NameCensus.

UK surname

Wix

An English occupational surname referring to a maker or seller of wicks for candles or lamps.

In the 1881 census there were 268 people recorded with the Wix surname, ranking it #10,542 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 189, ranked #20,334, down from #10,542 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Easton, London parishes and Ufford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Suffolk Coastal, South Hams and King's Lynn and West Norfolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wix is 347 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 29.5%.

1881 census count

268

Ranked #10,542

Modern count

189

2016, ranked #20,334

Peak year

1851

347 bearers

Map years

6

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wix had 268 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,542 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 189 in 2016, ranked #20,334.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 347 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Wix surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wix surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wix 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 347 #6,781
1881 historical 268 #10,542
1901 historical 311 #11,363
1997 modern 206 #17,315
1998 modern 210 #17,600
1999 modern 211 #17,662
2000 modern 206 #17,880
2001 modern 203 #17,787
2002 modern 213 #17,603
2003 modern 202 #18,032
2004 modern 195 #18,500
2005 modern 184 #19,117
2006 modern 184 #19,254
2007 modern 177 #19,965
2008 modern 179 #20,015
2009 modern 188 #19,797
2010 modern 191 #20,015
2011 modern 183 #20,425
2012 modern 186 #20,141
2013 modern 202 #19,389
2014 modern 203 #19,504
2015 modern 196 #19,840
2016 modern 189 #20,334

Geography

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Where Wix' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Easton, London parishes, Ufford, Ickborough and Reading St Giles, Shinfield (East and West Side, Hartley Dammer), Sonning (Early),. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Suffolk Coastal, South Hams, King's Lynn and West Norfolk and Waverley. 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 Easton Suffolk
2 London parishes London 3
3 Ufford Suffolk
4 Ickborough Norfolk
5 Reading St Giles, Shinfield (East and West Side, Hartley Dammer), Sonning (Early), Berkshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Suffolk Coastal 015 Suffolk Coastal
2 South Hams 008 South Hams
3 Suffolk Coastal 014 Suffolk Coastal
4 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 014 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
5 Waverley 007 Waverley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wix

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wix

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Wix surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Wix household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Wix is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Wix is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Wix falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Wix 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 Wix, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Wix

The surname Wix has its origins in England, tracing back to the 11th century and the Norman Conquest. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "wic," meaning a dwelling or a village, and was likely used as a locational surname to identify someone from a particular village or settlement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Wix can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of lands and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Wice" and "Wice," reflecting the variations in pronunciation and orthography common during that time.

The village of Wix in Essex, England, is considered to be the place of origin for many individuals bearing this surname. The name is also associated with other locations, such as Wix in Hertfordshire and Wix in Norfolk, suggesting that the surname may have arisen independently in different regions.

One notable figure in history with the surname Wix was Sir Thomas Wix (c. 1535-1599), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Essex during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another prominent individual was Sir William Wix (1567-1636), a wealthy merchant and philanthropist who was instrumental in establishing the Wix Charity School in Boston, Lincolnshire.

In the literary world, William Wix (1768-1846) was an English clergyman and writer who published several works on religious topics, including "A Series of Lectures on the Apostles' Creed" and "The Scripture Doctrine of the Proper Divinity of Our Blessed Saviour Defended."

Henrietta Wix (1815-1891) was a notable English artist and author, known for her illustrations in books such as "Flower Fables" by Louisa May Alcott. She also wrote and illustrated her own works, including "Bible Stories for Children" and "Grandmamma's Nursery Stories."

Another individual of note was Sir Samuel Wix (1822-1886), a British engineer and inventor who made significant contributions to the development of early cable communication systems. He was knighted for his work in laying the first successful transatlantic cable in 1858.

