NameCensus.

UK surname

Wimbush

From a place name meaning "a bush of wimberry plants," likely referring to a thicket of grapevines or brambles.

In the 1881 census there were 189 people recorded with the Wimbush surname, ranking it #13,322 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 252, ranked #16,699, down from #13,322 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Upper and Lower Boddington, Cropredy and Finchley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Thanet, Wealden and South Derbyshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wimbush is 299 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 33.3%.

1881 census count

189

Ranked #13,322

Modern count

252

2016, ranked #16,699

Peak year

1911

299 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wimbush had 189 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,322 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 252 in 2016, ranked #16,699.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 299 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Wimbush surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wimbush surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wimbush 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 71 #20,875
1861 historical 97 #21,503
1881 historical 189 #13,322
1891 historical 213 #14,269
1901 historical 233 #13,740
1911 historical 299 #11,475
1997 modern 238 #15,760
1998 modern 257 #15,401
1999 modern 263 #15,267
2000 modern 263 #15,228
2001 modern 256 #15,273
2002 modern 261 #15,369
2003 modern 249 #15,653
2004 modern 245 #15,894
2005 modern 244 #15,900
2006 modern 248 #15,820
2007 modern 245 #16,134
2008 modern 264 #15,468
2009 modern 250 #16,421
2010 modern 256 #16,523
2011 modern 260 #16,188
2012 modern 255 #16,296
2013 modern 254 #16,603
2014 modern 259 #16,509
2015 modern 254 #16,608
2016 modern 252 #16,699

Geography

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Where Wimbushs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Upper and Lower Boddington, Cropredy, Finchley, Halesowen (all except Hunnington, Romsley; partly in Halesowen, Worcestershire) 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 Thanet, Wealden, South Derbyshire, Shropshire and Warwick. 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 Upper and Lower Boddington Oxfordshire
2 Cropredy Oxfordshire
3 Finchley Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
4 Halesowen (all except Hunnington, Romsley; partly in Halesowen, Worcestershire) Staffordshire
5 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Thanet 015 Thanet
2 Wealden 001 Wealden
3 South Derbyshire 005 South Derbyshire
4 Shropshire 018 Shropshire
5 Warwick 008 Warwick

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wimbush

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wimbush

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

Ageing Communities

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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, Wimbush 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

Wimbush is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Wimbush falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Wimbush

The surname Wimbush has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the village of Wimbotsham, located in Norfolk. The name Wimbotsham itself is thought to be derived from the Old English words "win-burg" and "ham," meaning "dwelling by the wine hill."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Wimbush appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Winebodeham." This suggests that the name was already well-established in Norfolk by the late 11th century.

During the 13th century, the name appeared in various records with spellings such as "Wynbotesham" and "Wynbodisham." These variations reflect the evolution of the name over time and the influence of local dialects.

In the 16th century, notable individuals with the surname Wimbush included John Wimbush, a merchant from Norfolk who was born around 1520. He was involved in trade with the Netherlands and is mentioned in several historical records from that time.

Another early bearer of the name was William Wimbush, a landowner from Suffolk who lived during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Records indicate that he was involved in local governance and held positions of authority in his community.

The 17th century saw the emergence of a notable family of Wimbushes in Lincolnshire. Thomas Wimbush (1630-1709) was a successful businessman and landowner who owned several estates in the area. His son, also named Thomas Wimbush (1670-1746), followed in his footsteps and further expanded the family's holdings.

In the 18th century, a branch of the Wimbush family settled in Yorkshire. One of the most prominent members was Sir John Wimbush (1745-1823), a successful merchant and philanthropist who served as Lord Mayor of York in 1798. He was knighted for his contributions to the city and his charitable endeavors.

Another notable figure was Sir Richard Wimbush (1790-1869), a military officer who served in the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant General and was awarded several honors for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.

