UK surname
Derived from the Old English words "wudu" and "tun," referring to someone who lived near or in a wooden town.
In the 1881 census there were 153 people recorded with the Wooten surname, ranking it #15,320 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 62, ranked #34,227, down from #15,320 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Greenwich and Wolstanton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wooten is 171 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 59.5%.
1881 census count
153
Ranked #15,320
Modern count
62
2016, ranked #34,227
Peak year
1901
171 bearers
Map years
5
1851 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Wooten surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Wooten 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 | 169 | #11,832 |
| 1861 | historical | 129 | #17,271 |
| 1881 | historical | 153 | #15,320 |
| 1891 | historical | 149 | #18,420 |
| 1901 | historical | 171 | #16,689 |
| 1911 | historical | 92 | #23,580 |
| 1997 | modern | 81 | #29,436 |
| 1998 | modern | 79 | #30,080 |
| 1999 | modern | 84 | #29,700 |
| 2000 | modern | 81 | #30,036 |
| 2001 | modern | 80 | #29,945 |
| 2002 | modern | 77 | #30,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 75 | #30,994 |
| 2004 | modern | 72 | #31,488 |
| 2005 | modern | 69 | #32,007 |
| 2006 | modern | 65 | #32,743 |
| 2007 | modern | 75 | #32,079 |
| 2008 | modern | 71 | #32,753 |
| 2009 | modern | 72 | #33,021 |
| 2010 | modern | 74 | #33,167 |
| 2011 | modern | 65 | #33,842 |
| 2012 | modern | 65 | #33,964 |
| 2013 | modern | 64 | #34,127 |
| 2014 | modern | 60 | #34,400 |
| 2015 | modern | 62 | #34,233 |
| 2016 | modern | 62 | #34,227 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Greenwich, Wolstanton, Paulerspury and London parishes. 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 | Wolverhampton | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Greenwich | London (South Districts) |
| 3 | Wolstanton | Staffordshire |
| 4 | Paulerspury | Northamptonshire |
| 5 | London parishes | London 3 |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Wooten 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 Wooten, 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 Wooten surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Wooten 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, Wooten 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 Wooten is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Wooten, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Wooten is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "wudu" meaning "wood" and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement." The name likely referred to someone who lived near a wooded enclosure or settlement.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Wooten can be traced back to the 13th century in various counties across England, including Essex, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Robert de Wudeton, who was mentioned in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1261.
In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a record of landowners in England, there are references to individuals with the surname Wooten or similar spellings such as Wudeton, Wotton, and Wootton. These entries provide valuable insights into the geographic distribution of the name during that time period.
Throughout history, the surname Wooten has undergone various spelling variations, including Wootton, Wotton, and Wooton. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the scribes who recorded the names.
One notable historical figure bearing the surname Wooten was Sir Robert Wotton (c. 1463 - 1567), an English diplomat and courtier during the reigns of Henry VIII and Edward VI. He served as the Lord Lieutenant of Kent and was known for his diplomatic missions to France and the Netherlands.
Another prominent individual was Sir Henry Wotton (1568 - 1639), an English author, diplomat, and courtier during the reigns of James I and Charles I. He is best known for his work as an ambassador to Venice and his famous quote, "An ambassador is an honest man sent to lie abroad for the commonwealth."
In the literary world, Sir Henry Wotton's nephew, Edward Wotton (1592 - 1667), was a notable English writer and poet. He is remembered for his poems and translations of works by Italian and Spanish authors.
Another figure of historical significance was William Wootten (c. 1609 - 1685), a English-born settler and landowner in colonial Maryland. He was one of the original patentees of St. Mary's County and played a crucial role in the early development of the colony.
In the realm of religion, John Wooten (1782 - 1842) was an English Wesleyan Methodist minister and author. He served as the President of the Wesleyan Conference in 1834 and wrote several influential works on Methodism.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who bore the surname Wooten, showcasing its rich and diverse heritage across various fields and eras.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wooten 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. Middlesex leads with 39 Wootens recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.61x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 39 | 2.61x |
| Staffordshire | 25 | 4.96x |
| Hampshire | 12 | 3.92x |
| Surrey | 12 | 1.65x |
| Cambridgeshire | 8 | 8.46x |
| Dorset | 8 | 8.17x |
| Lancashire | 8 | 0.45x |
| Northamptonshire | 7 | 4.99x |
| Kent | 6 | 1.18x |
| Warwickshire | 5 | 1.33x |
| Wiltshire | 5 | 3.79x |
| Glamorgan | 4 | 1.54x |
| Oxfordshire | 3 | 3.26x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 0.61x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.14x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 0.89x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.32x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.34x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 0.97x |
| Huntingdonshire | 1 | 3.38x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.42x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 0.55x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wherwell in Hampshire leads with 10 Wootens recorded in 1881 and an index of 3571.43x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Wooten surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 7 |
| Sarah | 5 |
| Elizabeth | 4 |
| Fanny | 4 |
| Annie | 3 |
| Eliza | 3 |
| Ellen | 3 |
| Maria | 3 |
| Alice | 2 |
| Anna | 2 |
| Emma | 2 |
| Harriet | 2 |
| Harriett | 2 |
| Jane | 2 |
| Martha | 2 |
| Minnie | 2 |
| Selina | 2 |
| A.L. | 1 |
| Agnes | 1 |
| Allice | 1 |
| Anne | 1 |
| Caroline | 1 |
| Clara | 1 |
| D.E. | 1 |
| Daisy | 1 |
| Eliz. | 1 |
| Emily | 1 |
| Florence | 1 |
| Frances | 1 |
| Hannah | 1 |
| Henrietta | 1 |
| Janet | 1 |
| Louisa | 1 |
| Lucy | 1 |
| Mabel | 1 |
| Maude | 1 |
| R.E. | 1 |
| Rachael | 1 |
| Rosa | 1 |
| Rose | 1 |
| Salena | 1 |
| Sary | 1 |
| Susannah | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Wooten 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 Wooten households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 32 |
| Ploughboy | 3 |
| Annuitant | 2 |
| General Servant | 2 |
| Infant | 2 |
| None | 2 |
| Silk Piecer | 2 |
| Baker | 1 |
| Bakers Assistant | 1 |
| Blacksmith Helper | 1 |
| Brick & Tile Maker | 1 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Brickmaker | 1 |
| Carman | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Chain Maker | 1 |
| Clerk | 1 |
| Coachman Domestic | 1 |
| Coachman Wife | 1 |
| Commercial Clerk Oyster Trade | 1 |
| Compositor | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| Farm Servant | 1 |
| Farmer Of 33 Acres | 1 |
| Farmers Son | 1 |
| Formerly Housekeeper | 1 |
| Gardener | 1 |
| Gen Lab | 1 |
| Gen Servt | 1 |
| General Domestic Serv | 1 |
| General Lab | 1 |
| General Porter | 1 |
| Genl Servant Domestic | 1 |
| Groom | 1 |
| Jewel Case Maker (Leather Goods & C) | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Lab | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Labourer Coal | 1 |
| Labourer Van Washer | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Linen Drapers Apprentice | 1 |
| Machinist | 1 |
| Monthly Nurse | 1 |
| N K | 1 |
| No Trade | 1 |
| Woodman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 153 people were recorded with the Wooten surname. That placed it at #15,320 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 62 in 2016. That gives Wooten a modern rank of #34,227.
Derived from the Old English words "wudu" and "tun," referring to someone who lived near or in a wooden town.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Wooten 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.