NameCensus.

UK surname

Derrett

A locational surname indicating someone from a place whose name derived from the Old English for "deer park".

In the 1881 census there were 190 people recorded with the Derrett surname, ranking it #13,270 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 296, ranked #14,882, down from #13,270 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and North Nibley, Wotton-under-Edge. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newport, Wychavon and Malvern Hills.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Derrett is 336 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 55.8%.

1881 census count

190

Ranked #13,270

Modern count

296

2016, ranked #14,882

Peak year

1998

336 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Derrett had 190 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,270 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 296 in 2016, ranked #14,882.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 253 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Derrett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Derrett surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Derrett 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 120 #15,144
1861 historical 130 #17,164
1881 historical 190 #13,270
1891 historical 230 #13,494
1901 historical 217 #14,381
1911 historical 253 #12,776
1997 modern 318 #13,024
1998 modern 336 #12,889
1999 modern 332 #13,075
2000 modern 319 #13,391
2001 modern 312 #13,392
2002 modern 318 #13,475
2003 modern 312 #13,467
2004 modern 310 #13,589
2005 modern 307 #13,625
2006 modern 310 #13,603
2007 modern 317 #13,532
2008 modern 307 #13,907
2009 modern 315 #13,960
2010 modern 320 #14,088
2011 modern 309 #14,322
2012 modern 298 #14,565
2013 modern 312 #14,332
2014 modern 305 #14,678
2015 modern 302 #14,687
2016 modern 296 #14,882

Geography

Back to top

Where Derretts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, North Nibley, Wotton-under-Edge, St Marylebone and Cheltenham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Newport, Wychavon, Malvern Hills, North Somerset and Thanet. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 3
3 North Nibley, Wotton-under-Edge Gloucestershire
4 St Marylebone London (North Districts)
5 Cheltenham Gloucestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Newport 001 Newport
2 Wychavon 019 Wychavon
3 Malvern Hills 005 Malvern Hills
4 North Somerset 004 North Somerset
5 Thanet 017 Thanet

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Derrett

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Derrett

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Derrett surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Derrett household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Derrett is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Derrett 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

Derrett falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Derrett is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Derrett

The surname Derrett is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to have emerged in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "deor" meaning "deer" and "hyrde" meaning "herd" or "keeper". This suggests that the name was initially given to someone who was responsible for tending to deer or worked as a deer-keeper in a forested area.

One of the earliest recordings of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, dated 1327, where it appears as "Willelmus Derethird". This entry provides evidence of the name's existence during the 14th century. Additionally, the Derrett surname is mentioned in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1384, indicating its presence in that region.

The Derrett family is believed to have originated in the county of Worcestershire, where they may have held lands or worked as deer-keepers in the local forests. Over time, different spellings of the name emerged, such as Derreth, Derith, and Derrith, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and record-keeping practices of the time.

Historical records indicate that the Derrett surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout the centuries. One such figure was John Derrett, born in 1675, who served as the High Sheriff of Worcestershire in 1711. Another prominent individual was Thomas Derrett, born in 1718, who was a renowned architect and surveyor in London during the 18th century.

In the 19th century, William Derrett, born in 1839, gained recognition as a successful businessman and philanthropist in the city of Birmingham. He founded the Derrett Charitable Trust, which continues to support various charitable causes to this day.

More recently, J. Duncan M. Derrett, born in 1922 and died in 2012, was a respected scholar of Roman law and Christian studies. He served as a professor at the University of London and authored several influential works in his field.

Another notable figure was Charles Derrett, born in 1927, who was a distinguished artist and painter known for his landscapes and portraits. His works have been exhibited in galleries across England and are held in private collections worldwide.

While the Derrett surname may not be as common as some others, it has a rich history and has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Derrett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Derrett 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. Gloucestershire leads with 104 Derretts recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.61x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 104 28.61x
Monmouthshire 22 16.42x
Middlesex 14 0.76x
Glamorgan 9 2.79x
Essex 7 1.91x
Worcestershire 7 2.89x
Devon 6 1.56x
Lanarkshire 5 0.83x
Staffordshire 5 0.80x
Bedfordshire 3 3.13x
Surrey 3 0.33x
Wiltshire 2 1.22x
Hampshire 1 0.26x
Somerset 1 0.34x
Warwickshire 1 0.21x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wotton Under Edge in Gloucestershire leads with 27 Derretts recorded in 1881 and an index of 1261.68x.

Place Total Index
Wotton Under Edge 27 1261.68x
Dursley 14 939.60x
Bristol St George 11 65.44x
Cheltenham 9 32.10x
St Woollos 9 60.20x
Westbury On Trym 9 73.11x
Cardiff St Mary 7 39.37x
Claines 7 105.42x
Kingswood 7 1186.44x
West Ham 7 8.67x
Bedwellty 6 25.37x
Llangeview 6 6000.00x
St Marylebone London 6 6.06x
Burton Upon Trent 5 34.15x
Old Monkland 5 21.02x
Plymouth Charles The 5 29.41x
Poplar London 5 14.29x
Churchdown 4 555.56x
Horfield 4 109.29x
Badgeworth 3 468.75x
Battersea 3 4.40x
Berkeley Hamfallow 3 454.55x
Bristol St Michael 3 96.15x
Gloucester St John Baptist 3 127.66x
Westminster St Margaret 3 33.56x
Llandaff 2 18.62x
Luton 2 12.04x
Stroud 2 28.29x
Swindon 2 15.74x
Barnwood 1 204.08x
Birmingham 1 0.64x
Cam 1 89.29x
Clevedon 1 32.26x
Devonport 1 22.57x
Houghton Regis 1 65.36x
Overton 1 109.89x
South Hamlet 1 44.44x
Stapleton 1 14.49x
Trevethin 1 7.91x
Whitcombe Magna 1 1000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 12
Ellen 7
Elizabeth 5
Annie 4
Emily 4
Lucy 4
Eliza 3
Jane 3
Martha 3
Sarah 3
Ann 2
Bertha 2
Elizth. 2
Emma 2
Fanny 2
Florence 2
Harriett 2
Margaret 2
Amelia 1
Caraline 1
Caroline 1
Charlotte 1
Claire 1
E. 1
E.L. 1
Edith 1
Effie 1
Emly 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
F. 1
Hannah 1
Helen 1
Henreitta 1
Infant 1
Jessie 1
L.E. 1
Laura 1
Lilly 1
Livina 1
Lizzie 1
Louisa 1
Lydia 1
M.M. 1
Mabel 1
Maria 1
Matilda 1
Norah 1
Rowena 1
Sopha 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 9
William 9
George 7
Charles 5
James 5
Thomas 5
Arthur 4
Henry 4
Edward 3
Frederick 3
Robert 3
Walter 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Herbert 2
Howard 2
Joseph 2
Benjamin 1
Christopher 1
Daniel 1
Frank 1
Lewis 1
R. 1
Ralph 1
Richd.C. 1
Rufus 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Stephen 1
Sydney 1
Vincent 1
Willm. 1
Wm.A. 1

FAQ

Derrett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Derrett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 190 people were recorded with the Derrett surname. That placed it at #13,270 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Derrett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 296 in 2016. That gives Derrett a modern rank of #14,882.

What does the Derrett surname mean?

A locational surname indicating someone from a place whose name derived from the Old English for "deer park".

What does the Derrett map show?

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