NameCensus.

UK surname

Airey

Derived from a place name meaning "eagle wood" or from the Old English word "aery," meaning an eagle's nest.

In the 1881 census there were 2,266 people recorded with the Airey surname, ranking it #1,971 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,557, ranked #2,585, down from #1,971 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lancaster Borough, London parishes and Windermere. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Lakeland and Ribble Valley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Airey is 3,211 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 12.8%.

1881 census count

2,266

Ranked #1,971

Modern count

2,557

2016, ranked #2,585

Peak year

1911

3,211 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Airey had 2,266 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,971 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,557 in 2016, ranked #2,585.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,211 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Airey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Airey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Airey 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 1,226 #2,326
1861 historical 1,205 #2,354
1881 historical 2,266 #1,971
1891 historical 2,393 #1,968
1901 historical 2,944 #1,904
1911 historical 3,211 #1,620
1997 modern 2,685 #2,377
1998 modern 2,761 #2,405
1999 modern 2,806 #2,390
2000 modern 2,771 #2,402
2001 modern 2,695 #2,410
2002 modern 2,760 #2,411
2003 modern 2,691 #2,414
2004 modern 2,687 #2,424
2005 modern 2,632 #2,436
2006 modern 2,629 #2,442
2007 modern 2,591 #2,483
2008 modern 2,594 #2,497
2009 modern 2,657 #2,505
2010 modern 2,706 #2,516
2011 modern 2,682 #2,504
2012 modern 2,628 #2,510
2013 modern 2,644 #2,540
2014 modern 2,633 #2,558
2015 modern 2,600 #2,563
2016 modern 2,557 #2,585

Geography

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Where Aireys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lancaster Borough, London parishes, Windermere, Preston and Blackburn. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Lakeland and Ribble Valley. 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 Lancaster Borough Lancashire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Windermere Westmorland
4 Preston Lancashire
5 Blackburn Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Lakeland 005 South Lakeland
2 South Lakeland 003 South Lakeland
3 South Lakeland 004 South Lakeland
4 South Lakeland 006 South Lakeland
5 Ribble Valley 004 Ribble Valley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Airey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Airey

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Airey is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Airey is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

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

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Airey falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Airey

The surname Airey originates from England and dates back to the medieval era. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "eyre," which referred to an air or a breeze, suggesting that the name may have been given to someone who lived in an airy or windy place.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Airey can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Ayre." This historical record provides evidence of the name's existence during the Norman conquest of England.

In the 13th century, the name Airey was often associated with places such as Ayreshire in Scotland, which was originally spelled as "Ayrree." This connection suggests that the name may have been adopted by people who lived in or near these locations.

One notable bearer of the surname Airey was Sir George Airey (1786-1865), a British Army officer who served as the Quartermaster-General of the British Army during the Crimean War. He played a significant role in the successful defense of the strategically important city of Sevastopol.

Another prominent figure with the surname Airey was Sir John Airey (1805-1885), a British Army officer who served as the Quartermaster-General of the British Army in India during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. He was recognized for his contributions to logistical operations during this significant historical event.

In the realm of literature, Anna Airey (1817-1858) was a British author and poet who wrote under the pen name "Acton Bell." She collaborated with her sisters, Charlotte and Emily Brontë, in the publication of a collection of poems in 1846.

Moving forward in time, Sir Richard Airey (1803-1881) was a British Army officer who served as the Governor of Gibraltar from 1865 to 1870. He played a crucial role in strengthening the defenses of this strategically important British territory.

Lastly, Joseph Airey (1833-1909) was a British architect who designed several notable buildings in Leeds, including the Leeds Corn Exchange and the Leeds City Varieties Music Hall, which are still standing today and considered architectural landmarks.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Airey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Airey 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. Lancashire leads with 679 Aireys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.58x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 679 2.58x
Westmorland 441 90.34x
Yorkshire 426 1.94x
Durham 179 2.71x
Suffolk 112 4.14x
Middlesex 78 0.35x
Cumberland 77 4.03x
Surrey 48 0.44x
Northumberland 27 0.82x
Cheshire 20 0.41x
Worcestershire 19 0.66x
Kent 17 0.22x
Midlothian 17 0.57x
Essex 13 0.30x
Isle of Man 13 3.15x
Dumfriesshire 12 2.45x
Hampshire 11 0.24x
Leicestershire 11 0.45x
Norfolk 11 0.32x
Lincolnshire 10 0.28x
Derbyshire 9 0.26x
Bedfordshire 7 0.61x
Warwickshire 7 0.13x
Staffordshire 6 0.08x
Monmouthshire 4 0.25x
Somerset 4 0.11x
Cardiganshire 3 0.55x
Devon 3 0.06x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.10x
Roxburghshire 3 0.75x
Royal Navy 2 0.76x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.05x
Anglesey 1 0.25x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.11x
Denbighshire 1 0.12x
Sussex 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kendal in Westmorland leads with 124 Aireys recorded in 1881 and an index of 138.76x.

