NameCensus.

UK surname

Westall

An English locational surname originating from a place in Cambridgeshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 674 people recorded with the Westall surname, ranking it #5,347 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,017, ranked #5,729, down from #5,347 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wiltshire, Vale of White Horse and West Berkshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Westall is 1,090 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 50.9%.

1881 census count

674

Ranked #5,347

Modern count

1,017

2016, ranked #5,729

Peak year

2010

1,090 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Westall had 674 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,347 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,017 in 2016, ranked #5,729.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,074 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Westall surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Westall surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Westall 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 489 #5,104
1861 historical 443 #5,835
1881 historical 674 #5,347
1891 historical 809 #4,991
1901 historical 1,002 #4,752
1911 historical 1,074 #4,319
1997 modern 1,070 #5,198
1998 modern 1,083 #5,325
1999 modern 1,086 #5,342
2000 modern 1,063 #5,412
2001 modern 1,035 #5,437
2002 modern 1,036 #5,533
2003 modern 1,035 #5,444
2004 modern 1,064 #5,331
2005 modern 1,050 #5,335
2006 modern 1,044 #5,379
2007 modern 1,061 #5,340
2008 modern 1,034 #5,498
2009 modern 1,072 #5,438
2010 modern 1,090 #5,482
2011 modern 1,064 #5,526
2012 modern 1,029 #5,601
2013 modern 1,048 #5,613
2014 modern 1,033 #5,705
2015 modern 1,029 #5,676
2016 modern 1,017 #5,729

Geography

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Where Westalls are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, London parishes, St Pancras and Ramsbury. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wiltshire, Vale of White Horse, West Berkshire, Neath Port Talbot and Purbeck. 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 Rochdale Lancashire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Pancras London (North Districts)
5 Ramsbury Berkshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wiltshire 012 Wiltshire
2 Vale of White Horse 014 Vale of White Horse
3 West Berkshire 012 West Berkshire
4 Neath Port Talbot 002 Neath Port Talbot
5 Purbeck 006 Purbeck

Forenames

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First names often paired with Westall

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Westall

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

Westall 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

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

Meaning and origin of Westall

The surname Westall is of English origin and is a locational name derived from a place called Westall, which was located in either Yorkshire or Lancashire. The name itself is composed of the Old English words "west" meaning "west" and "halh" meaning "a nook or remote valley."

The earliest recorded instance of the surname dates back to the 13th century, when it appeared as "de Westhale" in the Assize Court Rolls of Yorkshire in 1219. This early spelling suggests that the name originally referred to someone who hailed from the western part of a remote valley or nook.

In the Hundred Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1273, the name was recorded as "Westenhal," further reinforcing its locational origins. Additionally, the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296 included the entry "Johanne de Westale," showcasing another variation of the surname.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Robert de Westall, who was mentioned in the Feet of Fines for Yorkshire in 1349. This record provides evidence of the surname's continued use in the northern counties of England during the Middle Ages.

Notable individuals with the surname Westall include:

1. William Westall (1781-1850), an English landscape painter and illustrator who accompanied Captain Matthew Flinders on his voyages to Australia and was known for his depictions of Australian scenery.

2. Richard Westall (1765-1836), an English painter and engraver, known for his book illustrations and portraits, including those of Lord Nelson and other naval figures.

3. John Westall (1568-1631), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Bishop of Bristol from 1628 until his death.

4. Roger Westall (c. 1530-1590), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Andover in 1563 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

5. Robert Westall (1945-1993), a British author and teacher renowned for his children's and young adult fiction, including the award-winning novel "The Machine Gunners."

While the surname Westall has its origins in the northern counties of England, it has since spread throughout the country and beyond, with bearers of the name found in various parts of the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Westall families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Westall 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 174 Westalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.23x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 174 2.23x
Berkshire 133 26.95x
Middlesex 93 1.41x
Wiltshire 78 13.42x
Surrey 47 1.47x
Northumberland 21 2.15x
Gloucestershire 18 1.40x
Durham 17 0.87x
Monmouthshire 17 3.58x
Oxfordshire 13 3.20x
Kent 12 0.53x
Sussex 8 0.72x
Warwickshire 8 0.48x
Devon 5 0.37x
Hampshire 5 0.37x
Leicestershire 5 0.69x
Buckinghamshire 4 1.01x
Somerset 4 0.38x
Yorkshire 4 0.06x
Bedfordshire 2 0.59x
Glamorgan 2 0.17x
Northamptonshire 2 0.32x
Cheshire 1 0.07x
Hertfordshire 1 0.22x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire leads with 46 Westalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 166.91x.

Place Total Index
Oswaldtwistle 46 166.91x
Ramsbury 41 777.99x
St Pancras London 35 6.61x
Abingdon St Helen 22 152.46x
Blackburn 22 10.60x
Hapton 22 450.82x
Reading St Giles 18 37.17x
Lambourn 16 327.20x
Preston 16 7.67x
Tynemouth 16 30.54x
Camberwell 14 3.33x
Clifton 12 18.41x
Speen 12 148.70x
Croydon 11 6.19x
Salford 11 4.79x
Aldbourn 10 295.86x
Accrington 9 12.69x
Inkpen 9 576.92x
Kensington London 9 2.46x
Lambeth 9 1.57x
Portskewett 9 818.18x
St Marylebone London 9 2.56x
Battersea 8 3.31x
Caldicot 8 253.97x
Newbury 8 50.60x
Thatcham 8 105.26x
Aston 7 1.53x
Bradford On Avon 7 37.61x
Great Faringdon 7 98.73x
Paddington London 7 2.90x
Westoe 7 6.31x
Baydon 6 895.52x
Blackley 6 43.86x
Bradfield 6 229.89x
Castleton 6 7.70x
Fulham London 6 6.29x
Gloucester St Mary Lode 6 198.68x
Oxford St Clement 6 58.54x
Garstang 5 284.09x
Melton Mowbray 5 38.14x
North Shields 5 25.61x
Northam 5 50.15x
Over Darwen 5 8.02x
Stranton 5 7.59x
Barton Upon Irwell 4 6.81x
Brighton 4 1.79x
Gateshead 4 2.73x
Great Bolton 4 3.87x
Islington London 4 0.63x
Lower Booths 4 28.61x
Reading St Mary 4 10.12x
St Luke London 4 3.79x
Ashbury 3 194.81x
Beckenham 3 10.23x
Drayton 3 315.79x
Finchampstead 3 200.00x
Froxfield 3 306.12x
Hastings St Leonards 3 18.42x
Highworth 3 40.38x
Kintbury 3 78.74x
Lewisham 3 2.51x
Preshute 3 83.80x
Southcoates 3 8.29x
Southwark St Saviour 3 8.88x
Westminster St John 3 3.75x
Wycombe 3 10.12x
Boxford 2 156.25x
Chaddleworth 2 215.05x
East Ilsley 2 153.85x
Huncoat 2 95.69x
Husborne Crawley 2 185.19x
Lee 2 6.14x
Manchester 2 0.57x
Northampton St Sepulchre 2 6.36x
Spotland 2 2.31x
St Anne Soho London 2 5.33x
Swindon 2 4.43x
Swyncombe 2 243.90x
Tonbridge 2 2.47x
Trowbridge 2 7.78x

Top female names

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

FAQ

Westall surname: questions and answers

How common was the Westall surname in 1881?

In 1881, 674 people were recorded with the Westall surname. That placed it at #5,347 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Westall surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,017 in 2016. That gives Westall a modern rank of #5,729.

What does the Westall surname mean?

An English locational surname originating from a place in Cambridgeshire, England.

What does the Westall map show?

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