NameCensus.

UK surname

Carre

A French surname meaning "square" or "four-sided."

In the 1881 census there were 67 people recorded with the Carre surname, ranking it #24,104 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 266, ranked #16,094, up from #24,104 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kensington and Chelsea, County Durham and Gosport.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Carre is 274 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 297.0%.

1881 census count

67

Ranked #24,104

Modern count

266

2016, ranked #16,094

Peak year

2013

274 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Carre had 67 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,104 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 266 in 2016, ranked #16,094.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 78 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Carre surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Carre surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Carre 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 36 #26,838
1861 historical 62 #26,041
1881 historical 67 #24,104
1891 historical 78 #27,035
1901 historical 69 #26,499
1911 historical 58 #27,001
1997 modern 235 #15,895
1998 modern 237 #16,272
1999 modern 224 #16,984
2000 modern 223 #16,978
2001 modern 215 #17,159
2002 modern 213 #17,603
2003 modern 217 #17,176
2004 modern 221 #17,066
2005 modern 217 #17,217
2006 modern 221 #17,149
2007 modern 223 #17,248
2008 modern 224 #17,337
2009 modern 235 #17,151
2010 modern 243 #17,100
2011 modern 250 #16,637
2012 modern 262 #16,001
2013 modern 274 #15,764
2014 modern 274 #15,877
2015 modern 266 #16,105
2016 modern 266 #16,094

Geography

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Where Carres 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 Kensington and Chelsea, County Durham, Gosport, Tunbridge Wells and Rhondda Cynon Taf. 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 Kensington and Chelsea 016 Kensington and Chelsea
2 County Durham 022 County Durham
3 Gosport 010 Gosport
4 Tunbridge Wells 013 Tunbridge Wells
5 Rhondda Cynon Taf 014 Rhondda Cynon Taf

Forenames

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First names often paired with Carre

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Carre

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

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Carre surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Carre 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 never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

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, Carre 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

Carre 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

Carre falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Carre

The surname Carre is of French origin, with its earliest known records dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old French word "carre," meaning "square" or "four-cornered." This name was likely given as a descriptive surname, referring to someone who lived near a square or a four-cornered field or building.

One of the earliest known references to the name Carre can be found in the Domesday Book, a record of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. In this document, the name is spelled "Carré," indicating its French roots.

During the Middle Ages, the Carre family was prominent in the Normandy region of France. In the 13th century, a nobleman named Robert Carre was recorded as owning lands in the village of Carreville, which likely took its name from the family.

In the 14th century, the Carre name spread to England, particularly in the counties of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. One notable figure from this period was Sir John Carre (1314-1379), a knight who served under Edward III during the Hundred Years' War.

Another prominent individual with the surname Carre was Ezechiel Carre (1590-1668), a French Protestant minister who fled religious persecution and settled in England. He became a respected theologian and author, publishing several works on religious topics.

In the 17th century, a Carre family from Normandy established themselves in Ireland, where they became landowners and members of the gentry class. One member of this family, Richard Carre (1662-1735), was a member of the Irish Parliament and served as a Justice of the Peace.

During the 18th century, the Carre name was associated with the town of Carré-sur-Seine in northern France. This place name likely originated from the surname itself, reflecting the family's historical presence in the region.

In more recent history, notable individuals with the surname Carre include Louis Carre (1804-1876), a French artist and painter known for his landscapes and portraits, and Léon Carre (1878-1942), a French politician and journalist who served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Carre families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Carre 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. Channel Islands leads with 278 Carres recorded in 1881 and an index of 279.59x.

County Total Index
Channel Islands 278 279.59x
Middlesex 24 0.72x
Surrey 8 0.49x
Kent 6 0.52x
Sussex 6 1.06x
Derbyshire 5 0.95x
Hertfordshire 3 1.30x
Roxburghshire 3 4.94x
Bedfordshire 2 1.15x
Wiltshire 2 0.67x
Glamorgan 1 0.17x
Hampshire 1 0.15x
Lincolnshire 1 0.19x
Merionethshire 1 1.63x
Renfrewshire 1 0.38x
Royal Navy 1 2.50x
Staffordshire 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Peter Port in Channel Islands leads with 66 Carres recorded in 1881 and an index of 358.89x.

Place Total Index
St Peter Port 66 358.89x
St Michaelinthe Vale 52 1464.79x
Sark 50 7575.76x
St Maryde Castro 44 1803.28x
St Sampson 41 915.18x
South Mimms 11 239.13x
St Owen 9 344.83x
Camberwell 7 3.27x
St Andrew 6 458.02x
Bolsover 5 190.11x
St Gilesin Fields London 5 176.06x
St Helier 4 12.36x
Angmering 3 265.49x
Bengeo 3 111.94x
Bowden 3 340.91x
Brighton 3 2.63x
Frindsbury 3 69.61x
Islington London 3 0.92x
St Anne Soho London 3 15.66x
Great Bedwin 2 94.79x
Ramsgate 2 10.70x
St George Hanover Square 2 3.38x
St Martin 2 32.84x
St Saviour 2 36.36x
Bedford St Paul 1 8.39x
Cardiff St Mary 1 3.11x
Frimley 1 21.46x
Great Grimsby 1 2.94x
Harborne 1 2.75x
Kempston 1 25.38x
Northfleet 1 9.91x
Port Glasgow 1 7.96x
Royal Navy 1 2.93x
Southampton St Mary 1 2.31x
St John 1 52.63x
St Peter 1 34.84x
Towyn 1 25.91x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 25
Thomas 20
Henry 15
William 12
Peter 11
Philip 10
Alfred 6
Hilary 5
Charles 4
Edward 4
Hillary 4
James 4
Joseph 4
Arthur 3
Frederick 3
Nicholas 3
Ernest 2
George 2
Helier 2
Isaac 2
Jean 2
Jules 2
Samuel 2
Abraham 1
Adolphus 1
Alexander 1
Anthony 1
Bradsfon 1
Caleb 1
Cecil 1
Edwin 1
Eugene 1
Felix 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fredrick 1
Gerrad 1
Harry 1
Hellier 1
Henri 1
Joeph 1
Josias 1
Louis 1
Matthew 1
Nics. 1
Phillip 1
Richard 1
Stephen 1
Victor 1

FAQ

Carre surname: questions and answers

How common was the Carre surname in 1881?

In 1881, 67 people were recorded with the Carre surname. That placed it at #24,104 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Carre surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 266 in 2016. That gives Carre a modern rank of #16,094.

What does the Carre surname mean?

A French surname meaning "square" or "four-sided."

What does the Carre map show?

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