Wiltshire is situated in South West England. It shares borders with several counties: Gloucestershire to the north, Oxfordshire to the northeast, Berkshire to the east, Hampshire to the southeast, Dorset to the south. Swindon is the largest town. Salisbury is a significant city, known for its cathedral. and Trowbridge, the county town. Other important towns include Chippenham, and Devizes.[1] The area of the Wiltshire administrative county is 1,257 square miles (3,255 square km); The Wiltshire geographic county is 1,346 square miles (3,485 square km). Wiltshire can be understood in two ways: as an 'administrative county' and as a 'geographic county.' The 'administrative county' refers to the area directly controlled by the Wiltshire local council during a particular historical period of English local government. The 'geographic county' represents the traditional, broader area of Wiltshire. This larger area includes the administrative county and also areas like Swindon, which may now have its own separate administrative structure. In short, the geographic county is the traditional Wiltshire, while the administrative county is the area under a specific council's jurisdiction at a specific time.[2]
The population of Wiltshire is 515,885 according to mid-2022 population figures published by the Office for National Statistics. Wiltshire's population growth rate between mid-2021 and mid-2022 was 0.5% per year. Wiltshire covers an area of 3,255 square kilometers (1,257 square miles) and has a population density of 158 people per square kilometer (km2), based on the latest population estimates taken in mid-2022.[3]
According to the latest 2021 census, the population in Wiltshire is predominantly white (94%), with non-white minorities representing the remaining 6% of the population.[3]
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Wiltshire landscape, industry, agriculture, and attractionsWiltshire landscape, industry, agriculture, and attractions
Wiltshire's landscape is dominated by chalk uplands, most notably Salisbury Plain at its center, and higher downlands in the south and northeast. These chalk regions, including the Marlborough Downs, cover approximately two-thirds of the county.[4] They feature rolling, open countryside with thin soils and limited drainage, making them ideal for sheep grazing. To the northwest and southeast, the chalk gives way to lower-lying areas. The western portion of Wiltshire features clay soils. The primary lowland areas are found around Salisbury, within the Vale of Wardour, and along the River Avon. In addition to the Avon, Wiltshire's river systems include the River Kennet and River Wylye.[5]
Wiltshire's economy includes professional, scientific, and technical services, along with retail trade, that contribute to the region's economic output. Additionally, Wiltshire is experiencing growth in specialized sectors like food and beverage processing and healthcare product manufacturing. Examining factors such as gender diversity in business leadership and the distribution of company sizes provides a comprehensive understanding of the region's economic vitality.[6]
Wiltshire is primarily an agricultural county and about 80% of its land area is used for this purpose, wheat and barley being the main crops. Pig and sheep farming are also important. Dairy farming predominates in the lowlands and valleys, with livestock and arable farming elsewhere.[7]
Wiltshire has three designated National Landscapes: The Cotswolds – including Castle Combe, Sherston and Slaughterford, The North Wessex Downs – including Avebury, Cranborne Chase and the West Wiltshire Downs – featuring Tisbury, Mere and villages within the River Nadder and River Ebble valleys.[1] Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Sites are among the most famous groups of megaliths in the world. The Longleat Hedge Maze is one of the longest mazes in the world and includes many dead ends and raised bridges for more challenges. The Old Wardour Castle is a ruined castle from the 14th century.
Wiltshire historyWiltshire history
Wiltshire is renowned for its exceptional prehistoric monuments. The Neolithic and Bronze Age populations left an indelible mark with iconic sites such as Stonehenge and Avebury. These megalithic structures testify to sophisticated societal organization and ritual practices. The landscape is dotted with numerous barrows (burial mounds), indicating a densely populated region. These ancient inhabitants shaped the land, leaving behind evidence of early agricultural practices.[8]
During the Roman occupation of Britain, beginning with the successful invasion in 43 A.D., Wiltshire became integrated into the Roman network. Roman roads traversed the county, facilitating trade and military movement. Evidence of Roman settlements and villas can be found, although Wiltshire was not as heavily urbanized as some other parts of Roman Britain. Wansdyke, a large earthwork, although its exact date is debated, shows evidence of Roman or Romano-British construction.[9]
Following the Roman withdrawal, Wiltshire became part of the emerging Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. The West Saxons established dominance, and Wiltshire became a crucial part of Wessex. Wessex was an Anglo-Saxon kingdom in southern England that lasted from the 6th century until the 10th century.[10] It was one of the seven kingdoms or Heptarchy of Anglo-Saxon England.[11] Battles were fought as the Saxons expanded their territory, and the landscape began to reflect Anglo-Saxon settlement patterns.[12] The Battle of Edington, a pivotal victory for Alfred the Great against the Vikings, took place in Wiltshire, solidifying Anglo-Saxon control.[13]
The Norman Conquest in 1066 A.D. brought significant changes, with land ownership shifting to Norman lords. Salisbury Cathedral, a masterpiece of medieval architecture, became a prominent religious center. Sheep farming and the wool trade became economically important, particularly with Cistercian monastic involvement.[14] The Domesday book provides a valuable snapshot of the counties land ownership and resources after the Norman conquest.[15]
