NameCensus.

UK surname

Wither

An English surname derived from the Old English word meaning "to resist" or "withstand."

In the 1881 census there were 263 people recorded with the Wither surname, ranking it #10,692 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 164, ranked #22,314, down from #10,692 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Stoneykirk and Inch. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rhins North, Stranraer West and Stranraer South.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wither is 302 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 37.6%.

1881 census count

263

Ranked #10,692

Modern count

164

2016, ranked #22,314

Peak year

1891

302 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wither had 263 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,692 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 164 in 2016, ranked #22,314.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 302 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Wither surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wither surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wither 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 242 #9,001
1861 historical 294 #8,571
1881 historical 263 #10,692
1891 historical 302 #11,058
1901 historical 237 #13,574
1911 historical 106 #21,948
1997 modern 187 #18,398
1998 modern 194 #18,451
1999 modern 175 #19,798
2000 modern 165 #20,501
2001 modern 164 #20,279
2002 modern 155 #21,431
2003 modern 152 #21,486
2004 modern 163 #20,685
2005 modern 158 #21,052
2006 modern 170 #20,214
2007 modern 180 #19,745
2008 modern 183 #19,735
2009 modern 179 #20,418
2010 modern 185 #20,453
2011 modern 174 #21,096
2012 modern 154 #22,870
2013 modern 158 #22,817
2014 modern 165 #22,356
2015 modern 163 #22,407
2016 modern 164 #22,314

Geography

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Where Withers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Stoneykirk, Inch, Portpatrick and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rhins North, Stranraer West, Stranraer South, Rushmoor and Blairdardie East. 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 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Stoneykirk Wigtown
3 Inch Wigtown
4 Portpatrick Wigtown
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rhins North Dumfries and Galloway
2 Stranraer West Dumfries and Galloway
3 Stranraer South Dumfries and Galloway
4 Rushmoor 012 Rushmoor
5 Blairdardie East Glasgow City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wither

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wither

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

Established but Challenged

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Wither is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Wither 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

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

Meaning and origin of Wither

The surname Wither has its origins in England and dates back to the medieval period. It is believed to have emerged around the 11th or 12th century, primarily in the western counties such as Somerset, Devon, and Dorset. The name likely derives from the Old English word "wither," which means "against" or "opposed," possibly referring to a characteristic or attribute of an ancestor who was known for being resolute or contrary.

Early records and manuscripts reveal various spellings of the surname, including Wyther and Wythere. The name appears in historical documents such as the Subsidy Rolls of Devon in the early 14th century, indicating its presence in the region. Additionally, a Wytherus de Wygemore is mentioned in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1248, showcasing an early occurrence of the name in legal records.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname is Simon Wither, who appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset in 1327. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the surname can be found in various parish registers across England, reflecting its spread and establishment within the country. The name gradually evolved into its modern form, Wither, over time.

One notable individual bearing the surname is George Wither, an English poet and satirist born in 1588 and died in 1667. George Wither is remembered for his literary works and significant contributions to English literature during the early 17th century. Another significant figure is Thomas Wither, an English landowner in Devon who lived during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. His contributions to local society are documented in various land and property records.

Further notable individuals include John Wither, an English merchant and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Christchurch in the early 17th century. His participation in political affairs underscores the prevalence of the surname in influential circles. During the 18th century, another prominent person bearing the surname was James Wither, a clergyman who played a notable role in the ecclesiastical history of Wiltshire.

Additionally, William Wither, an architect born in the early 19th century, made significant contributions to architectural design within London. His works and projects are well-documented, reflecting the continuing presence of the surname in various professional fields.

The surname Wither, with its medieval English origins and various historical references, illustrates a rich heritage that spans centuries. Derived from Old English roots, the name has been borne by individuals who played notable roles in literature, politics, religion, and architecture, cementing its place in the annals of English history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wither families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wither 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. Wigtownshire leads with 153 Withers recorded in 1881 and an index of 449.21x.

County Total Index
Wigtownshire 153 449.21x
Middlesex 30 1.17x
Lancashire 20 0.66x
Lanarkshire 12 1.45x
Ayrshire 8 4.17x
Worcestershire 8 2.39x
Aberdeenshire 5 2.10x
Sutherland 5 25.34x
Hampshire 3 0.57x
Yorkshire 3 0.12x
Berkshire 2 1.04x
Warwickshire 2 0.31x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.64x
Derbyshire 1 0.25x
Gloucestershire 1 0.20x
Kent 1 0.11x
Kirkcudbrightshire 1 2.69x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.29x
Perthshire 1 0.87x
Radnorshire 1 4.83x
Ross-shire 1 1.42x
Somerset 1 0.24x
Surrey 1 0.08x
Sussex 1 0.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Portpatrick in Wigtownshire leads with 33 Withers recorded in 1881 and an index of 2894.74x.

Place Total Index
Portpatrick 33 2894.74x
Stoneykirk 33 1352.46x
Kirkcolm 28 1717.79x
Inch 24 722.89x
Leswalt 21 901.29x
Cheetham 9 39.65x
Wigtown 8 412.37x
Govan 7 3.41x
Poplar London 7 14.46x
West Derby 7 7.86x
Oldbury 6 36.41x
Barony 5 2.38x
Cabrach 5 833.33x
Chipping Barnet 5 746.27x
Colmonell 5 259.07x
Kensington London 5 3.51x
St Anne Soho London 5 34.13x
Stoer Assynt 5 406.50x
Shoreditch London 4 3.60x
Stranraer 4 128.21x
Chadderton 3 20.16x
Dalrymple 3 250.00x
Birmingham 2 0.93x
Clerkenwell London 2 3.30x
Holbeck 2 11.88x
Lye 2 35.84x
Newbury 2 32.41x
St Michael Winchester 2 186.92x
Barrow In Furness 1 2.42x
Bilborough 1 588.24x
Chapel En Le Frith 1 27.25x
East Harptree 1 172.41x
Hardwick 1 526.32x
Kingston On Thames 1 3.33x
Kirkmaiden 1 46.30x
Knighton 1 59.88x
Leeds 1 0.70x
Old Luce 1 46.51x
Perth East Church 1 9.21x
Petworth 1 38.76x
Plumstead 1 3.43x
Portsea 1 0.97x
Preston On Stour 1 416.67x
Rerrick 1 62.89x
St Luke London 1 2.43x
St Marylebone London 1 0.73x
Stornoway 1 10.89x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 6
Margaret 3
Ann 2
Emily 2
A. 1
Alice 1
Anne 1
Besey 1
Betsy 1
Charlotte 1
Eliza 1
Florence 1
Jane 1
Lucy 1
Mabel 1
Madeline 1
Marianne 1
Martha 1
Rebecca 1
Rhoda 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 6
William 6
Charles 5
George 4
Thomas 4
Arthur 2
Joseph 2
Nathaniel 2
Bertie 1
Daniel 1
Edmd.O. 1
Edmd.W. 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Herbert 1
Isaac 1
Jacob 1
James 1
Kenith 1
Richard 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Wither surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wither surname in 1881?

In 1881, 263 people were recorded with the Wither surname. That placed it at #10,692 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wither surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 164 in 2016. That gives Wither a modern rank of #22,314.

What does the Wither surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Old English word meaning "to resist" or "withstand."

What does the Wither map show?

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