NameCensus.

UK surname

Charity

A surname derived from the Old French word "charite," referring to one who practiced kindness or benevolence.

In the 1881 census there were 360 people recorded with the Charity surname, ranking it #8,596 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 458, ranked #10,679, down from #8,596 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Luffenham North, Croxton Keyrial (incl. Bescaby) and Ryall with Belmisthorp. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Melton, Chesterfield and South Kesteven.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Charity is 483 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 27.2%.

1881 census count

360

Ranked #8,596

Modern count

458

2016, ranked #10,679

Peak year

1998

483 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Charity had 360 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,596 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 458 in 2016, ranked #10,679.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 457 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Charity surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Charity surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Charity 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 221 #9,630
1861 historical 225 #10,843
1881 historical 360 #8,596
1891 historical 392 #9,019
1901 historical 389 #9,666
1911 historical 457 #8,397
1997 modern 450 #10,075
1998 modern 483 #9,853
1999 modern 469 #10,139
2000 modern 470 #10,089
2001 modern 448 #10,274
2002 modern 444 #10,553
2003 modern 426 #10,742
2004 modern 434 #10,619
2005 modern 440 #10,382
2006 modern 446 #10,301
2007 modern 443 #10,467
2008 modern 446 #10,501
2009 modern 450 #10,669
2010 modern 462 #10,682
2011 modern 462 #10,570
2012 modern 450 #10,654
2013 modern 465 #10,569
2014 modern 470 #10,557
2015 modern 456 #10,715
2016 modern 458 #10,679

Geography

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Where Charitys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Luffenham North, Croxton Keyrial (incl. Bescaby), Ryall with Belmisthorp, Barholm and Deeping St James, Deeping St Nicholas, Deeping Fen. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Melton, Chesterfield, South Kesteven and Amber Valley. 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 Luffenham North Rutland
2 Croxton Keyrial (incl. Bescaby) Lincolnshire
3 Ryall with Belmisthorp Lincolnshire
4 Barholm Lincolnshire
5 Deeping St James, Deeping St Nicholas, Deeping Fen Lincolnshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Melton 004 Melton
2 Chesterfield 012 Chesterfield
3 South Kesteven 005 South Kesteven
4 Melton 003 Melton
5 Amber Valley 003 Amber Valley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Charity

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Charity

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Charity surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Charity 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Charity is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Charity 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

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

Meaning and origin of Charity

The surname Charity originated in England, and its earliest recorded use dates back to the late 12th century. The name is derived from the Old French word "charite," meaning kindness, benevolence, or Christian love. This word itself has its roots in the Latin word "caritas," which has a similar meaning.

Charity was initially a descriptive surname, given to individuals known for their charitable deeds or kind-hearted nature. It was also sometimes given as a nickname to individuals born or raised in charitable institutions or orphanages. The name's earliest recorded spelling was "Charite," which appeared in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk in 1196.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the surname Charity was Thomas Charite, who was mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1279. Another early reference can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where a certain Robert Charite was listed.

Several notable individuals have borne the surname Charity throughout history. One of the earliest was Sir Walter Charity, a prominent English merchant and politician who lived in the 15th century. He served as Lord Mayor of London in 1476 and was a member of the prestigious Worshipful Company of Haberdashers.

During the English Civil War in the 17th century, Colonel John Charity was a prominent Parliamentarian officer who fought for the Roundhead forces. He played a significant role in the Battle of Naseby in 1645, which proved to be a decisive victory for the Parliamentarians.

In the realm of literature, Walter Charity (1808-1870) was a renowned English author and poet. He is best known for his works "The Minstrel's Lyre" and "Poems and Ballads," which were widely acclaimed during his lifetime.

Another notable bearer of the surname was Sir Aston Webb Charity (1849-1930), a renowned English architect who designed several prominent buildings in London, including the façade of Buckingham Palace and the eastern part of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

In more recent times, one of the most famous individuals with the surname Charity was the American actress and singer Charity Shea (1932-2003), who starred in numerous Broadway productions and television shows during her career.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Charity families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Charity 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. Lincolnshire leads with 96 Charitys recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.54x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 96 17.54x
Leicestershire 58 15.28x
Nottinghamshire 33 7.15x
Rutland 32 127.29x
Cambridgeshire 20 9.22x
Middlesex 18 0.53x
Yorkshire 17 0.50x
Lancashire 16 0.39x
Northamptonshire 15 4.66x
Suffolk 13 3.12x
Cheshire 7 0.93x
Herefordshire 7 4.99x
Surrey 6 0.36x
Midlothian 5 1.09x
Huntingdonshire 4 5.88x
Bedfordshire 1 0.56x
Derbyshire 1 0.19x
Essex 1 0.15x
Kent 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. Croxton Keyrial in Leicestershire leads with 33 Charitys recorded in 1881 and an index of 5156.25x.

