NameCensus.

UK surname

Wynn

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

In the 1881 census there were 2,605 people recorded with the Wynn surname, ranking it #1,711 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,913, ranked #1,729, down from #1,711 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, London parishes and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Forest of Dean, Bassetlaw and Rochdale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wynn is 4,098 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 50.2%.

1881 census count

2,605

Ranked #1,711

Modern count

3,913

2016, ranked #1,729

Peak year

2000

4,098 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wynn had 2,605 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,711 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,913 in 2016, ranked #1,729.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,390 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Wynn surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wynn surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wynn 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 1,505 #1,906
1861 historical 1,579 #1,806
1881 historical 2,605 #1,711
1891 historical 2,892 #1,634
1901 historical 3,269 #1,704
1911 historical 3,390 #1,544
1997 modern 3,879 #1,672
1998 modern 4,044 #1,673
1999 modern 4,048 #1,679
2000 modern 4,098 #1,652
2001 modern 3,970 #1,665
2002 modern 4,059 #1,664
2003 modern 3,943 #1,680
2004 modern 3,942 #1,681
2005 modern 3,871 #1,684
2006 modern 3,881 #1,681
2007 modern 3,871 #1,703
2008 modern 3,907 #1,701
2009 modern 4,023 #1,686
2010 modern 4,038 #1,715
2011 modern 3,988 #1,715
2012 modern 3,981 #1,690
2013 modern 4,004 #1,711
2014 modern 4,027 #1,715
2015 modern 3,949 #1,724
2016 modern 3,913 #1,729

Geography

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Where Wynns are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, London parishes, Gateshead, Edinburgh and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Forest of Dean, Bassetlaw, Rochdale, Shropshire and Wrexham. 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 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Forest of Dean 004 Forest of Dean
2 Bassetlaw 012 Bassetlaw
3 Rochdale 016 Rochdale
4 Shropshire 004 Shropshire
5 Wrexham 011 Wrexham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wynn

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wynn

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

Wynn 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

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

Meaning and origin of Wynn

The surname Wynn is of Welsh origin, derived from the Old Welsh personal name "Gwynn" or "Gwyn," meaning "fair" or "white." This name was initially used as a descriptive nickname, likely referring to someone with fair hair or a pale complexion.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Wynn can be traced back to the 13th century in Wales. Historical records from that period mention individuals bearing the name, such as Griffith Gwyn, a landowner in Cardiganshire in 1292.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, including Wyn, Wynne, and Wynn. One notable figure from this time was Sir John Wynne (c. 1350-1416), a Welsh soldier and landowner who fought in the Wars of the Roses.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Wynn family rose to prominence in North Wales, particularly in the counties of Denbighshire and Caernarvonshire. Sir John Wynn (1553-1627), a Welsh antiquarian and historian, was a member of this influential family and authored several works, including the "History of the Gwydir Family."

Another distinguished figure was Sir Richard Wynn (1588-1649), a Welsh baronet and politician who served as a member of parliament for Caernarvonshire during the reign of King Charles I.

In the 18th century, the Wynn family continued to play a significant role in Welsh society. Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn (1692-1749), a Welsh landowner and politician, was a prominent member of the family and served as a member of parliament for Denbighshire.

The name Wynn has also been associated with various place names in Wales, such as Gwynnedd (derived from the Old Welsh "Gwynedd"), a historic region in northwest Wales, and Wynne Hall, a 17th-century country house in Denbighshire.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Wynn, including:

1. Sir Griffith Wynn (1514-1580), a Welsh landowner and member of parliament for Caernarvonshire. 2. Thomas Wynn (1767-1811), a Welsh Anglican priest and author. 3. Robert Wynn (1772-1843), a Welsh landowner and member of parliament for Denbighshire. 4. Thomas Wynn (1675-1718), a Welsh politician and member of parliament for Denbighshire. 5. Sir Richard Wynn (1588-1649), a Welsh baronet and politician mentioned earlier.

