NameCensus.

UK surname

Wordsworth

A surname referring to one skilled with words or a poet.

In the 1881 census there were 732 people recorded with the Wordsworth surname, ranking it #4,995 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,133, ranked #5,200, down from #4,995 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Silkstone, London parishes and Pontefract. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Doncaster, Rotherham and Bassetlaw.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wordsworth is 1,192 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 54.8%.

1881 census count

732

Ranked #4,995

Modern count

1,133

2016, ranked #5,200

Peak year

2010

1,192 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wordsworth had 732 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,995 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,133 in 2016, ranked #5,200.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 863 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Wordsworth surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wordsworth surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wordsworth 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 315 #7,347
1861 historical 430 #5,979
1881 historical 732 #4,995
1891 historical 713 #5,520
1901 historical 863 #5,302
1911 historical 827 #5,337
1997 modern 1,088 #5,119
1998 modern 1,135 #5,113
1999 modern 1,156 #5,084
2000 modern 1,137 #5,129
2001 modern 1,121 #5,086
2002 modern 1,156 #5,075
2003 modern 1,139 #5,034
2004 modern 1,152 #4,994
2005 modern 1,121 #5,058
2006 modern 1,113 #5,096
2007 modern 1,130 #5,069
2008 modern 1,115 #5,164
2009 modern 1,145 #5,154
2010 modern 1,192 #5,076
2011 modern 1,159 #5,145
2012 modern 1,146 #5,102
2013 modern 1,156 #5,157
2014 modern 1,175 #5,114
2015 modern 1,162 #5,107
2016 modern 1,133 #5,200

Geography

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Where Wordsworths are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Silkstone, London parishes, Pontefract, Darfield and Sheffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Doncaster, Rotherham, Bassetlaw and Kingston upon Hull. 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 Silkstone Yorkshire, West Riding
2 London parishes London 3
3 Pontefract Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Darfield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Doncaster 031 Doncaster
2 Doncaster 032 Doncaster
3 Rotherham 011 Rotherham
4 Bassetlaw 001 Bassetlaw
5 Kingston upon Hull 008 Kingston upon Hull, City of

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wordsworth

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wordsworth

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Wordsworth is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Wordsworth is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Wordsworth falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Wordsworth

The surname Wordsworth originates from England, specifically from the northern regions, with its roots firmly set in the Anglo-Saxon period. The earliest forms of the name are believed to have originated in the counties of Yorkshire and Westmorland, dating back to the late Middle Ages.

The etymology of Wordsworth can be dissected into two Old English elements: "word" meaning speech or a word, and "worth" meaning farmstead or enclosure. The name likely referred to someone who lived at or owned a farmstead associated with speech or notable for its gatherings or discourses.

Historical references to the surname date back to various medieval manuscripts and legal documents. One of the earliest recorded instances is found in the Court Rolls of Wakefield in 1274, where a certain Richard de Wordesworth is mentioned. This highlights its presence and recognition in historical legal records over 700 years ago.

Several notable figures have borne the surname Wordsworth. Perhaps the most famous is William Wordsworth (1770–1850), the revered English poet who was a central figure in the Romantic Age of English literature. His contribution to literature, particularly through works like "Lyrical Ballads," has ensured that the Wordsworth name is synonymous with poetic excellence.

Another distinguished individual is Christopher Wordsworth (1807–1885), an Anglican Bishop of Lincoln and a noted scholar in his own right. His ecclesiastical work and academic contributions significantly impacted the Church of England during the 19th century.

John Wordsworth (1843–1911), another influential member of the Wordsworth lineage, served as the Bishop of Salisbury. Known for his theological scholarship and contributions to church education, he continued the family's legacy of intellectual and spiritual leadership.

Dorothy Wordsworth (1771–1855), sister of William Wordsworth, although not as widely known in her own right, played a crucial role as an aide and confidante to her brother. Her diaries and journals provide valuable insights into the life of William and the broader Romantic movement.

Lastly, Dame Elizabeth Wordsworth (1840–1932), the great-niece of the poet William Wordsworth, was a notable educationalist. She founded St. Hugh's College, Oxford, in 1886, one of the first women's colleges at Oxford. Her efforts greatly advanced women's higher education in England.

The surname Wordsworth, with its deep historical roots and association with prominent figures over the centuries, reflects a rich tapestry of Anglo-Saxon heritage, intellectual achievement, and cultural significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wordsworth families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wordsworth 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. Yorkshire leads with 451 Wordsworths recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.39x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 451 6.39x
Middlesex 49 0.69x
Lancashire 33 0.39x
Cumberland 31 5.06x
Kent 31 1.28x
Staffordshire 17 0.71x
Durham 15 0.71x
Nottinghamshire 14 1.46x
Lincolnshire 12 1.05x
Surrey 11 0.32x
Leicestershire 9 1.14x
Buckinghamshire 6 1.39x
Cardiganshire 6 3.45x
Rutland 6 11.48x
Cheshire 5 0.32x
Fife 5 1.19x
Sussex 5 0.42x
Warwickshire 4 0.22x
Worcestershire 4 0.43x
Derbyshire 3 0.27x
Hampshire 3 0.21x
Oxfordshire 2 0.45x
Perthshire 2 0.63x
Westmorland 2 1.28x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.15x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.35x
Cornwall 1 0.12x
Northamptonshire 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hoyland Nether in Yorkshire leads with 60 Wordsworths recorded in 1881 and an index of 346.62x.

