NameCensus.

UK surname

Welstead

A locational surname denoting someone from a place called Welstead.

In the 1881 census there were 238 people recorded with the Welstead surname, ranking it #11,476 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 215, ranked #18,670, down from #11,476 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wittenham, Long, Poole St James and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Norfolk, Daventry and Northumberland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Welstead is 276 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 9.7%.

1881 census count

238

Ranked #11,476

Modern count

215

2016, ranked #18,670

Peak year

1911

276 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Welstead had 238 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,476 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 215 in 2016, ranked #18,670.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 276 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Welstead surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Welstead surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Welstead 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 198 #10,483
1861 historical 151 #15,209
1881 historical 238 #11,476
1891 historical 252 #12,685
1901 historical 267 #12,587
1911 historical 276 #12,099
1997 modern 228 #16,211
1998 modern 257 #15,401
1999 modern 253 #15,667
2000 modern 243 #16,053
2001 modern 242 #15,832
2002 modern 240 #16,291
2003 modern 233 #16,394
2004 modern 222 #17,020
2005 modern 227 #16,730
2006 modern 215 #17,441
2007 modern 216 #17,575
2008 modern 216 #17,758
2009 modern 225 #17,631
2010 modern 217 #18,443
2011 modern 216 #18,321
2012 modern 219 #18,087
2013 modern 225 #18,027
2014 modern 229 #17,925
2015 modern 217 #18,542
2016 modern 215 #18,670

Geography

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Where Welsteads are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wittenham, Long, Poole St James, London parishes, Chelsfield, Orpington and Wareham Lady St Mary and Out Parish, Wareham St Martin, West Lulworth, East Stoke. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Norfolk, Daventry, Northumberland, Brent and Havant. 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 Wittenham, Long Berkshire
2 Poole St James Dorset
3 London parishes London 3
4 Chelsfield, Orpington Kent
5 Wareham Lady St Mary and Out Parish, Wareham St Martin, West Lulworth, East Stoke Dorset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Norfolk 011 South Norfolk
2 Daventry 003 Daventry
3 Northumberland 035 Northumberland
4 Brent 027 Brent
5 Havant 009 Havant

Forenames

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First names often paired with Welstead

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Welstead

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Welstead is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Welstead 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

Welstead falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Welstead

The surname Welstead is of English origin, deriving from the Old English words "well" and "stede," meaning "a place by a well or spring." It is believed to have originated in the county of Yorkshire, where it was first recorded in the 12th century.

The earliest known record of the name Welstead dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Welestede." This suggests that the name was already in use before the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Welstede" and "Wellestede," reflecting the variations in spelling common during that period. These variations were likely influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of scribes who recorded the name.

One notable historical figure bearing the surname Welstead was Sir John Welstead (c. 1450-1518), a wealthy merchant and alderman of the City of London during the reign of King Henry VIII. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1499.

Another prominent individual with this surname was Robert Welstead (1671-1735), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Master of University College, Oxford, from 1719 until his death.

In the 18th century, the name Welstead was associated with the village of Welstead in Norfolk, England. This place name is believed to be derived from the same Old English roots as the surname, further reinforcing the connection between the name and its geographical origins.

During the 19th century, William Welstead (1821-1898) was a notable English architect who designed several churches and public buildings in the Gothic Revival style. His works include St. Peter's Church in Bournemouth and the Town Hall in Ryde, Isle of Wight.

Another individual of note was Elizabeth Welstead (1832-1912), a British philanthropist and social reformer who advocated for the education and welfare of working-class children in London. She founded several schools and institutions aimed at improving the lives of underprivileged youth.

While the surname Welstead is not among the most common in England, it has a rich history dating back to the Norman era and has been associated with various notable figures throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Welstead families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Welstead 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. Dorset leads with 62 Welsteads recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.86x.

County Total Index
Dorset 62 40.86x
Kent 30 3.80x
Berkshire 28 16.14x
Hampshire 28 5.91x
Middlesex 24 1.04x
Surrey 12 1.07x
Sussex 9 2.31x
Essex 8 1.75x
Somerset 8 2.15x
Gloucestershire 6 1.32x
Huntingdonshire 6 13.07x
Monmouthshire 6 3.59x
Wiltshire 6 2.93x
Lancashire 2 0.07x
Warwickshire 2 0.34x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Long Wittenham in Berkshire leads with 18 Welsteads recorded in 1881 and an index of 4090.91x.

