NameCensus.

UK surname

Convey

A surname likely referring to someone who transported goods or people.

In the 1881 census there were 95 people recorded with the Convey surname, ranking it #20,349 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 349, ranked #13,189, up from #20,349 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Toxteth Park and Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wandsworth, Liverpool and Bradford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Convey is 370 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 267.4%.

1881 census count

95

Ranked #20,349

Modern count

349

2016, ranked #13,189

Peak year

2010

370 bearers

Map years

7

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Convey had 95 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #20,349 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 349 in 2016, ranked #13,189.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 165 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Convey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Convey surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Convey 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 76 #20,127
1861 historical 131 #17,052
1881 historical 95 #20,349
1891 historical 123 #20,939
1901 historical 165 #17,085
1911 historical 136 #18,962
1997 modern 325 #12,832
1998 modern 350 #12,537
1999 modern 363 #12,290
2000 modern 362 #12,264
2001 modern 348 #12,419
2002 modern 350 #12,620
2003 modern 337 #12,759
2004 modern 347 #12,516
2005 modern 340 #12,642
2006 modern 338 #12,779
2007 modern 348 #12,637
2008 modern 344 #12,874
2009 modern 364 #12,584
2010 modern 370 #12,701
2011 modern 370 #12,576
2012 modern 348 #13,020
2013 modern 345 #13,326
2014 modern 349 #13,293
2015 modern 352 #13,109
2016 modern 349 #13,189

Geography

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Where Conveys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Toxteth Park, Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon), Manchester and Earsdon. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wandsworth, Liverpool, Bradford and Medway. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 Toxteth Park Lancashire
3 Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon) Northumberland
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Earsdon Northumberland

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wandsworth 019 Wandsworth
2 Liverpool 058 Liverpool
3 Bradford 019 Bradford
4 Medway 026 Medway
5 Medway 033 Medway

Forenames

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First names often paired with Convey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Convey

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

Young Families in Industrial Towns

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Convey 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

Convey 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

Convey 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 Convey 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Convey

The surname Convey has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old French word "conveier," which means "to convey" or "to escort." This name was likely given to someone whose occupation involved transporting goods or people from one place to another.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Convey can be found in the Huntingdonshire Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a man named Robert le Conveye was mentioned. This suggests that the name had already been established in England by that time.

In the late 14th century, the name Convey appeared in various historical records, such as the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire in 1379, where a John Convey was listed. This indicates that the name had spread across different regions of England by then.

The surname Convey has also been associated with certain place names, such as Conveth, a small village in Cumbria, England. It is possible that the name Convey originated from this location or that individuals from this area adopted the name.

One of the earliest notable figures with the surname Convey was William Convey, born in 1542 in Lincolnshire, England. He was a renowned scholar and philosopher who wrote several influential works on theology and ethics.

Another prominent individual with this surname was Sir Thomas Convey (1610-1678), an English soldier and politician who served as a Member of Parliament during the English Civil War. He played a significant role in the Parliamentarian forces and was knighted for his service.

In the 18th century, John Convey (1736-1812) was a renowned architect from Yorkshire, England. He designed several notable buildings, including churches and country estates, and his work was highly influential in the Georgian architectural style.

Mary Convey (1798-1872), born in London, was a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights. She established one of the first schools for girls in England and worked tirelessly to promote equal educational opportunities for women.

Finally, Henry Convey (1845-1923), born in Manchester, England, was a successful industrialist and philanthropist. He founded the Convey Manufacturing Company, which produced textiles and machinery, and he donated a significant portion of his wealth to various charitable causes.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Convey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Convey 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. Lancashire leads with 24 Conveys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.21x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 24 2.21x
Northumberland 20 14.66x
Yorkshire 15 1.65x
Shropshire 10 12.63x
Lanarkshire 6 2.02x
Stirlingshire 4 11.83x
Angus 3 3.53x
Durham 3 1.10x
Middlesex 3 0.33x
Surrey 3 0.67x
Ayrshire 1 1.46x
Essex 1 0.55x
Renfrewshire 1 1.41x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hartley in Northumberland leads with 8 Conveys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2222.22x.

Place Total Index
Hartley 8 2222.22x
Liverpool 8 12.11x
Preston 6 20.62x
Whitley 6 1363.64x
Dalziel 5 156.74x
Haslingden 5 111.11x
Manchester 5 10.22x
Newcastle On Tyne St 5 70.72x
Shrewsbury St Chad 5 179.86x
Shrewsbury St Mary 5 159.74x
Beeston 4 434.78x
Dundee 3 9.46x
Falkirk 3 37.93x
St George Hanover Square 3 18.58x
Camberwell 2 3.42x
Dewsbury 2 21.46x
Stockton On Tees 2 15.21x
Campsie 1 53.76x
Clifton In York 1 52.63x
Colchester St Giles 1 55.87x
Coxhoe 1 129.87x
Earsdon 1 90.09x
Eston 1 50.51x
Glasgow 1 1.90x
Gomersal 1 23.58x
Great Driffield 1 53.76x
Leeds 1 1.95x
Linton Upon Ouse 1 1111.11x
Morley 1 21.19x
Muirkirk 1 62.11x
Paisley High Church 1 17.67x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 5.42x
York St George 1 138.89x
York St Michael Le 1 344.83x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 12
Ann 3
Bridget 3
Annie 2
Catherine 2
Cathrine 2
Ellen 2
M.A. 2
Margaret 2
Margeret 2
Margret 2
Amelia 1
Barbary 1
Eleanor 1
Elizabeth 1
Jane 1
Kate 1
Margaretta 1
Susanna 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 8
James 5
Francis 3
Martin 3
Patrick 3
Michael 2
Thomas 2
Andrew 1
Christopher 1
Edward 1
Fr. 1
I.D. 1
Jas. 1
Jno. 1
Ml. 1
Peter 1
Robert 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Convey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Convey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 95 people were recorded with the Convey surname. That placed it at #20,349 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Convey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 349 in 2016. That gives Convey a modern rank of #13,189.

What does the Convey surname mean?

A surname likely referring to someone who transported goods or people.

What does the Convey map show?

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