NameCensus.

UK surname

Avis

A surname of French origin derived from the Old French word "avis," meaning "bird" or "sign."

In the 1881 census there were 1,437 people recorded with the Avis surname, ranking it #2,897 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,710, ranked #3,648, down from #2,897 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Fletching, London parishes and Tunbridge, Bidborough. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cotswold, Calderdale and Wealden.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Avis is 2,054 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 19.0%.

1881 census count

1,437

Ranked #2,897

Modern count

1,710

2016, ranked #3,648

Peak year

1911

2,054 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Avis had 1,437 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,897 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,710 in 2016, ranked #3,648.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,054 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Avis surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Avis surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Avis 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 899 #3,062
1861 historical 856 #3,233
1881 historical 1,437 #2,897
1891 historical 1,560 #2,843
1901 historical 1,886 #2,796
1911 historical 2,054 #2,429
1997 modern 1,875 #3,214
1998 modern 1,914 #3,272
1999 modern 1,907 #3,306
2000 modern 1,864 #3,357
2001 modern 1,817 #3,366
2002 modern 1,872 #3,346
2003 modern 1,784 #3,418
2004 modern 1,781 #3,431
2005 modern 1,707 #3,529
2006 modern 1,695 #3,554
2007 modern 1,687 #3,595
2008 modern 1,707 #3,584
2009 modern 1,744 #3,591
2010 modern 1,760 #3,630
2011 modern 1,725 #3,650
2012 modern 1,674 #3,697
2013 modern 1,699 #3,711
2014 modern 1,709 #3,698
2015 modern 1,703 #3,677
2016 modern 1,710 #3,648

Geography

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Where Avis' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Fletching, London parishes, Tunbridge, Bidborough and Withyham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cotswold, Calderdale, Wealden, East Cambridgeshire and North East Lincolnshire. 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 Fletching Sussex
2 London parishes London 1
3 Tunbridge, Bidborough Kent
4 London parishes London 3
5 Withyham Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cotswold 011 Cotswold
2 Calderdale 026 Calderdale
3 Wealden 009 Wealden
4 East Cambridgeshire 006 East Cambridgeshire
5 North East Lincolnshire 019 North East Lincolnshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Avis

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Avis

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Avis surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Avis household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Avis is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Avis is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Avis 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 Avis 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 Avis, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Avis

The surname Avis has its roots in England and France, originating in the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "avis," meaning "opinion" or "advice." This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname given to someone known for their wisdom or counsel.

In England, the name can be traced back to the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. Here, the name appears as "Avis" and "Avis de Burgo," indicating its presence in various regions of the country.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Roger Avis, a landowner from Worcestershire mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of 1190. Another notable figure was John Avis, a prominent merchant from London who lived in the 14th century and was involved in the wool trade.

The surname Avis has also been associated with various place names in England, including Avishayes in Devon and Avisford in Sussex. These locations likely took their names from early settlers bearing the Avis surname.

In France, the surname Avis can be traced back to the 13th century, with variations such as "Avy" and "Avice" being found in historical records. One notable bearer of the name was Jean Avis, a French soldier who fought alongside Joan of Arc during the Hundred Years' War in the 15th century.

Other notable individuals with the surname Avis include:

1. Robert Avis (1491-1558), an English politician and member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Mary I. 2. William Avis (1675-1759), a prominent English clockmaker known for his innovative timepiece designs. 3. Mary Avis (1809-1891), a British author and poet, known for her work "The Cottage Girl" published in 1839. 4. John Avis (1842-1921), a Canadian businessman and politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. 5. Ernest Avis (1884-1953), a British athlete who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics in London, winning a silver medal in the tug-of-war event.

While the surname Avis may have evolved over time and across different regions, its origins can be traced back to the medieval period, reflecting its long-standing presence in both England and France.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Avis families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Avis 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 358 Avis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.14x.

