NameCensus.

UK surname

Whatmore

An old Scottish surname derived from a now extinct dialect meaning "what else is there?"

In the 1881 census there were 646 people recorded with the Whatmore surname, ranking it #5,519 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 835, ranked #6,674, down from #5,519 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Wolverley and Mitcheldever. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Dorset, Winchester and Mansfield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Whatmore is 930 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 29.3%.

1881 census count

646

Ranked #5,519

Modern count

835

2016, ranked #6,674

Peak year

2002

930 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Whatmore had 646 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,519 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 835 in 2016, ranked #6,674.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 818 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Whatmore surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Whatmore surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Whatmore 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 334 #7,001
1861 historical 355 #7,198
1881 historical 646 #5,519
1891 historical 583 #6,554
1901 historical 801 #5,641
1911 historical 818 #5,384
1997 modern 888 #6,026
1998 modern 905 #6,135
1999 modern 920 #6,096
2000 modern 900 #6,177
2001 modern 892 #6,119
2002 modern 930 #6,034
2003 modern 915 #6,004
2004 modern 888 #6,162
2005 modern 883 #6,105
2006 modern 856 #6,283
2007 modern 851 #6,370
2008 modern 858 #6,374
2009 modern 860 #6,513
2010 modern 874 #6,549
2011 modern 853 #6,594
2012 modern 845 #6,558
2013 modern 854 #6,607
2014 modern 864 #6,582
2015 modern 857 #6,559
2016 modern 835 #6,674

Geography

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Where Whatmores are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Wolverley, Mitcheldever and Middlesborough. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to West Dorset, Winchester, Mansfield, Stratford-on-Avon and Wychavon. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Wolverley Worcestershire
3 Mitcheldever Hampshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Middlesborough Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 West Dorset 005 West Dorset
2 Winchester 008 Winchester
3 Mansfield 001 Mansfield
4 Stratford-on-Avon 012 Stratford-on-Avon
5 Wychavon 001 Wychavon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Whatmore

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Whatmore

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Whatmore is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Whatmore is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Whatmore falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Whatmore is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Whatmore

The surname Whatmore has its origins in England and dates back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated in the West Midlands, specifically in areas such as Staffordshire and Shropshire. The name is derived from the Old English words hwet, meaning "wheat," and mor, meaning "marsh" or "moor." The translation of the name would therefore be "wheat marsh" or "wheat moor," suggesting that its bearers may have lived near or worked on a marshy area where wheat was grown.

The Whatmore surname has undergone various spellings over the centuries, including Whatmor, Whattmore, and Whattmoure. A notable early reference to this surname occurs in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from the year 1275, where a Richard de Whatmore is listed.

One of the earliest recorded examples of someone with this surname is William Whatmore, born around 1420, whose family is believed to have lived near the present-day town of Stourbridge. Another historical figure is Robert Whatmore, who appears in the 1524 Lay Subsidy Rolls for Staffordshire, indicating that the surname was well-established by the early 16th century.

Throughout the years, the Whatmore surname continued to spread, particularly in the Midlands. John Whatmore, born in 1655, was a notable resident of Lichfield, Staffordshire, and his descendants played a significant role in local politics and trade during the 17th century.

In the 18th century, Sarah Whatmore (1737-1799), born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, became known for her efforts in the local community, particularly in education and charity work. Her contributions were documented in several local histories, attesting to the family's continued presence and reputation in the region.

A later notable individual is Thomas Whatmore (1812-1879), an industrialist based in Birmingham. He contributed significantly to the industrial boom of the city during the Victorian era, particularly in the manufacturing of metal goods, making the Whatmore surname well-known in the Midlands' industrial circles.

These historical references and individuals highlight the long-standing presence and evolving influence of the Whatmore family in England, particularly in the West Midlands, from the medieval period to the 19th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Whatmore families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Whatmore 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. Worcestershire leads with 100 Whatmores recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.17x.

County Total Index
Worcestershire 100 12.17x
Staffordshire 93 4.38x
Hampshire 74 5.74x
Lancashire 57 0.76x
Shropshire 52 9.57x
Middlesex 46 0.73x
Warwickshire 44 2.77x
Surrey 42 1.37x
Kent 22 1.02x
Buckinghamshire 17 4.47x
Berkshire 13 2.75x
Gloucestershire 11 0.89x
Nottinghamshire 10 1.18x
Sussex 10 0.94x
Suffolk 9 1.17x
Yorkshire 9 0.14x
Herefordshire 8 3.10x
Cheshire 6 0.43x
Monmouthshire 6 1.32x
Leicestershire 5 0.72x
Essex 4 0.32x
Derbyshire 3 0.30x
East Lothian 1 1.20x
Flintshire 1 0.59x
Lincolnshire 1 0.10x
Norfolk 1 0.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Micheldever in Hampshire leads with 31 Whatmores recorded in 1881 and an index of 1383.93x.

