NameCensus.

UK surname

Wort

An occupational surname derived from the Old English word "wyrt" meaning "herb" or "plant."

In the 1881 census there were 515 people recorded with the Wort surname, ranking it #6,619 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 678, ranked #7,909, down from #6,619 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Eling, South Stoneham and Salisbury St Edmund. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include New Forest, Southampton and Mendip.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wort is 756 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 31.7%.

1881 census count

515

Ranked #6,619

Modern count

678

2016, ranked #7,909

Peak year

2002

756 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wort had 515 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,619 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 678 in 2016, ranked #7,909.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 710 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Wort surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wort surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wort 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 393 #6,118
1861 historical 324 #7,860
1881 historical 515 #6,619
1891 historical 586 #6,517
1901 historical 658 #6,581
1911 historical 710 #6,007
1997 modern 738 #6,967
1998 modern 752 #7,086
1999 modern 753 #7,132
2000 modern 733 #7,237
2001 modern 727 #7,146
2002 modern 756 #7,069
2003 modern 728 #7,163
2004 modern 704 #7,357
2005 modern 658 #7,701
2006 modern 671 #7,615
2007 modern 673 #7,675
2008 modern 676 #7,683
2009 modern 693 #7,697
2010 modern 712 #7,679
2011 modern 710 #7,615
2012 modern 700 #7,607
2013 modern 693 #7,790
2014 modern 688 #7,887
2015 modern 675 #7,954
2016 modern 678 #7,909

Geography

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Where Worts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Eling, South Stoneham, Salisbury St Edmund, London parishes and Fordingbridge, Rockbourn. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to New Forest, Southampton and Mendip. 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 Eling Hampshire
2 South Stoneham Hampshire
3 Salisbury St Edmund Wiltshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Fordingbridge, Rockbourn Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 New Forest 019 New Forest
2 New Forest 004 New Forest
3 Southampton 029 Southampton
4 Mendip 007 Mendip
5 New Forest 005 New Forest

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wort

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wort

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Wort surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Wort household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Wort is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Wort is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Wort 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 Wort 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 Wort, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Wort

The surname Wort originates from England and has roots dating back to the early medieval period. The name is derived from the Old English word "wyrt," which means "plant" or "herb." This surname was likely bestowed upon individuals engaged in horticulture or herbalism, professions that were vital to medieval society for both culinary and medicinal purposes. The areas where the surname first appeared were primarily rural regions, where farming and the cultivation of plants were common occupations.

Historical references to the surname Wort can be found in various medieval documents. The Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of England completed on the order of William the Conqueror, makes mention of individuals with the name, indicating its presence in England soon after the Norman Conquest. The surname appears in old records with various spellings, such as Wurt and Wyrt, reflecting the evolution of English spelling and pronunciation over time.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Wort can be traced back to the 13th century. One such individual is John Wort, who appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275. The Subsidy Rolls were tax records, and their inclusion of the name indicates a person of some standing in that community. Another early record is of Richard de la Wort appearing in a legal document from Hampshire in 1296, indicating wider geographical distribution of the surname by the late 13th century.

Place names often provide insights into the distribution of surnames. The village of Worth Matravers in Dorset may share etymological roots with the surname Wort, though more direct evidence is needed to confirm a direct connection. These place names often preserve ancient linguistic forms that can shed light on the origins and meanings of surnames.

Several notable individuals bearing the surname Wort have left their mark through history. One such person is Thomas Wort, born in 1600, who was a well-known herbalist in 17th-century England. Another prominent figure is William Wort, 1767–1853, who became a respected botanist known for his extensive work on the flora of the British Isles. In the 19th century, George Wort, a successful agriculturalist, was known for his contributions to innovative farming techniques and crop management.

In conclusion, the surname Wort carries a rich history rooted in medieval England, associated with the cultivation and use of plants. Through historical documents and notable individuals, the legacy of the surname continues to be appreciated in the context of England's cultural and occupational heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wort families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wort 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. Hampshire leads with 232 Worts recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.53x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 232 22.53x
Wiltshire 114 25.66x
Middlesex 47 0.94x
Surrey 38 1.55x
Warwickshire 27 2.13x
Durham 10 0.67x
Gloucestershire 9 0.91x
Kent 6 0.35x
Cheshire 5 0.45x
Dorset 5 1.52x
Essex 4 0.40x
Monmouthshire 4 1.10x
Sussex 4 0.47x
Pembrokeshire 2 1.25x
Worcestershire 2 0.30x
Derbyshire 1 0.13x
Herefordshire 1 0.49x
Lancashire 1 0.02x
Midlothian 1 0.15x
Radnorshire 1 2.47x
Royal Navy 1 1.67x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Downton in Wiltshire leads with 71 Worts recorded in 1881 and an index of 1222.03x.