During the Tudor period, Wiltshire continued to be an agricultural region.[16] The 17th century saw the English Civil Wars, with Wiltshire becoming a battleground. The Battle of Roundway Down was a notable Royalist victory. Political and religious tensions affected the county, as they did the rest of England.[17]
The 18th century saw agricultural improvements and the development of canal networks, such as the Kennet and Avon Canal, which facilitated trade. By the end of the 18th century the Wiltshire cloth industry had lost ground to Gloucestershire; and then came the Industrial Revolution and the mechanization of the Yorkshire mills and a further steady decline in the face of this competition.[18]
In the 19th century, Wiltshire, England was a rural county with several industries, including cloth-making, tanning, glove-making, and malting that continued the impact of the Industrial Revolution and with the arrival of railways transformed transportation and stimulated economic growth.[19] Swindon became a major railway town. Agricultural changes and industrialization led to shifts in population and social structures.[20]
The 20th century saw Wiltshire contribute to both World Wars, with military bases established in the county, particularly on Salisbury Plain. Agricultural practices continued to evolve, and the county's economy diversified. Tourism became increasingly important, drawing visitors to Wiltshire's historical and natural attractions.[20]
Wiltshire geographyWiltshire geography
Wiltshire is renowned for its expansive chalk downlands, forming rolling hills and valleys. The geomorphology of Wiltshire, England, is a primary determinant in its historical development. The county's defining feature, its extensive chalk downlands, notably Salisbury Plain, has provided a consistent landscape over millennia. These uplands facilitated early agricultural practices, evidenced by the presence of prehistoric monuments such as Stonehenge and Avebury. Furthermore, the porous nature of the chalk stratum influenced settlement patterns, with villages typically situated within valleys where accessible water sources were prevalent. The fluvial systems, particularly the River Avon and its tributaries, have sculpted fertile valleys, fostering the establishment of settlements and trade routes. The underlying geological composition, characterized by chalk, clay, and greensand, has dictated soil typologies, thereby impacting agricultural methodologies and the spatial distribution of human habitation.[21]
Researching family history in WiltshireResearching family history in Wiltshire
The Wiltshire Family History Society was founded in 1981, with a membership of about 1,350 people worldwide. The Wiltshire Council maintains the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. The Center is home to over 800 years of history, holding records that tell the story of the county and its people since the 12th century. On its eight miles of shelves are stored diaries, letters, books, maps, photographs, oral histories, and more, that connect Wiltshire with local, national and international events, people and places.[22] There is also a Wiltshire and Swindon Archives: Online Catalog. The Wiltshire Council also has a local and family history page. Know Your Place West of England has both current and historical maps.
Ethnicities in WiltshireEthnicities in Wiltshire
The demographic distribution of the Wiltshire population is as follows:[3]
According to the latest 2021 census, the population in Wiltshire is predominantly white (94.3%), with non-white minorities representing the remaining 5.7% of the population. Asian people were the largest minority group in Wiltshire accounting for 2.1% of the population. 5,786 or 1% of the Wiltshire 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 Wiltshire, 2021 census
- White - 481,413 people or 94.3%
- Asian - 10,876 people or 2.1%
- Mixed - 8,709 people or 1.7%
- Black - 5,786 people or 1.1%
- Other - 3,549 people or 0.7%
Surnames in WiltshireSurnames in Wiltshire
Explore more about English CountiesExplore more about English Counties
MyHeritage has 425 collections that contain millions of English records that cover a 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
- Administrative structure of England
- British genealogy
- English immigration
- English emigration
- National Archives (UK)
- England historical records
- Vital records in England
- Birth records in England
- Wills and Probates in England and Wales
- Marriage records in England
- Census records in England
- Civil registrations in England
- Church records in England
- Newspaper records in the United Kingdom
- English military records
- English cemeteries
- Unlocking English and Welsh civil registration records
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Explore & Discover The Best of Wiltshire - VisitWiltshire.co.uk
- ↑ Wiltshire | England, Map, History, & Facts | Britannica
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Wiltshire Demographics | Age, Ethnicity, Religion, Wellbeing
- ↑ Berkshire and Marlborough Downs
- ↑ Landscape conservation
- ↑ Analysis Report: Economic and Business Activity in Wiltshire
- ↑ Agricultural Land Use
- ↑ Ancient Wiltshire – Wilcuma
- ↑ Romano-British Wiltshire – Wilcuma
- ↑ Wessex | Kingdom, History, Map, & Facts | Britannica
- ↑ Heptarchy
- ↑ Anglo-Saxons: a brief history
- ↑ Battle of Ethandun 878. Viking defeat
- ↑ The woollen industry before 1550 | British History Online
- ↑ Norman Conquest
- ↑ Tudor Wiltshire – Wilcuma
- ↑ Parliamentary history : 1529-1629 | British History Online
- ↑ Economic history | British History Online
- ↑ Wiltshires Industrial Heritage - VisitWiltshire.co.uk
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Modern Wiltshire – Wilcuma
- ↑ Why Chalk?
- ↑ Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre
- ↑ Most Common Surnames in Wiltshire, With Meanings