While these are just a few examples, the surname Wix has a rich history spanning centuries and can be found in various regions of England, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of those who have borne this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wix families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wix 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. Norfolk leads with 85 Wix' recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.07x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 85 21.07x
Suffolk 56 17.52x
Essex 18 3.48x
Surrey 18 1.41x
Berkshire 17 8.63x
Middlesex 15 0.57x
Hampshire 14 2.60x
Northamptonshire 12 4.86x
Yorkshire 10 0.38x
Gloucestershire 7 1.36x
Hertfordshire 5 2.76x
Somerset 4 0.95x
Kent 2 0.22x
Sussex 2 0.45x
Bedfordshire 1 0.74x
Huntingdonshire 1 1.92x
Lancashire 1 0.03x
Oxfordshire 1 0.62x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. East Harling in Norfolk leads with 20 Wix' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2083.33x.

Place Total Index
East Harling 20 2083.33x
Ufford 17 3400.00x
Woodbridge 13 317.85x
Tottenhill 11 3333.33x
Weasenham All Sts 11 3333.33x
Easton 10 2631.58x
Wellingborough 10 80.58x
Wortley In Bramley 9 43.71x
Camberwell 8 4.77x
Islington London 8 3.15x
Pentney 7 1458.33x
Ryde 7 60.61x
Stapleton 7 71.72x
Tilney All Sts 7 1372.55x
Sunninghill 6 219.78x
Finchingfield 5 308.64x
Flamstead 5 299.40x
Great Dunmow 4 148.15x
Hartley Wintney 4 246.91x
Littlebury 4 563.38x
Middleton 4 506.33x
Terrington St John 4 655.74x
Walcot 4 17.78x
West Dereham 4 784.31x
Battersea 3 3.11x
East Dereham 3 58.82x
Great Glemham 3 967.74x
Ixworth 3 333.33x
Narford 3 2307.69x
Reading St Giles 3 15.53x
Reading St Mary 3 19.01x
Weasenham St Peter 3 1250.00x
Belchamp St Paul 2 312.50x
Boxford 2 338.98x
East Winch 2 555.56x
Finchley 2 19.88x
Hawstead 2 645.16x
Heybridge 2 132.45x
Long Melford 2 67.34x
Reigate Foreign 2 14.45x
Streatham 2 10.27x
Witnesham 2 434.78x
Blaxhall 1 217.39x
Brampton 1 92.59x
Canterbury St Dunstan 1 64.94x
Cookham 1 16.29x
Cretingham 1 357.14x
East Walton 1 588.24x
Effingham 1 188.68x
Hackney London 1 0.68x
Hornsey 1 3.01x
Hove 1 5.15x
Kensington London 1 0.69x
Kidlington 1 80.00x
Kingston On Thames 1 3.26x
Lancing 1 81.97x
Lewisham 1 2.09x
Leziate 1 555.56x
Luton 1 4.25x
Maldon St Marys 1 80.65x
Mundford 1 384.62x
Newbury 1 15.85x
Newington 1 1.03x
North Meols 1 3.28x
Northampton Priory St 1 6.75x
Odiham 1 42.37x
Raunds 1 39.84x
Scarborough 1 4.23x
Shinfield 1 86.21x
Sonning 1 46.08x
Southacre 1 1666.67x
St Marylebone London 1 0.71x
Stratfield Turgis 1 555.56x
Stratfieldsaye 1 196.08x
Thetford St Mary 1 90.91x
Wantage 1 31.85x
West Winch 1 270.27x
Westminster St 1 10.34x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 11
John 9
Charles 8
George 8
James 8
Arthur 7
Frederick 7
Henry 5
Thomas 5
Alfred 4
Robert 4
Ernest 3
Harry 3
Herbert 3
Joseph 3
Albert 2
David 2
Noah 2
R. 2
Richard 2
Walter 2
Alexander 1
Augustus 1
Auther 1
Bertie 1
Cyril 1
Daniel 1
Edmond 1
Edmund 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Elijah 1
Francis 1
Freddy 1
Henery 1
Hooker 1
Horace 1
Hubert 1
Isaac 1
Joshua 1
Louis 1
Samuel 1
T.Walter 1
Tom 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Wix surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wix surname in 1881?

In 1881, 268 people were recorded with the Wix surname. That placed it at #10,542 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wix surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 189 in 2016. That gives Wix a modern rank of #20,334.

What does the Wix surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to a maker or seller of wicks for candles or lamps.

What does the Wix map show?

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