NameCensus.

UK surname

Woulfe

A surname originating from Irish Gaelic meaning "wolf" or "wolf-like".

In the 1881 census there were 19 people recorded with the Woulfe surname, ranking it #30,872 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 200, ranked #19,591, up from #30,872 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Braintree, Worthing and Wakefield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Woulfe is 205 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 952.6%.

1881 census count

19

Ranked #30,872

Modern count

200

2016, ranked #19,591

Peak year

2011

205 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Woulfe had 19 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,872 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 200 in 2016, ranked #19,591.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 45 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Woulfe surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Woulfe surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Woulfe 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 19 #29,904
1861 historical 31 #30,058
1881 historical 19 #30,872
1891 historical 36 #31,465
1901 historical 37 #30,009
1911 historical 45 #28,332
1997 modern 165 #19,861
1998 modern 185 #18,973
1999 modern 183 #19,248
2000 modern 184 #19,190
2001 modern 179 #19,215
2002 modern 195 #18,590
2003 modern 182 #19,215
2004 modern 185 #19,114
2005 modern 189 #18,807
2006 modern 191 #18,825
2007 modern 181 #19,680
2008 modern 187 #19,465
2009 modern 192 #19,527
2010 modern 204 #19,200
2011 modern 205 #18,965
2012 modern 202 #19,084
2013 modern 199 #19,584
2014 modern 205 #19,375
2015 modern 203 #19,381
2016 modern 200 #19,591

Geography

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Where Woulfes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Braintree, Worthing and Wakefield. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Braintree 008 Braintree
2 Braintree 013 Braintree
3 Worthing 010 Worthing
4 Braintree 005 Braintree
5 Wakefield 030 Wakefield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Woulfe

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Woulfe

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Woulfe surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Woulfe household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Woulfe is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Woulfe is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Woulfe falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Woulfe is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

This describes the area pattern most associated with Woulfe, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Woulfe

The surname Woulfe has its origins in Ireland, dating back to medieval times. The Woulfe family name is derived from the Gaelic Ó Faoláin or Mac Faoláin, which means "descendant of Faolán" or "son of Faolán" respectively. The name Faolán itself is rooted in the Old Irish word "faol" meaning "wolf," thus Woulfe can be etymologically linked to the animal wolf.

The surname appeared primarily in the province of Munster, and especially in County Limerick and County Clare. It is believed that the Woulfe family may have been part of the ancient Gaelic ruling class and could trace their lineage to the early Celtic inhabitants of Ireland.

Historical references to the name Woulfe can be found in numerous documents, including mentions in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. One of the earliest recorded examples of the name appears in a charter dated 1352, where a John Woulf is noted as a witness in County Limerick.

A notable historical figure bearing the surname was Peter Woulfe (1727-1803), an Irish chemist and mineralogist known for his early experiments in synthetic dyes. His work contributed significantly to the field of chemistry in the 18th century, particularly in the study of wolframite ore.

In the 16th century, the Woulfe name is associated with Nicholas Woulfe (1507-1597), who was a prominent member of the church in County Wexford. He served as the Archdeacon of Ferns and was known for his scholarly work and contributions to ecclesiastical reforms during his time.

By the 17th century, Mary Woulfe, a noted figure in the Irish Confederate Wars, provided considerable support to the Irish troops. She is an example of how the Woulfe family played critical roles in Ireland's tumultuous history.

The Woulfe family also migrated beyond Ireland, with notable individuals such as Robert Woulfe (1790-1862), who emigrated to the United States and became a respected figure in New York society. His contributions in various civic reforms earned him recognition.

In legal history, the Woulfe name is represented by Baron Chief Justice Stephen Woulfe (1787-1840). As an influential judge in Ireland, he made significant contributions to the Irish legal system and was known for his judiciousness and commitment to justice.

Throughout history, the Woulfe surname has maintained a strong presence in Ireland and has been carried by individuals who have made significant impacts in various fields, from science and religion to law and public service. The name remains a testament to a rich heritage rooted deeply in the Irish landscape.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Woulfe families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Woulfe 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. Middlesex leads with 16 Woulfes recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.64x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 16 8.64x
Yorkshire 3 1.63x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 11 Woulfes recorded in 1881 and an index of 61.28x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 11 61.28x
Chelsea London 3 53.76x
Tickhill 3 2500.00x
St George Hanover 1 41.32x
Westminster St 1 147.06x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 2
Algernon 1
Harcourt 1
Herbert 1
Maurice 1
Reginald 1
Stephen 1
Talfourd 1

Top occupations

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 Woulfe households.

FAQ

Woulfe surname: questions and answers

How common was the Woulfe surname in 1881?

In 1881, 19 people were recorded with the Woulfe surname. That placed it at #30,872 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Woulfe surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 200 in 2016. That gives Woulfe a modern rank of #19,591.

What does the Woulfe surname mean?

A surname originating from Irish Gaelic meaning "wolf" or "wolf-like".

What does the Woulfe map show?

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