NameCensus.

UK surname

Westover

One who came from a place to the west of a specified settlement or region.

In the 1881 census there were 165 people recorded with the Westover surname, ranking it #14,559 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 119, ranked #27,704, down from #14,559 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Witchling, Otterden, Lenham, Lewisham and Gillingham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tunbridge Wells, South Bucks and Wychavon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Westover is 216 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 27.9%.

1881 census count

165

Ranked #14,559

Modern count

119

2016, ranked #27,704

Peak year

1911

216 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Westover had 165 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,559 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 119 in 2016, ranked #27,704.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 216 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Westover surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Westover surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Westover 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 113 #15,815
1861 historical 125 #17,678
1881 historical 165 #14,559
1891 historical 189 #15,547
1901 historical 203 #14,969
1911 historical 216 #14,240
1997 modern 154 #20,780
1998 modern 155 #21,227
1999 modern 153 #21,551
2000 modern 143 #22,457
2001 modern 142 #22,234
2002 modern 144 #22,501
2003 modern 136 #23,045
2004 modern 130 #23,902
2005 modern 120 #25,066
2006 modern 124 #24,750
2007 modern 130 #24,389
2008 modern 138 #23,763
2009 modern 142 #23,791
2010 modern 140 #24,569
2011 modern 132 #25,303
2012 modern 128 #25,852
2013 modern 123 #26,974
2014 modern 122 #27,358
2015 modern 122 #27,245
2016 modern 119 #27,704

Geography

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Where Westovers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Witchling, Otterden, Lenham, Lewisham, Gillingham, London parishes and St Dunstan Stepney. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Tunbridge Wells, South Bucks, Wychavon and South Somerset. 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 Witchling, Otterden, Lenham Kent
2 Lewisham London (South Districts)
3 Gillingham Dorset
4 London parishes London 3
5 St Dunstan Stepney London (East Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Tunbridge Wells 009 Tunbridge Wells
2 South Bucks 007 South Bucks
3 Wychavon 019 Wychavon
4 South Bucks 005 South Bucks
5 South Somerset 005 South Somerset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Westover

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Westover

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Westover surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Westover household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Westover is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Westover is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Westover 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 Westover is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Westover

The surname Westover has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is a locational name, derived from the Old English words "west" meaning west and "ofer" meaning a ridge or hill, suggesting that the name was likely given to someone who lived near or by a western ridge or hill.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Westover can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name is listed as "Westovre" in this historic document.

During the 13th century, variations of the name such as "Westoure" and "Westofer" began to appear in various records and manuscripts. It is believed that the name may have originated in the counties of Hampshire or Wiltshire, where there are places called Westover or Westover Park.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Westover was Sir John Westover (c. 1300-1370), a prominent landowner and knight from Hampshire. Another notable figure was William Westover (c. 1450-1520), a merchant and alderman in the city of London.

In the 16th century, the name Westover was sometimes spelled as "Westovere" or "Westouer." During this period, a notable bearer of the name was Sir Thomas Westover (c. 1520-1585), a member of the English Parliament and a supporter of the Protestant Reformation.

Moving into the 17th century, the surname Westover continued to be associated with notable individuals. One example is Robert Westover (1590-1655), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works.

Another significant figure was John Westover (1625-1692), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Wiltshire. He was known for his philanthropic efforts and for establishing a school in the town of Westover.

As the name Westover spread across England, it also found its way to other parts of the British Isles and eventually to the American colonies. One notable bearer of the name in America was Benjamin Westover (1720-1790), a soldier and surveyor who fought in the French and Indian War.

While the surname Westover may not be as widespread as some other English surnames, it has a rich history and has been borne by many notable individuals throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Westover families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Westover 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. Middlesex leads with 62 Westovers recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.97x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 62 3.97x
Kent 48 9.01x
Dorset 12 11.72x
Surrey 12 1.58x
Sussex 7 2.66x
Somerset 6 2.39x
Oxfordshire 5 5.19x
Shropshire 4 2.97x
Buckinghamshire 1 1.06x
Carmarthenshire 1 1.52x
Cheshire 1 0.29x
Gloucestershire 1 0.33x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bethnal Green London in Middlesex leads with 28 Westovers recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.30x.

Place Total Index
Bethnal Green London 28 41.30x
Bermondsey 11 23.68x
Maidstone 10 63.05x
Lewisham 8 28.18x
Gillingham 7 397.73x
Islington London 7 4.63x
Mile End Old Town 7 28.42x
Wychling 7 8750.00x
Ealing 6 43.01x
Lenham 6 566.04x
Duns Tew 5 3125.00x
Paddington London 5 8.71x
Stour Provost 5 2777.78x
Ditchling 4 555.56x
Swanscombe 4 167.36x
Witham Friary 4 1538.46x
Bridgnorth St Mary 3 227.27x
Canterbury St Paul 3 312.50x
Dartford 3 55.15x
St Martin In Fields 3 32.12x
Barcombe 2 317.46x
St George Hanover 2 9.82x
Willesden 2 13.60x
Bridgnorth St Leonard 1 65.36x
Bromley 1 12.32x
Charing 1 138.89x
Chartham 1 75.19x
Dutton 1 416.67x
Eton 1 46.73x
Frindsbury 1 49.75x
Hadlow 1 75.76x
Kensington London 1 1.15x
Kidwelly 1 74.63x
Lambeth 1 0.73x
Lewes St John Southover 1 56.50x
St Pancras London 1 0.80x
Taunton St James 1 27.32x
Woolwich 1 5.08x
Wrotham 1 56.82x
Yate 1 149.25x
Yeovil 1 19.61x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Louisa 5
Ann 4
Martha 4
Mary 4
Elizabeth 3
Emily 3
Florence 3
Sarah 3
Alice 2
Annie 2
Caroline 2
Emma 2
Fanny 2
Jane 2
Maria 2
Ada 1
Alexandra 1
Anna 1
Beatrice 1
Carroline 1
Charlotte 1
Diana 1
Eliza 1
Esther 1
Hannah 1
Harriett 1
Ida 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Lucia 1
M. 1
Maryann 1
Minnie 1
Nancy 1
Nellie 1
Philadelphia 1
Phoebe 1
Priscilla 1
Prudence 1
Rose 1
Ruth 1
Selina 1
Sophia 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 13
John 10
William 10
Henry 6
Thomas 6
Arthur 5
Charles 4
Ernest 4
Walter 4
Albert 3
James 3
Edward 2
Harry 2
Percy 2
Stephen 2
Alfred 1
Daniel 1
Frances 1
Fredrick 1
Frien... 1
Friend 1
Herbert 1
Richard 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
W.H. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Westover surname: questions and answers

How common was the Westover surname in 1881?

In 1881, 165 people were recorded with the Westover surname. That placed it at #14,559 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Westover surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 119 in 2016. That gives Westover a modern rank of #27,704.

What does the Westover surname mean?

One who came from a place to the west of a specified settlement or region.

What does the Westover map show?

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