NameCensus.

UK surname

Wheadon

A variant spelling of an English toponymic surname derived from a place name.

In the 1881 census there were 277 people recorded with the Wheadon surname, ranking it #10,283 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 582, ranked #8,913, up from #10,283 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Darlington and Langport, Drayton with Middleney, Curry Rivell, Swell, Aller. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Northumberland, Cardiff and Mendip.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wheadon is 598 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 110.1%.

1881 census count

277

Ranked #10,283

Modern count

582

2016, ranked #8,913

Peak year

1998

598 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wheadon had 277 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,283 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 582 in 2016, ranked #8,913.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 510 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Wheadon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wheadon surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Wheadon 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 181 #11,256
1861 historical 180 #13,057
1881 historical 277 #10,283
1891 historical 342 #10,023
1901 historical 393 #9,606
1911 historical 510 #7,718
1997 modern 591 #8,235
1998 modern 598 #8,414
1999 modern 596 #8,475
2000 modern 581 #8,592
2001 modern 567 #8,610
2002 modern 564 #8,811
2003 modern 577 #8,555
2004 modern 575 #8,584
2005 modern 571 #8,571
2006 modern 575 #8,550
2007 modern 573 #8,644
2008 modern 554 #8,911
2009 modern 561 #9,028
2010 modern 590 #8,902
2011 modern 574 #8,976
2012 modern 565 #8,993
2013 modern 581 #8,945
2014 modern 596 #8,843
2015 modern 586 #8,884
2016 modern 582 #8,913

Geography

Back to top

Where Wheadons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Darlington, Langport, Drayton with Middleney, Curry Rivell, Swell, Aller, London parishes and Crewkerne, Wayford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Northumberland, Cardiff, Mendip, Wirral and Carlisle. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Darlington Durham
3 Langport, Drayton with Middleney, Curry Rivell, Swell, Aller Somerset
4 London parishes London 3
5 Crewkerne, Wayford Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Northumberland 011 Northumberland
2 Cardiff 027 Cardiff
3 Mendip 014 Mendip
4 Wirral 027 Wirral
5 Carlisle 001 Carlisle

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Wheadon

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Wheadon

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

Wheadon 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

Wheadon falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Wheadon 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 Wheadon, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Wheadon

The surname Wheadon is of English origin, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to have emerged around the 13th or 14th centuries. The name's geographic origin is commonly associated with the southwestern counties of England, particularly Somerset and Devon. Wheadon is thought to derive from the Old English words "hwaete," meaning wheat, and "dun," meaning hill. Thus, the name likely translates to "wheat hill," suggesting that the original bearers of the name may have lived near or worked on a hill where wheat was grown.

Early references to the name can be found in various historical records. One such record is the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset from 1327, where a Robert de Whetdon is mentioned. This document records the taxes levied on individuals, providing evidence of the surname's existence during that period. Similarly, a John Wheddon can be found in the Devon Lay Subsidy of 1332, further pinpointing the name's regional concentration.

The name has appeared in assorted spellings over the centuries, including Wheddon, Wheaden, and Whetton. These variations are a common feature of surnames from this period due to the lack of standardized spelling. One notable individual bearing the surname was Richard Wheddon, born around 1570 in Somerset, who was involved in local governance and agricultural activities.

Another significant historical figure is Thomas Wheadon, who was born in Devon in 1620 and emigrated to America, settling in New England. His descendants played a role in the early colonial history of the United States. In the 18th century, Reverend John Wheddon, born in 1715, was a well-known clergyman in Devon, illustrating the presence and prominence of the name in religious circles.

During the 19th century, Samuel Wheadon, born in 1824 in London, became a noted figure in the Industrial Revolution. His contributions to early industrial machinery and innovations in textile manufacturing left a mark on the burgeoning industrial landscape of England.

Finally, in the mid-19th century, we find references to Elizabeth Wheadon, who was born in 1840 in Devon and became known for her charitable work and efforts in advancing women's education. Her legacy is remembered in various local historical records.

Throughout its history, the surname Wheadon has maintained a strong connection to its English roots, with variations reflecting the linguistic and regional diversity of the time. The name's rich etymological background and historical references underscore its lasting legacy across centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Wheadon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wheadon 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. Somerset leads with 104 Wheadons recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.65x.

