NameCensus.

UK surname

Wilbourne

An English place name meaning "willow stream".

In the 1881 census there were 62 people recorded with the Wilbourne surname, ranking it #24,843 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 182, ranked #20,890, up from #24,843 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Whittington, London parishes and Ware (Ware). Hertford St John, Hertford All Saints. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rotherham, Warrington and Ryedale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wilbourne is 217 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 193.5%.

1881 census count

62

Ranked #24,843

Modern count

182

2016, ranked #20,890

Peak year

2000

217 bearers

Map years

5

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wilbourne had 62 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,843 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 182 in 2016, ranked #20,890.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 134 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Wilbourne surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wilbourne surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wilbourne 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 23 #29,205
1861 historical 90 #22,312
1881 historical 62 #24,843
1891 historical 134 #19,777
1901 historical 128 #19,822
1911 historical 88 #24,041
1997 modern 212 #16,996
1998 modern 207 #17,749
1999 modern 206 #17,905
2000 modern 217 #17,296
2001 modern 211 #17,376
2002 modern 208 #17,848
2003 modern 198 #18,252
2004 modern 197 #18,368
2005 modern 192 #18,640
2006 modern 182 #19,402
2007 modern 174 #20,166
2008 modern 175 #20,311
2009 modern 185 #20,010
2010 modern 180 #20,812
2011 modern 175 #21,035
2012 modern 173 #21,135
2013 modern 183 #20,722
2014 modern 186 #20,664
2015 modern 180 #20,997
2016 modern 182 #20,890

Geography

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Where Wilbournes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Whittington, London parishes, Ware (Ware). Hertford St John, Hertford All Saints, Chesterfield and North Wingfield (Woodthorpe, North Wingfield), Morton (Morton). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rotherham, Warrington, Ryedale and East and West Mainland. 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 Whittington Derbyshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Ware (Ware). Hertford St John, Hertford All Saints Hertfordshire
4 Chesterfield Derbyshire
5 North Wingfield (Woodthorpe, North Wingfield), Morton (Morton) Derbyshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rotherham 029 Rotherham
2 Warrington 006 Warrington
3 Rotherham 010 Rotherham
4 Ryedale 003 Ryedale
5 East and West Mainland Shetland Islands

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wilbourne

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wilbourne

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Wilbourne surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Wilbourne household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Wilbourne is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Wilbourne is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Wilbourne 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 Wilbourne is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Wilbourne

The surname Wilbourne has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. The name is believed to derive from the Old English words "wille" meaning "will" or "desire" and "burna" meaning "stream" or "brook." This combination suggests the name originally referred to someone living by a stream, possibly one that was associated with a particular desire or dedication.

Wilbourne tends to be associated with the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire in Northern England. Variations of the name, such as Wilburn and Welbourn, appeared in early records. The Domesday Book does not specifically mention Wilbourne, but similar names like Welbourn have been noted, hinting at shared origins. Manuscripts from the 12th and 13th centuries also make mention of related spellings, indicating the name's establishment during that time.

The earliest recorded use of the surname can be traced back to 1273 when a John de Wilbourn appeared in records in Yorkshire. This early recording shows the prevalence and familial ties of the surname in that region. The name gradually spread, often changing slightly in spelling, to accommodate regional dialects and phonetic variations.

Several historical figures have carried the surname Wilbourne. George Wilbourne, born in 1545 and a prominent resident of Lancashire, was known for his role in local governance. Anne Wilbourne (1624-1698) gained some recognition for her literary works in the 17th century, contributing to the cultural history of English literature. Thomas Wilbourne (1650-1720), a notable farmer and landowner, played a significant role in the agricultural development of Yorkshire during his time.

In the 18th century, the name continued to hold prominence with individuals such as Richard Wilbourne (1710-1784), who became well-known for his contributions to the field of natural sciences. This was a period when many individuals bearing the name began to migrate within the United Kingdom and, eventually, abroad, carrying their surname and its historical significance with them.

Henry Wilbourne, born in 1803, was documented as a key legal figure in Southern England, his work leaving a lasting impact on local jurisprudence. As the 19th century progressed, the surname appeared more frequently in public records, showcasing the enduring legacy of the name.

The Wilbourne surname, with its rich etymological roots and historical references, evokes the pastoral and communal aspects of medieval and early modern England. Its bearers have contributed to various fields, leaving an indelible mark on history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wilbourne families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wilbourne 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. Derbyshire leads with 27 Wilbournes recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.59x.

County Total Index
Derbyshire 27 31.59x
Middlesex 6 1.10x
Surrey 6 2.26x
Cheshire 5 4.15x
Leicestershire 3 4.96x
Nottinghamshire 3 4.08x
Hertfordshire 2 5.31x
Berkshire 1 2.44x
Essex 1 0.93x
Hampshire 1 0.89x
Warwickshire 1 0.73x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Whittington in Derbyshire leads with 10 Wilbournes recorded in 1881 and an index of 847.46x.

Place Total Index
Whittington 10 847.46x
Clowne 7 2058.82x
Hasland 6 689.66x
Bramhall 5 1000.00x
Kingston On Thames 4 62.60x
Ault Hucknall 3 2142.86x
Hucknall Under 3 789.47x
Leicester All Sts 3 252.10x
Ratcliffe London 2 66.23x
Aldershot 1 26.67x
Brickendon 1 588.24x
Chesterfield 1 31.25x
Egham 1 61.35x
Hertford All Saints 1 476.19x
Leyton Low 1 45.66x
Lillington 1 555.56x
Old Windsor 1 212.77x
St Alban Wood Street 1 3333.33x
St George Hanover 1 14.03x
St Giles Cripplegate 1 138.89x
St Marylebone London 1 3.43x
Wimbledon 1 33.44x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 4
Mary 3
Eliza 2
Elizabeth 2
Margaret 2
Abby 1
Ada 1
Alice 1
Amelia 1
Charity 1
Clara 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Hannah 1
Jane 1
Jessica 1
Kate 1
Lucy 1
Rose 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 4
Joseph 3
Thomas 3
Charles 2
Frederick 2
Harry 2
James 2
Wm. 2
Benjamin 1
Earnest 1
Fred 1
George 1
Gibson 1
Henry 1
John 1
Josephus 1
Tom 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Wilbourne households.

FAQ

Wilbourne surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wilbourne surname in 1881?

In 1881, 62 people were recorded with the Wilbourne surname. That placed it at #24,843 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wilbourne surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 182 in 2016. That gives Wilbourne a modern rank of #20,890.

What does the Wilbourne surname mean?

An English place name meaning "willow stream".

What does the Wilbourne map show?

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