NameCensus.

UK surname

Wegner

An occupational surname for a carter or wagon driver, derived from the German word "Wagen" meaning "wagon" or "cart."

In the 1881 census there were 16 people recorded with the Wegner surname, ranking it #31,301 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 147, ranked #24,071, up from #31,301 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Northumberland, Oldham and Shepway.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wegner is 155 in 2012. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 818.8%.

1881 census count

16

Ranked #31,301

Modern count

147

2016, ranked #24,071

Peak year

2012

155 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wegner had 16 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,301 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 147 in 2016, ranked #24,071.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 25 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Wegner surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wegner surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wegner 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 5 #32,456
1861 historical 6 #33,230
1881 historical 16 #31,301
1891 historical 22 #32,449
1901 historical 25 #31,259
1911 historical 18 #31,542
1997 modern 96 #27,490
1998 modern 109 #26,273
1999 modern 104 #27,164
2000 modern 100 #27,695
2001 modern 101 #27,252
2002 modern 110 #26,412
2003 modern 99 #27,871
2004 modern 98 #28,297
2005 modern 101 #27,854
2006 modern 107 #27,179
2007 modern 112 #26,800
2008 modern 120 #25,922
2009 modern 134 #24,711
2010 modern 137 #24,907
2011 modern 148 #23,520
2012 modern 155 #22,762
2013 modern 148 #23,884
2014 modern 150 #23,864
2015 modern 146 #24,148
2016 modern 147 #24,071

Geography

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Where Wegners 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 Northumberland, Oldham, Shepway, Shropshire and Lerwick South. 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 Northumberland 012 Northumberland
2 Oldham 012 Oldham
3 Shepway 014 Shepway
4 Shropshire 025 Shropshire
5 Lerwick South Shetland Islands

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wegner

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wegner

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Wegner surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Wegner 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Wegner 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

Wegner is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Wegner 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 Wegner 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Wegner

The surname Wegner is of German origin, with its roots traced back to the Middle Ages in central Europe. It is believed to have derived from the German word "Weg," which means "way" or "path," suggesting that the name may have been initially attributed to those who lived near a prominent path or road.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Wegner can be found in the 14th century in the town of Wegner, located in present-day Poland. This town, which was once part of the German-speaking regions of Central Europe, likely served as the source of the surname for those who hailed from or lived in the area.

In the 15th century, the name appears in various historical records, including the Codex Diplomaticus Brandenburgensis, a collection of documents related to the history of Brandenburg, Germany. This suggests that the Wegner family had established a presence in this region during that period.

Notable individuals bearing the Wegner surname include Michael Wegner (1624-1701), a German composer and organist who served as the Kapellmeister at the court of Dresden. Another prominent figure was Johann Wegner (1773-1849), a German architect renowned for his work in the Neoclassical style, including the design of the Schauspielhaus Berlin theater.

In the realm of literature, the name Wegner is associated with the German author and critic Georg Philipp Wegner (1801-1875), who wrote extensively on the works of Goethe and Schiller. Additionally, the 19th century saw the rise of Wilhelm Wegner (1826-1903), a German industrialist and founder of the Wegner & Co. engineering firm, which played a significant role in the development of Germany's manufacturing sector.

Crossing into the 20th century, one notable bearer of the Wegner surname was the renowned German furniture designer and architect Hans Wegner (1914-2007), whose iconic chair designs, such as the Wishbone Chair and the Shell Chair, are celebrated worldwide for their innovative and functional designs.

These examples highlight the rich history and diverse accomplishments associated with the surname Wegner, which has left an indelible mark across various fields, from music and architecture to literature and design, throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wegner families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wegner 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 8 Wegners recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.32x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 8 4.32x
Middlesex 6 3.85x
Essex 1 3.25x
Midlothian 1 4.78x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kirkdale in Lancashire leads with 8 Wegners recorded in 1881 and an index of 257.23x.

Place Total Index
Kirkdale 8 257.23x
Hackney London 4 45.71x
Hammersmith London 1 26.04x
Islington London 1 6.61x
Leith North 1 2500.00x
Saffron Walden 1 303.03x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Anna 1
Clara 1
Constance 1
Ehristine 1
Eliza 1
Eloise 1
Elsie 1
Susanna 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Herman 2
Frederick 1
Hermann 1
Joseph 1
Sranjok 1
Wilhelm 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 Wegner households.

FAQ

Wegner surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wegner surname in 1881?

In 1881, 16 people were recorded with the Wegner surname. That placed it at #31,301 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wegner surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 147 in 2016. That gives Wegner a modern rank of #24,071.

What does the Wegner surname mean?

An occupational surname for a carter or wagon driver, derived from the German word "Wagen" meaning "wagon" or "cart."

What does the Wegner map show?

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