Place Total Index
Croxton Keyrial 33 5156.25x
Deeping St James 15 777.20x
Skillington 11 2391.30x
Barholm 10 4761.90x
Saltby 10 3125.00x
Boyton 9 2727.27x
Wimblington 9 703.13x
Great Casterton 8 2105.26x
Kegworth 8 317.46x
Snenton 8 44.13x
Deeping St Nicholas 7 437.50x
Hereford All Sts 7 108.86x
Market Deeping 7 492.96x
North Luffenham 7 1372.55x
Boston Hall Hills 6 652.17x
Hungerton Cum Wyville 6 4285.71x
Islington London 6 1.81x
Langtoft 6 882.35x
Sandbach 6 93.02x
Stamford All Sts 6 196.08x
Wakerley 6 2307.69x
Barton Upon Irwell 5 16.35x
Bolton On Dearne 5 427.35x
Everton 5 649.35x
Harringworth 5 1162.79x
Penge 5 22.86x
Radford 5 21.33x
Ryhall 5 595.24x
South Leith 5 9.69x
Thurlby Obthorpe 5 684.93x
Wisbech St Peter 5 46.00x
Ecclesall Bierlow 4 5.80x
Hammersmith London 4 4.74x
Londonthorpe 4 1904.76x
Nottingham St Mary 4 3.35x
Oldham 4 3.05x
Pickworth 4 2000.00x
South Stoke 4 2500.00x
Bottesford 3 192.31x
Harby 3 731.71x
Hoyland Nether 3 36.06x
Morton In Gainsborough 3 277.78x
Shoreditch London 3 2.02x
Somersham 3 181.82x
South Scarle 3 1578.95x
Southwell 3 89.29x
Wood Ditton 3 165.75x
Blackburn 2 1.85x
Gretton 2 204.08x
Heap 2 9.28x
Oakham Lordshold 2 76.05x
Rastrick 2 21.23x
Scarborough 2 6.49x
Sproxton 2 512.82x
Whittlesey St Mary St 2 26.42x
Barrowden 1 142.86x
Belvoir 1 588.24x
Bescabey 1 10000.00x
Boston 1 6.02x
Butley 1 227.27x
Clerkenwell London 1 1.24x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.11x
Doddington 1 62.89x
Elton 1 105.26x
Glossop Dale 1 3.98x
Goldington 1 147.06x
Grantham 1 14.01x
Great Gonerby 1 70.92x
Helpstone 1 120.48x
Leyton Low 1 7.28x
Oakham Deanshold 1 89.29x
St Pancras London 1 0.36x
Stamford St Michael 1 64.52x
Wardleworth 1 4.31x
Warmingham 1 263.16x
Welby 1 217.39x
Westminster St James 1 2.84x
Westminster St Margaret 1 6.05x
Willesden 1 3.10x
Woodbridge 1 18.76x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 30
Sarah 19
Emma 12
Eliza 9
Elizabeth 9
Fanny 9
Ann 8
Kate 5
Charlotte 4
Frances 4
Annie 3
Emily 3
Florence 3
Hannah 3
Jane 3
Louisa 3
Martha 3
Rachel 3
Rebecca 3
Susan 3
A. 2
Ada 2
Clara 2
Eleanor 2
Ellen 2
Matilda 2
Ruth 2
Amy 1
Angelina 1
Bertha 1
Betsey 1
Caroline 1
Cath.Amy 1
Catherine 1
Elenor 1
Harriet 1
Isabella 1
Julia 1
Justina 1
Katherina 1
Laura 1
Liddia 1
Lillie 1
Lizzie 1
Louis 1
Lucy 1
M.A. 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1
Maryann 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 26
John 23
George 18
Charles 11
James 8
Thomas 8
Alfred 5
Henry 5
Robert 5
Samuel 5
Edward 4
Arthur 3
Frederick 3
Herbert 3
Richard 3
Daniel 2
Harry 2
Luke 2
Thos. 2
Tom 2
W. 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Aurthur 1
Bertie 1
David 1
Edis 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Geo. 1
Joseph 1
Lewis 1
Sam 1
T.W. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Charity surname: questions and answers

How common was the Charity surname in 1881?

In 1881, 360 people were recorded with the Charity surname. That placed it at #8,596 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Charity surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 458 in 2016. That gives Charity a modern rank of #10,679.

What does the Charity surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old French word "charite," referring to one who practiced kindness or benevolence.

What does the Charity map show?

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