The Wadsworth surname

In the 2010 U.S. Census, 9,912 people carried this name — #3,588 among all U.S. surnames, about 1 in every 29,800 people counted. That is up 3% from 9,625 in 2000.

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What the name means

The meaning of the Wadsworth surname

A habitational surname from Old English.

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary (en.wiktionary.org) — entry «Wadsworth» (English), by Wiktionary contributors · licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0) · excerpt, lightly adapted.

As an English and Welsh surname

Bardsley classes it as a local name, from where the family lived: ‘of Wadsworth’.

An early record he cites: Alicia de Waddesworth, 1379 — Poll Tax, West Riding of Yorkshire.

His entry covers Wadsworth and Wordsworth.

From Charles W. Bardsley, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, with Special American Instances (London: Henry Frowde, 1901), p. 786 · public domain.

Among the farmers of England and Wales, 1880s

Wadsworth was found among the farmers of Yorkshire, West Riding: 18 in every 10,000.

Guppy counted the farmers listed in each county’s directory and recorded a name only where it reached about 7 in every 10,000; where it does not appear, it was rarer than that, not absent.

Where it concentrates, on the map

Per 10,000 farmers, by county

Yorkshire, West Riding 18

H. B. Guppy, «Homes of Family Names in Great Britain» (London, 1890), alphabetical list of English and Welsh names — public domain · farmers in Kelly’s Post Office Directories of the 1880s, per 10,000 farmers in each county.

In the first U.S. census, 1790

188 families named Wadsworth, or a close spelling, were counted in 1790.

Each family is counted by its head. About 1,084 people lived in those households, 5.8 to a family on average. The census counted these spellings together: Wadsworth, Wadworth, Wardsworth, Wardworth, Watsworth, Wodsworth, Woodworth, Woodsworth. The table lists white heads of families only, in the twelve states whose 1790 records survive; Virginia’s figures come from state lists of 1782–1785.

Families, by state

Connecticut 69
Massachusetts 37
New York 34
Vermont 16
New Hampshire 10
Maine 6
Pennsylvania 6
North Carolina 6
South Carolina 2
Rhode Island 1
Maryland 1

U.S. Census Bureau, «A Century of Population Growth from the First Census of the United States to the Twelfth, 1790–1900» (Washington, 1909), table 111, p. 267 — public domain · names carried by at least 100 white persons in 1790.

In print

Wadsworth in American newspapers,
1918–1922.

Newspaper page from The American Jewish World carrying the name Wadsworth
The American Jewish World 1918-09-06
Newspaper page from Wausau Pilot carrying the name Wadsworth
Wausau Pilot 1922-11-30
Newspaper page from The Manitowoc Pilot carrying the name Wadsworth
The Manitowoc Pilot 1922-11-09

Chronicling America, Library of Congress — digitised newspapers in the public domain.

In print

Wadsworth in Australian newspapers,
1840s–1990s.

6,603 articles name a Mr, Mrs or Miss Wadsworth. The most, 1,654, date from the 1930s. Weighed against how much of each state’s press from the same decades has been digitised, it stands out most in Queensland, at 1.7 times its expected share.

Articles, by state

Queensland 2,269
New South Wales 1,694
Victoria 1,488
Western Australia 363
Tasmania 322
South Australia 285
ACT (Canberra) 136
Northern Territory 4

Trove, National Library of Australia (trove.nla.gov.au) · articles in its digitised newspapers that name a Mr, Mrs or Miss Wadsworth.

Who carried it

People named Wadsworth,
with a public archive behind them.

  • Evelyn Wadsworth d. 1981
  • Edith Pauline Wadsworth d. 2009
  • Frederick E. Wadsworth d. 1927
  • James Wadsworth 1572–1623 · Catholic priest
  • William Wadsworth 1594–1675 · poet
  • James Wadsworth 1604–1656

Wikidata (CC0) · 10 lives in all are documented under this name.

In the public record

People named Wadsworth,
in the records of 7 countries.

Soldiers, farmers, migrants and neighbours who carried the name and left a trace in public archives. Everyone shown here died long ago or was born more than a century ago.

United States1,131 records

1,131 records of the Wadsworth name in the United States
  • U.S. Army enlistment records, World War II 355
  • New York City birth, marriage and death certificates 284
  • Other U.S. records 492
  1. A United States Selective Service registration card, 1942
    Example: U.S. registration card, 1942
    Military record Merle M. Wadsworth

    Born 1916 in Florida. Enlisted 1941 at Camp Blanding; accountant from Hillsborough County. U.S. Army veteran of World War II; died 1994, buried at Bay Pines National Cemetery, Florida.

    U.S. National Archives, WWII Army Enlistment Records (public domain); U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Gravesite Locator (CC0)
  2. A passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, arriving at New York in 1903
    Example: passenger manifest, 1903
    Passenger record Emily Wadsworth

    Arrived at New York in 1892 aboard the Corean from Glasgow and Londonderry, aged 20; servant. From Ireland; bound for Brooklyn.

