NameCensus.

UK surname

Wyvill

A surname derived from a locality name in Yorkshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 80 people recorded with the Wyvill surname, ranking it #22,225 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 108, ranked #29,578, down from #22,225 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Filey, Manchester and Sculcoates. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Richmondshire, Benbecula and North Uist and Scarborough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wyvill is 131 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 35.0%.

1881 census count

80

Ranked #22,225

Modern count

108

2016, ranked #29,578

Peak year

2000

131 bearers

Map years

5

1901 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wyvill had 80 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #22,225 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 108 in 2016, ranked #29,578.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 124 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Wyvill surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wyvill surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wyvill 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 48 #24,615
1861 historical 46 #28,170
1881 historical 80 #22,225
1891 historical 91 #25,239
1901 historical 124 #20,163
1911 historical 124 #20,023
1997 modern 112 #25,244
1998 modern 115 #25,466
1999 modern 121 #24,855
2000 modern 131 #23,672
2001 modern 122 #24,366
2002 modern 124 #24,616
2003 modern 119 #25,026
2004 modern 120 #25,078
2005 modern 113 #25,974
2006 modern 107 #27,179
2007 modern 109 #27,253
2008 modern 108 #27,684
2009 modern 104 #28,982
2010 modern 109 #28,831
2011 modern 113 #27,967
2012 modern 114 #27,868
2013 modern 118 #27,686
2014 modern 114 #28,608
2015 modern 110 #29,157
2016 modern 108 #29,578

Geography

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Where Wyvills are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Filey, Manchester, Sculcoates, Beer Ferris and Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Richmondshire, Benbecula and North Uist, Scarborough, Middlesbrough and Doncaster. 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 Filey Yorkshire, North Riding
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Sculcoates Yorkshire, East Riding
4 Beer Ferris Devon
5 Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Richmondshire 006 Richmondshire
2 Benbecula and North Uist Na h-Eileanan Siar
3 Scarborough 014 Scarborough
4 Middlesbrough 010 Middlesbrough
5 Doncaster 002 Doncaster

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wyvill

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wyvill

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Wyvill surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Wyvill household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Wyvill is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Wyvill is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Wyvill

The surname Wyvill is of English origin, dating back to the medieval period. The name is believed to have originated from the Old English words 'wīf' meaning 'woman' and 'feld' meaning 'field' or 'open country.' Over time, these elements likely combined to describe a specific geographical location characterized by its open fields owned or managed by women, later evolving into a family name.

The area most strongly associated with the Wyvill surname is Yorkshire, England. The Domesday Book of 1086, an extensive record of landholding in England, mentions a similar place name, wifel, which could be tied to the development of the surname. Although the exact spelling Wyvill is not directly referenced in the Domesday Book, it bears sufficient phonetic resemblance to assert a link.

The earliest recorded instance of the Wyvill surname is found in the 13th century, particularly connected with individuals who either owned land or held notable titles within Yorkshire. Robert Wyvill (died 1375) is one of the earliest known bearers of this surname, who served as the Bishop of Salisbury from 1330 to 1375. His tenure as bishop was significant during a period of ecclesiastical and political evolution in England.

Another notable figure bearing the surname is Sir Christopher Wyvill, who lived during the 16th and early 17th centuries. Born in 1536 and dying in 1613, he was a prominent member of the English Parliament, representing Richmond, Yorkshire. He served multiple terms and was deeply involved in the politics of his time.

Moving forward in time, Sir Marmaduke Wyvill, 6th Baronet (1692-1754), stands out. He was a reputable English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Richmond for over two decades, playing an important role in the political landscape of early 18th century Britain.

Another illustrative bearer of the surname is Sir Charles Wyvill, who was active during the 19th century. Born in 1815, he was known for his contributions to English politics and his role as a magistrate in Yorkshire.

The last notable individual in this historical examination is the Reverend Christopher Lister Wyvill (1740-1822), who was a clergyman and political reformer. He is recognized for his active participation in the Yorkshire Association, an organization advocating for parliamentary reform in the late 18th century, greatly influencing the political reforms that followed.

The surname Wyvill has a rich historical background tied to notable regions and individuals, primarily centered in Yorkshire, England. From its early derivation from Old English terms to its prominence in medieval and early modern England through various influential figures, the name Wyvill encapsulates a fascinating segment of English heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wyvill families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wyvill 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 36 Wyvills recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.66x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 36 4.66x
Devon 23 14.16x
Middlesex 7 0.90x
Nottinghamshire 7 6.66x
Surrey 6 1.58x
Warwickshire 1 0.51x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bere Ferrers in Devon leads with 16 Wyvills recorded in 1881 and an index of 5925.93x.

Place Total Index
Bere Ferrers 16 5925.93x
Cottingham 7 419.16x
Great Driffield 7 440.25x
Leeds 7 16.03x
South Cave 7 2692.31x
Stoke Damerel 7 61.57x
Richmond 5 413.22x
Poplar London 4 27.16x
Richmond 4 75.05x
Normanton On Wolds 3 15000.00x
Teddington London 3 169.49x
Clapham 2 20.49x
Nottingham St Mary 2 7.35x
Beverley St Martin 1 77.52x
Lenton 1 40.32x
Mansfield 1 27.47x
Spennithorne 1 2000.00x
Warwick St Mary 1 58.48x
Yokefleet 1 3333.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 6
Ann 3
Hannah 3
Eliza 2
Elizabeth 2
Ellen 2
Emma 2
Ethel 2
Fanny 2
Florence 2
Jane 2
Laura 2
Amelia 1
Amy 1
Annie 1
Clara 1
Edith 1
Florance 1
Florone 1
Grace 1
Isabella 1
Jamima 1
Jessie 1
Lillian 1
Lydia 1
Maud 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 8
Thomas 5
George 2
Joseph 2
Richard 2
Albert 1
Arthur 1
Arthur.J. 1
Christopher 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
Frances 1
Francis 1
Fred.Hen. 1
Frederick 1
Harry 1
James 1
Jessie 1
Marmaduke 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
William 1

FAQ

Wyvill surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wyvill surname in 1881?

In 1881, 80 people were recorded with the Wyvill surname. That placed it at #22,225 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wyvill surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 108 in 2016. That gives Wyvill a modern rank of #29,578.

What does the Wyvill surname mean?

A surname derived from a locality name in Yorkshire, England.

What does the Wyvill map show?

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