NameCensus.

UK surname

Ayre

A locational surname referring to someone from the town of Ayr in Scotland.

In the 1881 census there were 1,673 people recorded with the Ayre surname, ranking it #2,566 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,727, ranked #2,462, up from #2,566 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, London parishes and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sunderland, North Devon and County Durham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ayre is 2,832 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 63.0%.

1881 census count

1,673

Ranked #2,566

Modern count

2,727

2016, ranked #2,462

Peak year

2010

2,832 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ayre had 1,673 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,566 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,727 in 2016, ranked #2,462.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,440 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Ayre surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ayre surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ayre 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 1,049 #2,670
1861 historical 1,049 #2,672
1881 historical 1,673 #2,566
1891 historical 1,886 #2,435
1901 historical 2,260 #2,397
1911 historical 2,440 #2,102
1997 modern 2,687 #2,376
1998 modern 2,779 #2,387
1999 modern 2,814 #2,384
2000 modern 2,793 #2,387
2001 modern 2,700 #2,406
2002 modern 2,745 #2,421
2003 modern 2,628 #2,465
2004 modern 2,665 #2,434
2005 modern 2,661 #2,419
2006 modern 2,643 #2,434
2007 modern 2,649 #2,445
2008 modern 2,684 #2,433
2009 modern 2,766 #2,429
2010 modern 2,832 #2,427
2011 modern 2,775 #2,438
2012 modern 2,677 #2,474
2013 modern 2,734 #2,471
2014 modern 2,748 #2,479
2015 modern 2,721 #2,475
2016 modern 2,727 #2,462

Geography

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Where Ayres are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, London parishes, Gateshead and Bishop Wearmouth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sunderland, North Devon, County Durham and Mid Devon. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 London parishes London 3
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Bishop Wearmouth Durham
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sunderland 033 Sunderland
2 North Devon 013 North Devon
3 County Durham 048 County Durham
4 County Durham 045 County Durham
5 Mid Devon 010 Mid Devon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ayre

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ayre

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Ayre surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Ayre household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Ayre 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

Ayre is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ayre falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Ayre

The surname "AYRE" is of English origin, with roots dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "eyr," meaning a marsh or a watery place, suggesting that the earliest bearers of this name likely resided near such locations.

The earliest recorded instance of the name can be traced back to the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, where it appeared as "de Eyre." This form indicates that the name was originally a locational surname, referring to someone who hailed from a place called Eyre or a similar-sounding name.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various records as "Ayre," "Ayer," and "Eyre," reflecting the variations in spelling common during that era. One notable example is John Ayre, a landowner mentioned in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in 1317.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the surname "AYRE." However, it does mention several place names that could have been the origins of this surname, such as "Eyre" in Derbyshire and "Eyre" in Wiltshire.

Throughout history, several prominent individuals have borne the surname "AYRE." One such figure was Sir John Ayre (1492-1558), a merchant and Member of Parliament during the reign of Henry VIII. Another notable bearer was Thomas Ayre (1628-1691), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Crofton in Yorkshire.

In the 18th century, James Ayre (1759-1833) was a renowned landscape painter and engraver, known for his picturesque views of English landscapes and architecture. His works are held in collections at institutions such as the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Moving into the 19th century, we find Robert Ayre (1818-1887), a prominent English architect who designed several churches and public buildings in Yorkshire, including the Leeds Town Hall and the Church of St. Cuthbert in Pateley Bridge.

Finally, in the 20th century, Leonard Ayre (1904-1982) was a British athlete who competed in the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam, representing Great Britain in the long jump event.

These examples illustrate the rich history and diversity of individuals who have carried the surname "AYRE" throughout the centuries, reflecting its enduring presence in English society and its connection to various places, occupations, and achievements.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ayre families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ayre 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. Durham leads with 439 Ayres recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.04x.

County Total Index
Durham 439 9.04x
Yorkshire 299 1.85x
Devon 200 5.89x
Lincolnshire 90 3.45x
Middlesex 89 0.55x
Northumberland 87 3.58x
Lancashire 83 0.43x
Derbyshire 36 1.41x
Bedfordshire 29 3.43x
Glamorgan 29 1.02x
Staffordshire 29 0.53x
Norfolk 28 1.12x
Leicestershire 26 1.44x
Surrey 25 0.31x
Gloucestershire 23 0.72x
Kent 19 0.34x
Warwickshire 18 0.44x
Cumberland 14 1.00x
Midlothian 13 0.59x
Cheshire 10 0.28x
Huntingdonshire 10 3.09x
Renfrewshire 10 0.79x
Nottinghamshire 9 0.41x
Angus 8 0.53x
Somerset 8 0.30x
Essex 5 0.16x
Suffolk 5 0.25x
Sussex 5 0.18x
Buckinghamshire 4 0.41x
Oxfordshire 4 0.40x
Flintshire 3 0.68x
Herefordshire 3 0.45x
Hertfordshire 3 0.27x
Perthshire 3 0.41x
Worcestershire 2 0.09x
Hampshire 1 0.03x
Lanarkshire 1 0.02x
Shropshire 1 0.07x
Westmorland 1 0.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bishopwearmouth in Durham leads with 64 Ayres recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.36x.