    U.S. National Archives, Castle Garden Immigration Center Collection, Ship Passenger Records (unrestricted)
  3. Names engraved on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C.
    Example: U.S. war memorial
    War record Harry Marshall Wadsworth

    Born 1944; from Millbrook, Alabama. U.S. Marine Corps, machinegunner; killed in action 1967 in Quang Tri, South Vietnam.

    U.S. National Archives, Defense Casualty Analysis System (public domain)

Showing 3 of 1,131 records for Wadsworth in the United States.

Counts: U.S. National Archives, WWII Army Enlistment Records (public domain) · NYC Department of Records & Information Services, Historical Vital Records (NYC Open Data) · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Gravesite Locator (CC0) · U.S. National Archives, Castle Garden Immigration Center Collection, Ship Passenger Records (unrestricted) · New York State Department of Health, Genealogical Research Death Index · U.S. National Archives, Flexoline Index Data File (public domain) · U.S. National Archives, Defense Casualty Analysis System (public domain) · U.S. National Archives, Famine Irish Passenger Records (public domain) · Ramsey County, Minnesota (public domain) · Sacramento County, Historic Burials (CC BY 4.0). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: U.S. Selective Service registration card, 1942 (public domain); Passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, New York, 1903 (public domain); Vietnam Veterans Memorial, photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden, 2009 (public domain).

Australia378 records

378 records of the Wadsworth name in Australia
  • Victoria passenger lists, 1839–1923 215
  • Victoria wills and probate, deaths to 2001 62
  • Other Australian records 101
  1. A petition to the probate court of St. Louis, 1848
    Example: probate petition, 1848
    Probate record William Wadsworth

    Died 1889 in Emu Bay, Tasmania, aged 64. Will registered in Tasmania in 1890.

    Libraries Tasmania, Tasmanian Names Index (CC BY 4.0)
  2. An 1829 etching of convicts being rowed out to the prison ship York in Portsmouth Harbour
    Pictured: convicts going on board a prison ship, 1829
    Transportation record William Wadsworth

    Transported to New South Wales aboard the Guildford, arriving 1822; ticket of leave 1833. Native of Yorks Hyland.

    Museums of History NSW – State Archives Collection (CC BY)
  3. A passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, arriving at New York in 1903
    Example: passenger manifest, 1903
    Passenger record Martha Wadsworth

    Arrived in Victoria in 1853 aboard the Thames, as an infant; English.

    Public Record Office Victoria (CC BY 4.0)

Showing 3 of 378 records for Wadsworth in Australia.

Counts: Public Record Office Victoria (CC BY 4.0) · Queensland State Archives (CC BY 4.0) · Libraries Tasmania, Tasmanian Names Index (CC BY 4.0) · Museums of History NSW – State Archives Collection (CC BY) · National Library of Scotland, War Office Weekly Casualty Lists (public domain) · State Library of Western Australia (CC BY 4.0). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Petition to the probate court, St. Louis, 1848, Missouri Historical Society (public domain); Prison-ship in Portsmouth Harbour, with the convicts going on board, etching by Edward William Cooke, 1829, Royal Museums Greenwich (public domain); Passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, New York, 1903 (public domain).

United Kingdom29 records

29 records of the Wadsworth name in the United Kingdom
  • War Office casualty lists, 1917–1919, among the dead 18
  • Welsh wills index cards 5
  • Other British records 6
  1. A page of the burial register of Newtown, Wales, 1858
    Example: burial register, 1858
    Burial record Harry Wadsworth

    Died 1948, aged 78; buried at Logie Cemetery, Stirling, Scotland.

    Stirling Council. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  2. A petition to the probate court of St. Louis, 1848
    Example: probate petition, 1848
    Probate record Alexander T. Wadsworth

    Will proved in 1934; of Manchester, Lancashire.

    National Library of Wales, Wills Index Cards (CC0)
  3. A First World War roll of honour of the staff of C. & E. Morton Ltd
    Example: roll of honour, 1914–1919
    War record L. Wadsworth

    Army Service Corps. Listed among the dead in the War Office casualty list of 1917.

    National Library of Scotland, War Office Weekly Casualty Lists (public domain)

Showing 3 of 29 records for Wadsworth in the United Kingdom.

Counts: National Library of Scotland, War Office Weekly Casualty Lists (public domain) · National Library of Wales, Wills Index Cards (CC0) · Stirling Council. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. · MOLA and HS2, St James's burial ground data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Burial register of Newtown, Montgomeryshire, 1858, National Library of Wales (CC0); Petition to the probate court, St. Louis, 1848, Missouri Historical Society (public domain); C. & E. Morton Ltd roll of honour, 1914–1919, photo by Adrian S Pye via Geograph (CC BY-SA 2.0).

