NameCensus.

UK surname

Were

From the Old English for "man" or "male person."

In the 1881 census there were 175 people recorded with the Were surname, ranking it #13,982 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 98, ranked #31,470, down from #13,982 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bovey Tracey, Hennock, London parishes and Broad Clist. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Monmouthshire, Hammersmith and Fulham and Wealden.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Were is 233 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 44.0%.

1881 census count

175

Ranked #13,982

Modern count

98

2016, ranked #31,470

Peak year

1861

233 bearers

Map years

6

1851 to 1911

Key insights

  • Were had 175 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,982 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 98 in 2016, ranked #31,470.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 233 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Were surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Were surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Were 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 196 #10,573
1861 historical 233 #10,501
1881 historical 175 #13,982
1891 historical 167 #17,006
1901 historical 166 #17,011
1911 historical 146 #18,179
1997 modern 93 #27,932
1998 modern 93 #28,563
1999 modern 90 #29,056
2000 modern 100 #27,695
2001 modern 98 #27,672
2002 modern 98 #28,243
2003 modern 88 #29,506
2004 modern 84 #30,244
2005 modern 85 #30,219
2006 modern 94 #29,264
2007 modern 98 #29,019
2008 modern 99 #29,181
2009 modern 98 #29,906
2010 modern 97 #30,697
2011 modern 106 #29,157
2012 modern 98 #30,612
2013 modern 97 #31,239
2014 modern 98 #31,370
2015 modern 100 #31,005
2016 modern 98 #31,470

Geography

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Where Weres are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bovey Tracey, Hennock, London parishes, Broad Clist, Cardiff St John and St Mary and Wiveliscombe. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Monmouthshire, Hammersmith and Fulham, Wealden, Portsmouth and Thanet. 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 Bovey Tracey, Hennock Devon
2 London parishes London 3
3 Broad Clist Devon
4 Cardiff St John and St Mary Glamorganshire
5 Wiveliscombe Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Monmouthshire 004 Monmouthshire
2 Hammersmith and Fulham 012 Hammersmith and Fulham
3 Wealden 008 Wealden
4 Portsmouth 009 Portsmouth
5 Thanet 007 Thanet

Forenames

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First names often paired with Were

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Were

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Were, 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 Were surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Were 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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Were 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

Were is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Were 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 Were 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 Were, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Were

The surname "WERE" is believed to have originated in England, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. This surname is thought to be derived from the Old English word "woer," which referred to a weir or dam used for trapping fish in rivers or streams.

One of the earliest recorded instances of this surname can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive land survey commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Werra," which likely represents the Old English pronunciation of the word from which the surname is derived.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the surname "WERE" began to appear more frequently in various historical records, particularly in areas of England where fishing and related activities were prominent. Some of the earliest recorded individuals bearing this surname include John Were, a landowner in Kent in the year 1273, and William Were, a fisherman from Sussex mentioned in a court record from 1327.

The surname "WERE" has also been associated with certain place names, such as Weremere (meaning "pond by the weir") in Dorset, and Weerholme (possibly derived from "woer" and "holme," meaning "river island") in Yorkshire. These place names likely influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the surname "WERE." One prominent example is Sir Clement Were (1569-1633), an English politician and member of Parliament who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1625. Another notable figure was John Were (1619-1689), an English clergyman and author known for his religious writings.

Other individuals with the surname "WERE" include Isaac Were (1589-1666), an English Puritan minister and writer, and Jacob Were (1733-1795), a prominent Anglican clergyman and academic who served as the Master of Dulwich College in London.

While the surname "WERE" originated in England and was closely tied to the fishing industry and related occupations, it has since spread to various parts of the world through migration and immigration. However, its earliest roots and historical references can be traced back to the medieval period in England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Were families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Were 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. Devon leads with 82 Weres recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.08x.

