NameCensus.

UK surname

Whyatt

A variant spelling of 'Wyatt', originally a nickname for a nimble or quick person.

In the 1881 census there were 751 people recorded with the Whyatt surname, ranking it #4,906 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 920, ranked #6,201, down from #4,906 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Wigston, Magna and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Blaenau Gwent, South Derbyshire and King's Lynn and West Norfolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Whyatt is 945 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 22.5%.

1881 census count

751

Ranked #4,906

Modern count

920

2016, ranked #6,201

Peak year

2010

945 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Whyatt had 751 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,906 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 920 in 2016, ranked #6,201.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 938 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Whyatt surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Whyatt surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Whyatt 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 487 #5,127
1861 historical 566 #4,646
1881 historical 751 #4,906
1891 historical 844 #4,837
1901 historical 918 #5,069
1911 historical 938 #4,786
1997 modern 874 #6,103
1998 modern 901 #6,156
1999 modern 918 #6,109
2000 modern 903 #6,163
2001 modern 903 #6,068
2002 modern 918 #6,113
2003 modern 894 #6,119
2004 modern 907 #6,059
2005 modern 890 #6,076
2006 modern 898 #6,056
2007 modern 900 #6,084
2008 modern 891 #6,172
2009 modern 914 #6,183
2010 modern 945 #6,145
2011 modern 923 #6,204
2012 modern 916 #6,162
2013 modern 924 #6,228
2014 modern 937 #6,195
2015 modern 914 #6,258
2016 modern 920 #6,201

Geography

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Where Whyatts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Wigston, Magna, London parishes, Hucknall Torkard and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Blaenau Gwent, South Derbyshire, King's Lynn and West Norfolk and Bedford. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Wigston, Magna Leicestershire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Hucknall Torkard Nottinghamshire
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Blaenau Gwent 007 Blaenau Gwent
2 South Derbyshire 006 South Derbyshire
3 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 016 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
4 Bedford 018 Bedford
5 South Derbyshire 012 South Derbyshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Whyatt

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Whyatt

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Whyatt is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Whyatt is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Whyatt falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Whyatt

The surname Whyatt originates from England, where it emerged during the Middle Ages. The name is believed to have derived from the Old English personal name "Wigheard," which comprises the elements "wig" meaning "war" and "heard" meaning "hardy" or "brave." It was common during medieval times for surnames to be formed from given names, signifying familial lineage or characteristics esteemed by the community.

Recorded examples of the name date back to the 13th century, often with various spellings such as Wiat, Wiatt, Wyat, and Wyatt. One of the earliest mentions is found in the subsidy rolls of Worcestershire in 1275, where a Richard Wiot is listed. Such tax records are essential historical documents as they provide insights into the distribution and prevalence of surnames during that era.

One of the most notable figures bearing this surname was Sir Thomas Wyatt the Elder, an English poet and diplomat born in 1503 and who died in 1542. He is often credited for introducing the sonnet into English literature and was a prominent figure in the court of King Henry VIII. His son, Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger, born circa 1521 and died in 1554, is remembered for leading Wyatt's Rebellion, a significant uprising during the reign of Queen Mary I.

In legal history, Sir Francis Wyatt stands out as a significant bearer of the surname. Born in 1575 and passing in 1644, he served as the Governor of Virginia in the early 17th century. His leadership was instrumental in navigating the challenges faced by the English colony during its formative years.

The surname Whyatt also finds mention in ecclesiastical records. John Whyatt appears in the Register of the University of Oxford in 1573, marking the presence of the surname in academic and clerical circles. Records like these underscore the varied roles individuals with this surname held across different societal sectors.

Another historical figure of interest is Henry Whyatt, who was known for his military service. He lived during the late 16th and early 17th centuries, demonstrating the surname’s association with martial valor, paralleling its etymological roots.

In summary, the surname Whyatt has a rich and diverse history stretching back to medieval England. Its bearers have been involved in royalty, rebellion, academia, and governance, leaving their mark on various facets of historical development. The diverse spellings and notable individuals illustrate the name's evolving nature and the significant impact of those who carried it.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Whyatt families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Whyatt 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 199 Whyatts recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.30x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 199 2.30x
Suffolk 74 8.35x
Cheshire 58 3.61x
Nottinghamshire 54 5.51x
Derbyshire 44 3.86x
Leicestershire 39 4.83x
Middlesex 28 0.38x
Devon 27 1.78x
Gloucestershire 23 1.61x
Surrey 23 0.65x
Cambridgeshire 19 4.12x
Kent 19 0.77x
Yorkshire 19 0.26x
Essex 18 1.25x
Norfolk 17 1.52x
Somerset 17 1.45x
Staffordshire 16 0.65x
Northamptonshire 11 1.61x
Lanarkshire 10 0.42x
Glamorgan 7 0.55x
Warwickshire 6 0.33x
Lincolnshire 5 0.43x
Hampshire 4 0.27x
Durham 3 0.14x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.45x
Hertfordshire 2 0.40x
Ayrshire 1 0.18x
Sussex 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chadderton in Lancashire leads with 38 Whyatts recorded in 1881 and an index of 90.03x.

