NameCensus.

UK surname

Wootten

An English surname derived from "wudu" meaning wood, referring to someone who lived by a wood.

In the 1881 census there were 708 people recorded with the Wootten surname, ranking it #5,131 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 912, ranked #6,246, down from #5,131 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and St Marylebone. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bristol, Rother and Huntingdonshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wootten is 1,039 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 28.8%.

1881 census count

708

Ranked #5,131

Modern count

912

2016, ranked #6,246

Peak year

2002

1,039 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wootten had 708 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,131 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 912 in 2016, ranked #6,246.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 995 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Wootten surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wootten surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wootten 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 461 #5,378
1861 historical 461 #5,634
1881 historical 708 #5,131
1891 historical 674 #5,786
1901 historical 821 #5,503
1911 historical 995 #4,561
1997 modern 982 #5,587
1998 modern 1,019 #5,597
1999 modern 1,017 #5,638
2000 modern 1,022 #5,581
2001 modern 1,003 #5,568
2002 modern 1,039 #5,517
2003 modern 1,015 #5,525
2004 modern 988 #5,654
2005 modern 971 #5,667
2006 modern 944 #5,826
2007 modern 957 #5,814
2008 modern 958 #5,839
2009 modern 990 #5,809
2010 modern 995 #5,899
2011 modern 987 #5,879
2012 modern 955 #5,946
2013 modern 955 #6,050
2014 modern 957 #6,093
2015 modern 933 #6,160
2016 modern 912 #6,246

Geography

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Where Woottens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, St Marylebone and Bromham, Chittoe (Bishops Canning). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bristol, Rother, Huntingdonshire and South Somerset. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Marylebone London (North Districts)
5 Bromham, Chittoe (Bishops Canning) Wiltshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bristol 042 Bristol, City of
2 Rother 011 Rother
3 Huntingdonshire 006 Huntingdonshire
4 South Somerset 016 South Somerset
5 Bristol 001 Bristol, City of

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wootten

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wootten

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Wootten surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Wootten household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Wootten 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

Wootten is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Wootten falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Wootten

The surname Wootten has its origins in medieval England, emerging around the late 12th century. It is a locational name, traditionally derived from the Old English words "wudu," meaning "wood," and "tun," meaning "enclosure" or "settlement." Thus, Wootten essentially means "settlement near the wood." The name is believed to have first appeared in the southwestern parts of England, particularly in counties such as Wiltshire and Hampshire.

The earliest known references to the surname appear in medieval manuscripts and public records. One of the earliest records is from the Domesday Book of 1086, where the name appears in various forms such as Wodetone and Wodeton. By the 13th century, the spelling Wotton became more standardized, reflecting the phonetic evolution of the English language over time.

In the 14th century, the name Wootten was found in the Subsidy Rolls, which were tax records, indicating the name's presence among the landed gentry and yeoman farmers. For instance, John de Wotton was recorded in the Wiltshire Subsidy Rolls of 1327. These records indicate that the Wootten family had established themselves as notable landowners in their respective communities.

One of the earliest notable bearers of the surname was Sir Nicholas Wotton, born in 1497 and died in 1567. He was a significant figure in Tudor England, serving as a diplomat and Lord Mayor of London. Another prominent individual was Anthony Wotton, born in 1561 and died in 1626, who was a respected theologian and a founder of Gresham College. His contributions to religious discourse during the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras were substantial.

In the 17th century, a notable Wootten was Captain Thomas Wotten, who is recorded to have served in the English Civil War on the side of the Parliamentarians. His military service during this turbulent period demonstrates the family's continued involvement in significant national events.

The Wootten name also appeared in the American colonies in the early 18th century. William Wootten, born around 1680, is listed as one of the early settlers in the Virginia Colony. His descendants continued to spread across the American South, contributing to the development of early American society.

One of the later historical figures with the surname was Edward Wootten, born in 1791 and died in 1856, an English physicist known for his work in the early study of electricity and magnetism. His scientific contributions were part of the broader enlightenment pursuits of his time.

Throughout history, the Wootten family name has evolved in spelling but has consistently been associated with places and people of significance, from medieval tax records to notable public figures in various domains. The etymological roots of the name connect it intimately with English topography and community settlement patterns, making it a surname rich in historical context and societal contribution.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wootten families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wootten 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. Wiltshire leads with 146 Woottens recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.90x.

County Total Index
Wiltshire 146 23.90x
Middlesex 131 1.90x
Staffordshire 74 3.17x
Surrey 43 1.28x
Kent 34 1.44x
Oxfordshire 30 7.03x
Gloucestershire 28 2.07x
Somerset 25 2.25x
Berkshire 19 3.67x
Warwickshire 19 1.09x
Northamptonshire 16 2.46x
Yorkshire 16 0.23x
Devon 15 1.04x
Hertfordshire 15 3.15x
Worcestershire 14 1.55x
Hampshire 12 0.85x
Bedfordshire 11 3.08x
Cambridgeshire 10 2.29x
Essex 7 0.51x
Huntingdonshire 6 4.38x
Leicestershire 6 0.78x
Northumberland 6 0.58x
Suffolk 5 0.59x
Herefordshire 4 1.41x
Sussex 4 0.34x
Cheshire 3 0.20x
Glamorgan 2 0.17x
Lancashire 2 0.02x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.21x
Derbyshire 1 0.09x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.66x
Shropshire 1 0.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Calne in Wiltshire leads with 30 Woottens recorded in 1881 and an index of 238.66x.