Place Total Index
Hoyland Nether 60 346.62x
Thurgoland 41 861.34x
Barnsley 25 34.35x
Ecclesfield 23 44.45x
Worsbrough 20 96.76x
Rotherham 19 47.76x
Kimberworth 16 40.86x
Pontefract 15 98.68x
Deptford St Paul 14 7.47x
Hunslet 13 11.82x
Tipton 13 17.66x
Cockermouth 12 92.95x
Castleton 10 11.85x
Holbeck 10 21.39x
Thurlstone 10 143.68x
Leeds 9 2.26x
Paddington London 9 3.44x
St Marylebone London 9 2.37x
Alverthorpe Cum Thornes 8 31.21x
Barmbrough 8 310.08x
Brampton Bierlow 8 88.50x
Castleford 8 31.13x
Crigglestone 8 117.65x
Gateshead 8 5.04x
Morley 8 21.80x
Oxspring 8 930.23x
Tankersley 8 152.09x
York St Mary 8 27.37x
Barrow In Furness 7 6.09x
Chelsea London 7 3.26x
Edwinstowe 7 307.02x
Gosforth 7 234.11x
Leicester St Mary 7 10.97x
Wombwell 7 34.03x
Aberystwith 6 40.13x
Almondbury 6 17.59x
Altofts 6 77.02x
Glaston 6 1111.11x
Meltham 6 54.69x
Southcoates 6 15.32x
Croydon 5 2.60x
Goodmanham 5 657.89x
Greenwich 5 4.41x
Hackney London 5 1.25x
Kirkheaton 5 43.71x
Penistone 5 90.91x
Salford 5 2.01x
St Andrews 5 26.07x
Sutton In Ashfield 5 24.00x
Wath On Dearne 5 35.51x
Workington 5 14.25x
Aston 4 0.81x
Brotherton 4 141.34x
Burton Upon Stather 4 275.86x
Greysouthen 4 236.69x
Islington London 4 0.58x
Kirby Under Dale 4 547.95x
Lambeth 4 0.64x
Lewisham 4 3.09x
Riseholme 4 2352.94x
St Luke London 4 3.50x
St Pancras London 4 0.70x
Tanshelf 4 70.92x
Upperswinford 4 50.83x
Barton St Peter 3 57.47x
Bishopwearmouth 3 1.65x
Broadwater 3 10.89x
Caldewgate 3 8.93x
Charlton Next Woolwich 3 11.84x
Darlington 3 3.67x
Holy Trinity 3 1.77x
Ilkley 3 26.02x
Macclesfield 3 4.29x
Newington 3 15.44x
Pendleton In Salford 3 2.98x
Scarborough 3 4.68x
Spotland 3 3.19x
Upperthong 3 50.00x
Wortley In Bramley 3 5.37x
Chapel En Le Frith 2 19.65x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 45
Elizabeth 17
Sarah 17
Ann 16
Annie 14
Hannah 14
Jane 12
Emily 10
Florence 10
Harriet 10
Emma 9
Margaret 9
Alice 8
Eliza 7
Lucy 7
Ada 6
Clara 6
Ellen 6
Martha 6
Edith 5
Frances 5
Fanny 4
Kate 4
A.E. 3
Anne 3
Catherine 3
E. 3
Elizth. 3
Isabella 3
Lydia 3
M. 3
Rose 3
A. 2
Amelia 2
Amy 2
Betsy 2
Charlotte 2
Dora 2
Dorothy 2
Florance 2
Harriett 2
Helen 2
Maria 2
Rachel 2
Selina 2
Annice 1
Christina 1
Constance 1
Dinah 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 53
William 47
George 24
Joseph 22
Thomas 20
James 15
Charles 13
Robert 11
Henry 10
Alfred 8
Albert 6
Christopher 6
Arthur 5
Joe 5
Benjamin 4
Ernest 4
Frederick 4
Joshua 4
Richard 4
Tom 4
Ambrose 3
David 3
Edward 3
Edwin 3
Herbert 3
Samuel 3
Walter 3
Willie 3
Francis 2
Frank 2
Fred 2
Fredk. 2
Geo. 2
Harry 2
Mark 2
Abraham 1
Bernard 1
Carnall 1
Charlie 1
Chas. 1
E.A. 1
E.C. 1
Edgar 1
F.E. 1
Felix 1
H. 1
Ingham 1
Isaac 1
J.F. 1
Wm.Hy. 1

FAQ

Wordsworth surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wordsworth surname in 1881?

In 1881, 732 people were recorded with the Wordsworth surname. That placed it at #4,995 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wordsworth surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,133 in 2016. That gives Wordsworth a modern rank of #5,200.

What does the Wordsworth surname mean?

A surname referring to one skilled with words or a poet.

What does the Wordsworth map show?

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