Place Total Index
Long Wittenham 18 4090.91x
Canford Magna 11 1250.00x
Orpington 10 413.22x
Botley 9 1058.82x
Reading St Giles 9 52.88x
Braintree 8 195.12x
Stinsford 8 2962.96x
Wareham St Martin 8 1379.31x
Holdenhurst 7 56.32x
Walcot 7 35.32x
Kemsing 6 1714.29x
Kimbolton 6 618.56x
Lewisham 6 14.27x
Newport 6 75.28x
Stourpaine 6 1333.33x
Willesden 6 27.54x
Croydon 5 8.00x
Hove 5 29.24x
Lambeth 5 2.48x
Wrotham 5 191.57x
Cheltenham 4 11.44x
Child Okeford 4 597.01x
East Stoke 4 869.57x
Fordingbridge 4 155.04x
North Stoneham 4 370.37x
Church Knowle 3 681.82x
Corfe Mullen 3 545.45x
Kensington London 3 2.33x
Long Critchell 3 2307.69x
Whiteparish 3 344.83x
Dewlish 2 540.54x
Fisherton Anger 2 52.91x
Hamworthy 2 377.36x
Hastings St Mary 2 20.62x
Kings Somborne 2 202.02x
Leamington Priors 2 13.95x
Ratcliffe London 2 15.66x
Shilling Okeford 2 444.44x
Shoreditch London 2 2.00x
St Pancras London 2 1.07x
Uxbridge 2 75.76x
Winterborne Kingston 2 487.80x
Woodnesborough 2 277.78x
Wotton Under Edge 2 74.91x
Alderbury 1 104.17x
Batheaston 1 78.74x
Blandford Forum 1 33.44x
Blandford St Mary 1 344.83x
Chelsea London 1 1.44x
Egham 1 14.45x
Finchley 1 11.29x
Hampstead London 1 2.78x
Hastings St Mary In The 1 12.03x
Manchester 1 0.81x
Paddington London 1 1.18x
Poole St James 1 17.54x
Poplar London 1 2.29x
Romsey Extra 1 35.46x
Rye 1 27.03x
Sandhurst 1 29.76x
Speldhurst 1 24.88x
St Marylebone London 1 0.81x
Twyford 1 88.50x
Wandsworth 1 4.49x
Wareham Lady St Mary 1 85.47x
West Derby 1 1.25x
Westminster St John 1 3.55x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Elizabeth 12
Sarah 8
Jane 6
Annie 4
Eliza 4
Ellen 4
Emily 4
Gertrude 4
Alice 3
Emma 3
Louisa 3
Ann 2
Charlotte 2
Esther 2
Fanny 2
Julia 2
Lucy 2
Martha 2
Sophia 2
Amelia 1
Anna 1
Annabel 1
Anne 1
Caroline 1
Catharine 1
Dinah 1
Eliz 1
Elizebeth 1
Elizer 1
Elizth. 1
Emela 1
Hannah 1
Hariet 1
Harriett 1
Hester 1
Jemima 1
Katherine 1
Leah 1
Luisa 1
Marianne 1
Marie 1
Matilda 1
Minnie 1
Prudence 1
Rose 1
Sabina 1
Susan 1
Susannah 1
Theresa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Charles 14
George 14
William 11
James 8
Thomas 7
Richard 6
Frederick 5
Albert 4
Edward 4
Henry 4
John 4
Emanuel 3
Frank 3
Samuel 3
Benjamin 2
Robert 2
Walter 2
A. 1
Abraham 1
Alban 1
Alfd. 1
Alfred 1
Amos 1
Arthur 1
Daniel 1
E.L. 1
Edwin 1
Enos 1
Francis 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Geoe. 1
Harry 1
Jesse 1
Joseph 1
Leonard 1
Reuben 1
Stephen 1
Tom 1

FAQ

Welstead surname: questions and answers

How common was the Welstead surname in 1881?

In 1881, 238 people were recorded with the Welstead surname. That placed it at #11,476 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Welstead surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 215 in 2016. That gives Welstead a modern rank of #18,670.

What does the Welstead surname mean?

A locational surname denoting someone from a place called Welstead.

What does the Welstead map show?

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