Canada28 records

28 records of the Wadsworth name in Canada
  • City of Calgary cemetery records 9
  • Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver 6
  • Other Canadian records 13
  1. Fairview Lawn Cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia
    Example: Canadian cemetery
    Burial record Agnes Ryan Wadsworth

    Buried in 1991 at Burnsland Cemetery, Calgary, Alberta, aged 87.

    City of Calgary. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – City of Calgary.
  2. Fairview Lawn Cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia
    Example: Canadian cemetery
    Burial record Daniel Wadsworth

    Buried in 1912 at Fairview Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Ontario.

    City of Niagara Falls. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Niagara Falls.
  3. A page of the Berlin civil register, 1880
    Example: civil register, 1880
    Death record Mary Ann Wadsworth

    Died 1973 in Mill Cove, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, aged 31.

    Nova Scotia Archives. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Nova Scotia.

Showing 3 of 28 records for Wadsworth in Canada.

Counts: City of Calgary. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – City of Calgary. · City of Vancouver. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Vancouver. · Veterans Affairs Canada. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Canada. · City of Niagara Falls. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Niagara Falls. · Nova Scotia Archives. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Nova Scotia. · Archives of Ontario. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Ontario. · City of Winnipeg. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Winnipeg. Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Fairview Lawn Cemetery, Halifax, photo by Edgar El (CC BY 3.0); Civil register, Berlin, 1880, Landesarchiv Berlin (CC0).

New Zealand24 records

24 records of the Wadsworth name in New Zealand
  • Marlborough District cemetery records 12
  • Christchurch City cemetery records 10
  • Thames-Coromandel District cemetery records 2
  1. A page of the burial register of Newtown, Wales, 1858
    Example: burial register, 1858
    Burial record Marjorie Florence Wadsworth

    Died 1997, aged 56; buried at Fairhall Cemetery, Marlborough.

    Marlborough District Council (CC BY 4.0)
  2. A page of the burial register of Newtown, Wales, 1858
    Example: burial register, 1858
    Burial record Charlotte Wadsworth

    Died 1918, aged 82; buried at Linwood Cemetery, Christchurch, Canterbury.

    Christchurch City Council (CC BY 4.0)
  3. A page of the burial register of Newtown, Wales, 1858
    Example: burial register, 1858
    Burial record Norman Edwin Wadsworth

    Died 1994, aged 75; buried at Totara Memorial Park Cemetery, Thames-Coromandel District, Waikato.

    Thames-Coromandel District Council (CC BY 4.0)

Showing 3 of 24 records for Wadsworth in New Zealand.

Counts: Marlborough District Council (CC BY 4.0) · Christchurch City Council (CC BY 4.0) · Thames-Coromandel District Council (CC BY 4.0). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Burial register of Newtown, Montgomeryshire, 1858, National Library of Wales (CC0).

Netherlands4 records

4 records of the Wadsworth name in the Netherlands
  • Dutch civil registers (births, marriages, deaths) 3
  • Dutch population registers 1
  1. A marriage entry in the civil register of Tilburg, 1911
    Example: marriage register, 1911
    Marriage record Robert Wallace Wadsworth

    Married in 1945 in Nijmegen; journalist.

    Open Archives, Gelders Archief (CC BY 4.0)
  2. A page of the Berlin civil register, 1880
    Example: civil register, 1880
    Death record Samuel John Wadsworth

    Died 1961 in Eindhoven.

    Open Archives, Brabants Historisch Informatie Centrum (CC BY 4.0)
  3. A page of the 1910 United States census, Milwaukee
    Example: U.S. census, 1910
    Population register Samuel John Wadsworth

    In the population register of Eindhoven; born 1896 in Darneen.

    Open Archives, Regionaal Historisch Centrum Eindhoven (CC BY 4.0)

Showing 3 of 4 records for Wadsworth in the Netherlands.

Counts: Open Archives (CC BY 4.0). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Marriage register, Tilburg, 1911, Regionaal Archief Tilburg (public domain); Civil register, Berlin, 1880, Landesarchiv Berlin (CC0); U.S. census of 1910, Milwaukee (public domain).

France1 record

1 record of the Wadsworth name in France France's national death register, 1970–2001
  1. A page of the death register of Nice, 1930
    Example: French death register, 1930
    Death record Edwin Artemus Wadsworth

    Born 1908 in the United States; died 1999 in La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime).

    Insee, Fichier des personnes décédées (Licence Ouverte)

Counts: Insee, Fichier des personnes décédées (Licence Ouverte). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Death register of Nice, 1930, Archives départementales des Alpes-Maritimes (public domain).

Nearby in the index

Surnames next to Wadsworth.

When the index is not enough

This page says where Wadsworth is.
A volume says what happened to it.

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