NameCensus.

UK surname

Covey

An English occupational surname for a tender of cattle, derived from the Old French word "couver" meaning "to brood."

In the 1881 census there were 327 people recorded with the Covey surname, ranking it #9,147 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 530, ranked #9,572, down from #9,147 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Godalming, Billinghurst, East and West and Oxford City: St Thomas. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Waverley, Leeds and Guildford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Covey is 581 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 62.1%.

1881 census count

327

Ranked #9,147

Modern count

530

2016, ranked #9,572

Peak year

1998

581 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Covey had 327 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,147 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 530 in 2016, ranked #9,572.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 375 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Covey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Covey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Covey 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 226 #9,487
1861 historical 192 #12,423
1881 historical 327 #9,147
1891 historical 328 #10,348
1901 historical 363 #10,145
1911 historical 375 #9,747
1997 modern 558 #8,562
1998 modern 581 #8,566
1999 modern 560 #8,855
2000 modern 549 #8,956
2001 modern 540 #8,919
2002 modern 545 #9,038
2003 modern 557 #8,758
2004 modern 559 #8,764
2005 modern 530 #9,054
2006 modern 542 #8,918
2007 modern 553 #8,870
2008 modern 557 #8,876
2009 modern 552 #9,145
2010 modern 556 #9,291
2011 modern 539 #9,428
2012 modern 527 #9,497
2013 modern 542 #9,446
2014 modern 550 #9,395
2015 modern 545 #9,387
2016 modern 530 #9,572

Geography

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Where Coveys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Godalming, Billinghurst, East and West, Oxford City: St Thomas, Swindon, Lyddington and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Waverley, Leeds, Guildford and Swindon. 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 Godalming Surrey
2 Billinghurst, East and West Sussex
3 Oxford City: St Thomas Oxfordshire
4 Swindon, Lyddington Wiltshire
5 London parishes London 1

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Waverley 015 Waverley
2 Leeds 033 Leeds
3 Waverley 013 Waverley
4 Guildford 018 Guildford
5 Swindon 025 Swindon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Covey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Covey

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Covey, 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 Covey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Covey 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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Covey is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Covey is most concentrated in decile 3 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Covey falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Covey

The surname Covey has its origins in England, where it emerged as an occupational name during the medieval period. Derived from the Old English word "cofie," meaning a small house or hut, it was likely initially given to someone who lived in or was associated with a small dwelling.

The earliest recorded instances of the Covey surname can be traced back to the 13th century, with references appearing in various historical documents and records from that time. One notable example is found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, where a certain Simon de la Covey is mentioned in 1279.

As the name spread across England, it underwent various spelling variations, including Covey, Covie, Covy, and Covaye. These variations reflect the influence of local dialects and the inconsistent spelling conventions of the time.

One of the earliest known bearers of the Covey name was John Covey, who was born in Lincolnshire, England, in the late 15th century. He was a prominent merchant and landowner in the region.

During the 16th century, the Covey surname gained further recognition with the notable figure of Edward Covey, born in 1520 in Norfolk, England. He was a respected scholar and author, known for his contributions to the field of theology.

The 17th century saw the rise of another notable Covey, Thomas Covey, born in 1635 in Gloucestershire. He was a renowned architect and played a significant role in the reconstruction efforts following the Great Fire of London in 1666.

In the 18th century, the name Covey was associated with the pioneering botanist and naturalist, William Covey (1720-1792), who made significant contributions to the study of plants and their classification.

The 19th century brought forth the influential figure of Mary Covey (1845-1912), a prominent social reformer and advocate for women's rights. She was a leading figure in the suffragette movement and played a crucial role in the fight for women's suffrage in England.

While the Covey surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to various parts of the world, including North America and Australia, as a result of migration and exploration. However, its origins can be traced back to the small dwellings of medieval England, where the name first emerged as an occupational descriptor.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Covey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Covey 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. Sussex leads with 84 Coveys recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.57x.

County Total Index
Sussex 84 15.57x
Surrey 81 5.20x
Hampshire 35 5.34x
Lancashire 23 0.61x
Middlesex 21 0.66x
Devon 12 1.80x
Oxfordshire 11 5.57x
Durham 10 1.05x
Berkshire 7 2.91x
Perthshire 7 4.87x
Cambridgeshire 6 2.96x
Yorkshire 6 0.19x
Gloucestershire 5 0.80x
Somerset 4 0.78x
Suffolk 4 1.03x
Kent 3 0.27x
Bedfordshire 2 1.21x
Warwickshire 2 0.25x
Lincolnshire 1 0.20x
Monmouthshire 1 0.43x
Northamptonshire 1 0.33x
Royal Navy 1 2.62x
Worcestershire 1 0.24x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wisborough Green in Sussex leads with 35 Coveys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1933.70x.