County Total Index
Devon 82 23.08x
Somerset 29 10.55x
Middlesex 18 1.05x
Surrey 8 0.96x
Cumberland 6 4.08x
Durham 4 0.79x
Gloucestershire 4 1.19x
Kent 4 0.69x
Warwickshire 4 0.93x
Hampshire 3 0.86x
Dorset 2 1.79x
Glamorgan 2 0.67x
Lancashire 2 0.10x
Wiltshire 2 1.32x
Berkshire 1 0.78x
Cheshire 1 0.27x
Essex 1 0.30x
Hertfordshire 1 0.85x
Sussex 1 0.35x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tiverton in Devon leads with 21 Weres recorded in 1881 and an index of 343.14x.

Place Total Index
Tiverton 21 343.14x
Halberton 14 1686.75x
Holcombe Rogus 10 2325.58x
Uplowman 9 3913.04x
Winscombe 7 945.95x
Broad Clist 6 487.80x
Islington London 6 3.63x
Wiveliscombe 6 392.16x
Hensingham 5 416.67x
Plymouth Charles The 5 31.95x
Clapham 4 18.74x
Plymouth St Andrew 4 14.61x
Walcot 4 27.34x
Edgbaston 3 22.47x
Greenwich 3 11.04x
Lambeth 3 2.02x
Paddington London 3 4.78x
Southampton St Mary 3 13.64x
Stockton On Tees 3 12.25x
Washfield 3 1304.35x
Wellington 3 80.43x
Barrow Gurney 2 1111.11x
Bristol St James St Paul 2 17.92x
Clerkenwell London 2 4.96x
Hammersmith London 2 4.76x
Hennock 2 444.44x
North Bradley 2 181.82x
Raddington 2 3333.33x
Roath 2 14.81x
Sherborne 2 60.61x
St Andrew Holborn 2 34.54x
St Pancras London 2 1.46x
Westbury On Trym 2 17.64x
Woodland 2 2222.22x
Birkenhead 1 3.33x
Camberwell 1 0.92x
Chelsea London 1 1.94x
Chislehurst 1 32.05x
Clevedon 1 34.97x
Coventry St Michael 1 7.23x
Egremont 1 28.57x
Exeter St Leonard 1 103.09x
Exeter St Sidwell 1 12.29x
Hockworthy 1 555.56x
Manchester 1 1.10x
Molland 1 344.83x
Reading St Lawrence 1 36.50x
Staindrop 1 129.87x
Stoke Damerel 1 4.02x
Stretford 1 8.98x
Subdeanary 1 129.87x
Taunton St Mary 1 19.84x
Tavistock 1 24.69x
Wanstead 1 16.95x
Watford 1 10.96x
Wells St Cuthbert 1 53.19x
West Buckland 1 188.68x
Weston Super Mare 1 14.41x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 11
Sarah 8
Elizabeth 6
Eliza 4
Emily 4
Harriet 4
Ann 3
Anna 3
Julia 3
Alice 2
Annie 2
Catherine 2
Clara 2
Edith 2
Emma 2
Louisa 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Anne 1
Bessie 1
Caroline 1
Charity 1
E.M. 1
Elisabeth 1
Elizth. 1
Ellen 1
Elzth.Jane 1
Esther 1
Evelyn 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Francis 1
Georgina 1
Grace 1
Henrietta 1
Jane 1
Jemima 1
Joseph 1
Kate 1
Lilian 1
Lucy 1
M.A. 1
Maria 1
Martha 1
Miriam 1
Penelope 1
Ruth 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Henry 9
John 9
Thomas 9
Robert 7
James 6
Charles 3
Edward 3
George 3
Peter 3
William 3
Alfred 2
Benjamin 2
Anthony 1
Arthur 1
Bonville 1
Dominick 1
Earnest 1
Edwin 1
Ellis 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Fredk.J. 1
Harry 1
Horace 1
Jas. 1
Joseph 1
Mark 1
Nicholas 1
Rober 1
Robt. 1
S. 1
Samuel 1
Thompson 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1
Wm.F.H. 1

FAQ

Were surname: questions and answers

How common was the Were surname in 1881?

In 1881, 175 people were recorded with the Were surname. That placed it at #13,982 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Were surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 98 in 2016. That gives Were a modern rank of #31,470.

What does the Were surname mean?

From the Old English for "man" or "male person."

What does the Were map show?

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