UK surname
A locational surname referring to someone from the village of Wolstenholme in Yorkshire, England.
In the 1881 census there were 140 people recorded with the Wolstenholm surname, ranking it #16,151 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 7, ranked #37,967, down from #16,151 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Eckington, Manchester and Sheffield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wolstenholm is 140 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 95.0%.
1881 census count
140
Ranked #16,151
Modern count
7
2016, ranked #37,967
Peak year
1881
140 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Wolstenholm surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Wolstenholm surname density by area, 1881 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 | 139 | #13,659 |
| 1861 | historical | 46 | #28,170 |
| 1881 | historical | 140 | #16,151 |
| 1891 | historical | 39 | #31,257 |
| 1901 | historical | 111 | #21,492 |
| 1911 | historical | 49 | #27,894 |
| 1997 | modern | 4 | #38,094 |
| 1998 | modern | 4 | #38,082 |
| 1999 | modern | 4 | #38,100 |
| 2000 | modern | 8 | #37,264 |
| 2001 | modern | 4 | #37,862 |
| 2002 | modern | 5 | #37,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 6 | #37,586 |
| 2004 | modern | 7 | #37,496 |
| 2005 | modern | 7 | #37,581 |
| 2006 | modern | 7 | #37,634 |
| 2007 | modern | 7 | #37,687 |
| 2008 | modern | 9 | #37,473 |
| 2009 | modern | 9 | #37,573 |
| 2010 | modern | 9 | #37,654 |
| 2011 | modern | 7 | #37,865 |
| 2012 | modern | 6 | #38,008 |
| 2013 | modern | 7 | #37,909 |
| 2014 | modern | 7 | #37,929 |
| 2015 | modern | 7 | #37,920 |
| 2016 | modern | 7 | #37,967 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Eckington, Manchester, Sheffield, Blackburn and Bury (Walmersley and Tottington, Heap),Middleton (Birtle with Bamford, Pilsworth). 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 | Eckington | Derbyshire |
| 2 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 3 | Sheffield | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 4 | Blackburn | Lancashire |
| 5 | Bury (Walmersley and Tottington, Heap),Middleton (Birtle with Bamford, Pilsworth) | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Wolstenholm 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 Wolstenholm, 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 Wolstenholm surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Wolstenholm 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, Wolstenholm 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 Wolstenholm is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Wolstenholm, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Wolstenholm is of English origin, specifically from the northern parts of England. It is a toponymic surname, derived from a place called Wolstenholme in the historic county of Lancashire, now in Greater Manchester. The name can be traced back to the Middle Ages and is composed of the Old English personal name Wulfstan and the word holm, which means a small island or a piece of slightly raised land in a fen or wetland.
The earliest references to the Wolstenholm name appear in medieval records. One of the first recorded instances of the name was found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a man named Wulfstan was recorded as a landholder. This indicates the usage of Wulfstan as a personal name, which eventually evolved into the place name Wolstenholme and subsequently into the surname Wolstenholm.
In subsequent centuries, the surname appears in various records and documents. One significant early bearer of the name was Robert de Wolstenholme, noted in the Year Books of 1279. Another early example is Richard Wolstenholme, whose name appears in the records of the Lancashire Assizes in the 14th century. These records often deal with legal cases and land disputes, providing important insights into the early usage and social standing of the name.
The name Wolstenholm has undergone various spellings over time, including Wolstenholme, Wolstenholms, and Wolstinholme. Place names like Wolstenholme Fold and Wolstenholme Hall in Greater Manchester solidify the geographical origins of the surname.
Throughout history, several noteworthy individuals have carried the surname Wolstenholm. Sir John Wolstenholme (1562-1639) was a prominent merchant who played a significant role in raising funds for the Virginia Company, which established the Jamestown colony in America. Another significant figure is James Wolstenholme (c. 1616-1696), a noted English Protestant clergyman known for his religious writings and sermons.
In the 19th century, Thomas Wolstenholme (1829-1890) became known as a key figure in the British art scene, particularly for his contributions to the Pre-Raphaelite movement. Similarly, George Wolstenholme (1833-1899), a Sheffield-based industrialist, was instrumental in developing the cutlery industry, a hallmark of Sheffield’s industrial history.
The legacy of the Wolstenholm name continues to be influential, with historical records marking the contributions and presence of individuals bearing this surname. Through its etymological roots and historical references, the surname Wolstenholm offers a rich glimpse into the cultural and social transformations of England from the medieval period to modern times.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wolstenholm 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. Lancashire leads with 58 Wolstenholms recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.58x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 58 | 3.58x |
| Yorkshire | 40 | 2.96x |
| Derbyshire | 18 | 8.42x |
| Lanarkshire | 5 | 1.13x |
| Hampshire | 4 | 1.43x |
| Leicestershire | 4 | 2.64x |
| Warwickshire | 4 | 1.16x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.15x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.33x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 1.06x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.21x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 0.55x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 0.48x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sheffield in Yorkshire leads with 18 Wolstenholms recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.78x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Sheffield | 18 | 41.78x |
| Newbold Dunston | 10 | 492.61x |
| Ecclesall Bierlow | 9 | 32.70x |
| Rishton | 8 | 421.05x |
| Ecclesfield | 7 | 70.56x |
| Salford | 7 | 14.69x |
| Clifton | 6 | 491.80x |
| Middleton In Oldham | 6 | 123.46x |
| Accrington | 5 | 33.94x |
| Barony | 5 | 4.47x |
| Nether Hallam | 5 | 27.31x |
| Pendleton In Salford | 5 | 25.91x |
| Birmingham | 4 | 3.49x |
| Elton | 4 | 71.43x |
| Leicester St Margaret | 4 | 10.83x |
| Portsea | 4 | 7.29x |
| Castleton | 3 | 18.54x |
| Heap | 3 | 34.92x |
| Holloway | 3 | 1153.85x |
| Beswick | 2 | 48.31x |
| Chorlton On Medlock | 2 | 7.77x |
| Kearsley | 2 | 58.65x |
| Over Darwen | 2 | 15.46x |
| Ripley | 2 | 75.76x |
| Staveley | 2 | 52.77x |
| Altrincham | 1 | 18.98x |
| Blackley | 1 | 35.21x |
| Bradfield | 1 | 19.16x |
| Didsbury | 1 | 46.51x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 1 | 1.36x |
| Ingham | 1 | 476.19x |
| Islington London | 1 | 0.76x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 1.32x |
| Margate St John Baptist | 1 | 11.72x |
| Norton | 1 | 56.82x |
| Walkern | 1 | 250.00x |
| Walmersley Cum | 1 | 38.61x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Wolstenholm 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 Wolstenholm 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 Wolstenholm households.
FAQ
In 1881, 140 people were recorded with the Wolstenholm surname. That placed it at #16,151 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 7 in 2016. That gives Wolstenholm a modern rank of #37,967.
A locational surname referring to someone from the village of Wolstenholme in Yorkshire, England.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Wolstenholm 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.