Place Total Index
Wisborough Green 35 1933.70x
Alfold 26 4406.78x
Godalming 20 203.87x
Worth 11 280.61x
Billingshurst 9 508.47x
Birkdale 9 93.65x
Coundon 9 233.16x
Oxford St Thomas 9 97.61x
Great Bolton 8 15.91x
Kingskerswell 8 720.72x
Sutton 8 70.92x
Bentley 7 909.09x
East Grinstead 7 91.62x
East Hagbourn 7 1228.07x
Redgorton 7 440.25x
Christchurch 6 42.19x
Stetchworth 6 895.52x
Clayton 5 246.31x
New Alresford 5 294.12x
Southampton St Mary 5 12.12x
Acton 4 21.32x
Alderton 4 869.57x
Holdenhurst 4 23.26x
Newmarket St Mary 4 133.78x
Shadwell London 4 44.69x
Weston Super Mare 4 30.77x
Brighton 3 2.76x
Ewhurst 3 306.12x
Horley 3 114.94x
Little Bolton 3 6.15x
Petworth 3 93.17x
Spitalfields London 3 12.47x
St George Hanover Square 3 5.32x
Tangmere 3 1500.00x
Aldershot 2 9.10x
Bedford St Paul 2 17.61x
Bermondsey 2 2.10x
Bramley 2 145.99x
Brightside Bierlow 2 3.22x
Chertsey 2 19.86x
Dunsfold 2 235.29x
Edgbaston 2 7.99x
Froyle 2 238.10x
Halliwell 2 14.47x
Lambeth 2 0.72x
Lodsworth 2 266.67x
Merrow 2 307.69x
Milton In Gravesend 2 12.22x
Ottery St Mary 2 45.77x
Penge 2 9.78x
Scarborough 2 6.94x
Send Ripley 2 98.52x
South Bersted 2 43.57x
South Stoneham 2 14.05x
St Marylebone London 2 1.17x
Abinger 1 77.52x
Camberwell 1 0.49x
Chelsea London 1 1.04x
Guildford St Mary 1 52.08x
Hampton London 1 19.01x
Hascombe 1 208.33x
Heworth 1 5.33x
Hove 1 4.22x
Limehouse London 1 2.85x
Newent 1 31.35x
Oving 1 54.95x
Oxford St Mary Magdalen 1 42.74x
Plymouth Charles The 1 3.41x
Pontefract 1 14.64x
Potter Newton 1 17.89x
Prescot 1 14.56x
Pulborough 1 50.51x
South Thoresby 1 555.56x
St George Bloomsbury 1 5.45x
St Thomas Winchester 1 21.60x
St Woollos 1 3.87x
Twickenham 1 7.29x
Whitwell 1 128.21x
Worcester St Peter 1 12.64x
Wrotham 1 27.62x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 23
Sarah 12
Ellen 10
Elizabeth 8
Alice 7
Eliza 6
Jane 6
Emily 5
Fanny 5
Maria 5
Charlotte 4
Edith 4
Anne 3
Catherine 3
Emma 3
Harriett 3
Amy 2
Ann 2
Anna 2
Annie 2
Caroline 2
Florence 2
Helen 2
Isabella 2
Joyce 2
Kate 2
Lizzie 2
Margaret 2
Susan 2
Barbara 1
Bessie 1
Betsy 1
Cecilia 1
Eleanor 1
Eliz. 1
Elizh. 1
Elizth. 1
Esther 1
Famatta 1
Florance 1
Harriet 1
Heplizabah 1
Hester 1
Infant 1
James 1
Julia 1
Katherine 1
Lavinia 1
Lilian 1
Susana 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Covey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Covey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 327 people were recorded with the Covey surname. That placed it at #9,147 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Covey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 530 in 2016. That gives Covey a modern rank of #9,572.

What does the Covey surname mean?

An English occupational surname for a tender of cattle, derived from the Old French word "couver" meaning "to brood."

What does the Covey map show?

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