NameCensus.

UK surname

Woodstock

A toponymic surname derived from a place name meaning a "homestead in a wood".

In the 1881 census there were 189 people recorded with the Woodstock surname, ranking it #13,322 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 230, ranked #17,812, down from #13,322 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Willesden, London parishes and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Chiltern, Wolverhampton and Three Rivers.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Woodstock is 260 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 21.7%.

1881 census count

189

Ranked #13,322

Modern count

230

2016, ranked #17,812

Peak year

2009

260 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Woodstock had 189 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,322 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 230 in 2016, ranked #17,812.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 211 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Woodstock surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Woodstock surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Woodstock 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 139 #13,659
1861 historical 126 #17,569
1881 historical 189 #13,322
1891 historical 204 #14,702
1901 historical 208 #14,760
1911 historical 211 #14,467
1997 modern 235 #15,895
1998 modern 239 #16,179
1999 modern 243 #16,094
2000 modern 245 #15,955
2001 modern 245 #15,721
2002 modern 246 #15,988
2003 modern 225 #16,808
2004 modern 229 #16,684
2005 modern 230 #16,583
2006 modern 227 #16,842
2007 modern 243 #16,243
2008 modern 245 #16,295
2009 modern 260 #15,972
2010 modern 256 #16,523
2011 modern 244 #16,922
2012 modern 231 #17,448
2013 modern 248 #16,877
2014 modern 255 #16,682
2015 modern 239 #17,322
2016 modern 230 #17,812

Geography

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Where Woodstocks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Willesden, London parishes, Lambeth, Abbots Langley and Chesham (incl. Chartridge, Billington & Latimers with Waterside. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Chiltern, Wolverhampton, Three Rivers, Hillingdon and Dacorum. 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 Willesden Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
2 London parishes London 3
3 Lambeth London (South Districts)
4 Abbots Langley Hertfordshire
5 Chesham (incl. Chartridge, Billington & Latimers with Waterside Buckinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Chiltern 002 Chiltern
2 Wolverhampton 030 Wolverhampton
3 Three Rivers 005 Three Rivers
4 Hillingdon 025 Hillingdon
5 Dacorum 012 Dacorum

Forenames

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First names often paired with Woodstock

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Woodstock

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Woodstock surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Woodstock household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Woodstock 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

Woodstock is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Woodstock falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Woodstock

The surname Woodstock originates from England and has its roots in the Old English period, dating back to at least the 12th century. The name is derived from the Old English words "wudu," meaning wood, and "stoc," meaning place or dwelling. Woodstock essentially means a place in or near a wood.

Woodstock is historically linked to a small market town in Oxfordshire, England, which is similarly named. The town of Woodstock was recorded in ancient manuscripts, including the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as Wodestock. This place name would have been adopted as a surname by people who either hailed from the town or lived near wooded areas referenced by the term.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Woodstock is from the year 1203 when a certain William de Woodstock was documented in the "Feet of Fines" for Oxfordshire. This shows the surname's association with a specific geographic location, reinforcing its toponymic origins.

Over time, the surname Woodstock has been associated with several notable historical figures. One famous bearer is Sir Richard Woodstock, a 14th-century knight known for his military service under King Edward III. His contributions to various battles during the Hundred Years' War were well-documented, making him a notable figure of his time.

Another prominent individual was Thomas Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester (1355–1397), who was an influential noble and a younger son of King Edward III of England. His political actions and tragic murder have left a substantial mark on English history.

In the literary world, Mary Woodstock was a 16th-century English poet whose works contributed to the rich tapestry of Elizabethan poetry. Her verses, although not as famous as some contemporaries, were notable for their eloquent portrayal of courtly life.

During the 18th century, John Woodstock, an eminent botanist, contributed significantly to the cataloging of plant species in the British Isles. His meticulous work laid the foundation for later botanical studies and earned him a place in scientific history.

Lastly, in the 19th century, Edward Augustus Woodstock (1819–1895), an English author and historian, wrote several important texts on English medieval history. His scholarly works remain a reference for students of the period.

