UK surname
A surname possibly derived from the Middle English words "wit" meaning white or fair, and "more" meaning hill or moor.
In the 1881 census there were 70 people recorded with the Witmore surname, ranking it #23,670 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 29, ranked #36,059, down from #23,670 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Silverstone and Kimcote and Knaptoft. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Witmore is 130 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 58.6%.
1881 census count
70
Ranked #23,670
Modern count
29
2016, ranked #36,059
Peak year
1851
130 bearers
Map years
1
1851 to 1851
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Witmore surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Witmore surname density by area, 1851 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 130 | #14,314 |
| 1861 | historical | 98 | #21,388 |
| 1881 | historical | 70 | #23,670 |
| 1891 | historical | 89 | #25,542 |
| 1901 | historical | 31 | #30,616 |
| 1911 | historical | 32 | #29,838 |
| 1997 | modern | 24 | #35,376 |
| 1998 | modern | 24 | #35,488 |
| 1999 | modern | 21 | #35,810 |
| 2000 | modern | 21 | #35,799 |
| 2001 | modern | 22 | #35,531 |
| 2002 | modern | 21 | #35,798 |
| 2003 | modern | 21 | #35,825 |
| 2004 | modern | 20 | #36,053 |
| 2005 | modern | 19 | #36,247 |
| 2006 | modern | 25 | #35,903 |
| 2007 | modern | 26 | #35,932 |
| 2008 | modern | 26 | #36,012 |
| 2009 | modern | 27 | #36,045 |
| 2010 | modern | 25 | #36,273 |
| 2011 | modern | 28 | #36,071 |
| 2012 | modern | 32 | #35,820 |
| 2013 | modern | 31 | #35,927 |
| 2014 | modern | 35 | #35,722 |
| 2015 | modern | 31 | #35,939 |
| 2016 | modern | 29 | #36,059 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Silverstone, Kimcote and Knaptoft, Foleshill and Nottingham St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 2 | Silverstone | Northamptonshire |
| 3 | Kimcote and Knaptoft | Leicestershire |
| 4 | Foleshill | Warwickshire |
| 5 | Nottingham St Mary | Nottinghamshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Witmore surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Witmore, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Witmore surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Witmore household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Witmore is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Witmore is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Witmore, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Witmore finds its origins in England, with roots tracing back to medieval times. It is believed to have emerged around the 12th century in areas such as Yorkshire and Lancashire. The name is derived from Old English words, likely a combination of 'wite', meaning white or bright, and 'mor', referring to a marsh or fen. Witmore was likely used to describe people living near a bright or prominent marshland.
Early historical records of the surname include its mention in the Domesday Book of 1086 under the variation Whitmore in descriptions of certain regions. Over time, the spelling evolved, and variants such as Whitmoor and Whitemore also appeared. The changes in spelling can often be attributed to regional dialects and the phonetic spellings used by scribes.
The earliest recorded example of the name Witmore appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1327, noting a Richard Witmore as a taxpayer. As records became more detailed, the name Witmore was noted in various legal documents, indicating the growing spread of the surname across England.
One historical figure of significance is Sir William Witmore, born in 1574 and dying in 1632. He was noted for his services as a Member of Parliament representing the Shropshire county. Another notable person is Anne Witmore, who was born in 1601 and made her name as a poet of some repute during the early 17th century.
Adding to the list is Thomas Witmore, a merchant and philanthropist active in the late 1600s, investing in trade ventures and contributing to local charities. In the 18th century, Samuel Witmore, born in 1724, made history as a notable military figure during the American Revolutionary War. His legacy includes the famous tale of his intense battle against British forces in 1775.
As the surname continued to develop across centuries, James Witmore emerged in the 19th century as an influential industrialist, contributing to the development of the steel industry in Northern England. His entrepreneurial spirit marked a significant chapter in the Witmore lineage.
The history of the surname Witmore reflects a tapestry of English medieval life, evolving through centuries to become a marker of notable individuals who have left their imprints on various spheres of life.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Witmore surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Derbyshire leads with 14 Witmores recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.10x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Derbyshire | 14 | 13.10x |
| Surrey | 8 | 2.40x |
| Warwickshire | 8 | 4.65x |
| Staffordshire | 7 | 3.04x |
| Kent | 6 | 2.58x |
| Suffolk | 6 | 7.22x |
| Hertfordshire | 4 | 8.50x |
| Essex | 3 | 2.23x |
| Norfolk | 3 | 2.86x |
| Dorset | 2 | 4.46x |
| Durham | 2 | 0.98x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 1.49x |
| Leicestershire | 2 | 2.64x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.70x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.91x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.15x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Swadlincote in Derbyshire leads with 8 Witmores recorded in 1881 and an index of 6666.67x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Swadlincote | 8 | 6666.67x |
| Morton | 6 | 2857.14x |
| Newington | 5 | 19.83x |
| Northfleet | 5 | 243.90x |
| Sudbourne | 5 | 3571.43x |
| Wolstanton | 5 | 71.43x |
| Aston | 4 | 8.44x |
| Kings Walden | 4 | 1481.48x |
| Grays Thurrock | 3 | 240.00x |
| North Lopham | 3 | 1875.00x |
| Reigate Foreign | 3 | 83.33x |
| Grendon | 2 | 1333.33x |
| Sherborne | 2 | 151.52x |
| Barnard Castle | 1 | 100.00x |
| Barnstaple | 1 | 44.84x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 1.74x |
| Bradnop Cawdry | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Cheadle | 1 | 90.09x |
| Ellerby In Whitby | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Great Claybrooke | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Haughton Le Skerne | 1 | 588.24x |
| Ipswich St Margaret | 1 | 35.46x |
| Kilmington | 1 | 909.09x |
| Kimcote Knaptoft | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Minchinhampton | 1 | 93.46x |
| Thornbury | 1 | 108.70x |
| Warwick St Mary | 1 | 67.11x |
| Woolwich | 1 | 11.61x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Witmore surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Witmore surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Witmore households.
FAQ
In 1881, 70 people were recorded with the Witmore surname. That placed it at #23,670 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 29 in 2016. That gives Witmore a modern rank of #36,059.
A surname possibly derived from the Middle English words "wit" meaning white or fair, and "more" meaning hill or moor.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Witmore bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.