NameCensus.

UK surname

Abrey

Derived from a place name meaning "at the brow," referring to a person who lived on a hill.

In the 1881 census there were 284 people recorded with the Abrey surname, ranking it #10,100 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 465, ranked #10,558, down from #10,100 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Mildenhall, London parishes and Springfield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include St Edmundsbury, Brent and Forest Heath.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Abrey is 513 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 63.7%.

1881 census count

284

Ranked #10,100

Modern count

465

2016, ranked #10,558

Peak year

1999

513 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Abrey had 284 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,100 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 465 in 2016, ranked #10,558.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 476 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Abrey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Abrey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Abrey 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 190 #10,852
1861 historical 200 #12,005
1881 historical 284 #10,100
1891 historical 358 #9,655
1901 historical 359 #10,242
1911 historical 476 #8,124
1997 modern 477 #9,652
1998 modern 504 #9,531
1999 modern 513 #9,478
2000 modern 506 #9,541
2001 modern 503 #9,428
2002 modern 490 #9,771
2003 modern 469 #9,940
2004 modern 470 #9,958
2005 modern 459 #10,053
2006 modern 445 #10,319
2007 modern 466 #10,070
2008 modern 447 #10,481
2009 modern 457 #10,532
2010 modern 472 #10,488
2011 modern 467 #10,474
2012 modern 456 #10,563
2013 modern 470 #10,478
2014 modern 465 #10,628
2015 modern 462 #10,619
2016 modern 465 #10,558

Geography

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Where Abreys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Mildenhall, London parishes, Springfield and St Pancras. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to St Edmundsbury, Brent, Forest Heath and Breckland. 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 Mildenhall Suffolk
2 London parishes London 1
3 Springfield Essex
4 London parishes London 3
5 St Pancras London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 St Edmundsbury 008 St Edmundsbury
2 Brent 005 Brent
3 Forest Heath 004 Forest Heath
4 Forest Heath 003 Forest Heath
5 Breckland 010 Breckland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Abrey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Abrey

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Abrey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Abrey household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Abrey is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Abrey is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Abrey falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Abrey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Abrey, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Abrey

The surname ABREY is of English origin, deriving from the Old English personal name Æðelbriht, composed of the elements æðele, meaning "noble", and briht, meaning "bright" or "illustrious". It is believed to have originated in the region of Cambridgeshire during the Anglo-Saxon period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name ABREY can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Ailbriht" and "Albriht". This suggests that the name was already in use by the time of the Norman Conquest.

The name ABREY underwent various spelling variations throughout history, including Albrey, Aubrey, Aubry, and Avery. These variations often reflected regional dialects and scribal preferences in record-keeping.

In the 13th century, the name appears in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1230 as "Albredus de Horseden", referring to a landowner from Horsenden, Buckinghamshire. This early documentary evidence provides insight into the geographic distribution of the name during the medieval period.

One notable bearer of the name ABREY was Sir John Aubrey (1626-1697), an English antiquary, naturalist, and author. His work, "Brief Lives," a collection of short biographical notes, has become an invaluable source for historians studying the 17th century.

Another prominent figure was William Aubrey (c. 1529-1595), an English lawyer and member of the Middle Temple. He served as a Member of Parliament for Wallingford in 1589.

In the literary realm, the name ABREY is associated with John Aubrey (1626-1697), an English writer and diarist. His work, "Miscellanies," provides valuable insights into the culture and society of 17th century England.

The name ABREY also has connections to the world of art. John Aubrey (1667-1700), an English painter, was known for his portraits of notable figures of his time, including Sir Isaac Newton.

Lastly, in the field of science, John Aubrey (1714-1758), an English physicist and mathematician, made significant contributions to the study of optics and the nature of light.

While the surname ABREY has undergone various spelling changes over the centuries, its roots can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon period, reflecting the rich linguistic heritage of the English language.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Abrey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Abrey 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. Essex leads with 79 Abreys recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.45x.

