NameCensus.

UK surname

Whipp

An English habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "white meadow" or "bright pasture."

In the 1881 census there were 966 people recorded with the Whipp surname, ranking it #4,019 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 745, ranked #7,333, down from #4,019 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Halifax and Farringdon, Great. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Pendle, Oxford and Rochdale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Whipp is 1,396 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 22.9%.

1881 census count

966

Ranked #4,019

Modern count

745

2016, ranked #7,333

Peak year

1911

1,396 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Whipp had 966 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,019 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 745 in 2016, ranked #7,333.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,396 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Whipp surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Whipp surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Whipp 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 552 #4,585
1861 historical 672 #3,994
1881 historical 966 #4,019
1891 historical 1,164 #3,671
1901 historical 1,290 #3,862
1911 historical 1,396 #3,460
1997 modern 835 #6,325
1998 modern 863 #6,357
1999 modern 856 #6,447
2000 modern 836 #6,544
2001 modern 815 #6,549
2002 modern 823 #6,623
2003 modern 796 #6,680
2004 modern 793 #6,723
2005 modern 758 #6,899
2006 modern 753 #6,963
2007 modern 753 #7,031
2008 modern 764 #6,999
2009 modern 775 #7,067
2010 modern 784 #7,144
2011 modern 755 #7,266
2012 modern 750 #7,226
2013 modern 747 #7,372
2014 modern 758 #7,306
2015 modern 737 #7,417
2016 modern 745 #7,333

Geography

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Where Whipps are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Pendle, Oxford, Rochdale and Wakefield. 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 Halifax Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Farringdon, Great Berkshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Pendle 001 Pendle
2 Oxford 016 Oxford
3 Rochdale 001 Rochdale
4 Wakefield 004 Wakefield
5 Wakefield 002 Wakefield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Whipp

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Whipp

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Whipp is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Whipp is most concentrated in decile 9 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Whipp

The surname Whipp finds its origins in England, specifically within the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire. It dates back to the medieval period, roughly around the 12th or 13th century. The name is believed to have derived from an Old English or Middle English word. The term "whip," referring to a whip or a leather strap used for driving livestock, is one possible origin, hinting at an occupational surname for someone who made or used whips.

The earliest records of the surname indicate a strong parish presence in Yorkshire. Historical documents, such as land records and tax rolls, show various spellings of the name, including Wyp, Wippe, and Whype. For instance, a John Wippe is mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1297. This suggests that the name had already become established by the late 13th century.

One notable figure bearing this surname is Thomas Whipp. A yeoman from Clapham in Yorkshire, Thomas Whipp is recorded in a 1504 land deed, indicating that the lineage had maintained its presence in Yorkshire for several generations. The surname maintained its variations during this period, gradually stabilizing into its modern form by the 16th century.

Richard Whipp, a clothier documented in 1625 in the Parish records of Halifax, provides another example of the surname's connection to regional trades and occupations. This suggests that the Whipps were largely a working-class family, involved in local trades and industries.

One of the more prominent bearers of the name in subsequent centuries was Sarah Whipp (1683-1757), known for her involvement in local charitable activities in Lancashire. Her contributions to community welfare made the Whipp name well-regarded in the region during the 18th century.

In the 19th century, Samuel Whipp (1813-1886), a farmer from Yorkshire, made significant contributions to agricultural improvements in the region. His innovative farming techniques earned him local fame and cemented the Whipp name's association with industriousness and community contribution.

Thus, Whipp carries a rich historical tapestry woven with occupational roots, regional stability, and community involvement, reflecting its enduring legacy in England from the medieval period to more recent centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Whipp families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Whipp 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 486 Whipps recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.35x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 486 4.35x
Yorkshire 232 2.48x
Middlesex 51 0.54x
Surrey 40 0.87x
Essex 38 2.04x
Berkshire 20 2.83x
Northumberland 20 1.43x
Cheshire 16 0.77x
Kent 12 0.37x
Oxfordshire 11 1.89x
Gloucestershire 10 0.54x
Norfolk 8 0.55x
Sussex 6 0.38x
Durham 5 0.18x
Suffolk 3 0.26x
Isle of Man 2 1.14x
Westmorland 2 0.97x
Dorset 1 0.16x
Hampshire 1 0.05x
Lanarkshire 1 0.03x
Wiltshire 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wuerdle Wardle in Lancashire leads with 49 Whipps recorded in 1881 and an index of 144.37x.

