex 4 0.87x
Flintshire 3 4.10x
Hampshire 1 0.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Burslem in Staffordshire leads with 61 Wedgwoods recorded in 1881 and an index of 231.76x.

Place Total Index
Burslem 61 231.76x
Stoke Upon Trent 36 36.95x
Ellenborough Ewanrigg 16 987.65x
Barlaston 15 1948.05x
Everton 8 7.77x
Seaton 8 293.04x
Skelton In Guisbrough 8 109.59x
Richmond 7 37.67x
Camberwell 6 3.45x
Kensington London 6 3.97x
Uttoxeter 6 127.66x
Wolstanton 6 21.51x
Chester St Bridget 5 485.44x
Pendleton In Salford 5 12.99x
Sculcoates 5 11.69x
Billingham 4 287.77x
Dumbleton 4 975.61x
Egton 4 338.98x
Hackney London 4 2.62x
Seaford 4 256.41x
Shoreditch London 4 3.39x
Barnes 3 53.48x
Bredgar 3 526.32x
Charlton Kings 3 81.30x
Cheltenham 3 7.29x
East Horsley 3 1111.11x
Haydock 3 53.96x
Huntington 3 545.45x
Middlesbrough 3 8.54x
Rhuddlan 3 46.58x
St Marylebone London 3 2.06x
Bickerton 2 1538.46x
Caverswall 2 41.84x
Grewelthorpe 2 416.67x
Lancaster 2 10.41x
Ashton In Makerfield 1 10.87x
Balby Cum Hexthorpe 1 31.06x
Christchurch 1 8.26x
Clifton 1 3.71x
Glaisdale 1 97.09x
Handsworth 1 4.42x
Islington London 1 0.38x
Leeds 1 0.66x
Minster In Sheppey 1 6.50x
Ossett Cum Gawthorpe 1 10.38x
Poulton Cum Seacombe 1 14.47x
Ruswarp 1 33.33x
Smallthorne 1 29.33x
Stafford St Mary 1 7.69x
Wednesbury 1 4.36x
Whittington 1 53.19x
Wigan 1 2.22x
Wolverhampton 1 1.42x
Wotton 1 156.25x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 20
John 14
Joseph 11
Thomas 8
James 5
Josiah 4
Aaron 3
Alfred 3
Aron 3
Arthur 3
Francis 3
Frank 3
Henry 3
Wm. 3
Charles 2
Chas. 2
Clement 2
Edward 2
Hamlet 2
Harry 2
Herbert 2
Rowland 2
Timothy 2
Albert 1
Benjamin 1
Cecil 1
Earnest 1
Ebenezer 1
Edmund 1
Enoch 1
Ernest 1
Frederick 1
Fredrick 1
George 1
Gilbert 1
Godfrey 1
Hensleigh 1
I.Percy 1
Isaac 1
Jas. 1
Josephiah 1
Joshu 1
Kennard 1
Lawrence 1
Marsh 1
Percy 1
Ralph 1
Samuel 1
Sarah 1
Smith 1

FAQ

Wedgwood surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wedgwood surname in 1881?

In 1881, 279 people were recorded with the Wedgwood surname. That placed it at #10,230 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wedgwood surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 594 in 2016. That gives Wedgwood a modern rank of #8,788.

What does the Wedgwood surname mean?

A surname denoting an individual from a place called Wedgwood.

What does the Wedgwood map show?

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