NameCensus.

UK surname

Wyn

A surname derived from the Welsh word "gwyn" meaning fair or blessed.

In the 1881 census there were 14 people recorded with the Wyn surname, ranking it #31,604 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 118, ranked #27,873, up from #31,604 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire and Isle of Anglesey.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wyn is 118 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 742.9%.

1881 census count

14

Ranked #31,604

Modern count

118

2016, ranked #27,873

Peak year

2016

118 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wyn had 14 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,604 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 118 in 2016, ranked #27,873.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 58 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Wyn surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wyn surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wyn 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 58 #22,928
1881 historical 14 #31,604
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1901 historical 16 #32,260
1997 modern 67 #30,915
1998 modern 75 #30,471
1999 modern 79 #30,243
2000 modern 86 #29,484
2001 modern 89 #28,932
2002 modern 93 #28,920
2003 modern 83 #30,088
2004 modern 84 #30,244
2005 modern 94 #28,973
2006 modern 95 #29,113
2007 modern 92 #29,929
2008 modern 104 #28,341
2009 modern 112 #27,685
2010 modern 115 #27,874
2011 modern 109 #28,653
2012 modern 101 #30,078
2013 modern 103 #30,235
2014 modern 112 #28,934
2015 modern 105 #30,092
2016 modern 118 #27,873

Geography

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Where Wyns 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 Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire and Isle of Anglesey. 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 Gwynedd 003 Gwynedd
2 Gwynedd 006 Gwynedd
3 Gwynedd 007 Gwynedd
4 Pembrokeshire 004 Pembrokeshire
5 Isle of Anglesey 006 Isle of Anglesey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wyn

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wyn

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Wyn 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

Wyn is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Wyn falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Wyn is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 20-25 mbit/s.

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

4
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Wyn

The surname Wyn can trace its origin back to Wales, a country steeped in rich cultural and linguistic history. Emerging during the medieval period, the name is believed to derive from the Welsh word "gwyn," which means "white" or "fair." Given the phonetic nuances of the Welsh language, it is not uncommon to find variations in the spelling of the name throughout history.

The earliest instances of the surname Wyn can be traced to the regions of Gwynedd and Powys in North and Mid Wales, respectively. These areas were strongholds of the Welsh language and culture during medieval times. Early records make mention of similar spellings, such as Gwyn, Wynn, and Weyn. Though the name primarily appears in local records, its simplicity and phonetic similarity to the elemental Welsh word gwyn allowed for widespread use.

A prominent historical reference to the surname Wyn appears in the Welsh medieval manuscripts known as the "Chronicles of the Princes" or "Brut y Tywysogion," which detail events from the 11th to the 13th century. During this period, individuals with the surname Wyn might have appeared in various administrative and clerical capacities.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Wyn is Dafydd Wyn, a poet and bard active in the 14th century. His lyrical compositions are preserved in some of the oldest Welsh poetry collections, showcasing the cultural contributions of the Wyn family to Welsh heritage. Llewelyn Wyn, born in 1450, was another notable figure who played a significant role as a chieftain in the region of Gwynedd, participating in several important events of his time.

By the 16th century, the surname Wyn had spread to different parts of Wales and even crossed over into England due to political and economic migrations. One example is Elinor Wyn, who was born in 1543 in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and became well-known in her community for her charitable activities and patronage of the arts.

In more recent history, Sir Hugh Wyn, born in 1725, served as a high-ranking official in the Welsh judiciary and was instrumental in legal reforms during the early 18th century. Another significant figure was John Wyn, a Welsh-American immigrant born in 1802, who contributed significantly to the cultural and political life of the Welsh community in the United States during the 19th century.

The surname Wyn has indeed left an indelible mark on the historical and cultural fabric of Wales and beyond. Its journey from medieval Welsh roots to present-day recognition is a testament to the enduring legacy of families who bore this modest yet historically significant name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wyn families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wyn 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 4 Wyns recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.93x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 4 2.93x
Shropshire 3 25.45x
Berkshire 1 9.77x
Caernarfonshire 1 18.12x
Cheshire 1 3.32x
Devon 1 3.52x
Glamorgan 1 4.21x
Lancashire 1 0.62x
Montgomeryshire 1 31.95x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kensington London in Middlesex leads with 3 Wyns recorded in 1881 and an index of 39.53x.

Place Total Index
Kensington London 3 39.53x
Upton Cressett 3 30000.00x
Ashton 1 5000.00x
Bettws Y Coed 1 2500.00x
Bray 1 333.33x
Eccleston In Prescot 1 123.46x
Llangadfan 1 2500.00x
St Marylebone London 1 13.74x
Tormoham 1 83.33x
Ystradyfodwg 1 48.08x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Eliza 2
Charlotte 1
Elizabeth 1
Hariat 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 2
Daniel 1
Edward 1
Job 1
Oliver 1
Price 1
Richard 1
William 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 Wyn households.

FAQ

Wyn surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wyn surname in 1881?

In 1881, 14 people were recorded with the Wyn surname. That placed it at #31,604 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wyn surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 118 in 2016. That gives Wyn a modern rank of #27,873.

What does the Wyn surname mean?

A surname derived from the Welsh word "gwyn" meaning fair or blessed.

What does the Wyn map show?

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