NameCensus.

UK surname

Wooldridge

A locational surname referring to someone who lived near a ridge with a prominent growth of alder trees.

In the 1881 census there were 1,630 people recorded with the Wooldridge surname, ranking it #2,624 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,993, ranked #2,247, up from #2,624 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Dudley, London parishes and Oldswinford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Dudley and West Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wooldridge is 3,145 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 83.6%.

1881 census count

1,630

Ranked #2,624

Modern count

2,993

2016, ranked #2,247

Peak year

2002

3,145 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wooldridge had 1,630 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,624 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,993 in 2016, ranked #2,247.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,526 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Wooldridge surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wooldridge surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wooldridge 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 934 #2,964
1861 historical 839 #3,289
1881 historical 1,630 #2,624
1891 historical 1,757 #2,594
1901 historical 2,150 #2,503
1911 historical 2,526 #2,022
1997 modern 2,863 #2,255
1998 modern 3,078 #2,179
1999 modern 3,095 #2,187
2000 modern 3,089 #2,180
2001 modern 3,099 #2,119
2002 modern 3,145 #2,137
2003 modern 3,051 #2,151
2004 modern 3,002 #2,188
2005 modern 2,947 #2,198
2006 modern 2,965 #2,184
2007 modern 2,940 #2,230
2008 modern 2,962 #2,222
2009 modern 3,011 #2,240
2010 modern 3,050 #2,266
2011 modern 3,028 #2,246
2012 modern 2,983 #2,238
2013 modern 3,047 #2,232
2014 modern 3,018 #2,275
2015 modern 3,013 #2,244
2016 modern 2,993 #2,247

Geography

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Where Wooldridges are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Dudley, London parishes, Oldswinford and Birmingham Town: Aston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Dudley and West Devon. 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 Dudley Staffordshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Oldswinford Worcestershire
4 London parishes London 2
5 Birmingham Town: Aston Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Dudley 035 Dudley
2 Dudley 037 Dudley
3 West Devon 002 West Devon
4 Dudley 029 Dudley
5 Dudley 023 Dudley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wooldridge

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wooldridge

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Wooldridge is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Wooldridge is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Wooldridge falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Wooldridge

The surname Wooldridge is of English origin, originating in the county of Gloucestershire during the 13th century. It is a locational name derived from the Old English words "wudu" meaning wood and "hrycg" meaning ridge, referring to a person who lived near a wooded ridge.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "de Wolderigge." This early spelling variation highlights the locational nature of the name and its connection to a specific place.

In the 14th century, the name is found in various records from Gloucestershire, such as the Subsidy Rolls of 1327, where it appears as "Wolderigge." This suggests that the name was well-established in the region during this period.

The Wooldridge surname is also mentioned in the Inquisitiones Post Mortem records from the 15th century, which were legal inquiries conducted after the death of a landholder. These records provide insights into the landholdings and family connections of those bearing the name.

One notable bearer of the Wooldridge surname was John Wooldridge (c. 1564-1637), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Warden of New College, Oxford, in the early 17th century.

Another significant figure was Samuel Wooldridge (1619-1694), an English composer and organist who composed church music and served as the organist of Salisbury Cathedral.

In the 18th century, Francis Wooldridge (1734-1805) was a notable English actor and playwright who performed at various theaters in London, including the Covent Garden Theatre.

The 19th century saw the birth of John Wooldridge (1836-1917), a British businessman and politician who served as the Mayor of Southampton and was involved in various charitable organizations.

Lastly, Rupert Wooldridge (1917-2003) was a British naval officer and author who served in World War II and later wrote several books on naval history and strategy.

These examples demonstrate the longevity and geographical spread of the Wooldridge surname, with bearers making notable contributions in various fields throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wooldridge families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wooldridge 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. Worcestershire leads with 369 Wooldridges recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.69x.

County Total Index
Worcestershire 369 17.69x
Staffordshire 237 4.40x
Middlesex 162 1.01x
Hampshire 141 4.31x
Berkshire 127 10.60x
Surrey 110 1.41x
Devon 84 2.53x
Sussex 71 2.64x
Essex 47 1.49x
Warwickshire 39 0.97x
Kent 36 0.66x
Lancashire 29 0.15x
Oxfordshire 28 2.84x
Yorkshire 25 0.16x
Cornwall 23 1.27x
Lincolnshire 22 0.86x
Dorset 18 1.72x
Wiltshire 11 0.78x
Nottinghamshire 10 0.46x
Huntingdonshire 7 2.21x
Shropshire 7 0.51x
Buckinghamshire 4 0.41x
Cheshire 4 0.11x
Isle of Man 4 1.35x
Orkney 4 2.28x
Derbyshire 2 0.08x
Flintshire 2 0.47x
Gloucestershire 2 0.06x
Hertfordshire 2 0.18x
Pembrokeshire 2 0.39x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.15x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.10x
Leicestershire 1 0.06x
Midlothian 1 0.05x
Northamptonshire 1 0.07x
Royal Navy 1 0.53x
Rutland 1 0.85x
Suffolk 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lye in Worcestershire leads with 127 Wooldridges recorded in 1881 and an index of 365.99x.

