NameCensus.

UK surname

Witten

Derived from a German place name meaning "white," likely referring to a person who lived near a white landmark.

In the 1881 census there were 138 people recorded with the Witten surname, ranking it #16,292 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 227, ranked #17,992, down from #16,292 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Steyning and Dalton-le-Dale. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include County Durham, Sunderland and East Northamptonshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Witten is 247 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 64.5%.

1881 census count

138

Ranked #16,292

Modern count

227

2016, ranked #17,992

Peak year

2013

247 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Witten had 138 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,292 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 227 in 2016, ranked #17,992.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 194 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Witten surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Witten surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Witten 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 136 #13,892
1861 historical 160 #14,468
1881 historical 138 #16,292
1891 historical 194 #15,277
1901 historical 166 #17,011
1911 historical 179 #16,023
1997 modern 195 #17,912
1998 modern 203 #17,949
1999 modern 216 #17,364
2000 modern 220 #17,138
2001 modern 217 #17,059
2002 modern 210 #17,753
2003 modern 221 #16,987
2004 modern 215 #17,384
2005 modern 207 #17,731
2006 modern 220 #17,204
2007 modern 215 #17,633
2008 modern 207 #18,243
2009 modern 220 #17,911
2010 modern 238 #17,323
2011 modern 240 #17,093
2012 modern 238 #17,092
2013 modern 247 #16,935
2014 modern 232 #17,761
2015 modern 229 #17,846
2016 modern 227 #17,992

Geography

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Where Wittens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Steyning, Dalton-le-Dale and Brighton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to County Durham, Sunderland and East Northamptonshire. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Steyning Sussex
4 Dalton-le-Dale Durham
5 Brighton Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 County Durham 017 County Durham
2 County Durham 018 County Durham
3 County Durham 042 County Durham
4 Sunderland 022 Sunderland
5 East Northamptonshire 003 East Northamptonshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Witten

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Witten

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

Ageing Communities

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Witten is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Witten is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Witten falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Witten is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Witten, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Witten

The surname "WITTEN" is believed to have originated in Germany during the Middle Ages. It is thought to be derived from the Old German word "widu," meaning "wood," and was likely an occupational name for someone who lived or worked in a wooded area.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in various medieval documents and records from the region now known as North Rhine-Westphalia in western Germany. For example, a reference to a "Johannes Witten" appears in a 14th-century tax record from the town of Soest.

In the 16th century, the name was also found in the nearby city of Dortmund, where a "Henrich Witten" was listed as a freeman in the city's records from 1557. Around the same time, a "Gerd Witten" was mentioned in a court document from the town of Kamen, dated 1583.

One of the earliest known individuals to bear the name was Johann Witten, a German theologian and philosopher who lived from 1492 to 1542. He was a professor at the University of Wittenberg and was known for his writings on logic and metaphysics.

Another notable historical figure with the surname was Christoph Witten, a German Baroque composer and organist who lived from 1675 to 1725. He was employed at various churches and courts throughout Germany and composed numerous works for organ and voice.

In the 19th century, a prominent bearer of the name was Wilhelm Witten, a German jurist and politician who lived from 1822 to 1899. He served as a member of the Prussian House of Representatives and was involved in drafting legal reforms related to criminal law and civil procedure.

Moving into the 20th century, one of the most well-known individuals with the surname was Nikolaus Witten, a German businessman and philanthropist who lived from 1887 to 1965. He founded a successful construction company and used his wealth to support various charitable causes, particularly in the field of education.

Another notable figure was Theodor Witten, a German engineer and inventor who lived from 1901 to 1976. He held numerous patents for innovations in the fields of textile machinery and plastics production, and his inventions played a significant role in the industrialization of these sectors.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Witten families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Witten 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. Durham leads with 26 Wittens recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.49x.

County Total Index
Durham 26 6.49x
Middlesex 25 1.86x
Surrey 23 3.51x
Sussex 22 9.69x
Staffordshire 14 3.08x
Lancashire 6 0.38x
Gloucestershire 4 1.52x
Hampshire 4 1.45x
Essex 3 1.13x
Kent 3 0.65x
Westmorland 3 10.14x
Cumberland 2 1.73x
Somerset 1 0.46x
Suffolk 1 0.61x
Yorkshire 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sedgley in Staffordshire leads with 12 Wittens recorded in 1881 and an index of 71.09x.

Place Total Index
Sedgley 12 71.09x
Dawdon 9 182.56x
Lambeth 9 7.67x
Camberwell 8 9.30x
Hunwick Helmington 7 729.17x
Tanfield 6 126.05x
Brighton 5 10.92x
Hammersmith London 5 15.08x
St Luke London 5 23.16x
Bramber 4 4444.44x
Bromsberrow 4 3333.33x
St George Martyr 4 176.21x
Upper Beeding 4 1428.57x
Edgeworth 3 348.84x
Everton 3 5.89x
New Shoreham 3 220.59x
South Shields 3 84.03x
Streatham 3 30.03x
Warcop 3 909.09x
Battersea 2 4.04x
Chelsea London 2 4.93x
Hailsham 2 145.99x
Hampstead London 2 9.54x
Hastings St Mary In The 2 41.32x
Hove 2 20.08x
Lexden 2 186.92x
Portsea 2 3.70x
St George Bloomsbury 2 25.91x
Swynnerton 2 555.56x
Westminster St 2 40.32x
Woodside Quarter 2 740.74x
Barling 1 588.24x
Blendworth 1 714.29x
Deal 1 25.51x
Hackney London 1 1.33x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 1 5.76x
Hinderclay 1 714.29x
Kensington London 1 1.34x
Lee 1 14.99x
Margate St John Baptist 1 11.89x
Mitcham 1 24.10x
Nether Hallam 1 5.54x
Portsmouth 1 15.75x
St Paul Covent Garden 1 74.07x
Weston Super Mare 1 18.28x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 8
Thomas 7
George 5
John 5
Samuel 5
James 4
Richard 4
Arthur 3
Edward 3
Walter 3
Alfred 2
Henry 2
Joseph 2
Robert 2
Albert 1
Benjamin 1
Charles 1
Charlton 1
Edwin 1
Eliza 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Leonard 1
Lewis 1
Nath. 1
Nathaniel 1
Stewart 1
Sydney 1
Willm.J. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Witten surname: questions and answers

How common was the Witten surname in 1881?

In 1881, 138 people were recorded with the Witten surname. That placed it at #16,292 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Witten surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 227 in 2016. That gives Witten a modern rank of #17,992.

What does the Witten surname mean?

Derived from a German place name meaning "white," likely referring to a person who lived near a white landmark.

What does the Witten map show?

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