NameCensus.

UK surname

Adey

Derived from a place name meaning "island" or from a nickname meaning "Adam's island" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 956 people recorded with the Adey surname, ranking it #4,051 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,294, ranked #4,627, down from #4,051 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Birmingham Town: Birmingham and Birmingham Town: Aston. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sunderland, Doncaster and Ashfield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Adey is 1,353 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 35.4%.

1881 census count

956

Ranked #4,051

Modern count

1,294

2016, ranked #4,627

Peak year

1998

1,353 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Adey had 956 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,051 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,294 in 2016, ranked #4,627.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,351 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Adey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Adey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Adey 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 570 #4,463
1861 historical 557 #4,727
1881 historical 956 #4,051
1891 historical 1,089 #3,882
1901 historical 1,233 #4,019
1911 historical 1,351 #3,550
1997 modern 1,295 #4,409
1998 modern 1,353 #4,399
1999 modern 1,347 #4,452
2000 modern 1,337 #4,457
2001 modern 1,320 #4,432
2002 modern 1,352 #4,423
2003 modern 1,293 #4,511
2004 modern 1,283 #4,538
2005 modern 1,285 #4,481
2006 modern 1,275 #4,524
2007 modern 1,278 #4,547
2008 modern 1,250 #4,671
2009 modern 1,277 #4,688
2010 modern 1,316 #4,657
2011 modern 1,292 #4,669
2012 modern 1,280 #4,638
2013 modern 1,308 #4,630
2014 modern 1,324 #4,602
2015 modern 1,310 #4,597
2016 modern 1,294 #4,627

Geography

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Where Adeys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Birmingham Town: Birmingham, Birmingham Town: Aston and Christchurch, Holdenhurst, Sopley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sunderland, Doncaster, Ashfield and Newark and Sherwood. 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 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire
3 Birmingham Town: Aston Warwickshire
4 Christchurch, Holdenhurst, Sopley Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sunderland 036 Sunderland
2 Doncaster 031 Doncaster
3 Sunderland 035 Sunderland
4 Ashfield 016 Ashfield
5 Newark and Sherwood 001 Newark and Sherwood

Forenames

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First names often paired with Adey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Adey

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Adey, 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 Adey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Adey 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Adey is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Adey is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Adey falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Adey 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 Adey, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Adey

The surname Adey has its origins in England, where it first appeared in the late 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "ad" or "aed," meaning "prosperous" or "rich." This name was likely given as a nickname to someone who was prosperous or wealthy.

The earliest recorded instance of the Adey name is found in the Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire in 1195, where a person named William Adey is mentioned. The name also appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, where it is spelled as "Ade."

In the 13th century, the name Adey was found in various parts of England, including Oxfordshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire. It is possible that the name was derived from a place name, such as Adey's Green in Worcestershire or Adey's Hill in Oxfordshire.

One notable historical figure with the surname Adey was Sir John Adey, a wealthy merchant and alderman of London in the 15th century. He served as the Sheriff of London in 1456 and was knighted by King Henry VI in 1457.

Another prominent individual with this surname was Henry Adey (1581-1646), an English clergyman and author. He was the rector of St. Mary's Church in Whitechapel, London, and wrote several religious works, including "A Puritan's Prayer for Morning and Evening."

In the 17th century, the name Adey was found in the parish records of Oxfordshire, where a family with this surname resided in the village of Adderbury. One member of this family, William Adey (1617-1689), was a notable farmer and landowner.

The Adey surname also appears in the records of the East India Company in the 18th century. Thomas Adey (1731-1803) was a captain in the East India Company's maritime service and sailed to India and China on several voyages.

Another historical figure with the Adey surname was John Adey Repton (1775-1860), an English architect and landscape designer. He was the son of Humphry Repton, a renowned landscape gardener, and worked on various projects, including the redesign of Ashridge Park in Hertfordshire.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Adey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Adey 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. Staffordshire leads with 230 Adeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.25x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 230 7.25x
Warwickshire 85 3.58x
Hampshire 73 3.79x
Berkshire 71 10.06x
Durham 66 2.36x
Middlesex 62 0.66x
Wiltshire 46 5.53x
Yorkshire 46 0.49x
Gloucestershire 40 2.17x
Essex 30 1.62x
Surrey 24 0.52x
Lancashire 23 0.21x
Derbyshire 21 1.43x
Kent 20 0.62x
Sussex 19 1.20x
Dorset 15 2.43x
Monmouthshire 10 1.47x
Nottinghamshire 10 0.79x
Oxfordshire 10 1.72x
Cardiganshire 9 3.92x
Hertfordshire 9 1.39x
Shropshire 9 1.11x
Channel Islands 8 2.87x
Worcestershire 8 0.65x
Leicestershire 6 0.58x
Glamorgan 4 0.24x
Lanarkshire 3 0.10x
Herefordshire 2 0.52x
Somerset 2 0.13x
Bedfordshire 1 0.21x
Northamptonshire 1 0.11x
Royal Navy 1 0.89x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wednesfield in Staffordshire leads with 76 Adeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 162.71x.

