UK surname
A surname indicating someone from the western region or direction.
In the 1881 census there were 40 people recorded with the Westen surname, ranking it #28,011 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 63, ranked #34,163, down from #28,011 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bury, Mitcheldever and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Westen is 122 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 57.5%.
1881 census count
40
Ranked #28,011
Modern count
63
2016, ranked #34,163
Peak year
1861
122 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Westen surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Westen surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 99 | #17,294 |
| 1861 | historical | 122 | #18,036 |
| 1881 | historical | 40 | #28,011 |
| 1891 | historical | 119 | #21,415 |
| 1901 | historical | 7 | #33,435 |
| 1911 | historical | 35 | #29,478 |
| 1997 | modern | 32 | #34,472 |
| 1998 | modern | 37 | #34,149 |
| 1999 | modern | 43 | #33,683 |
| 2000 | modern | 38 | #34,146 |
| 2001 | modern | 39 | #33,923 |
| 2002 | modern | 35 | #34,554 |
| 2003 | modern | 36 | #34,522 |
| 2004 | modern | 44 | #34,053 |
| 2005 | modern | 42 | #34,395 |
| 2006 | modern | 42 | #34,714 |
| 2007 | modern | 46 | #34,634 |
| 2008 | modern | 49 | #34,580 |
| 2009 | modern | 49 | #34,728 |
| 2010 | modern | 57 | #34,421 |
| 2011 | modern | 55 | #34,502 |
| 2012 | modern | 59 | #34,352 |
| 2013 | modern | 62 | #34,260 |
| 2014 | modern | 58 | #34,500 |
| 2015 | modern | 58 | #34,470 |
| 2016 | modern | 63 | #34,163 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bury, Mitcheldever, St Pancras, Paulerspury and Staunton. 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.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bury | Lancashire |
| 2 | Mitcheldever | Hampshire |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Paulerspury | Northamptonshire |
| 5 | Staunton | Gloucestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Westen surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Westen, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Westen surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Westen household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Westen 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
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Westen is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Westen, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Westen is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English word "westen" which means "from the west." This name was initially given to individuals who hailed from the western regions of England or settled in western parts of the country.
The earliest known record of the name Westen can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Westun." This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, recorded the landholdings and wealth of England at the time.
In the 12th century, the name evolved to its modern spelling of "Westen." During this period, it was commonly associated with families residing in the western counties of England, such as Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Westen was Sir John Westen (c. 1360 - 1420), a prominent landowner and knight from Wiltshire. His family held estates in the western part of the county, likely contributing to the origin of their surname.
Another notable figure was William Westen (1504 - 1567), a member of the English gentry from Dorset. He served as a Justice of the Peace and was known for his involvement in local affairs.
In the 17th century, the name Westen was associated with the village of Weston-under-Penyard in Herefordshire. Thomas Westen (1610 - 1679), a wealthy landowner from this area, was known for his philanthropic endeavors and support of local churches.
During the 18th century, the surname Westen gained recognition through the works of the English poet and playwright, Edward Westen (1720 - 1788). His poems and plays were widely acclaimed in literary circles of the time.
Another prominent figure was Sir John Westen (1745 - 1810), a British naval officer who served with distinction in the Royal Navy. He played a crucial role in several battles during the Napoleonic Wars and was knighted for his bravery and leadership.
The surname Westen has also been associated with various place names across England, such as Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, Weston-under-Lizard in Staffordshire, and Weston Bampfylde in Somerset. These locations likely contributed to the spread and adoption of the surname in their respective regions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Westen surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Surrey leads with 16 Westens recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.63x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 16 | 8.63x |
| Yorkshire | 7 | 1.86x |
| Staffordshire | 3 | 2.34x |
| Sussex | 3 | 4.68x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 2.57x |
| Kent | 2 | 1.54x |
| Lincolnshire | 2 | 3.29x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.53x |
| Midlothian | 2 | 3.92x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Camberwell in Surrey leads with 9 Westens recorded in 1881 and an index of 37.04x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Camberwell | 9 | 37.04x |
| Thornaby | 7 | 496.45x |
| Newington | 6 | 42.70x |
| Hove | 3 | 106.76x |
| Warslow Elkstone | 3 | 3750.00x |
| Alverstoke | 2 | 70.92x |
| Candlesby | 2 | 6666.67x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 2 | 9.76x |
| Lewisham | 2 | 28.90x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 7.15x |
| Pirbright | 1 | 1111.11x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 4.92x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Westen surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Westen surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Westen households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 5 |
| Ag Lab | 2 |
| Ag Lab Wife | 1 |
| Bakers Assistant | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Domestic Servant General | 1 |
| Farm Labour | 1 |
| Housedecorator Out Of Employ | 1 |
| Jointra | 1 |
| Laborer (General) | 1 |
| Laborer Wife | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Mantlemaker | 1 |
| Militiaman Farm Servant | 1 |
| Mosaic Worker | 1 |
| Printers Porter | 1 |
| Puddler Iron | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 40 people were recorded with the Westen surname. That placed it at #28,011 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 63 in 2016. That gives Westen a modern rank of #34,163.
A surname indicating someone from the western region or direction.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Westen bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.