Throughout its history, the surname Wimbush has been associated with various professions, including agriculture, commerce, and military service. While the name may have evolved in its spelling over the centuries, its roots can be traced back to the rural landscapes of medieval England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wimbush families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wimbush 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. Warwickshire leads with 48 Wimbushs recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.32x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 48 10.32x
Middlesex 29 1.57x
Northamptonshire 28 16.15x
Hertfordshire 18 14.16x
Worcestershire 15 6.23x
Yorkshire 13 0.71x
Derbyshire 11 3.81x
Oxfordshire 8 7.03x
Lancashire 7 0.32x
Staffordshire 4 0.64x
Bedfordshire 2 2.09x
Norfolk 2 0.71x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.86x
Kent 1 0.16x
Surrey 1 0.11x
Sussex 1 0.32x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Finchley in Middlesex leads with 17 Wimbushs recorded in 1881 and an index of 240.45x.

Place Total Index
Finchley 17 240.45x
Aston 13 10.15x
Alfreton 10 114.03x
Northchurch 9 661.76x
Chipping Warden 8 3200.00x
East Barnet 8 317.46x
Upper Boddington 8 4210.53x
Birmingham 7 4.52x
Manchester 7 7.12x
Marton 7 2916.67x
Oldbury 7 59.07x
Wroxton 7 1666.67x
Terrington With 6 1714.29x
Badby 5 1470.59x
Kensington London 5 4.88x
Lea Marston 5 2631.58x
Leamington 5 162.34x
Yardley 4 64.94x
Harbury 3 400.00x
Kings Norton 3 13.90x
Kingswinford 3 13.27x
Rawmarsh 3 46.51x
South Cave 3 491.80x
Warkworth 3 192.31x
Warmington 3 1250.00x
Wellingborough 3 34.40x
Bedford St Peter 2 80.65x
Rugby 2 31.80x
St Pancras London 2 1.35x
Westminster St 2 29.41x
Banbury 1 43.86x
Battersea 1 1.47x
Berkhampstead 1 34.97x
Bolton On Dearne 1 158.73x
Chislehurst 1 29.67x
Harborne 1 5.01x
Hunstanton 1 104.17x
Isleworth 1 12.20x
Kenilworth 1 38.17x
Littlehampton 1 40.32x
Long Eaton 1 26.25x
Norwich St Peter Mancroft 1 70.42x
St Bartholomew Less 1 105.26x
St George Hanover 1 4.15x
St Michael Cambridge 1 294.12x
Stretton On Dunsmore 1 232.56x
Thorpe Mandeville 1 769.23x
Warwick St Nicholas 1 29.33x
Wyre Piddle 1 588.24x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 9
Elizabeth 7
Sarah 7
Annie 6
Alice 4
Ann 4
Emma 4
Caroline 3
Jane 3
Maria 3
Sophia 3
Catherine 2
Charlotte 2
Dora 2
Edith 2
Eleanor 2
Ester 2
Hannah 2
Margaret 2
Ruth 2
Anna 1
Anne 1
Bella 1
Bridgett 1
Catharine 1
Dorothy 1
Eliza 1
Elzbth. 1
Emily 1
Ethel 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Gertie 1
Grace 1
Harriett 1
Helen 1
Isabella 1
Jemmima 1
Jennie 1
Kate 1
Latham 1
Lilian 1
Lizie 1
Lucy 1
Mabel 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
Maud 1
Palmina 1
Thurston 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 8
William 8
George 7
Henry 7
Samuel 5
Thomas 5
Alfred 3
Benjamin 2
Charles 2
James 2
Richd. 2
Saml. 2
Willm. 2
Barnes 1
Christopher 1
Edward 1
Eric 1
Ernest 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Geoffrey 1
Harry 1
Isaac 1
Jas. 1
Joseph 1
Josh. 1
Joshua 1
Nelson 1
Norman 1
Oswald 1
Phillip 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Roland 1
Sam 1
Seth. 1
Stephen 1
Vol 1

FAQ

Wimbush surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wimbush surname in 1881?

In 1881, 189 people were recorded with the Wimbush surname. That placed it at #13,322 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wimbush surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 252 in 2016. That gives Wimbush a modern rank of #16,699.

What does the Wimbush surname mean?

From a place name meaning "a bush of wimberry plants," likely referring to a thicket of grapevines or brambles.

What does the Wimbush map show?

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