County Total Index
Sussex 358 15.14x
Middlesex 219 1.56x
Surrey 206 3.01x
Kent 166 3.47x
Essex 99 3.58x
Suffolk 91 5.33x
Norfolk 57 2.64x
Somerset 37 1.64x
Buckinghamshire 31 3.66x
Hertfordshire 28 2.90x
Lancashire 19 0.11x
Yorkshire 18 0.13x
Gloucestershire 17 0.62x
Cambridgeshire 14 1.58x
Devon 11 0.38x
Lincolnshire 11 0.49x
Angus 10 0.77x
Northumberland 10 0.48x
Hampshire 8 0.28x
Warwickshire 6 0.17x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.21x
Fife 3 0.36x
Monmouthshire 3 0.30x
Oxfordshire 3 0.35x
Bedfordshire 2 0.28x
Berkshire 2 0.19x
Derbyshire 2 0.09x
Lanarkshire 2 0.04x
Channel Islands 1 0.24x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 70 Avis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.72x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 70 5.72x
Tonbridge 49 28.39x
Brighton 44 9.22x
Islington London 42 3.09x
Rottingdean 38 470.30x
Camberwell 29 3.24x
Fletching 26 245.75x
Maresfield 26 260.78x
Withyam 25 247.04x
West Ham 22 3.60x
Bury St Edmunds St Mary 21 65.48x
St George In East London 19 14.40x
Paddington London 18 3.49x
Uckfield 18 174.59x
Waltham Holy Cross 18 69.55x
Clapham 17 9.69x
Penge 17 18.97x
St Pancras London 17 1.51x
Amersham 16 133.11x
Speldhurst 16 65.65x
Barking 15 18.51x
Mayfield 15 107.22x
Battersea 14 2.71x
Bury St Edmunds St James 14 30.67x
Kensington London 14 1.80x
Bethnal Green London 13 2.13x
Falmer 13 469.31x
Lakenham 13 42.43x
Newington 13 2.51x
Rotherfield 13 62.44x
St Marylebone London 13 1.74x
Greenwich 12 5.37x
Hatfield 12 61.22x
Maidstone 11 7.72x
Rattlesden 11 220.00x
Swaffham 11 62.68x
Coxlodge 10 63.01x
Lewisham 10 3.92x
Buxted 9 97.19x
Chevington 9 337.08x
Great Grimsby 9 6.32x
Hove 9 8.67x
Wadhurst 9 57.95x
Walcot 9 7.48x
Bathealton 8 1311.48x
Colchester St Martin 8 158.10x
Croydon 8 2.11x
Erith 8 16.97x
Hammersmith London 8 2.32x
Rodmell 8 714.29x
Sevenoaks 8 20.62x
Southwark St George Martyr 8 2.83x
St George Hanover Square 8 3.24x
Barcombe 7 123.24x
Bennington 7 251.80x
Bermondsey 7 1.68x
Bristol St James St Paul 7 7.63x
Deptford St Paul 7 1.90x
Eastbourne 7 6.43x
Frant 7 41.77x
Hackney London 7 0.89x
Newick 7 134.62x
Penistone 7 64.58x
Preston 7 16.95x
Seal 7 90.56x
Toxteth Park 7 1.24x
Broadwater 6 11.06x
Dagenham 6 36.41x
Felsham 6 377.36x
Gaywood 6 155.04x
Idle 6 9.31x
Kilton 6 882.35x
Little Oakley 6 389.61x
Newmarket All Sts 6 91.60x
Ormskirk 6 18.84x
Piddinghoe 6 555.56x
Portsea 6 1.06x
Seaford 6 74.63x
Shorne 6 141.51x
Wimbledon 6 7.82x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 71
Elizabeth 54
Sarah 52
Ann 30
Ellen 29
Jane 24
Alice 23
Louisa 23
Emily 22
Emma 21
Annie 18
Ada 17
Eliza 15
Lucy 14
Charlotte 13
Kate 13
Caroline 11
Edith 11
Fanny 11
Harriett 11
Maria 11
Florence 10
Hannah 10
Frances 8
Harriet 8
Susan 8
Amelia 7
Anne 6
Esther 6
Amy 5
Catherine 5
Margaret 5
Matilda 5
Sophia 5
Clara 4
Laura 4
Lydia 4
Rebecca 4
A. 3
Agnes 3
E. 3
Eleanor 3
Elizth. 3
Francis 3
Jessie 3
Lizzie 3
Susanna 3
Elisabeth 2
Florance 2
M. 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 83
George 76
John 55
Thomas 50
Henry 43
James 42
Charles 29
Alfred 27
Arthur 17
Robert 17
Edward 16
Frederick 13
Harry 13
Richard 12
Walter 12
Samuel 11
Albert 9
Joseph 7
Edwin 6
Ernest 6
Frank 6
Herbert 6
Benjamin 4
Peter 4
Robt. 4
Daniel 3
Jonathan 3
Lewis 3
Reuben 3
Abraham 2
Augustus 2
Ben 2
David 2
Edmund 2
Francis 2
Fred. 2
Fredrick 2
Geo. 2
Joe 2
Mark 2
Martin 2
Owen 2
Percy 2
Richd. 2
Sarah 2
Spencer 2
Thos. 2
Wm. 2
Ambrose 1
Edgar 1

FAQ

Avis surname: questions and answers

How common was the Avis surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,437 people were recorded with the Avis surname. That placed it at #2,897 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Avis surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,710 in 2016. That gives Avis a modern rank of #3,648.

What does the Avis surname mean?

A surname of French origin derived from the Old French word "avis," meaning "bird" or "sign."

What does the Avis map show?

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