NameCensus.

UK surname

Wesh

An English habitational surname derived from place names in Suffolk.

In the 1881 census there were 7 people recorded with the Wesh surname, ranking it #32,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1, ranked #39,061, down from #32,765 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and Loughborough. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wesh is 226 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 85.7%.

1881 census count

7

Ranked #32,765

Modern count

1

2016, ranked #39,061

Peak year

1891

226 bearers

Map years

2

1861 to 1891

Key insights

  • Wesh had 7 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,765 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2016, ranked #39,061.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 226 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is No data.

Wesh surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wesh surname density by area, 1891 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wesh 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 72 #20,720
1861 historical 200 #12,005
1881 historical 7 #32,765
1891 historical 226 #13,668
1901 historical 21 #31,686
1911 historical 63 #26,537
1997 modern 10 #37,060
1998 modern 4 #38,082
1999 modern 8 #37,367
2000 modern 7 #37,430
2001 modern 1 #38,647
2002 modern 1 #38,709
2003 modern 1 #38,735
2005 modern 1 #38,814
2006 modern 1 #38,879
2007 modern 2 #38,617
2008 modern 1 #38,949
2009 modern 2 #38,725
2010 modern 2 #38,775
2011 modern 1 #39,015
2015 modern 1 #39,021
2016 modern 1 #39,061

Geography

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Where Weshs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, Loughborough, St James Clerkenwell and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 London parishes London 3
2 St Pancras London (North Districts)
3 Loughborough Leicestershire
4 St James Clerkenwell London (Central Districts)
5 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 No data No data

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wesh

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

Recent female names

No Forenames Found

Recent male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wesh

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

No data

Group

No data

Nationally, the Wesh surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Wesh household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

No data

Group

No data

Within London, Wesh is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Wesh is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Unknown

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

Meaning and origin of Wesh

The surname WESH is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to have derived from the Old English word "wæscan," which means "to wash" or "to cleanse." This name was likely initially given as a descriptive nickname to someone who worked as a launderer or washer of clothes.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name WESH can be found in the Domesday Book, a manuscript record of a great survey commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Wasse," which was a common spelling variation at that time.

During the 13th century, the name WESH began to appear in various historical records and documents. In 1274, a man named John Wesh was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Oxfordshire. These rolls were a collection of financial records maintained by the Exchequer, the medieval accounting branch of the English government.

The surname WESH is also associated with several place names in England, such as Wesh Green in Essex and Wesh Farm in Berkshire. These place names likely originated from individuals bearing the surname who once lived or owned land in those areas.

One notable individual with the surname WESH was Sir John Wesh (1450-1523), a prominent English landowner and member of the gentry from Hertfordshire. He served as a Member of Parliament for Hertfordshire in the early 16th century.

Another historical figure was Thomas Wesh (1520-1588), an English clergyman who served as the Bishop of Winchester from 1584 until his death. He was a influential figure in the Anglican Church during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

In the 17th century, a man named William Wesh (1635-1702) gained recognition as a successful merchant and trader in London. He amassed a considerable fortune through his business dealings and was known for his philanthropic efforts in supporting various charitable causes.

During the 18th century, a notable figure was Elizabeth Wesh (1718-1792), an English writer and poet who published several collections of her works. Her poetry often focused on themes of nature, love, and the human condition.

In the 19th century, John Wesh (1825-1901) was a prominent industrialist and entrepreneur from Manchester. He founded a successful textile manufacturing company that employed hundreds of workers and played a significant role in the growth of the city's industrial prowess.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wesh families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wesh 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 2 Weshs recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.88x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 2 2.88x
Middlesex 2 3.42x
Warwickshire 1 6.78x
Yorkshire 1 1.73x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 1 Weshs recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.63x.

Place Total Index
Aston 1 24.63x
Bethnal Green London 1 39.37x
Brightside Bierlow 1 87.72x
Chiswick 1 312.50x
Everton 1 45.25x
Liverpool 1 23.75x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 1
Francis 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 1
Joseph 1
Peter 1
Thomas 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 Wesh households.

FAQ

Wesh surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wesh surname in 1881?

In 1881, 7 people were recorded with the Wesh surname. That placed it at #32,765 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wesh surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2016. That gives Wesh a modern rank of #39,061.

What does the Wesh surname mean?

An English habitational surname derived from place names in Suffolk.

What does the Wesh map show?

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