NameCensus.

UK surname

Willmore

A locational surname referring to an ancient estate located near Stratford, England.

In the 1881 census there were 546 people recorded with the Willmore surname, ranking it #6,327 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 816, ranked #6,800, down from #6,327 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Dunstan Stepney and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wiltshire, East and West Mainland and Shropshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Willmore is 986 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 49.5%.

1881 census count

546

Ranked #6,327

Modern count

816

2016, ranked #6,800

Peak year

1911

986 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Willmore had 546 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,327 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 816 in 2016, ranked #6,800.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 986 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Willmore surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Willmore surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Willmore 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 411 #5,901
1861 historical 304 #8,340
1881 historical 546 #6,327
1891 historical 675 #5,778
1901 historical 828 #5,467
1911 historical 986 #4,595
1997 modern 883 #6,051
1998 modern 930 #6,004
1999 modern 946 #5,971
2000 modern 922 #6,072
2001 modern 866 #6,245
2002 modern 877 #6,299
2003 modern 833 #6,440
2004 modern 827 #6,493
2005 modern 834 #6,392
2006 modern 810 #6,557
2007 modern 818 #6,572
2008 modern 796 #6,775
2009 modern 812 #6,801
2010 modern 845 #6,727
2011 modern 838 #6,685
2012 modern 816 #6,736
2013 modern 826 #6,772
2014 modern 833 #6,764
2015 modern 824 #6,769
2016 modern 816 #6,800

Geography

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Where Willmores are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Dunstan Stepney, Lambeth and Birmingham Town: Birmingham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wiltshire, East and West Mainland, Shropshire, Sunderland and Walsall. 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 London parishes London 3
2 St Dunstan Stepney London (East Districts)
3 Lambeth London (South Districts)
4 London parishes London 2
5 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wiltshire 042 Wiltshire
2 East and West Mainland Shetland Islands
3 Shropshire 031 Shropshire
4 Sunderland 006 Sunderland
5 Walsall 036 Walsall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Willmore

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Willmore

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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, Willmore 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

Willmore 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

Willmore falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Willmore is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Willmore

The surname Willmore is of English origin, with records indicating its use as early as the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old English personal name Wilimær, which itself originates from the elements "wil," meaning desire or will, and "mær," meaning famous or great. This would make the original meaning of the name something akin to "famous will" or "famous desire."

The earliest references to the surname Willmore can be traced back to the regions of Norfolk and Suffolk in England. The name appears in various spellings in old manuscripts and charters, often reflective of the phonetic spellings of the time. One of the earliest recorded instances of this surname can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk in 1327, where a Peter Willimere is listed.

Historical records also show that variations of the surname were prevalent across different counties. For instance, a John Willmere is noted in the Poll Tax records of Yorkshire in 1379. These records suggest the name was fairly widespread by the 14th century, carried by individuals involved in various trades and occupations.

Throughout history, the surname Willmore has been borne by several noteworthy individuals. One such person is Thomas Willmore (1668-1738), an influential landowner in Staffordshire, whose estate documents provide crucial insights into the agricultural practices of the region during that time. Another notable figure is Richard Willmore (1532-1606), a merchant from London whose trading ventures helped expand England's commercial reach during the Elizabethan era.

Military records from the 17th and 18th centuries also highlight the presence of the surname. Lieutenant John Willmore (1742-1771), who served in the Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War, is remembered for his bravery during naval battles. His contributions are documented in the naval records housed at the National Archives in Kew.

In literature, the name appears sporadically, with Joshua Willmore (1765-1820), a poet from Warwickshire, being one of the early literary figures to bear the surname. His collected works, published posthumously, reflect the social and cultural milieu of early 19th-century England.

These historical references and examples provide a rich tapestry of the surname's lineage, illustrating its evolution through centuries of English history. The surname Willmore thus encapsulates a legacy of diverse contributions to English society, from landownership and commerce to military service and literary pursuits.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Willmore families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Willmore 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. Middlesex leads with 128 Willmores recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.40x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 128 2.40x
Warwickshire 62 4.62x
Staffordshire 46 2.56x
Worcestershire 43 6.18x
Kent 42 2.31x
Surrey 40 1.54x
Leicestershire 35 5.93x
Hertfordshire 32 8.72x
Yorkshire 22 0.42x
Buckinghamshire 18 5.59x
Hampshire 17 1.56x
Bedfordshire 10 3.63x
Sussex 9 1.00x
Cornwall 7 1.16x
Durham 5 0.32x
Gloucestershire 5 0.48x
Berkshire 4 1.00x
Lancashire 4 0.06x
Lincolnshire 4 0.47x
Merionethshire 3 3.08x
Essex 2 0.19x
Lanarkshire 2 0.12x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.28x
Cumberland 1 0.22x
Devon 1 0.09x
Northumberland 1 0.13x
Somerset 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. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 28 Willmores recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.57x.

