NameCensus.

UK surname

Withycombe

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "the broad valley".

In the 1881 census there were 156 people recorded with the Withycombe surname, ranking it #15,114 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 145, ranked #24,293, down from #15,114 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Kingsteignton, Millom, Muncaster and Ashburton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Gateshead, Northumberland and Teignbridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Withycombe is 182 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 7.1%.

1881 census count

156

Ranked #15,114

Modern count

145

2016, ranked #24,293

Peak year

1911

182 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Withycombe had 156 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,114 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 145 in 2016, ranked #24,293.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 182 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Withycombe surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Withycombe surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Withycombe 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 65 #21,747
1861 historical 133 #16,835
1881 historical 156 #15,114
1891 historical 145 #18,752
1901 historical 164 #17,144
1911 historical 182 #15,859
1997 modern 159 #20,339
1998 modern 162 #20,673
1999 modern 154 #21,455
2000 modern 161 #20,822
2001 modern 154 #21,122
2002 modern 145 #22,392
2003 modern 134 #23,260
2004 modern 134 #23,425
2005 modern 131 #23,737
2006 modern 129 #24,165
2007 modern 129 #24,503
2008 modern 135 #24,123
2009 modern 132 #24,929
2010 modern 140 #24,569
2011 modern 143 #24,056
2012 modern 139 #24,485
2013 modern 143 #24,434
2014 modern 141 #24,855
2015 modern 143 #24,481
2016 modern 145 #24,293

Geography

Back to top

Where Withycombes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Kingsteignton, Millom, Muncaster, Ashburton, Tavistock. Whitechurch, St Peter Tavy and Widecombe-in-the-Moor. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Gateshead, Northumberland, Teignbridge, Copeland and North East Derbyshire. 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 Kingsteignton Devon
2 Millom, Muncaster Cumberland
3 Ashburton Devon
4 Tavistock. Whitechurch, St Peter Tavy Devon
5 Widecombe-in-the-Moor Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Gateshead 001 Gateshead
2 Northumberland 036 Northumberland
3 Teignbridge 004 Teignbridge
4 Copeland 008 Copeland
5 North East Derbyshire 009 North East Derbyshire

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Withycombe

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Withycombe

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Withycombe, 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 Withycombe surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Withycombe 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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Withycombe is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Withycombe 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

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

Meaning and origin of Withycombe

The surname Withycombe has its origins in England, particularly in the southwestern county of Devon. It is an old English locational surname derived from places named Withycombe in Somerset and Devon. The name is composed of two Old English elements: "withig" meaning willow, and "cumb" meaning a valley. As such, Withycombe translates to "valley where willows grow."

Historical references to the surname Withycombe can be traced back to medieval England. One of the oldest recorded instances of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where the place name Withycombe in Somerset is mentioned. The use of this surname as a family name likely began shortly thereafter, as individuals started to be identified by the names of the places they hailed from.

The earliest recorded use of the surname Withycombe as a family name dates back to the 13th century. An early example can be found in the Assize Rolls for Somerset, where a Robert de Withecomb is mentioned in 1257. Another early reference occurs in the Subsidy Rolls for Devon in 1332, where a Richard de Withycombe is listed, indicating that the name was already well-established by then.

Withycombe has seen various historical spellings, including Withecomb, Withycomb, and Withecombe, reflecting the fluidity of English orthography in medieval times. Each variation underscores the strong regional connections and the evolution of language over the centuries.

Prominent individuals with the surname Withycombe include William Withycombe (1560-1633) of Devon, who was known for his involvement in local governance. Another notable figure is John Withycombe (1580-1645), who served as a Member of Parliament for Tiverton. These individuals exemplify the surname's presence in both local and national historical contexts.

Edward Withycombe (1792-1858) was a distinguished clergyman in the early 19th century, serving as vicar in several parishes across Devon. His work and influence in religious circles highlight the continued prominence of the surname beyond its origination period.

