Farnworth (surname)

Farnworth is a surname of English origin. It is of connected origin to the surname Farnsworth, but has been dated back further than that of the latter. The oldest known record for the name, appeared in Lancashire in 1185, in modern day Farnworth, known then as Farnworth with Kearsley. The first chief for the Farnworth family clan, was a nobleman named Leinsig de Farnworth, who came from Germany and was granted land by King Henry II of England.

The word Farnworth is a combination of two words; fearn and worth, where the old-English word fearn means fern, such as bracken and worth means a settlement. The full meaning of the surname is described as settlers from a place where ferns are abundant.

At the time of the British Census of 1881, its occurrence was high in Lancashire, Cumbria, Cheshire and Northumberland. In all other British counties, its frequency was, and still is very low .

People

Farnworth

Coordinates: 53°32′43″N 2°24′00″W / 53.5452°N 2.3999°W / 53.5452; -2.3999

Farnworth is a town and an unparished area within the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton in Greater Manchester, England. It is located 2.3 miles (3.7 km) southeast of Bolton, 5 miles south-west of Bury (7 km), and 9 miles (14.5 km) northwest of Manchester.

Historically in Lancashire, Farnworth lies on the River Irwell and the River Croal, and, according to the United Kingdom Census 2001, it has a population of 25,264 people. reducing to 15,793 at the 2011 Census.

History

Toponymy

Farnworth derives from the Old English fearn, fern and worth an enclosure. Farnworth was recorded as Farneworth and Farnewrth in 1278 and 1279 and Ffornword in a land survey of 1282.

Middle Ages

Farnworth was originally a hamlet in Barton. In the 13th century it was held by the Lords of Barton and Manchester. By 1320 Adam Lever, Richard Hulton and Richard Redford held the manor as tenants. Later the manor was acquired by the Hultons of Over Hulton. In 1666 there were 91 hearths in Farnworth liable to pay tax. The commons were enclosed in 1798. There was a watermill on the River Croal.

Farnworth (UK Parliament constituency)

Farnworth was a county constituency in Lancashire which returned one Member of Parliament (MP) to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1918 until it was abolished for the 1983 general election.

Boundaries

From 1885 to 1918 the Farnworth area had been included in the Radcliffe-cum-Farnworth constituency.

The Farnworth constituency included Farnworth, Walkden and Little Hulton.

Members of Parliament

Election results

Elections in the 1970s

Elections in the 1960s

Elections in the 1950s

Elections in the 1940s

Elections in the 1920s

References

External links