Place Total Index
Kendal 124 138.76x
Preston 72 10.21x
Hipperholme Cum 63 65.14x
Blackburn 59 8.41x
Darlington 45 17.64x
Lancaster 43 27.42x
Barrow In Furness 42 11.72x
Applethwaite 34 233.52x
Kirkby Lonsdale 30 227.27x
Everton 28 3.33x
Undermilbeck 27 167.70x
Bishopwearmouth 26 4.58x
Combs 23 254.71x
Poulton Barre 23 76.69x
Grassington 21 443.97x
Leeds 21 1.69x
Dalton In Furness 20 19.66x
St Pancras London 20 1.12x
Camberwell 19 1.34x
Oldham 19 2.23x
Kirkland 18 172.91x
Crook Billy Row 17 20.09x
Habergham Eaves 17 7.06x
Easton 16 492.31x
Liverpool 16 1.00x
Whitwell Selside 16 842.11x
Sedbergh 15 184.96x
Horton In Bradford 14 4.07x
Skerton 14 64.70x
Skipton 14 20.21x
Bradford 13 2.44x
Claines 13 16.33x
Penrith 13 18.40x
Stranton 13 5.84x
Threlkeld 13 407.52x
Wigan 13 3.53x
Great Bolton 12 3.44x
Ravenstonedale 12 176.47x
St George Hanover Square 12 3.07x
Ambleside 11 72.70x
Ipswich St Peter 11 30.20x
Manningham 11 4.06x
Middleton 11 625.00x
Pendleton In Clitheroe 11 110.22x
Rishton 11 35.59x
Tottenham 11 3.11x
Burnley 10 4.51x
Eye 10 57.21x
Houghton Close House 10 757.58x
Lewisham 10 2.47x
Preston Under Soar 10 363.64x
Rastrick 10 16.36x
Sculcoates 10 2.87x
Skelsmergh 10 350.88x
Troutbeck 10 294.99x
Accrington 9 3.76x
Altrincham 9 10.51x
Ardwick 9 3.79x
Aylestone 9 46.34x
Barbon 9 430.62x
Brightside Bierlow 9 2.08x
Chorlton On Medlock 9 2.15x
Clayton Le Moors 9 17.60x
Holbeck 9 6.17x
Holme 9 152.03x
Kentmere 9 681.82x
Langholm 9 25.52x
Leck 9 436.89x
Lower Allithwaite 9 142.63x
South Leith 9 2.69x
St Anne 9 202.70x
Whinfell 9 681.82x
Cliburn 8 377.36x
Edenhall 8 390.24x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 8 0.67x
Farnworth 8 5.07x
Hacheston 8 241.69x
Hawkshead Monk Coniston 8 87.15x
Higher Bebington 8 25.49x
Southhampton St Mary Extra 8 161.94x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 187
Elizabeth 118
Sarah 74
Margaret 67
Jane 64
Ann 45
Alice 44
Annie 37
Agnes 36
Ellen 34
Isabella 33
Hannah 25
Emma 20
Eliza 17
Emily 13
Catherine 12
Martha 12
Eleanor 11
Edith 10
Dorothy 9
Esther 9
Fanny 8
Florence 8
Lucy 8
Maria 8
Minnie 8
Susannah 8
Harriet 7
Ada 6
Eliz. 6
Frances 6
Nancy 6
Anne 5
Caroline 5
Grace 5
Louisa 5
Matilda 5
Ruth 5
Charlotte 4
Clara 4
Elizth. 4
Kate 4
Lydia 4
Mabel 4
Maud 4
Rebecca 4
Beatrice 3
Betsy 3
Harriett 3
Maggie 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 175
William 142
Thomas 106
James 99
George 78
Robert 78
Joseph 39
Richard 32
Henry 30
Charles 25
Edward 20
Samuel 17
Walter 12
Frederick 11
Albert 8
Anthony 7
Arthur 7
Harry 7
Isaac 7
Benjamin 6
Edmund 6
Francis 6
Frank 6
Matthew 6
Alexander 5
Alfred 5
Christopher 5
David 5
Geo. 5
Herbert 5
Fred 4
Jas. 4
Robt. 4
Daniel 3
Edwin 3
Mark 3
Michael 3
Richd. 3
Septimus 3
Stephen 3
Willm. 3
Bartholomew 2
Cornelius 2
Ed.Geo. 2
Lawrence 2
Leonard 2
Martin 2
Miles 2
Nathan 2
Peter 2

FAQ

Airey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Airey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,266 people were recorded with the Airey surname. That placed it at #1,971 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Airey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,557 in 2016. That gives Airey a modern rank of #2,585.

What does the Airey surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "eagle wood" or from the Old English word "aery," meaning an eagle's nest.

What does the Airey map show?

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