NameCensus.

UK surname

Winterburn

An English habitational surname deriving from a place named Winterburn, found in Yorkshire.

In the 1881 census there were 836 people recorded with the Winterburn surname, ranking it #4,508 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,232, ranked #4,842, down from #4,508 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Whixley, Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall and Bradford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Craven, Bradford and Harrogate.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Winterburn is 1,285 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 47.4%.

1881 census count

836

Ranked #4,508

Modern count

1,232

2016, ranked #4,842

Peak year

2014

1,285 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Winterburn had 836 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,508 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,232 in 2016, ranked #4,842.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,259 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Winterburn surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Winterburn surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Winterburn 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 629 #4,129
1861 historical 577 #4,568
1881 historical 836 #4,508
1891 historical 955 #4,336
1901 historical 1,141 #4,258
1911 historical 1,259 #3,775
1997 modern 1,210 #4,676
1998 modern 1,251 #4,715
1999 modern 1,246 #4,759
2000 modern 1,226 #4,804
2001 modern 1,188 #4,832
2002 modern 1,218 #4,844
2003 modern 1,183 #4,866
2004 modern 1,177 #4,890
2005 modern 1,168 #4,871
2006 modern 1,160 #4,905
2007 modern 1,154 #4,972
2008 modern 1,148 #5,029
2009 modern 1,162 #5,086
2010 modern 1,176 #5,129
2011 modern 1,197 #4,991
2012 modern 1,199 #4,919
2013 modern 1,242 #4,845
2014 modern 1,285 #4,728
2015 modern 1,252 #4,797
2016 modern 1,232 #4,842

Geography

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Where Winterburns are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Whixley, Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall, Bradford, Guiseley and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Craven, Bradford, Harrogate, Leeds and Rhondda Cynon Taf. 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 Whixley Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Guiseley Yorkshire, West Riding
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Craven 008 Craven
2 Bradford 004 Bradford
3 Harrogate 014 Harrogate
4 Leeds 004 Leeds
5 Rhondda Cynon Taf 017 Rhondda Cynon Taf

Forenames

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First names often paired with Winterburn

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Winterburn

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Winterburn is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Winterburn is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Winterburn

The surname Winterburn has its origins in England, dating back to at least the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "winter," which means the season of winter, and "burna," meaning a brook or stream. Hence, the name likely referenced someone who lived by a stream that was prominent or particularly notable in the winter months.

Winterburn is thought to have originated in the northern regions of England, particularly in Yorkshire. The name appears in various medieval records, and one of the earliest references can be found in the 12th century. Specifically, the Poll Tax Records of Yorkshire in 1379 list a "Johannes Winterburn" as a taxpayer, indicating the use of the surname during that time.

The Domesday Book of 1086, commissioned by William the Conqueror, does not mention Winterburn specifically, as surnames were still evolving, but by the 13th and 14th centuries, surnames became more common, and local records begin to capture their presence.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname was Thomas Winterburn, who was born around 1490. He appears in historical documents of the time, signifying that the name was well-established by the turn of the 16th century. Another notable figure is Richard Winterburn, who was listed as a freeman in York in the late 1500s.

During the English Civil War, the name Winterburn appears in military rosters. For example, Captain Henry Winterburn (1615-1670) served in the Parliamentary forces, further cementing the name in historical records.

In the area of literature, Arthur Winterburn is known for his poetry written in the late 18th century, providing cultural contributions that have preserved his legacy. His works are sometimes still referenced in studies of English literature from that era.

Transitioning into the 19th century, one notable Winterburn was John Winterburn (1802-1865), a businessman whose trade and correspondence provide insights into the commerce and society of Victorian England.

The variations of the surname Winterburn over the centuries include Windborne and Winterbourne, reflecting changes in spelling and phonetics common to many English surnames. These variations are often tied to specific regions or dialects.

In summary, the surname Winterburn is of English origin, rooted in geographical and perceptual significance relating to natural features present during the winter season. Its historical presence is documented in tax records, military rosters, literary contributions, and commerce, each adding depth to the understanding of its lineage and the lives of those who bore the name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Winterburn families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Winterburn 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 535 Winterburns recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.64x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 535 6.64x
Lancashire 98 1.02x
Buckinghamshire 46 9.36x
Middlesex 44 0.54x
Surrey 26 0.66x
Warwickshire 13 0.63x
Cheshire 12 0.67x
Leicestershire 12 1.33x
Derbyshire 10 0.79x
Durham 8 0.33x
Berkshire 7 1.15x
Lincolnshire 7 0.54x
Essex 4 0.25x
Northamptonshire 3 0.39x
Cumberland 2 0.29x
Dorset 1 0.19x
Gloucestershire 1 0.06x
Kent 1 0.04x
Norfolk 1 0.08x
Sussex 1 0.07x
Worcestershire 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bilton Cum Harrogate in Yorkshire leads with 40 Winterburns recorded in 1881 and an index of 145.24x.

