NameCensus.

UK surname

Comrie

A Scottish surname derived from a place name referring to a bend in a river valley.

In the 1881 census there were 488 people recorded with the Comrie surname, ranking it #6,898 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 847, ranked #6,598, up from #6,898 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Comrie, Fowlis Wester and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Dunipace, Comrie, Gilmerton and St Fillans and Dalmarnock.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Comrie is 854 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 73.6%.

1881 census count

488

Ranked #6,898

Modern count

847

2016, ranked #6,598

Peak year

2014

854 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Comrie had 488 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,898 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 847 in 2016, ranked #6,598.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 604 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Comrie surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Comrie surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Comrie 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 397 #6,070
1861 historical 349 #7,318
1881 historical 488 #6,898
1891 historical 542 #6,971
1901 historical 604 #7,038
1911 historical 86 #24,243
1997 modern 712 #7,160
1998 modern 786 #6,855
1999 modern 776 #6,952
2000 modern 764 #7,006
2001 modern 767 #6,863
2002 modern 774 #6,959
2003 modern 745 #7,058
2004 modern 750 #7,015
2005 modern 767 #6,830
2006 modern 770 #6,844
2007 modern 786 #6,789
2008 modern 804 #6,716
2009 modern 835 #6,660
2010 modern 834 #6,795
2011 modern 830 #6,732
2012 modern 825 #6,681
2013 modern 848 #6,650
2014 modern 854 #6,633
2015 modern 846 #6,640
2016 modern 847 #6,598

Geography

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Where Comries are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Comrie, Fowlis Wester, Edinburgh, Crieff and Perth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Dunipace, Comrie, Gilmerton and St Fillans, Dalmarnock, Crieff North and Kildrum. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Comrie Perth
2 Fowlis Wester Perth
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Crieff Perth
5 Perth Perth

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Dunipace Falkirk
2 Comrie, Gilmerton and St Fillans Perth and Kinross
3 Dalmarnock Glasgow City
4 Crieff North Perth and Kinross
5 Kildrum North Lanarkshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Comrie

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Comrie

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

Established but Challenged

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Comrie is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Comrie is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Comrie falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Comrie

The surname Comrie is of Scottish origin, derived from the place name Comrie, a village in Perthshire, Scotland. The name is believed to have originated from the Gaelic word "cuimri," meaning "crooked."

The earliest recorded instance of the name Comrie can be traced back to the 12th century, when it appeared in the Ragman Rolls, a collection of homage rolls and fealty swearing records from the reign of King Edward I of England. The name was likely associated with landowners or residents of the village of Comrie.

In the 16th century, the Comrie family was prominent in the area around the village of Comrie. John Comrie, born in 1545, was a notable figure who served as a local magistrate and landowner. His son, William Comrie (1570-1638), played a role in the local religious affairs of the time.

The surname Comrie also appears in historical records related to the Scottish Covenanters, a movement that played a significant role in the struggles between Presbyterians and the Scottish monarchy in the 17th century. James Comrie (1642-1708) was a prominent Scottish Covenanter minister and theologian.

In the 18th century, John Comrie (1708-1774) was a Scottish minister and author, known for his works on theology and religious subjects. His son, Walter Comrie (1742-1827), was a Scottish physician and botanist who made contributions to the study of plants native to Scotland.

Another notable figure with the surname Comrie was Alexander Comrie (1753-1837), a Scottish mathematician and astronomer. He is best known for his work on the calculation of the orbits of comets and planets.

Throughout its history, the surname Comrie has maintained its Scottish roots, with many individuals bearing this name hailing from the Perthshire region and surrounding areas. The name continues to be associated with its place of origin, the village of Comrie, and carries a connection to the rich cultural heritage of Scotland.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Comrie families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Comrie 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. Perthshire leads with 170 Comries recorded in 1881 and an index of 79.57x.

