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    • Main contributor: James L. Tanner
    Harbour 2, South Shields, South Tyneside, Tyne and Wear, England

    Tyne and Wear is a metropolitan county in the North East of England established in 1974. It encompasses a predominantly urbanized region historically significant for its industrial contributions, particularly in shipbuilding, coal mining, and heavy engineering. Geographically, it is bordered by Northumberland to the north and west, Durham to the south, and the North Sea to the east.[1]

    The county comprises five metropolitan boroughs: Newcastle upon Tyne (the largest city), Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, and Sunderland. While no longer an administrative unit, Tyne and Wear maintains a distinct regional identity, shaped by the rivers Tyne and Wear that flow through its core.[1]

    The population of Tyne and Wear is 1,141,795 according to mid-2022 population figures published by the ONS. Tyne and Wear's population growth rate between mid-2021 and mid-2022 was 1.4% per year. Tyne and Wear covers an area of 540 square kilometers (208 square miles) and has a population density of 2,115 people per square kilometer (km2), based on the latest population estimates taken in mid-2022.[2] According to the latest 2021 census, the population in Tyne and Wear is predominantly white (91%), with non-white minorities representing the remaining 9% of the population.[2]

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    Tyne and Wear: landscape, industry, agriculture, and attractionsTyne and Wear: landscape, industry, agriculture, and attractions

    The Tyne and Wear Lowlands is an urban valley landscape characterized by the Rivers Tyne and Wear and stretches of agricultural land, with steadily increasing development in open countryside.[3]

    Historically, the industrial foundation of Northumberland and Tyne and Wear rested heavily on sectors such as mining, shipbuilding, and heavy engineering. However, the gradual decline of these traditional industries in recent decades necessitated a strategic shift towards diversification. This transition has witnessed the emergence of new economic pillars, including electronic component manufacturing, offshore engineering, pharmaceuticals, and the automotive sector, exemplified by the presence of Nissan. Furthermore, the region has proactively cultivated Centers of Excellence in key growth areas such as Life Sciences, Nanotechnology, Digital Technology, and Renewable Energy.[4]

    Tyne and Wear County is located in the North East Region[5] of England. In 2023, the largest contributors to the agricultural output value of the North East (£799 million) were beef (£129 million), mutton, lamb and goat (£108 million), wheat (£105 million) and pigmeat (£47 million). These commodities accounted for 49% of the total agricultural output. The North East has the largest average farm size of all the English regions and larger than the English average.[6]

    Alnwick Castle has over 950 years of history to discover, and the origins of the Castle date back to the Norman period. Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens has been occupied by the Middleton family almost continuously since the 13th Century. Down at the farm, a farm for children, has animals, play areas, and tractors. Jesmond Dene is a picturesque and historical nature park in the heart of Newcastle – Upon – Tyne. Washington Old Hall is a manor house associated with the family of George Washington, first president of the United States. Souter Lighthouse and The Leas is a historic lighthouse overlooking nature-rich clifftop grasslands, coastal park and rugged coastline. For additional attractions see Northumberland and Durham counties.

    Tyne and Wear historyTyne and Wear history

    Tyne and Wear was created in 1974 from towns in Northumberland, County Durham, and Newcastle upon Tyne and is now a geographic and ceremonial county without administrative authority. For the history of Tyne and Wear, see Northumberland and County Durham. The county now exists in law and official statistics.

    Mesolithic flints have been located that cover the entire Middle Stone Age period and are often located along the North East coast. Location sites include Tynemouth, parts of the Durham coast and locations in the Bamburgh area such as Budle Bay and Spindlestone Crags. There have been a few Mesolithic finds inland too, along river valleys like the Tyne, Wear and Tees but Middle Stone Age man seems to have been especially attracted to the coast.

