UK surname
A surname derived from the Middle English word "dere" meaning animal or beast, potentially referring to an occupation involving animals.
In the 1881 census there were 117 people recorded with the Deare surname, ranking it #18,026 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 56, ranked #34,562, down from #18,026 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Eastham, Lewisham and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Deare is 124 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 52.1%.
1881 census count
117
Ranked #18,026
Modern count
56
2016, ranked #34,562
Peak year
1891
124 bearers
Map years
3
1881 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Deare surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Deare surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 56 | #23,235 |
| 1861 | historical | 68 | #25,196 |
| 1881 | historical | 117 | #18,026 |
| 1891 | historical | 124 | #20,818 |
| 1901 | historical | 93 | #23,689 |
| 1911 | historical | 124 | #20,023 |
| 1997 | modern | 57 | #31,917 |
| 1998 | modern | 69 | #31,076 |
| 1999 | modern | 66 | #31,509 |
| 2000 | modern | 61 | #32,039 |
| 2001 | modern | 62 | #31,798 |
| 2002 | modern | 64 | #32,007 |
| 2003 | modern | 62 | #32,258 |
| 2004 | modern | 60 | #32,684 |
| 2005 | modern | 56 | #33,264 |
| 2006 | modern | 51 | #33,992 |
| 2007 | modern | 55 | #33,965 |
| 2008 | modern | 61 | #33,655 |
| 2009 | modern | 62 | #33,832 |
| 2010 | modern | 62 | #34,069 |
| 2011 | modern | 64 | #33,917 |
| 2012 | modern | 57 | #34,452 |
| 2013 | modern | 64 | #34,127 |
| 2014 | modern | 60 | #34,400 |
| 2015 | modern | 55 | #34,620 |
| 2016 | modern | 56 | #34,562 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Eastham, Lewisham, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes and St James Clerkenwell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eastham | Cheshire |
| 2 | Lewisham | London (South Districts) |
| 3 | Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard | Nottinghamshire |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | St James Clerkenwell | London (Central Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Deare surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Deare, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Deare surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Deare household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Deare is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Deare is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Deare, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Deare is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "deor," meaning "deer" or "animal." It is believed to have originated as a descriptive surname, given to someone who lived near a forest or area inhabited by deer, or possibly to a hunter or forester.
The earliest recorded instance of the surname Deare dates back to the 13th century in the Hundredorum Rolls of Norfolk, where it appears as "Dere." This suggests that the name was already in use in England during the Middle Ages.
In the 14th century, the surname is found in various records with different spellings, such as "Deere," "Deare," and "Dere." This variation in spelling was common during that time, as spellings were often based on local dialects and the individual scribe's interpretation.
The Deare surname is also associated with several place names in England, such as Deare Park in Gloucestershire and Deare Abbey in Yorkshire. These places may have taken their names from individuals bearing the surname or vice versa.
One of the earliest notable figures with the surname Deare was John Deare, a prominent merchant and landowner who lived in the 15th century. He was involved in the wool trade and owned several properties in London and the surrounding areas.
Another individual of note was William Deare, born in 1620, who was a Puritan minister and one of the founders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in North America. He played a significant role in the early days of the colony and left a lasting impact on the religious and cultural life of the region.
In the 18th century, Thomas Deare (1707-1781) was a renowned English architect who designed several notable buildings, including St. John's Church in Leeds and the Mansion House in York.
The Deare surname also has connections to the literary world. Charlotte Deare (1825-1891) was an English novelist and poet whose works explored themes of social injustice and women's rights.
Finally, Sir John Deare (1868-1942) was a British politician and diplomat who served as the Governor of New South Wales, Australia, from 1919 to 1925.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have borne the surname Deare throughout history, highlighting its rich cultural and historical significance in various fields and regions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Deare surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 31 Deares recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.69x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 31 | 2.69x |
| Glamorgan | 24 | 11.97x |
| Kent | 20 | 5.09x |
| Surrey | 13 | 2.32x |
| Durham | 8 | 2.34x |
| Norfolk | 6 | 3.39x |
| Somerset | 3 | 1.62x |
| Sussex | 3 | 1.55x |
| Devon | 2 | 0.83x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 0.89x |
| Hertfordshire | 2 | 2.52x |
| Dorset | 1 | 1.32x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.44x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 0.71x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 0.67x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Swansea Town in Glamorgan leads with 11 Deares recorded in 1881 and an index of 66.95x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Swansea Town | 11 | 66.95x |
| Clerkenwell London | 10 | 36.81x |
| Tottenham | 9 | 49.10x |
| Northfleet | 8 | 231.21x |
| Ouston | 8 | 1600.00x |
| Roath | 8 | 87.91x |
| Great Yarmouth | 6 | 40.93x |
| Islington London | 5 | 4.48x |
| Gravesend | 4 | 120.48x |
| Llandaff | 4 | 59.97x |
| Woolwich | 4 | 27.57x |
| Cuddington | 3 | 1363.64x |
| Egham | 3 | 87.21x |
| Taunton St Mary | 3 | 88.24x |
| Bermondsey | 2 | 5.84x |
| Bristol St Mary Redcliff | 2 | 97.09x |
| Chiswick | 2 | 31.80x |
| Denton In North | 2 | 2222.22x |
| Hastings St Mary | 2 | 41.41x |
| Honiton | 2 | 150.38x |
| Hornsey | 2 | 13.74x |
| Lewisham | 2 | 9.55x |
| Putney | 2 | 38.10x |
| St Pancras London | 2 | 2.16x |
| Bishop Stortford | 1 | 37.74x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 1.36x |
| Cardiff St John | 1 | 15.27x |
| Dorchester St Peter | 1 | 181.82x |
| Fulham London | 1 | 5.99x |
| Hawstead | 1 | 769.23x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 1.00x |
| Penge | 1 | 13.61x |
| Stoke Prior | 1 | 107.53x |
| Up Marden | 1 | 769.23x |
| Watford | 1 | 16.26x |
| West Ham | 1 | 1.99x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Deare surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Emily | 4 |
| Margaret | 4 |
| Mary | 4 |
| Edith | 3 |
| Elizabeth | 3 |
| Hannah | 3 |
| Jane | 3 |
| Ada | 2 |
| Alice | 2 |
| Ann | 2 |
| Catherine | 2 |
| Charlotte | 2 |
| Emma | 2 |
| Sarah | 2 |
| Amelia | 1 |
| Amy | 1 |
| Anne | 1 |
| Beatrice | 1 |
| Christiana | 1 |
| Clara | 1 |
| Elizh. | 1 |
| Evelyn | 1 |
| Florence | 1 |
| Frances | 1 |
| Harriet | 1 |
| Helen | 1 |
| Kathleen | 1 |
| Lizzie | 1 |
| Mabel | 1 |
| Magdalene | 1 |
| Marian | 1 |
| Polly | 1 |
| Rashel | 1 |
| Rose | 1 |
| Rosina | 1 |
| Sophia | 1 |
| Susannah | 1 |
| Thurza | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Deare surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Deare households.
FAQ
In 1881, 117 people were recorded with the Deare surname. That placed it at #18,026 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 56 in 2016. That gives Deare a modern rank of #34,562.
A surname derived from the Middle English word "dere" meaning animal or beast, potentially referring to an occupation involving animals.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Deare bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.