Place Total Index
Calne 30 238.66x
Wolstanton 26 36.72x
Willenhall 22 50.39x
Bromham 20 727.27x
Corsham 19 213.24x
St Marylebone London 16 4.34x
Woolwich 16 18.38x
Islington London 15 2.24x
Birmingham 14 2.41x
Camberwell 14 3.17x
Chippenham 13 101.48x
Hammersmith London 13 7.64x
Beeching Stoke 12 3076.92x
Bensington 12 441.18x
St George Martyr 12 103.09x
Fulham London 11 10.98x
Chelsea London 10 4.80x
Cookham 10 61.88x
Plymouth St Andrew 10 9.03x
Ramsbury 10 180.83x
Rotherwick 10 917.43x
St Martin In Fields 9 21.77x
Bristol St James St Paul 8 17.71x
Comberton 8 588.24x
Headington 8 120.85x
Kensington London 8 2.08x
Richmond 8 74.84x
Battersea 7 2.75x
Box 7 134.36x
Fisherton Anger 7 61.89x
Fladbury 7 654.21x
Greenwich 7 6.37x
Rotherfield Greys 7 154.87x
St Anne Soho London 7 17.75x
St Giles In Fields 7 29.39x
Trentham 7 35.30x
Walcot 7 11.82x
Walsall Foreign 7 5.81x
Warley Wigorn 7 243.90x
Yatton Keynell 7 560.00x
Ashby De La Zouch 6 33.80x
Bishop Stortford 6 37.74x
Bristol St Paul In 6 16.63x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 6 4.70x
Melksham 6 56.55x
North Seaton 6 139.21x
South Petherton 6 104.53x
Southwark St George Martyr 6 4.32x
Welford 6 272.73x
West Ham 6 1.99x
Bradford Girlington 5 163.40x
Great Thurlow 5 543.48x
Ilminster 5 64.35x
Lyncombe Widcombe 5 17.18x
Shefford 5 196.85x
Stocking Pelham 5 1219.51x
Trowbridge 5 18.52x
Wrestlingworth 5 326.80x
Brewood 4 59.52x
Edmonton 4 7.19x
Egham 4 19.36x
Evenley 4 336.13x
Furneux Pelham 4 296.30x
Hilton 4 481.93x
St Pancras London 4 0.72x
Barlaston 3 154.64x
Cosgrove 3 200.00x
Eltham 3 21.72x
Exeter St Mary Major 3 34.60x
Helpstone 3 178.57x
Kingston On Thames 3 3.71x
Penge 3 6.80x
St Andrew Holborn 3 12.82x
Stratton 3 182.93x
Westbury On Trym 3 6.54x
Brighton 2 0.85x
Castle Frome 2 555.56x
Deptford St Paul 2 1.10x
Guisbrough 2 13.37x
Speen 2 23.58x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 42
Elizabeth 32
Sarah 18
Eliza 15
Alice 12
Ann 12
Emma 12
Jane 12
Louisa 12
Ellen 10
Martha 10
Annie 9
Charlotte 8
Emily 8
Florence 7
Hannah 7
Maria 7
Anne 6
Fanny 6
Lydia 6
Harriett 5
Agnes 3
Caroline 3
Clara 3
Edith 3
Ethel 3
Harriet 3
Helen 3
Kate 3
Amy 2
Bessie 2
Betsy 2
Drucilla 2
Isabella 2
Lizzie 2
Louise 2
Lucy 2
Phoebe 2
Rachel 2
Rosa 2
Rose 2
Susan 2
Susannah 2
Catharine 1
Elizh.Georga.Wn. 1
Elizth. 1
Elizth.A. 1
Henrietta 1
Isabel 1
William 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 45
William 39
George 23
James 22
Frederick 18
Charles 17
Alfred 15
Joseph 14
Henry 11
Thomas 11
David 9
Edward 9
Frank 8
Walter 7
Albert 6
Arthur 6
Samuel 5
Stephen 5
Daniel 3
Francis 3
Herbert 3
Richard 3
Robert 3
Chas. 2
Cornelius 2
Edwin 2
Enoch 2
Ernest 2
Fredk. 2
Fuller 2
Harry 2
Peter 2
Sidney 2
Thos. 2
Willm. 2
Augustus 1
Bertie 1
Evan 1
Evelyn 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Horatio 1
Isaac 1
J. 1
Jas. 1
Job 1
Josiah 1
Laurance 1
Leonard 1
Wm.Wootten 1

FAQ

Wootten surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wootten surname in 1881?

In 1881, 708 people were recorded with the Wootten surname. That placed it at #5,131 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wootten surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 912 in 2016. That gives Wootten a modern rank of #6,246.

What does the Wootten surname mean?

An English surname derived from "wudu" meaning wood, referring to someone who lived by a wood.

What does the Wootten map show?

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