Place Total Index
Aston 28 7.57x
Birmingham 28 6.26x
Bow London 21 30.97x
Mile End Old Town 21 24.98x
Bexley 17 105.79x
Peopleton 16 3200.00x
Redditch 16 113.48x
Lambeth 14 3.01x
Northchurch 14 357.14x
Wolverhampton 14 10.13x
Islington London 12 2.32x
Aldbury 11 662.65x
Enderby 11 359.48x
Bilston 10 28.70x
Camberwell 10 2.94x
Leicester St Margaret 10 6.94x
West Bromwich 10 9.72x
Brighton 9 4.97x
Edmonton 9 20.97x
Millbrook 9 32.74x
Mountsorrel North End 9 789.47x
Hythe St Leonard 8 124.61x
Padbury 8 824.74x
Abbots Langley 7 128.44x
Ashford 7 39.55x
Ratcliffe London 7 23.80x
Walsall Foreign 7 7.54x
Ecclesall Bierlow 6 5.59x
Falmouth 6 28.12x
Fulham London 6 7.77x
Kensington London 6 2.03x
Shoreditch London 6 2.60x
Southwark St Saviour 6 21.92x
St George In East 6 16.56x
Buckholt 5 5555.56x
Cheltenham 5 6.20x
Clapham 5 7.51x
Clophill 5 247.52x
Feckenham 5 62.81x
Ipsley 5 203.25x
Middlesbrough 5 7.27x
Middleton In Teesdale 5 119.62x
St Giles In Fields 5 27.22x
Tottenham 5 5.89x
Bedford St Paul 4 21.15x
Great Barr 4 194.17x
Ivinghoe 4 158.73x
Linthorpe 4 12.70x
New Windsor 4 29.76x
Paddington London 4 2.04x
St George Hanover 4 5.75x
St Luke London 4 4.68x
St Pancras London 4 0.93x
Winslow 4 132.01x
York St Lawrence 4 72.73x
Chertsey 3 17.89x
Llandderfel 3 158.73x
Sculcoates 3 3.59x
St Anne Soho London 3 9.87x
Barrow Upon Soar 2 40.98x
Bushley 2 400.00x
Greenwich 2 2.36x
Hamilton 2 4.16x
Kidderminster Borough 2 4.91x
Loughborough 2 7.46x
Manchester 2 0.70x
Nottingham St Mary 2 1.08x
Oldbury 2 5.84x
Orpington 2 35.97x
Rainham 2 40.08x
St Marylebone London 2 0.70x
Sutton St James 2 194.17x
West Ham 2 0.86x
Willesborough 2 40.90x
Bodmin 1 10.02x
Hound 1 13.50x
Leamington Priors 1 3.03x
North Kelsey 1 64.94x
Portsea 1 0.47x
Waddesdon Westcott 1 99.01x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 37
John 30
George 19
Henry 15
James 15
Thomas 15
Charles 13
Edward 12
Alfred 10
Joseph 10
Arthur 7
Richard 7
Frank 5
Albert 4
Harry 4
Robert 4
Frederick 3
Geo. 3
Walter 3
David 2
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Lewis 2
Clement 1
Daniel 1
Earnest 1
Edwin 1
Eliab 1
Eliab. 1
Emily 1
Enoch 1
Fred 1
Fredrick 1
Hezakiah 1
J. 1
Jeremiah 1
Jesse 1
Job 1
Josiah 1
Kate 1
Lawrence 1
Noah 1
Percy 1
Phillip 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Southwick 1
Stacy 1
Thos. 1
Wiliam 1

FAQ

Willmore surname: questions and answers

How common was the Willmore surname in 1881?

In 1881, 546 people were recorded with the Willmore surname. That placed it at #6,327 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Willmore surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 816 in 2016. That gives Willmore a modern rank of #6,800.

What does the Willmore surname mean?

A locational surname referring to an ancient estate located near Stratford, England.

What does the Willmore map show?

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