NameCensus.

UK surname

Andy

A diminutive form of the given name Andrew, derived from the Greek word "andros" meaning man.

In the 1881 census there were 19 people recorded with the Andy surname, ranking it #30,872 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 134, ranked #25,636, up from #30,872 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Croydon, Merton and Guildford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Andy is 134 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 605.3%.

1881 census count

19

Ranked #30,872

Modern count

134

2016, ranked #25,636

Peak year

2016

134 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Andy had 19 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,872 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 134 in 2016, ranked #25,636.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 36 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Andy surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Andy surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Andy 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 2 #33,133
1861 historical 36 #29,463
1881 historical 19 #30,872
1891 historical 14 #33,037
1901 historical 5 #33,728
1911 historical 3 #33,789
1997 modern 25 #35,261
1998 modern 30 #34,833
1999 modern 29 #35,031
2000 modern 29 #34,976
2001 modern 30 #34,753
2002 modern 33 #34,717
2003 modern 34 #34,681
2004 modern 31 #35,105
2005 modern 47 #34,011
2006 modern 46 #34,415
2007 modern 50 #34,347
2008 modern 46 #34,759
2009 modern 45 #34,972
2010 modern 52 #34,726
2011 modern 60 #34,202
2012 modern 97 #30,798
2013 modern 101 #30,591
2014 modern 110 #29,294
2015 modern 116 #28,151
2016 modern 134 #25,636

Geography

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Where Andys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Croydon, Merton, Guildford, Reigate and Banstead and Lewisham. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Croydon 032 Croydon
2 Merton 023 Merton
3 Guildford 015 Guildford
4 Reigate and Banstead 006 Reigate and Banstead
5 Lewisham 039 Lewisham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Andy

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Andy

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Andy surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Andy 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 includes many younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Andy is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Andy 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

Andy falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Andy 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Andy

The surname "ANDY" is believed to have originated in Scotland, with the earliest records dating back to the 16th century. It is thought to be derived from the Scottish Gaelic word "Andan," which means "messenger" or "herald." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who worked as a messenger or herald, possibly in a clan or royal household.

One of the earliest known references to the surname "ANDY" can be found in the Records of the Presbytery of Lanark, dated 1642, which mentions a Robert Andy. Another early record is from the Parish Register of Beith, Ayrshire, from 1686, which lists the birth of James Andy.

In the 18th century, the name appears to have spread to other parts of Scotland, with records showing individuals with the surname "ANDY" living in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and other cities. One notable bearer of the name was William Andy (1718-1785), a Scottish minister who served as the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1773.

As the name moved into the 19th century, it began to appear more frequently in historical records. One prominent figure from this period was John Andy (1814-1892), a Scottish-born Australian politician who served as a member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales.

Another notable bearer of the surname "ANDY" was Robert Andy (1858-1942), a Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist who co-founded the National Cash Register Company in Dayton, Ohio. He was also involved in various charitable endeavors, including the establishment of the Andy Memorial Hospital in Dayton.

The surname "ANDY" can also be found in other parts of the world, likely due to Scottish immigration. For example, there are records of individuals with this surname in Canada, the United States, and New Zealand, among other countries.

It is worth noting that the surname "ANDY" may have been derived from or influenced by various place names in Scotland, such as Andytown or Andyhill, which could have contributed to the development and spread of the name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Andy families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Andy 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. Warwickshire leads with 5 Andys recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.18x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 5 10.18x
Sussex 4 12.18x
Lancashire 3 1.30x
Leicestershire 3 13.89x
Durham 1 1.73x
Middlesex 1 0.51x
Northumberland 1 3.45x
Surrey 1 1.05x
Yorkshire 1 0.52x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 5 Andys recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.53x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 5 30.53x
Warminghurst 4 40000.00x
Leicester St Margaret 3 56.93x
Manchester 3 28.85x
Acton 1 87.72x
Bawtry 1 1666.67x
Clapham 1 40.98x
Hutton Henry 1 833.33x
Longbenton 1 81.30x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 4
Annie 1
Bella 1
Edith 1
Ellen 1
Emily 1
Jane 1
Polly 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Charles 2
James 2
Thomas 2
William 2
John 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Andy households.

FAQ

Andy surname: questions and answers

How common was the Andy surname in 1881?

In 1881, 19 people were recorded with the Andy surname. That placed it at #30,872 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Andy surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 134 in 2016. That gives Andy a modern rank of #25,636.

What does the Andy surname mean?

A diminutive form of the given name Andrew, derived from the Greek word "andros" meaning man.

What does the Andy map show?

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