NameCensus.

UK surname

Witney

A habitational surname derived from the town of Witney in Oxfordshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 534 people recorded with the Witney surname, ranking it #6,436 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 724, ranked #7,505, down from #6,436 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Radnage, London parishes and Chinnor. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Oxfordshire, Maldon and Wycombe.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Witney is 760 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 35.6%.

1881 census count

534

Ranked #6,436

Modern count

724

2016, ranked #7,505

Peak year

1998

760 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Witney had 534 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,436 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 724 in 2016, ranked #7,505.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 713 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Witney surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Witney surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Witney 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 485 #5,144
1861 historical 423 #6,073
1881 historical 534 #6,436
1891 historical 587 #6,508
1901 historical 656 #6,592
1911 historical 713 #5,983
1997 modern 719 #7,096
1998 modern 760 #7,025
1999 modern 747 #7,174
2000 modern 748 #7,113
2001 modern 701 #7,358
2002 modern 724 #7,318
2003 modern 705 #7,345
2004 modern 712 #7,293
2005 modern 706 #7,283
2006 modern 722 #7,187
2007 modern 729 #7,222
2008 modern 721 #7,316
2009 modern 757 #7,198
2010 modern 748 #7,387
2011 modern 740 #7,390
2012 modern 737 #7,322
2013 modern 735 #7,460
2014 modern 733 #7,519
2015 modern 730 #7,482
2016 modern 724 #7,505

Geography

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Where Witneys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Radnage, London parishes, Chinnor and St John Hackney. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Oxfordshire, Maldon and Wycombe. 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 Radnage Buckinghamshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Chinnor Buckinghamshire
5 St John Hackney London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Oxfordshire 005 South Oxfordshire
2 Maldon 001 Maldon
3 South Oxfordshire 012 South Oxfordshire
4 Wycombe 001 Wycombe
5 Maldon 002 Maldon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Witney

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Witney

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Witney 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

Witney is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Witney

The surname Witney has its origins in England, dating back to the Middle Ages. The name is toponymic, meaning it is derived from a place name, specifically the town of Witney in Oxfordshire. The name of the town itself comes from Old English roots, combining "wic," meaning a settlement or dwelling, and "ney," meaning an island or land between rivers, possibly referring to the area of Witney situated between the River Windrush and its tributaries.

Historically, the name Witney is mentioned in various ancient records. A significant reference is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where the town of Witney is listed as "Witenie." This earliest record illustrates the town's importance and the name's antiquity. By the 12th century, the town of Witney became well known for its flourishing wool trade, which likely contributed to the spread and adoption of the surname by individuals associated with the area.

One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the surname Witney is Robert de Witney, documented in the early 13th century. This suggests the surname had already become established as a family name by this time. Another early reference to the surname is found in the 1273 Hundred Rolls, where a John de Witney is listed, signifying the continued presence and usage of the name.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the surname Witney. One example is Richard Witney, born in 1580, who made significant contributions to the wool industry in Oxfordshire. His involvement helped to sustain the town's economy during a critical period in its history. In the 17th century, Anne Witney, born in 1635, became known for her philanthropic work in her community, establishing schools and almshouses in Witney.

In more recent centuries, the Witney surname is associated with figures like Charles Witney, an 18th-century clergyman known for his theological writings. Charles was born in 1745 and served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Witney. Additionally, Sarah Witney, an artist born in 1801, gained recognition for her contributions to landscape painting and her depictions of the Oxfordshire countryside.

The Witney surname's rich history is deeply rooted in its geographic origins and the notable individuals who have carried it over centuries. Each generation has contributed to maintaining and enhancing the legacy of the Witney name, linking it indelibly to the Oxfordshire town from which it sprung.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Witney families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Witney 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. Oxfordshire leads with 125 Witneys recorded in 1881 and an index of 39.15x.

County Total Index
Oxfordshire 125 39.15x
Middlesex 120 2.32x
Essex 57 5.59x
Buckinghamshire 51 16.32x
Surrey 43 1.71x
Lancashire 17 0.28x
Yorkshire 14 0.27x
Staffordshire 13 0.74x
Glamorgan 12 1.33x
Berkshire 10 2.58x
Cheshire 10 0.88x
Monmouthshire 9 2.41x
Shropshire 8 1.79x
Hertfordshire 6 1.68x
Northamptonshire 6 1.23x
Nottinghamshire 6 0.86x
Hampshire 5 0.47x
Lincolnshire 4 0.48x
Warwickshire 4 0.31x
Kent 3 0.17x
Bedfordshire 2 0.75x
Sussex 2 0.23x
Herefordshire 1 0.47x
Leicestershire 1 0.17x
Royal Navy 1 1.62x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chinnor in Oxfordshire leads with 54 Witneys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2443.44x.

