NameCensus.

UK surname

Widdison

A locational surname originating from a place in England called Widdison.

In the 1881 census there were 164 people recorded with the Widdison surname, ranking it #14,624 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 246, ranked #16,993, down from #14,624 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Newark-on-Trent, East Stoke (East Stoke), Park Leys, Rolleston (Fiskerton), Morton and Treeton (Treeton), Anston (Wales). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rotherham, Sheffield and Bassetlaw.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Widdison is 306 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 50.0%.

1881 census count

164

Ranked #14,624

Modern count

246

2016, ranked #16,993

Peak year

1911

306 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Widdison had 164 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,624 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 246 in 2016, ranked #16,993.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 306 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Widdison surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Widdison surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Widdison 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 87 #18,695
1861 historical 119 #18,393
1881 historical 164 #14,624
1891 historical 208 #14,496
1901 historical 248 #13,204
1911 historical 306 #11,281
1997 modern 279 #14,175
1998 modern 285 #14,351
1999 modern 290 #14,281
2000 modern 276 #14,724
2001 modern 273 #14,614
2002 modern 270 #15,010
2003 modern 258 #15,293
2004 modern 260 #15,309
2005 modern 252 #15,551
2006 modern 262 #15,255
2007 modern 258 #15,554
2008 modern 262 #15,550
2009 modern 251 #16,368
2010 modern 258 #16,432
2011 modern 249 #16,684
2012 modern 243 #16,839
2013 modern 244 #17,072
2014 modern 255 #16,682
2015 modern 250 #16,803
2016 modern 246 #16,993

Geography

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Where Widdisons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Newark-on-Trent, East Stoke (East Stoke), Park Leys, Rolleston (Fiskerton), Morton, Treeton (Treeton), Anston (Wales), Aston with Aughton and Wath-on-Dearn. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rotherham, Sheffield and Bassetlaw. 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 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
2 Newark-on-Trent, East Stoke (East Stoke), Park Leys, Rolleston (Fiskerton), Morton Nottinghamshire
3 Treeton (Treeton), Anston (Wales) Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Aston with Aughton Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Wath-on-Dearn Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rotherham 033 Rotherham
2 Sheffield 004 Sheffield
3 Rotherham 031 Rotherham
4 Rotherham 032 Rotherham
5 Bassetlaw 009 Bassetlaw

Forenames

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First names often paired with Widdison

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Widdison

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Widdison, 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 Widdison surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Widdison 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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Widdison is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Widdison 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

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

Meaning and origin of Widdison

The surname Widdison has its origins in England, particularly from the Midlands region. The name likely emerged during the medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century, a time when surnames were becoming more standardized and often derived from one's father (patronymic), occupation, or location.

The etymology of Widdison suggests that it could be a patronymic surname, meaning "son of Widd," akin to how "Johnson" means "son of John." The root Widd could be a variant of the Old English personal name Widd or Widi, which in turn might be derived from the Old English "widu" meaning wood. This derivation aligns with surnames forming based on geographical features or occupations involving woodcraft or forestry.

Early records mentioning the name Widdison can be traced back to various historical documents, although it does not appear in the famous Domesday Book of 1086. One of the earliest occurrences of a similar spelling is found in a 1379 Poll Tax record from Yorkshire, documenting a "John Wyduesson." This suggests that the name was already in use in the late 14th century in Northern England.

Throughout history, several individuals have carried the surname Widdison. William Widdison (1674-1748), a notable figure, was recorded in parish registers in Nottinghamshire, England. Another individual, Thomas Widdison (1722-1795), was known for his work as a blacksmith in Derbyshire, contributing to the local craftsmanship of the time.

By the 19th century, the name had spread further, finding prominence in certain locales. Joseph Widdison (1801-1885) became a relatively notable landowner and farmer in Lincolnshire. His contributions to the agricultural community were well-documented in regional histories.

Moving into the 20th century, the Widdison name continued to hold significance. For instance, Arthur Widdison (1889-1964), an engineer from Sheffield, played a role in the early automotive industry. His advancements in mechanical engineering were recognized by peers and historians alike.

Another example is Mary Widdison (1903-1980), a pioneering educator from Leicester who contributed significantly to the local education sector. Her work in developing early childhood education programs has left a lasting legacy in the academic community.

The surname Widdison, with its deep roots in medieval England, illustrates a rich history shaped by various individuals who have each contributed to its legacy through their diverse professions and regional influences.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Widdison families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Widdison 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. Yorkshire leads with 102 Widdisons recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.40x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 102 6.40x
Nottinghamshire 25 11.52x
Lancashire 14 0.73x
Derbyshire 7 2.78x
Middlesex 7 0.43x
Lanarkshire 5 0.96x
Staffordshire 3 0.55x
Cheshire 1 0.28x
Lincolnshire 1 0.39x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wath On Dearne in Yorkshire leads with 18 Widdisons recorded in 1881 and an index of 566.04x.

Place Total Index
Wath On Dearne 18 566.04x
Lenton 15 293.54x
Greasbrough 14 663.51x
Bradford 9 23.31x
Ecclesfield 8 68.43x
Oldham 8 12.98x
Eckington 7 114.38x
Nether Hallam 6 27.80x
Aston Cum Aughton 5 384.62x
Barony 5 3.80x
Keighley 5 29.41x
Rotherham 5 55.62x
Sheffield 5 9.85x
St Pancras London 5 3.86x
Kimberworth 4 45.20x
Nottingham St Mary 4 7.13x
Todwick 4 4000.00x
Brightside Bierlow 3 9.59x
Leek Lowe 3 41.49x
Liverpool 3 2.59x
Wombwell 3 64.52x
Brinsworth 2 270.27x
Carlton 2 80.65x
Kingstonupon Hull 2 156.25x
Newark Upon Trent 2 25.64x
Pudsey 2 23.47x
Silkstone 2 253.16x
Toxteth Park 2 3.09x
Bedford 1 25.06x
Cheadle 1 14.73x
Ecclesall Bierlow 1 3.08x
Finchley 1 16.21x
Handsworth 1 23.70x
Knottingley 1 35.71x
Mansfield Woodhouse 1 69.44x
North South Anston 1 142.86x
Scampton 1 769.23x
Tuxford 1 188.68x
Westminster St John 1 5.10x
York St Mary 1 15.13x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 16
John 12
George 6
Thomas 5
Henry 4
Albert 3
Charles 2
Joseph 2
Willie 2
Amos 1
Arthur 1
Benjamin 1
Chas. 1
Chas.Dowse 1
Dennis 1
Edwin 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Herbert 1
James 1
Jos. 1
Martin 1
Olave 1
Paul 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Timotheus 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Widdison surname: questions and answers

How common was the Widdison surname in 1881?

In 1881, 164 people were recorded with the Widdison surname. That placed it at #14,624 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Widdison surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 246 in 2016. That gives Widdison a modern rank of #16,993.

What does the Widdison surname mean?

A locational surname originating from a place in England called Widdison.

What does the Widdison map show?

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