NameCensus.

UK surname

Demery

A French toponymic surname derived from a place name meaning "of Émérie," likely referring to a town or village.

In the 1881 census there were 107 people recorded with the Demery surname, ranking it #18,982 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 238, ranked #17,361, up from #18,982 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Briton Ferry and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Maidstone and Swansea.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Demery is 244 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 122.4%.

1881 census count

107

Ranked #18,982

Modern count

238

2016, ranked #17,361

Peak year

2013

244 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Demery had 107 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,982 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 238 in 2016, ranked #17,361.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 159 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Demery surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Demery surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Demery 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 50 #24,274
1861 historical 82 #23,321
1881 historical 107 #18,982
1891 historical 129 #20,285
1901 historical 159 #17,442
1911 historical 156 #17,421
1997 modern 209 #17,157
1998 modern 225 #16,846
1999 modern 230 #16,685
2000 modern 223 #16,978
2001 modern 223 #16,765
2002 modern 229 #16,771
2003 modern 216 #17,229
2004 modern 214 #17,435
2005 modern 207 #17,731
2006 modern 217 #17,349
2007 modern 221 #17,343
2008 modern 229 #17,092
2009 modern 228 #17,486
2010 modern 242 #17,138
2011 modern 231 #17,530
2012 modern 226 #17,679
2013 modern 244 #17,072
2014 modern 243 #17,232
2015 modern 234 #17,577
2016 modern 238 #17,361

Geography

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Where Demerys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Briton Ferry, London parishes, Llangafelach and Swansea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Maidstone and Swansea. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Briton Ferry Glamorganshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Llangafelach Glamorganshire
5 Swansea Glamorganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Maidstone 013 Maidstone
2 Swansea 003 Swansea
3 Swansea 016 Swansea
4 Swansea 025 Swansea
5 Swansea 015 Swansea

Forenames

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First names often paired with Demery

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Demery

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Demery, 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 Demery surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Demery 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, Demery 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

Demery is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Demery 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 Demery 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 Demery, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Demery

The surname DEMERY has its origins in France, with records indicating its presence as early as the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "de" meaning "from" and "mer" meaning "sea" or "ocean." This suggests that the name may have been initially adopted by individuals who resided near the coast or had some connection to maritime activities.

One of the earliest known references to the name DEMERY can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The book contains several entries referring to individuals with the surname DEMERY, indicating their presence in various parts of Normandy, France, at that time.

During the Middle Ages, the name DEMERY appeared in various historical records, including medieval charters, property deeds, and legal documents. One notable example is the mention of a nobleman named Raoul DEMERY in a charter dated 1275, granting him land and titles in the region of Picardy, France.

In the 16th century, a prominent figure bearing the surname DEMERY was Jean DEMERY (1505-1573), a French diplomat and statesman who served as an ambassador to several European courts during the reign of King Henry II of France. His diplomatic skills and political acumen contributed to the strengthening of France's international relations during that period.

Another notable individual with the surname DEMERY was Marie DEMERY (1623-1698), a French nun and mystic who founded the Order of the Daughters of the Immaculate Conception. Her writings and teachings on spirituality and devotion to the Virgin Mary influenced religious thought and practices in 17th-century France.

In the 18th century, Jacques DEMERY (1732-1804) gained recognition as a renowned French architect and urban planner. His work on the reconstruction and renovation of several cities in France, including Bordeaux and Lyon, left a lasting impact on the architectural landscape of the country.

The surname DEMERY can also be traced to various place names in France, such as Demery-en-Champagne, a commune in the Marne department, and Demery-sur-Meuse, a commune in the Meuse department. These place names likely derived from the same root as the surname, indicating the geographical origins or associations of individuals bearing this name.

Throughout its history, the surname DEMERY has been carried by numerous individuals from various walks of life, including nobles, clergy, diplomats, architects, and ordinary citizens. While the exact origins and meanings may have evolved over time, the name remains a testament to the rich cultural and historical tapestry of France.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Demery families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Demery 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. Glamorgan leads with 61 Demerys recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.26x.

County Total Index
Glamorgan 61 33.26x
Middlesex 13 1.23x
Gloucestershire 11 5.32x
Bedfordshire 9 16.50x
Warwickshire 7 2.63x
Royal Navy 2 15.94x
Durham 1 0.32x
Hampshire 1 0.46x
Renfrewshire 1 1.22x
Shropshire 1 1.10x
Yorkshire 1 0.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Clase in Glamorgan leads with 22 Demerys recorded in 1881 and an index of 322.58x.

Place Total Index
Clase 22 322.58x
Briton Ferry 20 913.24x
Bedford St Mary 8 571.43x
Mangotsfield 8 388.35x
Neath 5 134.05x
St John Near Swansea 5 220.26x
Swansea St Thomas 5 271.74x
Aston 4 5.47x
Bethnal Green London 4 8.74x
St Botolph Aldgate London 4 184.33x
Birmingham 3 3.39x
Bitton Oldland 3 142.18x
Bromley London 3 12.94x
Llanwonno 2 30.35x
Mile End Old Town London 2 8.92x
Royal Navy 2 18.64x
Swansea Town 2 13.30x
Bedford St Paul 1 26.74x
Bournmoor 1 204.08x
Doncaster 1 13.11x
Greenock Oldor West 1 454.55x
Hinstock 1 322.58x
Portsmouth 1 20.12x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 9
Margaret 6
Ann 4
Elizabeth 4
Alice 3
Caroline 2
Eliza 2
Hariet 2
Harriet 2
Kate 2
Sarah 2
Susan 2
Adelaide 1
Annie 1
Ellen 1
Esther 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Georgina 1
Gertrude 1
Jane 1
Louise 1
Martha 1
Oliff 1
Rachel 1
Rosetta 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Demery surname: questions and answers

How common was the Demery surname in 1881?

In 1881, 107 people were recorded with the Demery surname. That placed it at #18,982 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Demery surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 238 in 2016. That gives Demery a modern rank of #17,361.

What does the Demery surname mean?

A French toponymic surname derived from a place name meaning "of Émérie," likely referring to a town or village.

What does the Demery map show?

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