Place Total Index
Lye 127 365.99x
Wollescote 99 589.29x
Stoke Upon Trent 66 11.55x
Dudley 60 23.67x
West Ham 34 4.89x
St Pancras London 33 2.57x
Kirdford 29 310.16x
Odiham 29 201.81x
Stourbridge 25 46.59x
East Garston 24 948.62x
Walsall Foreign 23 8.26x
Birmingham 21 1.56x
Reading St Mary 20 20.83x
Northlew 19 455.64x
Wolverhampton 19 4.58x
Aston 17 1.53x
Bilston 17 16.27x
Stafford St Mary 17 22.28x
Wandsworth 17 11.06x
Dilhorne 16 178.37x
Hungerford 15 92.54x
Portsea 15 2.34x
Hagley 13 192.59x
Cradley 12 63.63x
Kingswinford 12 6.13x
St George In East 12 11.05x
Battersea 11 1.87x
Brighton 11 2.03x
Kintbury 11 118.79x
St Thomas Winchester 11 47.60x
Arreton 10 95.24x
Heeley 10 20.79x
Islington London 10 0.65x
Motcombe 10 129.70x
Yateley 10 161.55x
Black Torrington 9 187.89x
Branston 9 115.09x
Burntwood Edial 9 26.14x
Hurst 9 57.36x
Kingston On Thames 9 4.82x
Lambourn 9 75.76x
Liverpool 9 0.78x
St George Hanover 9 4.32x
West Bromwich 9 2.92x
Binsted 8 64.10x
Boldre 8 68.26x
Checkley 8 57.14x
Deptford St Paul 8 1.90x
Gradley 8 79.44x
Horley 8 465.12x
Hove 8 6.77x
Mile End Old Town 8 3.17x
Okehampton 8 63.85x
Sparsholt 8 331.95x
St Marylebone London 8 0.94x
Tipton 8 4.85x
Twickenham 8 11.68x
Walton On Thames 8 22.39x
Bromley London 7 1.99x
Lewisham 7 2.41x
Pedmore 7 256.41x
Plymstock 7 40.23x
Rowley Regis 7 4.66x
Wollaston 7 52.91x
Beaworthy 6 370.37x
Brightwaltham 6 256.41x
Bursledon 6 169.01x
Chelsea London 6 1.25x
Clewer 6 12.22x
Crayford 6 25.22x
Dorking 6 11.48x
Hornsey 6 2.97x
Kidderminster Foreign 6 20.35x
Meon Stoke 6 231.66x
Paddington London 6 1.02x
Stone 6 8.70x
Wavertree 6 9.89x
Wednesfield 6 7.56x
Colchester St Martin 5 86.81x
Edmonton 5 3.89x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 95
Elizabeth 67
Sarah 62
Jane 35
Eliza 34
Ann 32
Alice 26
Emma 24
Hannah 24
Ellen 22
Emily 17
Fanny 15
Lucy 15
Ada 14
Annie 14
Harriet 14
Edith 11
Louisa 11
Maria 11
Martha 11
Esther 10
Agnes 7
Charlotte 7
Margaret 7
Anne 6
Caroline 6
Kate 6
Amelia 5
Catherine 5
Clara 5
Florence 5
Harriett 5
Lizzie 5
Laura 4
Matilda 4
Amy 3
Anna 3
Bessie 3
Betsey 3
Betsy 3
Dinah 3
Eleanor 3
Elizth. 3
Flora 3
Florance 3
Jessie 3
Minnie 3
Priscilla 3
Rebecca 3
Rose 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 81
John 80
George 79
Charles 56
Thomas 54
James 47
Henry 31
Joseph 31
Alfred 23
Albert 17
Frederick 17
Edward 15
Robert 14
Arthur 13
Harry 13
Richard 13
Samuel 12
Walter 11
David 10
Edwin 10
Thos. 10
Wm. 7
Peter 6
Eli 5
Elijah 5
Frank 5
Geo. 5
Benjamin 4
Edwd. 4
Ernest 4
Herbert 4
Levi 4
Chas. 3
Emanuel 3
Ephraim 3
Francis 3
Isaac 3
Phillip 3
Caleb 2
Daniel 2
Earnest 2
Edgar 2
Fredk. 2
Fredrick 2
Lewis 2
Mark 2
Philip 2
Richd. 2
Smith 2
Stephen 2

FAQ

Wooldridge surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wooldridge surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,630 people were recorded with the Wooldridge surname. That placed it at #2,624 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wooldridge surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,993 in 2016. That gives Wooldridge a modern rank of #2,247.

What does the Wooldridge surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone who lived near a ridge with a prominent growth of alder trees.

What does the Wooldridge map show?

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