Place Total Index
Wuerdle Wardle 49 144.37x
Barnoldswick 33 253.26x
Spotland 32 25.74x
Clitheroe 31 94.20x
Wardleworth 31 48.51x
Soyland 26 232.14x
Habergham Eaves 25 24.46x
Newchurch 25 27.33x
Whalley 21 128.83x
Castleton 20 17.91x
Haslingden 18 38.88x
Oldham 18 4.99x
Great Faringdon 16 157.48x
Crompton 15 47.11x
Keighley 15 15.07x
Lockwood 14 41.68x
Turton 14 76.46x
Islington London 13 1.42x
Kirby Le Soken 13 486.89x
Bermondsey 12 4.28x
Elswick 12 10.72x
Denton 10 40.36x
Moss Side 10 17.00x
Barrowford Booth 9 72.76x
Bramley In Bramley 9 25.17x
Butterworth 9 33.04x
Deptford St Paul 9 3.63x
Etton 9 562.50x
Great Harwood 9 44.53x
Harwich St Nicholas 9 62.63x
Settle 9 125.87x
Todmorden Walsden 9 30.04x
Accrington 8 7.87x
Armley 8 19.43x
Blatchinworth 8 31.42x
Altrincham 7 19.26x
Banham 7 189.70x
Battersea 7 2.02x
Bethnal Green London 7 1.71x
Bradford 7 3.10x
Caterham 7 34.48x
Downham 7 578.51x
Epping 7 92.59x
Heap 7 11.80x
Lower Booths 7 34.95x
St Giles In Fields 7 21.54x
Stroud 7 19.46x
Tynemouth 7 9.32x
Walton Le Dale 7 23.29x
Withnell 7 102.04x
Barton Upon Irwell 6 7.13x
Bowling 6 6.49x
Brighton 6 1.87x
Camberwell 6 1.00x
Easington In Clitheroe 6 625.00x
Falsgrave 6 43.60x
Hulme 6 2.57x
Oxford St Thomas 6 22.09x
Skipton 6 20.42x
Walton Le Soken 6 135.75x
York St Giles In 6 68.18x
Altofts 5 48.50x
Barnard Castle 5 36.08x
Elland Cum Greetland 5 11.89x
Hutton 5 400.00x
Royton 5 14.62x
Skircoat 5 13.58x
Steeton Cum Eastburn 5 155.76x
Tockholes 5 314.47x
West Derby 5 1.53x
Clanfield 4 248.45x
Glusburn 4 75.90x
Heaton Norris 4 6.29x
Holy Trinity 4 1.78x
Hyde 4 6.52x
Livesey 4 20.39x
Prestwich 4 14.34x
St Pancras London 4 0.53x
Tatham 4 232.56x
Twickenham 4 9.90x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 71
Sarah 34
Ann 32
Elizabeth 27
Jane 26
Alice 21
Ellen 21
Martha 17
Annie 13
Hannah 13
Emma 12
Margaret 12
Ada 9
Emily 7
Edith 6
Eliza 6
Louisa 6
Agnes 5
Clara 5
Elizth. 5
Florence 5
Susannah 5
Gertrude 4
Harriet 4
Isabella 4
Betsy 3
Betty 3
Charlotte 3
Esther 3
Fanny 3
Lucy 3
Maria 3
Rachel 3
Rose 3
Selina 3
Adelaide 2
Aley 2
Amelia 2
Catherine 2
Ethel 2
Grace 2
Jessie 2
Kate 2
Lilly 2
Margery 2
Maud 2
Minnie 2
Nancy 2
Rachael 2
Sophia 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 70
William 54
James 48
Thomas 47
Robert 30
Joseph 20
George 18
Frederick 12
Henry 11
Albert 10
Alfred 10
Charles 10
Edward 8
Richard 8
Samuel 7
Walter 7
Arthur 6
Harry 6
Ralph 5
Herbert 4
Roger 4
Edmund 3
Edwin 3
Frank 3
Thos. 3
Wm. 3
Abraham 2
Abram 2
Christopher 2
David 2
Fred. 2
Infant 2
Jas. 2
Peter 2
Robt. 2
Stephen 2
Willie 2
Alison 1
Arther 1
Carr 1
Cecil 1
F.William 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Hargreaves 1
Jonathan 1
Josiah 1
Lawrence 1
Lewis 1
Wm.Heap 1

FAQ

Whipp surname: questions and answers

How common was the Whipp surname in 1881?

In 1881, 966 people were recorded with the Whipp surname. That placed it at #4,019 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Whipp surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 745 in 2016. That gives Whipp a modern rank of #7,333.

What does the Whipp surname mean?

An English habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "white meadow" or "bright pasture."

What does the Whipp map show?

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