NameCensus.

UK surname

Albery

Derived from a place name meaning "dwelling by the old fortification" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 240 people recorded with the Albery surname, ranking it #11,410 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 285, ranked #15,286, down from #11,410 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and Stedham, Iping, Trotton, Chithurst. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wiltshire, Bristol and East Hampshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Albery is 341 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 18.8%.

1881 census count

240

Ranked #11,410

Modern count

285

2016, ranked #15,286

Peak year

1911

341 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Albery had 240 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,410 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 285 in 2016, ranked #15,286.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 341 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Albery surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Albery surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Albery 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 95 #17,707
1861 historical 140 #16,169
1881 historical 240 #11,410
1891 historical 282 #11,597
1901 historical 260 #12,817
1911 historical 341 #10,468
1997 modern 297 #13,623
1998 modern 310 #13,578
1999 modern 317 #13,473
2000 modern 314 #13,516
2001 modern 297 #13,816
2002 modern 317 #13,506
2003 modern 302 #13,752
2004 modern 309 #13,618
2005 modern 300 #13,837
2006 modern 290 #14,202
2007 modern 296 #14,172
2008 modern 303 #14,038
2009 modern 303 #14,315
2010 modern 300 #14,730
2011 modern 301 #14,563
2012 modern 283 #15,115
2013 modern 293 #14,998
2014 modern 286 #15,378
2015 modern 293 #15,005
2016 modern 285 #15,286

Geography

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Where Alberys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Stedham, Iping, Trotton, Chithurst, Petersfield and Horsham, Sullington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wiltshire, Bristol, East Hampshire and Chichester. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 Stedham, Iping, Trotton, Chithurst Sussex
4 Petersfield Hampshire
5 Horsham, Sullington Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wiltshire 062 Wiltshire
2 Bristol 026 Bristol, City of
3 East Hampshire 012 East Hampshire
4 Chichester 003 Chichester
5 Chichester 014 Chichester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Albery

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Albery

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

Albery is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Albery falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Albery

The surname ALBERY originated from the Old English word "aelbyr" which referred to a dwelling place for elves or fairies. This name has its roots in England, particularly in the southern counties of Hampshire and Dorset, dating back to the 11th century.

The earliest known written record of the ALBERY surname appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Aelberis" in the county of Hampshire. This suggests that the name may have been derived from a place name or location associated with the dwelling of elves or fairies.

Over the centuries, the name underwent various spelling variations, such as Alberie, Albury, and Albry, before settling on the modern form of ALBERY. These variations reflect the evolution of language and the influence of regional dialects.

One notable figure bearing this surname was Sir John Albery (c. 1390-1450), a renowned English soldier who fought in the Hundred Years' War and served as a member of the Privy Council under King Henry VI.

Another prominent individual was Robert Albery (1532-1608), an English clergyman and Puritan divine who served as the Dean of Ely Cathedral in the late 16th century.

In the literary world, James Albery (1838-1889) was a British playwright and theatre manager who wrote several successful comedies and farces during the Victorian era.

Moving into the 20th century, Sir Bronson Albery (1881-1971) was a British theatre manager and producer who played a significant role in the West End theatre scene, managing several prestigious venues including the Wyndham's Theatre and the New Theatre.

Lastly, Ivy Albery (1892-1987) was an English actress and singer who enjoyed a successful career on the stage and in film, appearing in several productions in the early 20th century.

These are just a few notable examples of individuals who have borne the ALBERY surname throughout history, highlighting its rich heritage and enduring legacy across various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Albery families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Albery 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. Sussex leads with 72 Alberys recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.24x.

County Total Index
Sussex 72 18.24x
Hampshire 58 12.09x
Surrey 31 2.72x
Bedfordshire 19 15.68x
Middlesex 19 0.81x
Kent 13 1.63x
Nottinghamshire 9 2.85x
Lancashire 6 0.22x
Lincolnshire 5 1.34x
Essex 3 0.65x
Glamorgan 2 0.49x
Yorkshire 2 0.09x
Cumberland 1 0.50x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liss in Hampshire leads with 22 Alberys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2244.90x.

Place Total Index
Liss 22 2244.90x
Bedford St Paul 12 144.40x
Graffham 10 3030.30x
Pulborough 10 689.66x
Basford 9 61.90x
Brighton 9 11.30x
Lambeth 9 4.41x
Petersfield 9 681.82x
West Dean 8 1355.93x
Birdham 7 1891.89x
Horsham 6 78.23x
Paddington London 6 6.97x
Plumstead 6 22.54x
Selborne 6 612.24x
Battersea 5 5.80x
Bury 5 1219.51x
Great Grimsby 5 21.04x
Over Darwen 5 22.53x
Portsea 5 5.32x
Southwark St Saviour 5 41.56x
Brading 4 62.70x
Houghton Conquest 4 800.00x
Kingsley 4 1081.08x
Stone In Dartford 4 195.12x
Trotton 4 1212.12x
Aldershot 3 18.67x
Beddington 3 68.03x
Bow London 3 10.07x
Hampstead London 3 8.23x
St Marylebone London 3 2.40x
West Ham 3 2.94x
Wilshampstead 3 454.55x
Camberwell 2 1.34x
Cowfold 2 240.96x
Godalming 2 27.86x
Iping 2 476.19x
Midhurst 2 155.04x
Oving 2 150.38x
Sutton 2 24.24x
Swansea Town 2 5.98x
Basingstoke 1 18.12x
Broughton In Salford 1 3.94x
Cockermouth 1 23.58x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.62x
Doncaster 1 5.90x
Egham 1 14.29x
Fareham 1 17.33x
Farnborough 1 19.84x
Folkestone 1 6.46x
Foots Cray 1 65.36x
Guildford Friary 1 277.78x
Hackney London 1 0.76x
Hampton London 1 25.97x
Hastings St Mary 1 10.18x
Hawkley 1 416.67x
Hollington 1 71.43x
Huddersfield 1 2.96x
Kensington London 1 0.77x
Littlehampton 1 31.75x
Newington 1 1.16x
Sheet 1 192.31x
South Bersted 1 29.76x
St George Hanover Square 1 2.42x
Terwick 1 666.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
George 15
William 10
Henry 8
James 7
Richard 5
Thomas 5
Albert 4
Frank 4
Edward 3
John 3
Joseph 3
Robert 3
Walter 3
Alfred 2
Charles 2
Edmund 2
Geo. 2
Jno. 2
Mark 2
Samuel 2
Arthur 1
David 1
Dick 1
Earnest 1
Edwin 1
Eli 1
Elijah 1
Ernest 1
Esra 1
Francis 1
Frederick 1
Harry 1
Infant 1
Irving 1
Jame 1
Nelson 1
Percy 1
Richd. 1
Robt. 1
Saltar 1
Sidney 1
Thos. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Albery surname: questions and answers

How common was the Albery surname in 1881?

In 1881, 240 people were recorded with the Albery surname. That placed it at #11,410 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Albery surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 285 in 2016. That gives Albery a modern rank of #15,286.

What does the Albery surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "dwelling by the old fortification" in Old English.

What does the Albery map show?

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