The surname Wynn has a rich history deeply rooted in Welsh culture and has been carried by influential figures, landowners, and politicians throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wynn families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wynn 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. Lancashire leads with 410 Wynns recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.36x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 410 1.36x
Middlesex 216 0.85x
Shropshire 208 9.51x
Yorkshire 200 0.80x
Staffordshire 181 2.12x
Durham 178 2.36x
Surrey 129 1.05x
Denbighshire 115 12.02x
Midlothian 94 2.77x
Kent 88 1.02x
Warwickshire 88 1.38x
Gloucestershire 81 1.63x
Cheshire 62 1.11x
Berkshire 46 2.42x
Somerset 45 1.10x
Montgomeryshire 41 7.07x
Worcestershire 41 1.24x
Monmouthshire 37 2.02x
Sussex 31 0.73x
Leicestershire 23 0.82x
Flintshire 22 3.23x
Nottinghamshire 22 0.64x
Lanarkshire 21 0.26x
Hampshire 20 0.39x
Derbyshire 18 0.45x
Northumberland 18 0.48x
Devon 15 0.28x
Essex 14 0.28x
East Lothian 13 3.88x
Glamorgan 13 0.29x
Northamptonshire 13 0.55x
Cumberland 12 0.55x
Hertfordshire 11 0.63x
Ayrshire 10 0.53x
Caernarfonshire 10 0.98x
Herefordshire 10 0.96x
Norfolk 5 0.13x
Clackmannanshire 4 1.91x
Lincolnshire 4 0.10x
Dorset 3 0.18x
Huntingdonshire 3 0.60x
Merionethshire 3 0.65x
West Lothian 3 0.79x
Angus 2 0.09x
Cornwall 2 0.07x
Roxburghshire 2 0.44x
Anglesey 1 0.22x
Banffshire 1 0.19x
Bedfordshire 1 0.08x
Channel Islands 1 0.13x
Fife 1 0.07x
Renfrewshire 1 0.05x
Royal Navy 1 0.33x
Rutland 1 0.54x
Suffolk 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 64 Wynns recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.51x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 64 3.51x
Islington London 42 1.71x
Aston 41 2.33x
Bishopwearmouth 40 6.19x
South Leith 33 8.64x
Wolverhampton 33 5.02x
Manchester 29 2.15x
Cheltenham 28 7.31x
Lambeth 28 1.27x
Ruabon 27 20.53x
Southwick 25 35.04x
Bethnal Green London 24 2.18x
Bilston 24 14.49x
Birmingham 23 1.08x
Ellesmere 23 61.24x
Salford 23 2.60x
Kirkdale 21 4.15x
Toxteth Park 21 2.06x
West Derby 21 2.39x
Birkenhead 20 4.49x
Broughton 20 53.19x
Maidstone 20 7.77x
Greenwich 19 4.71x
Stroud 19 19.66x
Tettenhall 19 36.36x
Everton 18 1.88x
Shrewsbury St Chad 18 23.44x
Shrewsbury St Mary 18 20.85x
Chorlton On Medlock 17 3.56x
Ecclesall Bierlow 17 3.33x
St Luke London 17 4.19x
Esh 16 29.18x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 16 4.90x
Bridgewater 15 13.56x
Ercall Magna 15 95.79x
Frimley 15 42.67x
Gresford Erthig 15 1578.95x
Worsley 15 8.10x
Meifod 14 101.67x
Middlesbrough 14 4.28x
Milton In Gravesend 14 10.81x
Southwark St George Martyr 14 2.75x
Berwick North 13 55.34x
Castleton 13 4.33x
Little Dean 13 182.33x
Mile End Old Town 13 3.25x
Paddington London 13 1.40x
Brighton 12 1.39x
Lilleshall 12 35.89x
Newport 12 13.74x
Nottingham St Mary 12 1.36x
Shrewsbury St Julian 12 22.17x
St Pancras London 12 0.59x
Burnham 11 35.39x
Edinburgh Canongate 11 12.74x
Elswick 11 3.66x
Shifnal 11 18.52x
Belgrave 10 15.78x
Brushford 10 353.36x
Harborne 10 3.65x
Hulme 10 1.59x
Parr 10 9.30x
Spotland 10 2.99x
St Marylebone London 10 0.74x
Sutton Stoneferry 10 13.93x
Wednesfield 10 7.95x
Willenhall 10 6.25x
Wokingham 10 23.05x
Wolstanton 10 3.85x
Barony 9 0.43x
Chirk 9 47.77x
Crumpsall 9 12.71x
Dalry 9 10.09x
Duffryn 9 389.61x
Monkwearmouth 9 12.48x
Northfield 9 14.34x
Putney 9 7.80x
West Calder 9 13.46x
Windle 9 5.32x
Wrockwardine 9 18.71x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 167
William 139
Thomas 104
James 79
George 74
Henry 50
Joseph 42
Edward 41
Charles 34
Robert 32
Samuel 32
Arthur 23
Richard 21
Alfred 19
Walter 17
Albert 15
Frederick 12
Thos. 12
Wm. 11
David 10
Edwin 10
Francis 9
Michael 9
Harry 8
Daniel 7
Geo. 7
Herbert 7
Matthew 7
Patrick 7
Stephen 7
Benjamin 6
Evan 5
Watkin 5
Christopher 4
Enoch 4
Ernest 4
Frank 4
Kendrick 4
Peter 4
Saml. 4
Fred 3
Hugh 3
Jesse 3
Micheal 3
Owen 3
Percy 3
Richd. 3
Robt. 3
Willm. 3
Britten 2

FAQ

Wynn surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wynn surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,605 people were recorded with the Wynn surname. That placed it at #1,711 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wynn surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,913 in 2016. That gives Wynn a modern rank of #1,729.

What does the Wynn surname mean?

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

What does the Wynn map show?

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