County Total Index
Perthshire 170 79.57x
Stirlingshire 84 47.84x
Lanarkshire 57 3.70x
Midlothian 27 4.23x
Renfrewshire 26 7.05x
Lancashire 16 0.28x
Dunbartonshire 14 10.94x
Angus 13 2.95x
Selkirkshire 13 30.18x
Buteshire 10 34.67x
Fife 8 2.84x
Aberdeenshire 7 1.59x
Ayrshire 7 1.96x
Worcestershire 6 0.97x
Nottinghamshire 5 0.78x
Middlesex 3 0.06x
Suffolk 3 0.52x
Clackmannanshire 2 5.09x
Inverness-shire 2 1.41x
Kirkcudbrightshire 2 2.90x
Oxfordshire 2 0.68x
Somerset 2 0.26x
Surrey 2 0.09x
Yorkshire 2 0.04x
Argyllshire 1 0.75x
Gloucestershire 1 0.11x
Leicestershire 1 0.19x
Norfolk 1 0.14x
Northumberland 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Crieff in Perthshire leads with 38 Comries recorded in 1881 and an index of 477.99x.

Place Total Index
Crieff 38 477.99x
Comrie 35 1143.79x
Kilsyth 22 196.60x
Muthill 18 645.16x
Barony 15 3.85x
Alva 14 167.26x
Falkirk 13 31.63x
Fowlis Wester 13 714.29x
Denny 12 128.48x
Govan 12 3.15x
Madderty 12 1395.35x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 11 4.29x
Paisley High Church 10 34.05x
St Ninians 10 57.47x
Monzievaird Strowan 9 789.47x
Rothesay 9 64.42x
Stirling 9 40.65x
Cadder 8 70.36x
Dundee 8 4.86x
Everton 8 4.44x
Galashiels 8 50.25x
Perth East Church 8 39.72x
Glasgow 7 2.56x
Peterhead 7 30.03x
West Greenock 7 10.57x
Auchterarder 6 100.67x
Blackford 6 229.89x
Bothwell 6 14.37x
Cumbernauld 6 85.59x
Dron 6 1090.91x
New Monkland 6 13.18x
Perth Middle Church 6 74.63x
Dalry 5 29.83x
Liberton 5 50.81x
Manchester 5 1.97x
Melrose 5 46.13x
Newton 5 233.64x
Paisley Middle Church 5 23.28x
Row 5 30.21x
Airth 4 179.37x
Barry 4 75.61x
Arngask 3 337.08x
Blairgowrie 3 35.50x
Kings Norton 3 5.38x
Lowestoft 3 10.95x
Monzie 3 243.90x
Old Kilpatrick 3 19.84x
St Andrews 3 23.40x
Toxteth Park 3 1.57x
Yardley 3 18.86x
Alloa 2 10.49x
Borgue 2 108.11x
Cathcart 2 10.02x
Edinburgh St Stephens 2 15.94x
Falkland 2 45.15x
Kilmonivaig 2 63.29x
Lambeth 2 0.48x
Leeds 2 0.75x
Lenton 2 13.24x
Middle Greenock 2 19.86x
Nottingham St Mary 2 1.21x
Oxford St Thomas 2 14.58x
Weston Super Mare 2 10.34x
Ardrossan 1 8.11x
Ashby De La Zouch 1 8.18x
Bute North 1 51.28x
Coxlodge 1 18.55x
Dunning 1 37.45x
Edinburgh St Marys 1 8.06x
Gorbals 1 10.94x
Kilmallie 1 14.66x
Kilmarnock 1 2.36x
Liff Benvie 1 1.49x
Little Dunkeld 1 27.55x
Logie 1 13.04x
Perth West Church 1 9.86x
Shotts 1 5.43x
St George Hanover Square 1 1.19x
St George Martyr London 1 10.37x
Weem 1 128.21x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 4
Jane 3
Margaret 3
Ellen 2
Annette 1
Annie 1
Betsy 1
Catherine 1
Elizabeth 1
Janet 1
Kate 1
Kathleen 1
Lucy 1
Marrian 1
Rosa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 4
William 4
Alexander 3
Duncan 2
Peter 2
Alexdr. 1
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Hary 1
Hepburn 1
John 1
Theophilis 1

FAQ

Comrie surname: questions and answers

How common was the Comrie surname in 1881?

In 1881, 488 people were recorded with the Comrie surname. That placed it at #6,898 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Comrie surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 847 in 2016. That gives Comrie a modern rank of #6,598.

What does the Comrie surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from a place name referring to a bend in a river valley.

What does the Comrie map show?

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