Place Total Index
Chinnor 54 2443.44x
Sydenham 18 2857.14x
Shoreditch London 17 7.59x
Kensington London 16 5.57x
Hackney London 13 4.49x
St Pancras London 13 3.12x
Camberwell 12 3.63x
Lewknor 12 1276.60x
Tetsworth 12 1578.95x
Lambeth 11 2.44x
Stokenchurch 11 384.62x
Wath On Dearne 10 97.85x
Great Leighs 9 676.69x
Hammersmith London 9 7.07x
Barking 8 26.79x
Cold Brayfield 8 5000.00x
St Lawrence Newland 8 2105.26x
Bethnal Green London 7 3.12x
Great Missenden 7 181.82x
Little Missenden 7 355.33x
Merthyr Tydfil 7 8.09x
Newington 7 3.67x
Prees 7 128.68x
Prittlewell 7 49.51x
Chesham 6 52.08x
Cumnor 6 335.20x
Great Doddington 6 571.43x
Heston 6 34.94x
Hucknall Torkard 6 33.96x
Norton In Moors 6 64.94x
Pownall Fee 6 117.42x
Pyrton 6 600.00x
Stoke Upon Trent 6 3.24x
Aberystruth 5 15.18x
Ardwick 5 9.04x
East Ham 5 26.40x
Fulham London 5 6.67x
Little Marlow 5 289.02x
Staines 5 61.05x
Battersea 4 2.10x
Blackburn 4 2.45x
Buckland 4 261.44x
Hayes 4 75.76x
Hurley 4 198.02x
Islington London 4 0.80x
Paddington London 4 2.10x
St George Martyr 4 45.92x
Braintree 3 32.75x
Chalgrove 3 329.67x
Chipping Barnet 3 48.15x
Fairsted 3 588.24x
Heybridge 3 101.01x
Monks Risborough 3 200.00x
Pleshey 3 566.04x
Princes Risborough 3 71.60x
Rippingdale 3 306.12x
Sherington 3 280.37x
Stadhampton 3 454.55x
Thame 3 51.64x
Wardleworth 3 8.56x
Winnington 3 238.10x
Aberdare 2 3.24x
Abergavenny 2 14.29x
Aldershot 2 5.63x
Aston 2 0.56x
Bovingdon 2 106.95x
Burnham 2 53.05x
Chelsea London 2 1.28x
Colchester St Botolph 2 23.04x
Croydon 2 1.43x
Fryerning 2 160.00x
Harrow 2 25.32x
Horton In Bradford 2 2.50x
Kingston On Thames 2 3.31x
Southwark Christchurch 2 8.25x
Watlington 2 61.16x
Wooburn 2 46.40x
Wycombe 2 8.58x
Bromley 1 3.72x
Ibstock 1 23.98x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 35
Elizabeth 18
Jane 16
Emma 11
Ann 9
Annie 9
Sarah 8
Ellen 7
Hannah 7
Martha 7
Caroline 6
Kate 6
Alice 5
Eliza 5
Emily 5
Louisa 5
Lucy 5
Amelia 4
Anne 4
Harriet 4
Clara 3
Esther 3
Florence 3
Jessie 3
Lizzie 3
Rachel 3
Amy 2
Catherine 2
Charlotte 2
Elizth. 2
Fanny 2
Leah 2
Lousia 2
May 2
Minnie 2
Selina 2
Susan 2
Alma 1
B.S. 1
Beatrice 1
Bertha 1
Bessie 1
E.K. 1
Edith 1
Elinor 1
Eliz.Helen 1
Eliza. 1
Janey 1
Julia 1
Walter 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 29
John 27
George 26
James 19
Henry 17
Thomas 14
Charles 12
Alfred 9
Edward 8
Frederick 8
Joseph 7
Frank 5
Albert 4
Edwin 4
Robert 4
Daniel 3
David 3
Jesse 3
Richard 3
Samuel 3
Benjamin 2
Eden 2
Edmund 2
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Geo. 2
Harry 2
Herbert 2
Lawrence 2
Mark 2
Percy 2
Walter 2
Amos 1
Arthur 1
Aubrey 1
Binghman 1
Ebenezar 1
Esau 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Fredk.C. 1
Harold 1
Herbt. 1
Hugh 1
Jabez 1
Jacob 1
Jno. 1
Mary 1
Matthew 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Witney surname: questions and answers

How common was the Witney surname in 1881?

In 1881, 534 people were recorded with the Witney surname. That placed it at #6,436 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Witney surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 724 in 2016. That gives Witney a modern rank of #7,505.

What does the Witney surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from the town of Witney in Oxfordshire, England.

What does the Witney map show?

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