NameCensus.

UK surname

Confrey

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic term "con-froid" meaning "wise sayer" or "philosopher".

In the 1881 census there were 11 people recorded with the Confrey surname, ranking it #32,081 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 98, ranked #31,470, up from #32,081 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tweeddale East Area, Wigan and Rushmoor.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Confrey is 112 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 790.9%.

1881 census count

11

Ranked #32,081

Modern count

98

2016, ranked #31,470

Peak year

2010

112 bearers

Map years

1

2006 to 2006

Key insights

  • Confrey had 11 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,081 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 98 in 2016, ranked #31,470.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 51 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Confrey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Confrey surname density by area, 2006 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Confrey 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 5 #32,456
1861 historical 27 #30,543
1881 historical 11 #32,081
1891 historical 13 #33,099
1901 historical 51 #28,492
1911 historical 46 #28,224
1997 modern 94 #27,781
1998 modern 95 #28,303
1999 modern 92 #28,833
2000 modern 94 #28,573
2001 modern 93 #28,382
2002 modern 105 #27,123
2003 modern 106 #26,775
2004 modern 108 #26,741
2005 modern 97 #28,485
2006 modern 106 #27,332
2007 modern 102 #28,351
2008 modern 100 #29,001
2009 modern 110 #27,991
2010 modern 112 #28,336
2011 modern 103 #29,589
2012 modern 95 #31,107
2013 modern 95 #31,523
2014 modern 98 #31,370
2015 modern 99 #31,168
2016 modern 98 #31,470

Geography

Back to top

Where Confreys 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 Tweeddale East Area, Wigan, Rushmoor, Peebles North and Peebles South. 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 Tweeddale East Area Scottish Borders
2 Wigan 032 Wigan
3 Rushmoor 002 Rushmoor
4 Peebles North Scottish Borders
5 Peebles South Scottish Borders

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Confrey

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Confrey

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Confrey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Confrey household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Confrey is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

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

Confrey is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Confrey falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Confrey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Confrey, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Confrey

The surname Confrey originated in England, likely in the northern counties during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "cunfrei," meaning "a sworn brother" or "a member of a confraternity." This suggests that the name may have been initially used to identify someone who belonged to a religious brotherhood or fraternal organization.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where it appears as "Cunfrey." This document contains records of landowners and tenants during the reign of King Edward I. The name is also mentioned in the Placita de Quo Warranto from 1292, which was a legal inquiry into the rights and privileges claimed by individuals and institutions.

In the 14th century, the surname Confrey appeared in various forms, such as "Cunfrey," "Confray," and "Confre." These variations reflect the inconsistencies in spelling and pronunciation during that time period. It is possible that the name was also influenced by its association with certain locations or places, as was common with many English surnames.

One notable figure bearing the name Confrey was John Confrey, a merchant and trader who lived in London during the late 16th century. Records indicate that he was involved in the lucrative wool trade and held significant wealth and influence in the city.

Another individual of historical significance was William Confrey, a soldier who fought in the English Civil War (1642-1651). He served under Oliver Cromwell's Parliamentarian forces and participated in several key battles, including the Battle of Naseby in 1645.

In the 18th century, a prominent member of the Confrey family was Elizabeth Confrey (1720-1789), a landowner and philanthropist from Yorkshire. She was known for her charitable work and contributed to the establishment of several schools and hospitals in the region.

During the 19th century, the name Confrey gained some recognition through the achievements of Sir Charles Confrey (1825-1901), a British politician and diplomat. He served as the Governor of British Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) from 1875 to 1877 and played a significant role in the administration of the colonial government.

Another notable figure was James Confrey (1844-1918), a Scottish-born businessman and industrialist who made his fortune in the textile industry. He established several successful mills and factories in Lancashire, England, and was known for his innovative manufacturing methods and fair treatment of workers.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Confrey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Confrey 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 4 Confreys recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.23x.

County Total Index
Durham 4 17.23x
Peeblesshire 3 810.81x
Yorkshire 1 1.29x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Darlington in Durham leads with 4 Confreys recorded in 1881 and an index of 444.44x.

Place Total Index
Darlington 4 444.44x
Peebles 3 2727.27x
Bradford 1 53.48x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 1
Bridget 1
Hannah 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Mathew 1

Top occupations

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 Confrey households.

FAQ

Confrey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Confrey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 11 people were recorded with the Confrey surname. That placed it at #32,081 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Confrey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 98 in 2016. That gives Confrey a modern rank of #31,470.

What does the Confrey surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic term "con-froid" meaning "wise sayer" or "philosopher".

What does the Confrey map show?

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