NameCensus.

UK surname

Willington

A locative surname derived from a place name containing the element "ton" meaning town.

In the 1881 census there were 356 people recorded with the Willington surname, ranking it #8,665 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 319, ranked #14,121, down from #8,665 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Sedgley and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wolverhampton, Chelmsford and Pembrokeshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Willington is 1,164 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 10.4%.

1881 census count

356

Ranked #8,665

Modern count

319

2016, ranked #14,121

Peak year

1861

1,164 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Willington had 356 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,665 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 319 in 2016, ranked #14,121.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,164 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Willington surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Willington surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Willington 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 347 #6,781
1861 historical 1,164 #2,422
1881 historical 356 #8,665
1891 historical 806 #5,001
1901 historical 319 #11,166
1911 historical 453 #8,460
1997 modern 334 #12,591
1998 modern 353 #12,470
1999 modern 354 #12,497
2000 modern 328 #13,129
2001 modern 322 #13,098
2002 modern 322 #13,354
2003 modern 310 #13,522
2004 modern 317 #13,400
2005 modern 294 #14,006
2006 modern 300 #13,911
2007 modern 306 #13,862
2008 modern 302 #14,069
2009 modern 301 #14,386
2010 modern 310 #14,378
2011 modern 311 #14,260
2012 modern 313 #14,095
2013 modern 321 #14,073
2014 modern 335 #13,720
2015 modern 325 #13,927
2016 modern 319 #14,121

Geography

Back to top

Where Willingtons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Sedgley, London parishes, Tettenhall and St George the Martyr. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wolverhampton, Chelmsford and Pembrokeshire. 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 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 Sedgley Staffordshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Tettenhall Staffordshire
5 St George the Martyr London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wolverhampton 001 Wolverhampton
2 Chelmsford 005 Chelmsford
3 Wolverhampton 035 Wolverhampton
4 Pembrokeshire 014 Pembrokeshire
5 Wolverhampton 028 Wolverhampton

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Willington

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Willington

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Willington surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Willington household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Willington 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

Willington 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

Willington falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Willington

The surname Willington finds its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. The name is toponymic, derived from various locales named Willington in England, specifically in counties such as Bedfordshire, Derbyshire, Durham, and historically in Devon. These place names share a common Old English root, originating from the words "Willa," a personal name meaning "will" or "desire," and "tun," meaning "settlement" or "farmstead." Therefore, Willington can be interpreted as "Willa's settlement" or "the farmstead of Willa."

Historical records indicate the presence of the name Willington in early medieval documents. For instance, the Domesday Book of 1086, one of the most significant manuscripts of the period, records places like Willitone, a precursor to the modern name Willington. This emphasizes the legacy and continuity of the name through centuries of English history.

One of the earliest examples of the surname in records is William de Willington, who appeared in the Pipe Rolls of Derbyshire in 1195. From this period forth, various notable figures with the surname emerged. Sir Ralph de Willington, born circa 1230 and died around 1290, served as a knight and held lands in Devon. His lineage underscores the longevity and dissemination of the surname through subsequent generations.

Another historical reference is John Willington, recorded in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327. His presence in these fiscal records indicates the family's socio-economic standing during the medieval period. Additionally, Elizabeth de Willington was an early medieval heiress born around 1315, who significantly influenced the distribution of land in the Devonshire area.

Moving forward, Thomas Willington in the late 15th century was a notable figure born around 1450, who contributed to civic life in Coventry. His involvement in municipal activities highlights the transition of the surname from purely rural origins to urban settings as well.

Lastly, Lady Frances Willington, born in 1530 and passing in 1597, became known for her contributions to the cultural and social domains of her time. Her marriage into the Montagu family further underscored the integration of the Willington lineage into more prominent circles.