Place Total Index
Downton 71 1222.03x
Fordingbridge 29 517.86x
Birmingham 27 6.39x
Eling 18 172.58x
Portsea 15 7.43x
Chertsey 12 75.85x
Hale 10 3846.15x
Lyndhurst 10 354.61x
South Stoneham 10 44.76x
Southampton St Mary 10 15.44x
Bramshaw 9 687.02x
Clifton 9 18.07x
Salisbury St Martin 9 194.81x
Woodgreen 9 1800.00x
Alton 8 103.09x
Bethnal Green London 8 3.67x
Milford 8 336.13x
Nunton With Bodenham 8 1568.63x
Nutley 8 3636.36x
Sopley 8 563.38x
Timsbury 8 2285.71x
Boldre 7 189.70x
Camberwell 7 2.18x
Romsey Extra 7 114.38x
Christchurch 6 26.87x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 6 9.27x
Millbrook 6 23.14x
Shoreditch London 6 2.76x
Streatham 6 16.10x
Croydon 5 3.68x
Lambeth 5 1.14x
Macclesfield 5 10.14x
Monxton 5 1086.96x
Owslebury 5 342.47x
Ratcliffe London 5 18.02x
Brockenhurst 4 224.72x
Darlington 4 6.93x
Ealing 4 8.91x
Greenwich 4 5.00x
Hammersmith London 4 3.23x
Heston 4 23.98x
Kingsclere 4 85.11x
Llanover 4 32.26x
St Pancras London 4 0.99x
Wimborne 4 100.25x
Britford 3 102.39x
Funtington 3 157.07x
Lymington 3 39.63x
Newport 3 53.67x
South Charford 3 2000.00x
Trowbridge 3 15.27x
Upavon 3 361.45x
Acton 2 6.79x
Beaulieu 2 125.00x
Bishopstone 2 94.34x
Breamore 2 206.19x
Fareham 2 16.17x
Holdenhurst 2 7.40x
Hordle 2 111.73x
Hubberston 2 85.47x
Kensington London 2 0.72x
Overton 2 81.30x
Portsmouth 2 8.44x
Salisbury St Edmund 2 28.05x
St Maurice Winchester 2 46.73x
Tottenham 2 2.50x
Warminster 2 20.56x
Weeke 2 64.10x
West Ham 2 0.91x
Whiteparish 2 105.82x
Bromley 1 3.83x
Colchester St Giles 1 10.20x
Ellingham 1 204.08x
Harbridge 1 156.25x
Presteigne 1 38.91x
Shalden 1 285.71x
St Bartholomew Hyde 1 40.65x
St George Hanover 1 1.53x
Ventnor 1 10.21x
Wimbledon 1 3.64x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 23
Elizabeth 19
Sarah 17
Ann 13
Jane 11
Emma 10
Eliza 9
Ellen 9
Harriet 9
Annie 7
Edith 7
Emily 7
Martha 7
Alice 6
Charlotte 6
Caroline 4
Fanny 4
Kate 4
Louisa 4
Maria 4
Rose 4
Amy 3
Clara 3
Florence 3
Harriett 3
Lucy 3
Anne 2
Frances 2
Hannah 2
Margaret 2
Matilda 2
Pheobe 2
Phoebe 2
Sybella 2
Adelaide 1
Alma 1
Amelia 1
Asenath 1
Bessy 1
Eleanor 1
Elizth. 1
Elizth.J. 1
Ema 1
Eva 1
Isabella 1
Jaunette 1
Julia 1
Keziah 1
Kitty 1
Virtue 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 27
William 27
John 25
James 23
Charles 22
Henry 16
Thomas 11
Albert 9
Alfred 9
Frank 9
Edward 7
Joseph 7
Arthur 5
Walter 5
Harry 4
Stephen 3
Edwin 2
Ernest 2
Jas. 2
Mark 2
Robert 2
Samuel 2
Sidney 2
Wm. 2
Chas. 1
David 1
Dennis 1
Edw.C.J. 1
Elijah 1
Enos 1
Ethelbert 1
Francis 1
Fras.H. 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrek. 1
Geo 1
Geoe.Fredk. 1
H. 1
Hary 1
Henery 1
Herbert 1
Hry. 1
Job 1
Leonard 1
Michael 1
Richard 1
Saml. 1
Stephan 1

FAQ

Wort surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wort surname in 1881?

In 1881, 515 people were recorded with the Wort surname. That placed it at #6,619 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wort surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 678 in 2016. That gives Wort a modern rank of #7,909.

What does the Wort surname mean?

An occupational surname derived from the Old English word "wyrt" meaning "herb" or "plant."

What does the Wort map show?

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