Place Total Index
Chadderton 38 90.03x
Wigston Magna 36 336.45x
Hucknall Torkard 35 140.73x
Hyde 22 46.41x
Manchester 20 5.15x
Salford 19 7.48x
Thorverton 18 782.61x
Kersey 17 1382.11x
Broughton In Salford 16 20.26x
Oldham 14 5.02x
Holbrook 13 670.10x
Hadleigh 12 139.53x
Newton In Ashton Under 12 75.71x
Southwark St George Martyr 12 8.19x
Dukinfield 11 14.82x
Beighton 10 193.80x
Freston 10 1470.59x
Gorton 10 12.32x
Newton 10 15.03x
Newton 10 401.61x
Barton Upon Irwell 9 13.84x
Bedminster 9 8.18x
Bristol St James St Paul 9 18.91x
Hingham 9 232.56x
Stoke Upon Trent 9 3.46x
Willesden 9 13.12x
Basford 8 17.70x
Chatham 8 11.71x
Church Gresley 8 44.13x
Upwell 8 153.55x
Ashton Under Lyne 7 3.71x
Denton 7 36.57x
Heaton Norris 7 14.24x
Holy Trinity 7 4.04x
Hulme 7 3.88x
Lambeth 7 1.10x
Layer Marney 7 1000.00x
Passenham 7 249.11x
Stretton En Le Field 7 843.37x
Weston Super Mare 7 23.66x
Barony 6 1.01x
Barugh 6 98.52x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 6 4.47x
Bromley London 6 3.75x
Nottingham St Mary 6 2.37x
Pendleton In Salford 6 5.83x
Shalford 6 329.67x
Swaffham Prior 6 295.57x
Beswick 5 22.64x
Everton 5 1.82x
Ince In Makerfield 5 12.44x
Leek Lowe 5 15.30x
Linthorpe 5 11.62x
Stapenhill 5 29.48x
Winshill 5 68.87x
Woodland 5 1282.05x
Birmingham 4 0.65x
Cleethorpes 4 58.39x
Glasgow 4 0.96x
Hartshorn 4 93.02x
Horfield 4 27.86x
Moss Side 4 8.80x
Nether Exe 4 2352.94x
Portsea 4 1.37x
Southwold 4 76.19x
St Giles Cambridge 4 67.23x
Swansea Town 4 3.85x
Cardiff St Mary 3 4.30x
Chesterfield 3 7.02x
Deptford St Paul 3 1.57x
Gillingham 3 5.86x
Gisleham 3 394.74x
Grantchester 3 104.53x
Lenton 3 12.99x
Newington 3 1.12x
St Pancras London 3 0.51x
Westoe 3 2.44x
Whatfield 3 434.78x
Woodend 3 517.24x
Leicester St Margaret 2 1.02x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 51
Sarah 42
Elizabeth 36
Emma 15
Alice 13
Ann 13
Jane 13
Ellen 10
Hannah 10
Harriet 10
Martha 10
Emily 8
Florence 7
Louisa 7
Edith 6
Eliza 6
Ada 5
Annie 5
Charlotte 5
Agnes 4
Lucy 4
Margaret 4
Susannah 4
Grace 3
Isabella 3
Maria 3
Priscilla 3
Susan 3
Amelia 2
Caroline 2
Clara 2
Esther 2
Eveline 2
Florance 2
Helen 2
Laura 2
Millicent 2
Minnie 2
Selina 2
Sophia 2
Anne 1
Catherine 1
Chaternie 1
Elizh. 1
Ethel 1
Eva 1
Jesse 1
Jessie 1
Kezia 1
Lavinia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 51
William 46
George 37
James 29
Thomas 23
Henry 15
Charles 13
Joseph 13
Samuel 10
Robert 9
Alfred 8
Arthur 8
Edward 7
Harry 6
Edwin 5
Frank 5
Wm. 5
Ernest 4
Frederick 4
Herbert 4
Isaac 3
Jacob 3
Richard 3
Thos. 3
Tom 3
Walter 3
Albert 2
Alexander 2
Benjamin 2
Fredk. 2
Oswald 2
Percy 2
Chas 1
Christopher 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Ephiram 1
Ephrium 1
Eugine 1
Fred 1
Fred. 1
Henery 1
Jno. 1
Lewis 1
Percival 1
Ralph 1
Reuben 1
Robt. 1
Sam 1
Wm.Daniel 1

FAQ

Whyatt surname: questions and answers

How common was the Whyatt surname in 1881?

In 1881, 751 people were recorded with the Whyatt surname. That placed it at #4,906 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Whyatt surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 920 in 2016. That gives Whyatt a modern rank of #6,201.

What does the Whyatt surname mean?

A variant spelling of 'Wyatt', originally a nickname for a nimble or quick person.

What does the Whyatt map show?

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