UK surname
A descriptive surname derived from the English word "bead", referring to someone with distinctive or prominent eyes.
In the 1881 census there were 37 people recorded with the Beady surname, ranking it #28,418 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 19, ranked #36,760, down from #28,418 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Greenwich and North Meols. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Beady is 140 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 48.6%.
1881 census count
37
Ranked #28,418
Modern count
19
2016, ranked #36,760
Peak year
1861
140 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Beady surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Beady surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 27 | #28,467 |
| 1861 | historical | 140 | #16,169 |
| 1881 | historical | 37 | #28,418 |
| 1891 | historical | 70 | #28,073 |
| 1901 | historical | 58 | #27,724 |
| 1911 | historical | 39 | #29,025 |
| 1997 | modern | 24 | #35,376 |
| 1998 | modern | 21 | #35,788 |
| 1999 | modern | 21 | #35,810 |
| 2000 | modern | 21 | #35,799 |
| 2001 | modern | 22 | #35,531 |
| 2002 | modern | 19 | #35,991 |
| 2003 | modern | 20 | #35,915 |
| 2004 | modern | 20 | #36,053 |
| 2005 | modern | 21 | #36,083 |
| 2006 | modern | 19 | #36,323 |
| 2007 | modern | 20 | #36,362 |
| 2008 | modern | 21 | #36,355 |
| 2009 | modern | 20 | #36,534 |
| 2010 | modern | 19 | #36,687 |
| 2011 | modern | 21 | #36,502 |
| 2012 | modern | 21 | #36,490 |
| 2013 | modern | 19 | #36,691 |
| 2014 | modern | 19 | #36,740 |
| 2015 | modern | 18 | #36,809 |
| 2016 | modern | 19 | #36,760 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Greenwich, North Meols, Wigan and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wolverhampton | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Greenwich | London (South Districts) |
| 3 | North Meols | Lancashire |
| 4 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| 5 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Beady surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Beady, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Beady surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Beady household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Beady is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Beady is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Beady, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "BEADY" is believed to have originated in England during the Anglo-Saxon period. It is derived from the Old English word "bead," which referred to a prayer or beads used for prayer. This suggests that the name may have initially been given to someone who worked in or had a connection to the church or religious institutions.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Bead" and "Beadi." This indicates that the name was already in use during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century.
As the name spread across England, various spelling variations emerged, such as "Beadie," "Beadey," and "Beadye." These variations were likely influenced by regional dialects and the individual preferences of those bearing the name.
In the 13th century, a notable figure with the surname "BEADY" was John Beady, a prominent landowner and Bailiff of Nottingham (c. 1250-1310). Records show that he was responsible for overseeing the administration and maintenance of the town.
Another historical figure was Sir William Beady (c. 1420-1489), a knight who served under King Edward IV during the Wars of the Roses. He was known for his bravery in battle and was granted lands in Derbyshire for his service to the crown.
During the 16th century, the name "BEADY" was also associated with the village of Beadnell in Northumberland. This place name likely derived from the Old English words "bead" and "feld," meaning "prayer field" or "bead field." It is possible that some individuals with the surname "BEADY" may have originated from or had connections to this area.
In the 17th century, a noteworthy figure was Richard Beady (1612-1678), a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol. He played an influential role in the city's economic and political affairs during his lifetime.
Another individual of note was Elizabeth Beady (1640-1718), a Quaker preacher and author who was active in the early days of the Religious Society of Friends. Her writings and sermons were widely circulated and helped to spread the Quaker faith in England and the American colonies.
As the centuries passed, the surname "BEADY" continued to be found across various regions of England, with individuals bearing this name contributing to various fields, including agriculture, trade, and public service.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Beady surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 14 Beadys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.67x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 14 | 3.67x |
| Lanarkshire | 5 | 4.81x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 1.57x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.93x |
| Surrey | 2 | 1.28x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 3.61x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1.52x |
| Renfrewshire | 1 | 4.01x |
| Shropshire | 1 | 3.60x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Manchester in Lancashire leads with 9 Beadys recorded in 1881 and an index of 52.45x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester | 9 | 52.45x |
| Barony | 5 | 18.99x |
| Preston | 4 | 39.18x |
| Horton In Bradford | 3 | 60.24x |
| Kingston On Thames | 2 | 53.19x |
| Paddington London | 2 | 16.91x |
| Caldewgate | 1 | 65.79x |
| Eastwood | 1 | 64.94x |
| Keighley | 1 | 29.41x |
| Longstock | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Marton In Middlesbrough | 1 | 833.33x |
| Oldham | 1 | 8.12x |
| Pontesbury | 1 | 294.12x |
| St George Hanover Square | 1 | 17.64x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Beady surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Beady surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Beady households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 3 |
| Painter | 2 |
| Tailor | 2 |
| Clerk Cotton Mill | 1 |
| Cook Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Cotton Scavenger | 1 |
| Cotton Tenter | 1 |
| Cotton Weaver | 1 |
| Factory Operative (Text) | 1 |
| Farm Servant (Indoor) | 1 |
| Fireman | 1 |
| House Keeper | 1 |
| Milliner Draper | 1 |
| No Occ | 1 |
| Oil Cloth Works (W P Goods) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 37 people were recorded with the Beady surname. That placed it at #28,418 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 19 in 2016. That gives Beady a modern rank of #36,760.
A descriptive surname derived from the English word "bead", referring to someone with distinctive or prominent eyes.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Beady bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.