Place Total Index
Bishopwearmouth 64 15.36x
Stockton On Tees 47 20.08x
Bishops Nympton 28 432.77x
Brandon Byshottles 27 44.39x
Dawdon 25 41.86x
Houghton Le Spring 24 71.51x
Holy Trinity 23 5.91x
Middlesbrough 23 10.92x
Rose Ash 23 812.72x
Croft 20 666.67x
Witheridge 19 331.59x
Hetton Le Hole 18 29.25x
Marland Peters 18 1224.49x
West Herrington 18 105.82x
Elswick 17 8.77x
Bishop Auckland 16 24.56x
Islington London 16 1.01x
Westoe 16 5.81x
Whitby 16 29.36x
Westgate 15 9.98x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 14 18.58x
Layton With Warbreck 14 19.70x
Luton 14 9.57x
Wallsend 14 18.18x
Winterton 14 156.25x
Wolsingham 14 31.64x
Newbottle 13 49.04x
Colne 12 20.80x
Molland 12 428.57x
Sculcoates 12 4.68x
Thornaby 12 19.86x
Cardiff St John 11 11.85x
Kings Nympton 11 313.39x
Wortley In Bramley 11 8.59x
Bristol St Augustine 10 19.36x
Darlington 10 5.33x
Greatham 10 242.72x
Hett 10 520.83x
Hibaldstow 10 223.71x
Scarborough 10 6.81x
Tibshelf 10 79.74x
Wyton 10 735.29x
Accrington 9 5.11x
Broughton 9 123.12x
Clerkenwell London 9 2.34x
East Anstey 9 687.02x
Great Torrington 9 46.73x
Hook 9 25.30x
Horton In Bradford 9 3.56x
Monk Hesleden 9 66.52x
Stranton 9 5.51x
Bethnal Green London 8 1.13x
East Harlsey 8 377.36x
Gateshead 8 2.20x
Lambeth 8 0.56x
Mile End Old Town London 8 2.30x
Port Glasgow 8 13.08x
Richmond 8 31.66x
Rugby 8 14.37x
Workington 8 9.94x
Bourn 7 33.21x
Briton Ferry 7 20.65x
Chilton 7 46.17x
Cole Orton 7 209.58x
Derby St Werburgh 7 4.74x
Dunstable 7 26.95x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 7 3.33x
Herne 7 28.40x
Horbury 7 24.74x
Oldham 7 1.12x
Pinchbeck 7 41.84x
Rushall 7 21.59x
Salford 7 1.23x
Shipley 7 8.34x
Siston 7 122.38x
South Lynn 7 24.72x
South Molton 7 37.51x
Thurgoland 7 64.16x
Yarm 7 84.34x
Canterbury St Mary 6 16.06x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 131
William 96
Thomas 69
George 64
James 41
Joseph 35
Robert 34
Charles 32
Henry 23
Richard 23
Frederick 20
Edward 16
Albert 12
Arthur 10
Alfred 9
Samuel 9
Wm. 9
Walter 8
Edwin 7
Geo. 6
Harry 6
Isaac 6
Benjamin 5
Francis 5
Frank 5
Fred 4
Herbert 4
Amos 3
David 3
Ernest 3
Jeffrey 3
Mathew 3
Robt. 3
Sidney 3
Thos. 3
Alexander 2
Algernon 2
Andrew 2
Anthony 2
Cuthbert 2
Fredk. 2
Gilbert 2
Henery 2
J. 2
Jonathan 2
Oliver 2
Peter 2
Reuben 2
Edmund 1
Edwd. 1

FAQ

Ayre surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ayre surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,673 people were recorded with the Ayre surname. That placed it at #2,566 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ayre surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,727 in 2016. That gives Ayre a modern rank of #2,462.

What does the Ayre surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from the town of Ayr in Scotland.

What does the Ayre map show?

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