Place Total Index
Bilton Cum Harrogate 40 145.24x
Leeds 30 6.60x
Bingley 26 50.70x
Guiseley 23 223.08x
Whitby 20 73.69x
Whixley 20 1379.31x
Lambeth 18 2.54x
Pannal 17 219.92x
West Derby 17 6.03x
Bradford 16 8.21x
Little Bolton 16 12.91x
Bowling 15 18.81x
Horton In Bradford 14 11.13x
Hunslet 14 11.15x
Ripon 14 74.95x
York St Mary 14 41.98x
Akeley 13 1203.70x
Alverthorpe Cum Thornes 13 44.46x
Buckingham 12 120.12x
Lillingstone Dayrell 12 1578.95x
Manningham 11 11.09x
Otley 11 56.27x
Soothill 11 37.81x
Methley 10 88.18x
Idle 9 24.10x
Oldham 9 2.89x
Rawdon 9 94.94x
Yeadon 9 49.51x
Aberford 8 439.56x
Drighlington 8 68.20x
Elton 8 24.02x
Glusburn 8 175.82x
Leicester St Margaret 8 3.64x
Abingdon St Helen 7 39.26x
Gorton 7 7.72x
Ilkeston 7 19.62x
Liscard 7 21.66x
Selby 7 41.59x
Tong 7 45.02x
Beamsley In Skipton 6 1176.47x
Clapham 6 5.91x
Cottingham 6 34.58x
Headingley Cum Burley 6 11.58x
Islington London 6 0.76x
Kirk Deighton 6 612.24x
Leamington 6 44.18x
Manchester 6 1.38x
Mile End Old Town 6 4.68x
Shoreditch London 6 1.70x
Silsden 6 252.10x
St Pancras London 6 0.92x
Stockton On Tees 6 5.15x
York St Maurice 6 39.58x
Allerton 5 48.73x
Baildon 5 32.98x
Barnsley 5 6.02x
Bradwell 5 72.36x
Holy Trinity 5 2.58x
Kirkdale 5 3.08x
Leamington Hastings 5 390.63x
Pendleton In Salford 5 4.35x
St George Hanover 5 4.71x
Stowe With Normanby 5 617.28x
Templenewsam 5 85.76x
Wyke In Bradford 5 34.72x
Crompton 4 14.57x
Dukinfield 4 4.83x
High Low Bishopside 4 56.02x
Ilkley 4 30.40x
Leicester St Martin 4 66.12x
Litherland 4 19.84x
Shipley 4 9.57x
St Marylebone London 4 0.92x
West Ham 4 1.13x
Bolton In Bradford 3 58.14x
Lotherton Cum Aberford 3 243.90x
Ossett Cum Gawthorpe 3 10.43x
Sutton In Keighley 3 65.79x
Walton On Hill 3 5.74x
Welbury 3 566.04x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 50
William 48
Thomas 42
George 35
Joseph 23
James 17
Charles 14
Fred 10
Frederick 10
Walter 9
Arthur 8
Harry 8
Henry 7
Mark 7
Richard 7
Samuel 7
Benjamin 6
Albert 5
Alfred 4
Edward 4
Jas. 4
Joshua 4
Robert 4
Frank 3
Herbert 3
Robt. 3
Sam 3
Tom 3
Abram 2
Edgar 2
Ernest 2
Hy. 2
Isaac 2
Joe 2
Jonathan 2
Peter 2
Saml. 2
Archibald 1
Beaumont 1
Ben 1
Benj. 1
Calib 1
Clarence 1
Edmund 1
Ephraim 1
Fanny 1
Fred. 1
Jesse 1
Jno. 1
Wm.H. 1

FAQ

Winterburn surname: questions and answers

How common was the Winterburn surname in 1881?

In 1881, 836 people were recorded with the Winterburn surname. That placed it at #4,508 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Winterburn surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,232 in 2016. That gives Winterburn a modern rank of #4,842.

What does the Winterburn surname mean?

An English habitational surname deriving from a place named Winterburn, found in Yorkshire.

What does the Winterburn map show?

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