The surname Woodstock, while not exceedingly common, carries a history dense with geographical significance, noble associations, and scholarly contributions, reflecting its storied ties to England's cultural and historical landscape.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Woodstock families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Woodstock 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. Middlesex leads with 76 Woodstocks recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.12x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 76 4.12x
Hertfordshire 38 29.90x
Lancashire 14 0.64x
Buckinghamshire 11 9.87x
Surrey 10 1.11x
Bedfordshire 8 8.38x
Essex 8 2.20x
Staffordshire 6 0.96x
Suffolk 6 2.67x
Norfolk 4 1.41x
Hampshire 2 0.53x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.80x
Shropshire 1 0.63x
Sussex 1 0.32x
Warwickshire 1 0.22x
Worcestershire 1 0.42x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chesham in Buckinghamshire leads with 11 Woodstocks recorded in 1881 and an index of 267.64x.

Place Total Index
Chesham 11 267.64x
Islington London 11 6.16x
Redbourn 11 791.37x
St Pancras London 11 7.41x
St George Hanover 8 33.24x
Woburn 8 963.86x
Abram 7 416.67x
Hemel Hempstead 7 122.16x
West Ham 7 8.71x
Biddulph 6 170.94x
Bushey 6 198.02x
Chelsea London 6 10.80x
Hammersmith London 6 13.21x
Ipswich St Margaret 6 78.74x
Lambeth 6 3.73x
St Marylebone London 6 6.10x
Willesden 6 34.52x
Clerkenwell London 5 11.49x
Rickmansworth 5 142.86x
St Sepulchre London 5 185.19x
Watford 5 50.76x
Windle 5 40.62x
Norwich St Andrew 4 833.33x
Abbots Langley 3 158.73x
Westminster St 3 44.12x
Aldershot 2 15.80x
Croydon 2 4.01x
Kensington London 2 1.95x
Manchester 2 2.03x
Wollaton 2 444.44x
Broadwater 1 14.03x
Chelmsford 1 16.03x
Coventry Holy Trinity 1 7.20x
Dawley 1 17.24x
Ealing 1 6.07x
Hampstead London 1 3.48x
Harrow 1 35.46x
Kingston On Thames 1 4.63x
Little Stanmore 1 181.82x
Reigate Foreign 1 10.28x
Shoreditch London 1 1.25x
St Giles Cripplegate 1 40.82x
Totteridge 1 250.00x
Westminster St James 1 5.28x
Worcester St Peter 1 21.93x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Elizabeth 11
Sarah 10
Eliza 7
Ann 4
Fanny 4
Annie 3
Emily 3
Caroline 2
Charlotte 2
Emma 2
Florence 2
May 2
Rose 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Anne 1
Bessie 1
Carrie 1
Drucilla 1
Edith 1
Elanor 1
Elisabeth 1
Ellen 1
Elvina 1
Emilly 1
Emilna 1
Eugenie 1
Frances 1
Francis 1
Georgeiana 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Jane 1
Kate 1
Lavinia 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
Margaret 1
Martha 1
Maud 1
Minnie 1
Phoboe 1
Rowlar 1
Susan 1
Thirza 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 14
Charles 11
George 6
Henry 5
John 4
Arthur 3
Frederick 3
Richard 3
Robert 3
Thomas 3
Alfred 2
Harry 2
Herbert 2
Walter 2
Abednego 1
Albert 1
Augustus 1
Chas. 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Godfrey 1
Israel 1
James 1
Jesse 1
Joseph 1
Leopold 1
Mark 1
Maurice 1
Meshack 1
Reuben 1
Robt. 1
Roland 1
Samuel 1
Shadrack 1
Will. 1

FAQ

Woodstock surname: questions and answers

How common was the Woodstock surname in 1881?

In 1881, 189 people were recorded with the Woodstock surname. That placed it at #13,322 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Woodstock surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 230 in 2016. That gives Woodstock a modern rank of #17,812.

What does the Woodstock surname mean?

A toponymic surname derived from a place name meaning a "homestead in a wood".

What does the Woodstock map show?

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