    Tyne and Wear parishes and unparished areasTyne and Wear parishes and unparished areas

    Tyne and Wear County Council was abolished in 1986, just 12 years after its creation. It was one of 6 metropolitan county councils abolished by the Local Government Act of 1985. However, the metropolitan county of Tyne and Wear continues to exist in law and in official statistics.[7] The 5 geographic metropolitan boroughs within Tyne and Wear (Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead, North Tyneside and South Tyneside[8]) became unitary authorities. There are nine civil parishes in Tyne and Wear and most of the rest of the county is unparished.[9]

    Tyne and Wear geographyTyne and Wear geography

    Tyne and Wear and the east of Northumberland lie in a flat coastal plain through the south of which flows River Tyne and River Wear. Tyne and Wear is a small, densely populated, largely rural area.[4] The conspicuous creamy-yellow cliffs of the coastal headland, variously referred to as the Heugh, Pen Bal Crag, or Benebal Crag, are composed of magnesian limestone, a lithology characteristic of the coastal formations extending southward along the River Tyne. This stretch of coastline between Hartlepool and South Shields exhibits a unique geological profile defined by the prevalence of this distinctive rock type. The Tynemouth outcrop, situated on the river's northern bank, represents an isolated occurrence of this familiar yellow limestone. Notably, this same lithology constitutes the coastal cliffs near Marsden, south of South Shields, and these formations are readily discernible on the horizon from the vantage point of Heugh.[10]

    Researching family history in Tyne and WearResearching family history in Tyne and Wear

    Tyne and Wear was created in 1974 from towns in Northumberland, County Durham, and Newcastle upon Tyne and is now a geographic and ceremonial county without administrative authority. The Tyne and Wear Archives is based in the Discovery Museum in the heart of Newcastle and the archives is home to thousands of documents, housed on 20km of shelving, relating to the five local districts of Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead, North Tyneside and South Tyneside.[8] The Newcastle City Council has a local studies and family history website. A Beginner’s Guide to tracing your ancestors in North Tyneside has a description of the records available and their location.

    Ethnicities in Tyne and WearEthnicities in Tyne and Wear

    The demographic distribution of the Tyne and Wear population is as follows:[2] According to the latest 2021 census, the population in Tyne and Wear is predominantly white (90.5%), with non-white minorities representing the remaining 9.5% of the population. Asian people were the largest minority group in Tyne and Wear accounting for 5.1% of the population. 16,867 or 1% of the Tyne and Wear population are black according to the latest 2021 census. In England more broadly the portion of the population that is white is 81%. 10% are Asian and 4% are Black. Population by race in Tyne and Wear, 2021 census

    • White - 1,020,557 people or 90.5%
    • Asian - 56,970 people or 5.1%
    • Black - 16,867 people or 1.5%
    • Mixed - 16,692 people or 1.5%
    • Other - 16,108 people or 1.4%

    Surnames in Tyne and WearSurnames in Tyne and Wear

    The demographic distribution of Tyne and Wear surnames is as follows:[11]

    Surname Incidence Frequency
    Smith 13,518 1:83
    Brown 9,541 1:117
    Thompson 9,026 1:124
    Wilson 8,606 1:130
    Robson 6,982 1:160
    Taylor 6,658 1:168
    Bell 6,563 1:171
    Johnson 6,431 1:174
    Scott 6,390 1:175
    Watson 6,136 1:182

    Explore more about English CountiesExplore more about English Counties

    MyHeritage has 351 collections that contain millions of English records that cover a huge variety of genealogical historical events that can help you find your ancestors. The MyHeritage Knowledge Base contains helpful information about genealogical research. The Legacy Family Tree Webinars website contains more than 2000 valuable genealogical webinars including over 50 webinars about English research.

    See alsoSee also

    References

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tyne and Wear | England, Map, Population, & Facts | Britannica
    2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Tyne and Wear Demographics | Age, Ethnicity, Religion, Wellbeing
    3. ↑ Landscape Change
    4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Eurostat
    5. ↑ North East England History and Culture
    6. ↑ Agricultural facts: North East region
    7. ↑ History of Tyne and Wear | Co-Curate
    8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Tyne & Wear Archives - Preserving the past for the future
    9. ↑ List of Civil parishes in Tyne and Wear - FamousFix List
    10. ↑ Prehistoric North East England
    11. ↑ Most Common Surnames in Tyne and Wear, With Meanings
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