The surname also crossed the Atlantic, with one of the more notable bearers being James Withycombe (1854-1919), who served as the 15th Governor of Oregon from 1915 until his death in 1919. Born in England and emigrating to the United States, James Withycombe's life and career are a testament to the surname's international reach and enduring legacy.

In summary, the surname Withycombe has its roots in the willow-filled valleys of southwestern England, with historical records dating back to the 13th century. It has been borne by various notable individuals over the centuries, from local officials and clergy in England to a significant political figure in early 20th-century America, representing a rich and enduring heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Withycombe families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Withycombe 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. Devon leads with 80 Withycombes recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.10x.

County Total Index
Devon 80 25.10x
Somerset 27 10.95x
Gloucestershire 17 5.66x
Lancashire 8 0.44x
Cambridgeshire 7 7.22x
Kent 6 1.15x
Glamorgan 4 1.50x
Surrey 2 0.27x
Ayrshire 1 0.87x
Durham 1 0.22x
Hampshire 1 0.32x
Middlesex 1 0.07x
Royal Navy 1 5.48x
Wiltshire 1 0.74x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lidford in Devon leads with 15 Withycombes recorded in 1881 and an index of 1048.95x.

Place Total Index
Lidford 15 1048.95x
Bridgewater 13 194.32x
Bristol St James St Paul 11 109.89x
East Portlemouth 10 6250.00x
Exeter St Sidwell 10 136.99x
Everton 8 13.81x
Kingsteignton 8 898.88x
Chesterton 7 234.11x
Ilfracombe 7 213.41x
Ashburton 5 328.95x
Plymouth St Andrew 5 20.36x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 4 14.14x
Cardiff St Mary 4 27.23x
Taunton St Mary 4 88.50x
Beckenham 3 43.92x
Dunster 3 508.47x
Ilsington 3 535.71x
West Teignmouth 3 122.95x
Bromley 2 25.13x
Carhampton 2 588.24x
Plympton Maurice 2 333.33x
Taunton St James 2 55.71x
Tormoham 2 14.83x
Wembdon 2 273.97x
Widdecombeinthe Moor 2 465.12x
Battersea 1 1.77x
Beerferris 1 161.29x
Bickington 1 769.23x
Bishopsteignton 1 166.67x
Black Torrington 1 217.39x
Bridford 1 434.78x
Broughton Gifford 1 312.50x
Buckland In The Moor 1 2500.00x
Cheltenham 1 4.32x
Chivelstone 1 454.55x
Clapham 1 5.22x
Dalmellington 1 29.67x
Gravesend 1 22.62x
Huntspill 1 99.01x
Royal Navy 1 6.41x
St Marylebone London 1 1.22x
St Thomas Winchester 1 45.05x
Stapleton 1 17.54x
Stranton 1 6.52x
Tavistock 1 27.55x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 14
Elizabeth 7
Ann 5
Eliza 5
Emma 5
Harriet 4
Ellen 3
Annie 2
Bessie 2
Elizabth. 2
Emily 2
Frances 2
Helen 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Susan 2
Ada 1
Alice 1
Amelia 1
Anna 1
Anne 1
Athalia 1
Caroline 1
Cecilia 1
Charlet 1
Charlotte 1
Clara 1
E.A. 1
Edna 1
Esther 1
Flora 1
Florence 1
Honor 1
Jane 1
Jessie 1
Joan 1
Julia 1
Lilly 1
M. 1
Mahala 1
Margaret 1
Maud 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 11
William 11
George 7
Charles 3
Robert 3
Thomas 3
Ernest 2
Henry 2
Isaac 2
James 2
Joseph 2
Samuel 2
Sydney 2
Willm. 2
Albert 1
Edward 1
Elias 1
Francis 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
G.H. 1
Gordon 1
Herbert 1
Infant 1
Jno. 1
Lessles 1
W.H. 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Withycombe surname: questions and answers

How common was the Withycombe surname in 1881?

In 1881, 156 people were recorded with the Withycombe surname. That placed it at #15,114 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Withycombe surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 145 in 2016. That gives Withycombe a modern rank of #24,293.

What does the Withycombe surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "the broad valley".

What does the Withycombe map show?

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