NameCensus.

UK surname

Wonnacott

A habitational surname originating from a place named Wonnacott in England.

In the 1881 census there were 398 people recorded with the Wonnacott surname, ranking it #7,996 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 723, ranked #7,514, up from #7,996 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Thornbury, Stratton and Tawton, South. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Pembrokeshire, West Devon and Torridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wonnacott is 831 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 81.7%.

1881 census count

398

Ranked #7,996

Modern count

723

2016, ranked #7,514

Peak year

2002

831 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wonnacott had 398 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,996 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 723 in 2016, ranked #7,514.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 592 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Wonnacott surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wonnacott surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wonnacott 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 236 #9,174
1861 historical 197 #12,166
1881 historical 398 #7,996
1891 historical 403 #8,822
1901 historical 550 #7,533
1911 historical 592 #6,912
1997 modern 788 #6,624
1998 modern 795 #6,779
1999 modern 811 #6,725
2000 modern 827 #6,597
2001 modern 800 #6,650
2002 modern 831 #6,575
2003 modern 803 #6,630
2004 modern 817 #6,554
2005 modern 773 #6,792
2006 modern 790 #6,701
2007 modern 802 #6,667
2008 modern 798 #6,757
2009 modern 803 #6,865
2010 modern 803 #7,003
2011 modern 775 #7,123
2012 modern 733 #7,356
2013 modern 759 #7,274
2014 modern 750 #7,378
2015 modern 739 #7,400
2016 modern 723 #7,514

Geography

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Where Wonnacotts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Thornbury, Stratton, Tawton, South, Tavistock. Whitechurch, St Peter Tavy and Plymouth St Charles the Martyr. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Pembrokeshire, West Devon and Torridge. 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 Thornbury Devon
2 Stratton Cornwall
3 Tawton, South Devon
4 Tavistock. Whitechurch, St Peter Tavy Devon
5 Plymouth St Charles the Martyr Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Pembrokeshire 012 Pembrokeshire
2 West Devon 002 West Devon
3 Torridge 009 Torridge
4 West Devon 003 West Devon
5 Torridge 005 Torridge

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wonnacott

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wonnacott

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Wonnacott, 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 Wonnacott surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Wonnacott 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, Wonnacott 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

Wonnacott is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Wonnacott

The surname Wonnacott has its origins in England, specifically in the southwest regions of Devon and Cornwall. The name is believed to have been derived from the Old English words "wynn" and "cote," which translate to "pleasant" and "cottage" respectively. This implies that the original bearers of the name may have lived in or near a pleasant cottage or a desirable piece of land.

One of the earliest mentions of a name resembling Wonnacott appears in medieval records from the 12th and 13th centuries. Historical manuscripts from this period reference a place named "Winnicott" or "Wynnekott," suggesting that the surname's origins are closely tied to geographic locations rather than occupational or descriptive origins. These early records highlight the prevalence of the name in the West Country of England, emphasizing its roots in Devon and Cornwall.

The earliest recorded example of someone with the surname Wonnacott dates back to the year 1273, where a Richard de Wynnekot is mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of Devonshire. This indicates that the surname has been in use for nearly a millennium, deeply embedded in the local history and culture of the region. Other variations of the name appearing in historical documents include "Wynnecote" and "Wynnekot," reflecting the fluid spelling conventions of the time.

Among notable individuals bearing the surname Wonnacott, one can find John Wonnacott (1543-1614), a merchant from Devon who made a significant impact on local trade during the Elizabethan era. Another figure of historical importance is Thomas Wonnacott (1745-1823), a farmer and community leader in Cornwall whose descendants played prominent roles in regional politics and agriculture.

In the 19th century, the name gained further recognition through George Wonnacott (1820-1885), a respected schoolmaster and educational reformer in Devon. His contributions to the local education system were well-documented in civic records and remain a point of pride for those researching the history of the surname.

More recently, Eric Wonnacott (1905-1972) emerged as a distinguished author and historian, contributing extensively to the understanding of Devon and Cornwall's heritage. His works remain influential in historical circles and continue to inspire genealogists and historians alike.

In conclusion, the surname Wonnacott is inherently tied to its geographical roots in Devon and Cornwall, with a rich history that spans several centuries. Its origins in Old English language highlight the connection to a pleasant dwelling or cottage, and its presence in historical records underscores the enduring legacy of this distinctive surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wonnacott families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wonnacott 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. Devon leads with 258 Wonnacotts recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.77x.

County Total Index
Devon 258 31.77x
Cornwall 75 16.98x
Middlesex 19 0.49x
Kent 10 0.75x
Northumberland 9 1.55x
Lancashire 5 0.11x
Surrey 5 0.26x
Yorkshire 5 0.13x
Hampshire 4 0.50x
Staffordshire 3 0.23x
Glamorgan 2 0.29x
Gloucestershire 2 0.26x
Berkshire 1 0.34x
Herefordshire 1 0.63x
Royal Navy 1 2.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. South Tawton in Devon leads with 38 Wonnacotts recorded in 1881 and an index of 2275.45x.