Place Total Index
Micheldever 31 1383.93x
Birmingham 25 4.73x
Upper Arley 21 1329.11x
Wolverley 21 291.26x
Neen Savage 18 2500.00x
Aston 17 3.89x
Manchester 17 5.06x
Wraysbury 14 985.92x
Accrington 13 19.15x
Kidderminster Borough 12 24.95x
Kensington London 11 3.14x
Sedgley 11 13.95x
Toxteth Park 11 4.35x
Claines 10 44.35x
Great Malvern 10 58.34x
Kingswinford 10 12.97x
Limehouse London 10 14.48x
Wolverhampton 10 6.12x
Biddulph 9 75.13x
Cobham 9 178.93x
Reading St Giles 9 19.43x
Tipton 9 13.84x
Colwall 8 250.00x
Dudley 8 8.01x
Keymer 8 106.81x
St Pancras London 8 1.58x
Stone 8 592.59x
Deptford St Nicholas 7 41.08x
Kinver 7 114.38x
Basingstoke 6 40.46x
Belbroughton 6 140.85x
Billingsley 6 2222.22x
Cleobury Mortimer 6 174.93x
Kidderminster Foreign 6 51.64x
Leckhampton 6 78.95x
Mile End Old Town 6 6.04x
Panteg 6 83.80x
Pilkington 6 21.16x
Southwark St George Martyr 6 4.74x
Stowmarket 6 67.72x
Ditton Priors 5 387.60x
Egham 5 26.57x
Mitcham 5 25.80x
Newington 5 2.15x
Packington 5 200.80x
Rushall 5 40.00x
Southampton St Mary 5 6.17x
Tooting Graveney 5 58.62x
Weeke 5 127.88x
Worting 5 1388.89x
Bitterley 4 186.05x
Bridgnorth St Leonard 4 64.94x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 4 17.71x
Handsworth 4 7.64x
Hanley Castle 4 81.30x
Lambeth 4 0.73x
Nash 4 317.46x
Ogley Hay 4 90.70x
Wigsley 4 2000.00x
Wootton St Lawrence 4 186.05x
Worcester St Peter 4 25.72x
Aspull 3 17.08x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 3 5.17x
Dukinfield 3 4.67x
Farnworth 3 6.71x
Newton 3 5.21x
Overton 3 97.09x
Sevenoaks 3 17.24x
St Maurice Winchester 3 55.97x
Sutton At Hone 3 67.42x
Swinton In Rotherham 3 18.19x
Cheadle 2 7.54x
Great Bardfield 2 98.04x
Hartlebury 2 40.90x
Hedsor 2 606.06x
Lewisham 2 1.75x
Reading St Mary 2 5.29x
Snape 2 183.49x
St George Hanover 2 2.44x
Westminster St 2 8.62x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 45
Sarah 32
Elizabeth 16
Annie 14
Eliza 14
Ann 13
Jane 9
Alice 8
Ellen 8
Emma 8
Hannah 8
Ada 7
Harriet 7
Lucy 7
Emily 6
Harriett 5
Maria 5
Charlotte 4
Clara 4
Esther 4
Martha 4
Agnes 3
Amy 3
Caroline 3
Edith 3
Helen 3
Louisa 3
Susan 3
Catherine 2
Eleanor 2
Jessie 2
Johanna 2
Lizzie 2
Margaret 2
Minnie 2
Rose 2
Selina 2
Sophia 2
Celena 1
Emeline 1
Ethel 1
F.E.H. 1
Fanny 1
Fany 1
John 1
Kate 1
Katherine 1
L. 1
Lilly 1
Vashtie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 41
James 38
John 36
George 30
Joseph 21
Thomas 19
Charles 12
Henry 11
Walter 10
Arthur 9
Samuel 8
Alfred 5
Frank 5
Albert 4
Herbert 4
Richard 4
Thos. 4
Wm. 4
Edward 3
Edwin 3
Francis 3
Frederick 3
Harry 3
Job 3
Lloyd 3
Robert 3
Allen 2
Chas. 2
Ernest 2
Geo. 2
Isaac 2
Philip 2
Archibald 1
Benjn. 1
Bernard 1
Crispin 1
Daniel 1
Fred 1
Fredrick 1
G. 1
Geo.W. 1
Geond 1
Jas. 1
Jessie 1
Mark 1
Matthew 1
Paul 1
Percy 1
Peter 1
Wm.Hy. 1

FAQ

Whatmore surname: questions and answers

How common was the Whatmore surname in 1881?

In 1881, 646 people were recorded with the Whatmore surname. That placed it at #5,519 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Whatmore surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 835 in 2016. That gives Whatmore a modern rank of #6,674.

What does the Whatmore surname mean?

An old Scottish surname derived from a now extinct dialect meaning "what else is there?"

What does the Whatmore map show?

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