County Total Index
Essex 79 14.45x
Middlesex 69 2.49x
Suffolk 54 16.00x
Kent 14 1.48x
Cambridgeshire 12 6.84x
Norfolk 12 2.82x
Surrey 10 0.74x
Yorkshire 10 0.36x
Buckinghamshire 6 3.58x
Sussex 4 0.86x
Somerset 3 0.67x
Berkshire 2 0.96x
Durham 2 0.24x
Glamorgan 2 0.41x
Wiltshire 2 0.82x
Derbyshire 1 0.23x
Hertfordshire 1 0.52x
Worcestershire 1 0.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Mildenhall in Suffolk leads with 26 Abreys recorded in 1881 and an index of 724.23x.

Place Total Index
Mildenhall 26 724.23x
Brentwood 18 540.54x
Springfield 15 625.00x
St Pancras London 14 6.28x
Meldreth 12 1764.71x
Exning 10 588.24x
Kensington London 10 6.49x
Boxted 9 1153.85x
Great Yarmouth 7 19.84x
Islington London 7 2.61x
Denham 6 504.20x
Tottenham 6 13.60x
Willesden 6 22.98x
Woolwich 6 17.18x
Banham 5 458.72x
Colchester St Leonard 5 284.09x
Paddington London 5 4.91x
St Botolph Aldgate London 5 87.72x
Tonbridge 5 14.67x
Twickenham 5 42.09x
West Ham 5 4.14x
Croydon 4 5.34x
Dagenham 4 123.08x
Leeds 4 2.58x
Rochford 4 251.57x
Sudbury St Peter 4 216.22x
Witham 4 141.84x
Barton Mills 3 666.67x
Fryerning 3 447.76x
Hastings St Mary 3 25.82x
Hook 3 49.67x
Manningham 3 8.87x
Weston Super Mare 3 26.64x
Bishopwearmouth 2 2.83x
Bowers Gifford 2 1052.63x
East Donyland 2 151.52x
Great Thurlow 2 540.54x
Hackney London 2 1.29x
Harwich St Nicholas 2 47.39x
Icklingham 2 500.00x
Merthyr Tydfil 2 4.31x
Newmarket St Mary 2 77.22x
Southwark St George Martyr 2 3.59x
St George Hanover Square 2 4.10x
Sunninghill 2 69.44x
Thorpe 2 344.83x
Tuddenham St Mary 2 540.54x
West Malling 2 93.90x
Ardleigh 1 65.79x
Ault Hucknall 1 140.85x
Battersea 1 0.98x
Bishop Stortford 1 15.67x
Bridewell Precinct London 1 370.37x
Brighton 1 1.06x
Ealing 1 4.04x
Edgware 1 129.87x
Finchley 1 9.42x
Fisherton Anger 1 22.08x
Great Malvern 1 13.25x
Great Wakering 1 81.97x
Hampstead London 1 2.32x
Heytesbury 1 112.36x
Ipswich St Mary Stoke 1 31.95x
Lambeth 1 0.41x
Little Stanmore 1 121.95x
Lowestoft 1 6.27x
Mellis 1 222.22x
Norton Folgate London 1 109.89x
Penge 1 5.65x
South Weald 1 21.37x
Wandsworth 1 3.75x
Westerham 1 45.87x
Writtle 1 44.64x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 16
William 16
Thomas 13
Charles 10
James 10
George 8
Henry 6
Samuel 5
Alfred 4
Arthur 4
Ernest 4
Walter 4
Albert 3
Edward 3
Frederick 3
Joseph 3
Robert 3
Daniel 2
David 2
Harry 2
Richard 2
Alexander 1
Algernon 1
Ambrose 1
Anthony 1
Chas. 1
Edgar 1
Fred 1
Fredk.G. 1
Fredr.P. 1
Harold 1
Horace 1
Isaac 1
Jabez 1
Jessie 1
Jonah 1
Leslie 1
Lincoln 1
Manning 1
Mark 1
Norman 1
Oswald 1
Pharoah 1
Rial 1
Rose 1
Saml 1
Sidney 1

FAQ

Abrey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Abrey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 284 people were recorded with the Abrey surname. That placed it at #10,100 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Abrey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 465 in 2016. That gives Abrey a modern rank of #10,558.

What does the Abrey surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "at the brow," referring to a person who lived on a hill.

What does the Abrey map show?

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