County Total Index
Somerset 104 21.65x
Dorset 87 44.41x
Channel Islands 29 32.79x
Devon 19 3.06x
Surrey 11 0.76x
Kent 10 0.98x
Durham 9 1.01x
Glamorgan 9 1.73x
Gloucestershire 9 1.54x
Middlesex 6 0.20x
Hampshire 5 0.82x
Lancashire 3 0.08x
Norfolk 2 0.44x
Berkshire 1 0.45x
Essex 1 0.17x
Oxfordshire 1 0.54x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Allington in Dorset leads with 30 Wheadons recorded in 1881 and an index of 1714.29x.

Place Total Index
Allington 30 1714.29x
St Peter Port 28 171.15x
High Ham 18 1565.22x
Crewkerne 14 274.51x
Huish Episcopi 11 1617.65x
Aller 10 2083.33x
Battersea 10 9.11x
Uplyme 10 1075.27x
Chickerell 9 1071.43x
Ilminster 9 267.86x
Penshurst 9 526.32x
Misterton 8 1176.47x
Beaminster 7 321.10x
Dinnington 7 4117.65x
Kingsbury Episcopi 7 448.72x
Kinson 7 182.77x
Melcombe Regis 7 86.21x
Ystradyfodwg 7 15.35x
Symondsbury 6 480.00x
Bristol Temple 5 129.87x
Cossington 5 2173.91x
Darlington 5 14.59x
Offwell 5 1470.59x
Yetminster 5 684.93x
Bristol St James St Paul 4 20.49x
Heworth 4 22.86x
Lyme Regis 4 170.21x
St Marylebone London 4 2.51x
Wambrook 4 1481.48x
Wareham Holy Trinity 4 465.12x
Broad Clist 3 140.19x
Portsea 3 2.50x
Stoke St Gregory 3 205.48x
Westleigh 3 37.31x
Yeovil 3 30.74x
Bridport 2 49.63x
Chewton Mendip 2 253.16x
Cwmdu 2 31.60x
Great Yarmouth 2 5.26x
Portsmouth 2 14.19x
Chaffcombe 1 476.19x
Harwick St Nicholas 1 107.53x
Hawkhurst 1 31.55x
Huntspill 1 50.76x
Hutton 1 285.71x
Oxford St Giles 1 11.38x
Paddington London 1 0.91x
Parkstone 1 43.67x
Reading St Mary 1 5.57x
Shapwick 1 222.22x
Shepton Mallet 1 18.55x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 1.67x
St George Hanover 1 2.57x
St Helier 1 3.47x
Stoke Abbott 1 178.57x
Stoke Damerel 1 2.30x
West Camel 1 344.83x
Whitchurch 1 192.31x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 24
Elizabeth 14
Sarah 10
Ann 7
Ellen 7
Eliza 5
Alice 4
Caroline 4
Emma 4
Martha 4
Susan 4
Edith 3
Esther 3
Rose 3
Amelia 2
Bertha 2
Emily 2
Florence 2
Harriet 2
Harriett 2
Lily 2
Mabel 2
Minnie 2
Pricilla 2
Agness 1
Anna 1
Annette 1
Annie 1
Bessie 1
Carrie 1
Carry 1
Elfrida 1
Elizth. 1
Emmeline 1
Eva 1
Fanny 1
Hannah 1
Hester 1
Isabella 1
Jane 1
Jemima 1
Julie 1
Lana 1
Lizzie 1
Loney 1
Lucy 1
Magdalene 1
Maia 1
Margt. 1
Maria 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 18
Henry 13
George 12
John 12
Edward 8
James 8
Frederick 7
Charles 6
Robert 5
Thomas 5
Frank 4
Alfred 3
Richard 3
Albert 2
Daniel 2
Edwin 2
Eli 2
Simeon 2
Abson 1
Andrew 1
Aurthur 1
Benjaman 1
Chls. 1
D. 1
Ernest 1
Franciss 1
Frederic 1
Giles 1
Harold 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Hubert 1
Ivor 1
Jessie 1
Jno. 1
Joseph 1
Joshua 1
Matthew 1
Olliver 1
Percival 1
Percy 1
Rees 1
Reginald 1
Reuben 1
Saml. 1
Samuel 1
Sarah 1
Sydney 1
W. 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Wheadon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wheadon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 277 people were recorded with the Wheadon surname. That placed it at #10,283 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wheadon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 582 in 2016. That gives Wheadon a modern rank of #8,913.

What does the Wheadon surname mean?

A variant spelling of an English toponymic surname derived from a place name.

What does the Wheadon map show?

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