Place Total Index
Wednesfield 76 162.71x
Birmingham 51 6.45x
Wolverhampton 40 16.39x
Aston 34 5.21x
Christchurch 29 69.39x
Willenhall 28 47.10x
East Woodhay 22 447.15x
Hetton Le Hole 21 59.24x
Mexborough 21 113.51x
Faversham 16 52.29x
Reading St Mary 16 28.30x
Westoe 16 10.09x
Darlaston 15 34.19x
Sopley 15 566.04x
West Bromwich 14 7.70x
Brighton 13 4.06x
Newbury 13 57.50x
Islington London 12 1.32x
Westbury 12 61.82x
Coaley 10 421.94x
Hucknall Torkard 10 31.11x
Amblecote 9 99.45x
Burntwood Edial 9 44.38x
Cardigan St Mary 9 102.39x
Chorlton On Medlock 9 5.08x
Falsgrave 9 65.55x
Featherstone 9 86.04x
Lichfield St Michael 9 90.36x
St Pancras London 9 1.19x
Trevethin 9 14.02x
Chester Le Street 8 37.24x
St Peter Port 8 15.52x
Aveley 7 223.64x
Chipping Norton 7 52.12x
Church Gresley 7 29.89x
Codsall 7 155.21x
Hackney London 7 1.33x
Longfleet 7 97.90x
Poole St James 7 30.19x
St Albans 7 52.71x
Stonehouse 7 66.79x
Whitworth 7 34.18x
Brightwaltham 6 434.78x
Dudley 6 4.02x
Measham 6 110.91x
Mildenhall 6 410.96x
Shadforth 6 110.50x
Sonning 6 77.02x
St Anne Soho London 6 11.17x
Sunderland 6 12.14x
Swindon 6 9.30x
Thundersley 6 359.28x
Trowbridge 6 16.32x
Blackfordby 5 150.15x
Bridgnorth St Mary 5 63.13x
Burslem 5 5.50x
Castleton 5 4.49x
Leyton Low 5 13.25x
Marlborough St Mary Virgin 5 85.32x
New Windsor 5 247.52x
Rayleigh 5 117.10x
Southwark St Saviour 5 10.35x
Wotton Under Edge 5 46.00x
Bilston 4 6.50x
Birkdale 4 14.17x
Bushbury 4 70.18x
Clerkenwell London 4 1.80x
Clewer 4 13.83x
Cookham 4 18.18x
Fisherton Anger 4 25.99x
Horfield 4 21.55x
Manchester 4 0.80x
Pangbourn 4 168.07x
Penarth 4 25.00x
Prittlewell 4 15.55x
Reading St Lawrence 4 26.49x
Spitalfields London 4 5.66x
Staveley 4 15.31x
Streatham 4 5.73x
Stafford St Mary 3 6.68x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 61
John 52
Thomas 43
George 36
James 24
Charles 21
Henry 19
Joseph 14
Edward 12
Walter 11
Arthur 10
Frederick 10
Robert 9
Samuel 8
Alfred 7
Edwin 7
Frank 7
Harry 7
Albert 6
Richard 6
Stephen 5
Francis 4
Ernest 3
Fredk. 3
Herbert 3
Josiah 3
Benj. 2
David 2
Fred 2
Gabriel 2
Harold 2
Job 2
Michael 2
Paul 2
Percy 2
Ralph 2
Ruben 2
Simon 2
Thos. 2
Tom 2
Willm. 2
Wm. 2
Ambrose 1
Cornelias 1
Daniel 1
Elijah 1
Elizabeth 1
Enock 1
Jason 1
Zachariah 1

FAQ

Adey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Adey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 956 people were recorded with the Adey surname. That placed it at #4,051 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Adey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,294 in 2016. That gives Adey a modern rank of #4,627.

What does the Adey surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "island" or from a nickname meaning "Adam's island" in Old English.

What does the Adey map show?

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