Place Total Index
South Tawton 38 2275.45x
Plymouth St Andrew 15 23.98x
Plymouth Charles The 14 39.13x
Stratton 14 583.33x
St Pancras London 13 4.14x
Bradworthy 12 1016.95x
Liskeard 11 148.85x
Holsworthy 10 436.68x
Thornbury 10 2380.95x
Cramlington 9 117.34x
Milton Damerel 9 1406.25x
St Stephen 9 573.25x
Tavistock 9 97.30x
Black Torrington 8 683.76x
Calstock 8 92.38x
Morwenstow 8 740.74x
St Stithians 8 329.22x
Walkhampton 8 1025.64x
Chulmleigh 7 378.38x
East Stonehouse 7 43.75x
North Tawton 7 281.12x
Stoke Damerel 7 12.32x
Chittlehampton 6 300.00x
Newton Abbot St Mary 6 88.11x
Spreyton 6 1176.47x
Thrushelton 6 1052.63x
Atherington 5 724.64x
Brixham 5 53.14x
Exeter St David 5 72.05x
Farnham 5 33.83x
Guisbrough 5 59.17x
Lamerton 5 324.68x
Poughill 5 925.93x
Dalton In Furness 4 22.38x
Pennycross 4 588.24x
Rackenford 4 833.33x
Stonehouse East 4 97.09x
Whitchurch 4 279.72x
Woolwich 4 8.13x
Bromley London 3 3.49x
Chagford 3 154.64x
Dover St Mary Virgin 3 23.29x
St Juliot 3 1000.00x
Sydenham Damerel 3 476.19x
Tormoham 3 8.73x
Wolverhampton 3 2.96x
Abbots Bickington 2 3333.33x
Boyton 2 1818.18x
Cookbury 2 833.33x
Devonport 2 21.44x
Ermington 2 67.80x
Falmouth 2 12.79x
Holdenhurst 2 9.53x
Kilkhampton 2 153.85x
Ramsgate 2 9.20x
St Gennys 2 303.03x
Swimbridge 2 121.95x
Ventnor 2 26.28x
Westbury On Trym 2 7.71x
Ashburton 1 25.77x
Bradford 1 200.00x
Broadwoodwidger 1 108.70x
Cardiff St John 1 4.51x
Chatham 1 2.73x
Chilton Foliat 1 133.33x
Drewsteignton 1 92.59x
Hartland 1 39.53x
Holbeton 1 67.11x
Kingskerswell 1 74.07x
Lesnewth 1 666.67x
Lifton 1 51.02x
Newton Abbot St Nicholas 1 60.24x
North Petherwyn 1 86.96x
North Tamerton 1 156.25x
Pyworthy 1 149.25x
St Marylebone London 1 0.48x
Stoke Climsland 1 35.46x
Swansea Town 1 1.80x
Tupsley 1 73.53x
Westminster St 1 6.95x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 39
Elizabeth 20
Sarah 14
Ellen 13
Jane 9
Eliza 8
Emma 6
Emily 5
Ann 4
Annie 4
Edith 4
Grace 4
Harriett 4
Alice 3
Susan 3
Ada 2
Bessie 2
Betsy 2
Catherine 2
Dorothy 2
Eleanor 2
Fanny 2
Louisa 2
Maria 2
Rebecca 2
Selina 2
Celia 1
Elizth.Ann 1
Emly 1
Eva 1
Evelina 1
Florence 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Infant 1
Jenny 1
Jessie 1
Kate 1
Lilian 1
Lilla 1
Lousia 1
Lucy 1
Lydia 1
M.E.L. 1
Mariah 1
Maude 1
Sally 1
Sophia 1
Virginia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 38
William 35
Thomas 17
James 11
George 10
Richard 8
Charles 7
Henry 7
Samuel 6
Francis 5
Robert 5
Albert 4
Joseph 4
Frederick 3
Fredrick 3
Richd. 3
Saml. 3
Alfred 2
Edwin 2
Emanuel 2
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Lewis 2
Sidney 2
Wm. 2
Ananias 1
Archie 1
Arscott 1
Bertram 1
Bryant 1
Cecil 1
Charley 1
Clifford 1
David 1
Edum 1
Edward 1
Emmanuel 1
Eri 1
Frances 1
Friderick 1
Howard 1
Ira 1
Joshua 1
N.H. 1
Nicholas 1
Oswald 1
Percy 1
Thos. 1
Wallace 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Wonnacott surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wonnacott surname in 1881?

In 1881, 398 people were recorded with the Wonnacott surname. That placed it at #7,996 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wonnacott surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 723 in 2016. That gives Wonnacott a modern rank of #7,514.

What does the Wonnacott surname mean?

A habitational surname originating from a place named Wonnacott in England.

What does the Wonnacott map show?

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