This exploration of the Willington surname underscores its deep historical roots and evolution from Old English settlements to prominent medieval and early modern figures, maintaining a rich legacy throughout English history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Willington families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Willington 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. Staffordshire leads with 62 Willingtons recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.29x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 62 5.29x
Surrey 46 2.72x
Middlesex 39 1.12x
Warwickshire 34 3.88x
Gloucestershire 23 3.38x
Lancashire 21 0.51x
Cheshire 16 2.09x
Devon 15 2.08x
Kent 13 1.10x
Yorkshire 12 0.35x
Suffolk 8 1.89x
Cornwall 7 1.78x
Denbighshire 7 5.34x
Lanarkshire 7 0.62x
Nottinghamshire 7 1.50x
Derbyshire 6 1.10x
Somerset 5 0.89x
Sussex 4 0.68x
Caernarfonshire 3 2.14x
Durham 3 0.29x
Hampshire 3 0.42x
Bedfordshire 2 1.11x
Berkshire 2 0.77x
Herefordshire 2 1.40x
Lincolnshire 2 0.36x
Worcestershire 2 0.44x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.68x
Clackmannanshire 1 3.49x
Glamorgan 1 0.17x
Monmouthshire 1 0.40x
Shropshire 1 0.33x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 24 Willingtons recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.22x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 24 8.22x
Cannock 15 73.35x
Newington 15 11.69x
Tettenhall 15 209.21x
Croydon 13 13.84x
Wolverhampton 13 14.42x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 10 15.60x
Lambeth 10 3.30x
Ecclesall Bierlow 9 12.86x
Monks Coppenhall 9 31.11x
Lympne 8 1194.03x
Rickinghall Inferior 8 1818.18x
Ardwick 7 18.83x
Clocaenog 7 1400.00x
Coventry St Michael 7 24.88x
Glasgow 7 3.51x
Hammersmith London 7 8.18x
Haughton 7 116.47x
Kingswinford 7 16.45x
Stoke Damerel 7 13.84x
Carlton 6 112.36x
Southwark St George Martyr 6 8.59x
Hassop 5 4545.45x
Hennock 5 543.48x
Islington London 5 1.49x
Shoreditch London 5 3.32x
Chelsea London 4 3.82x
Fowey 4 222.22x
Macclesfield 4 11.74x
Rugeley 4 47.56x
Brighton 3 2.54x
Bromley London 3 3.93x
Cheltenham 3 5.71x
Greenwich 3 5.43x
Kensington London 3 1.55x
Keynsham 3 74.81x
Lanlivery 3 181.82x
Newnham 3 171.43x
Paddington London 3 2.35x
Westbury On Severn East 3 19.48x
Bow London 2 4.52x
Hereford St John 2 123.46x
Hindley 2 11.38x
Newton 2 6.30x
Ogley Hay 2 82.30x
Sandhurst 2 39.60x
Sedgley 2 4.59x
Shalfleet 2 145.99x
Southwick 2 20.45x
St Martin In Fields 2 9.62x
Aspley Guise 1 58.14x
Aston 1 0.41x
Bristol St Michael 1 17.12x
Burntwood Edial 1 13.35x
Bushbury 1 47.39x
Cainham 1 71.94x
Crayford 1 19.34x
Derby St Peter 1 5.77x
Eastham 1 97.09x
Greasley 1 9.47x
Harborne 1 2.66x
Hylton 1 54.95x
Ince 1 250.00x
Kingston On Thames 1 2.46x
Knowle 1 55.56x
Leamington Priors 1 4.64x
Little Torrington 1 158.73x
Liverpool 1 0.40x
Llanbedrog 1 156.25x
Llandwrog 1 20.33x
Ryde 1 6.54x
Sheffield 1 0.91x
Slaugham 1 52.91x
St Peterat Gowts Lincoln 1 12.80x
Stapleton 1 7.74x
Stockport 1 2.53x
Totnes 1 23.64x
Toxteth Park 1 0.72x
Warrington 1 2.05x
Wells St Andrew 1 200.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 19
Elizabeth 13
Ann 12
Sarah 12
Eliza 8
Emma 8
Jane 8
Margaret 6
Annie 5
Florence 5
Esther 4
Harriet 4
Lucy 4
Martha 4
Amy 3
Clara 3
Edith 3
Alice 2
Caroline 2
Elizth. 2
Ellen 2
Emily 2
Fanny 2
Kate 2
Amanda 1
Amelia 1
Attie 1
Bertha 1
Bessie 1
Betsey 1
Dorcas 1
Eiley 1
Eleanor 1
Elespett 1
Ellin 1
Gertude 1
Grace 1
Hannah 1
Harrat 1
Harriett 1
Isabel 1
Jamhima 1
Jessie 1
Judith 1
Julia 1
Louisa 1
Lydia 1
Margreat 1
Margt. 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 18
John 15
Thomas 11
Arthur 10
George 9
James 9
Joseph 9
Henry 7
Edward 6
Frederick 6
Albert 4
Edwin 4
Joshua 4
Walter 4
Charles 3
Francis 3
Wm. 3
Geo. 2
Harry 2
Matthias 2
Richard 2
Samuel 2
Thos. 2
Tom 2
Ambrose 1
Benjamin 1
Creasey 1
Cyril 1
David 1
Edmund 1
Edwd. 1
Ernest 1
Frances 1
Frank 1
Fredk 1
Harvey 1
Herbert 1
Hugh 1
Jas. 1
Leonard 1
Levi 1
M. 1
Mark 1
Paul 1
Peter 1
Richd. 1
Robert 1
Sidney 1
Steaven 1
Stephen 1

FAQ

Willington surname: questions and answers

How common was the Willington surname in 1881?

In 1881, 356 people were recorded with the Willington surname. That placed it at #8,665 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Willington surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 319 in 2016. That gives Willington a modern rank of #14,121.

What does the Willington surname mean?

A locative surname derived from a place name containing the element "ton" meaning town.

What does the Willington map show?

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