NameCensus.

UK surname

Devereux

A surname derived from a Norman place name meaning "estate of the Evreux family".

In the 1881 census there were 808 people recorded with the Devereux surname, ranking it #4,617 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,152, ranked #3,004, up from #4,617 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Arlsey, London parishes and Tewkesbury. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Central Bedfordshire, Barrow-in-Furness and Powys.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Devereux is 2,239 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 166.3%.

1881 census count

808

Ranked #4,617

Modern count

2,152

2016, ranked #3,004

Peak year

2010

2,239 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Devereux had 808 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,617 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,152 in 2016, ranked #3,004.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,395 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Devereux surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Devereux surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Devereux 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 467 #5,314
1861 historical 323 #7,888
1881 historical 808 #4,617
1891 historical 669 #5,825
1901 historical 1,334 #3,753
1911 historical 1,395 #3,463
1997 modern 2,073 #2,966
1998 modern 2,119 #3,016
1999 modern 2,127 #3,031
2000 modern 2,160 #2,967
2001 modern 2,128 #2,951
2002 modern 2,188 #2,934
2003 modern 2,119 #2,959
2004 modern 2,098 #2,983
2005 modern 2,076 #2,975
2006 modern 2,054 #3,014
2007 modern 2,106 #2,981
2008 modern 2,118 #2,983
2009 modern 2,180 #2,974
2010 modern 2,239 #2,970
2011 modern 2,177 #3,004
2012 modern 2,145 #2,981
2013 modern 2,150 #3,033
2014 modern 2,159 #3,045
2015 modern 2,158 #3,008
2016 modern 2,152 #3,004

Geography

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Where Devereux' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Arlsey, London parishes, Tewkesbury and Campton with Shefford, Shefford Hardwick, Chicksands. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Central Bedfordshire, Barrow-in-Furness, Powys and East Lindsey. 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 Arlsey Bedfordshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Tewkesbury Gloucestershire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Campton with Shefford, Shefford Hardwick, Chicksands Bedfordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Central Bedfordshire 010 Central Bedfordshire
2 Barrow-in-Furness 008 Barrow-in-Furness
3 Powys 015 Powys
4 Central Bedfordshire 013 Central Bedfordshire
5 East Lindsey 011 East Lindsey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Devereux

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Devereux

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Devereux 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

Devereux is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Devereux falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Devereux

The surname Devereux originated in Normandy, France, during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old French words "de" meaning "of" and "Evereux", an ancient town now known as Évreux in the Normandy region of northern France. The name suggests a connection to this locality, possibly indicating the family's place of origin or residence.

One of the earliest documented references to the Devereux surname can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners and properties in England compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. This suggests that individuals bearing this surname likely arrived in England during or shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066.

The Devereux family quickly established themselves as prominent landowners and influential figures in England. Robert Devereux (c. 1090-1159) was a Norman nobleman who served as Lord of Whitchurch in Shropshire and played a significant role in the conquest and settlement of Wales during the reign of King Henry I.

In the 13th century, William Devereux (c. 1210-1277) was a distinguished military commander who fought alongside King Edward I in the Welsh Wars and the Ninth Crusade. His son, Walter Devereux (c. 1245-1313), was appointed Lord High Constable of England and served as a trusted advisor to King Edward I.

The Devereux family continued to hold positions of power and influence throughout the medieval and Renaissance periods. Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex (1566-1601), was a prominent courtier and military leader during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He played a pivotal role in the English campaign against the Irish rebellion and was later executed for treason against the crown.

Another notable figure was Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex (1591-1646), who fought for the Parliamentarian cause during the English Civil War. He served as a commander in the Parliamentary army and was a staunch opponent of King Charles I.

The Devereux surname has been associated with various places throughout England, including Devereux Wootton in Staffordshire, Deverill in Wiltshire, and Devereux Barony in County Wexford, Ireland, which was granted to the family for their services during the Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Devereux families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Devereux 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 126 Devereux' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.34x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 126 1.34x
Bedfordshire 114 27.83x
Middlesex 91 1.15x
Suffolk 65 6.75x
Surrey 58 1.50x
Gloucestershire 45 2.90x
Warwickshire 38 1.90x
Pembrokeshire 33 13.13x
Staffordshire 32 1.20x
Worcestershire 31 3.00x
Glamorgan 27 1.96x
Norfolk 23 1.89x
Hampshire 19 1.17x
Buckinghamshire 16 3.35x
Kent 16 0.59x
Carmarthenshire 13 3.90x
Shropshire 10 1.46x
Yorkshire 8 0.10x
Caernarfonshire 7 2.19x
Northamptonshire 6 0.81x
Herefordshire 5 1.54x
Sussex 5 0.37x
Leicestershire 4 0.46x
Berkshire 3 0.51x
Devon 3 0.18x
Royal Navy 3 3.18x
Cambridgeshire 2 0.40x
Durham 2 0.09x
Oxfordshire 2 0.41x
Cumberland 1 0.15x
Essex 1 0.06x
Hertfordshire 1 0.18x
Northumberland 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 53 Devereux' recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.30x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 53 9.30x
Campton 30 2000.00x
Tewkesbury 25 180.51x
Arlesey 24 464.22x
Shillington 23 381.43x
Aston 20 3.64x
Birmingham 18 2.71x
Bury St Edmunds St Mary 16 88.50x
Hackney London 16 3.61x
Battersea 15 5.15x
Everton 13 4.35x
Bethnal Green London 12 3.49x
Newton In Makerfield 11 38.26x
Rhyndwyclydach 11 115.06x
Aspley Guise 10 255.10x
Norwich St George Colegate 10 226.24x
Ombersley 10 173.91x
Pembrey 10 65.23x
Hammersmith London 9 4.62x
Henlow 9 355.73x
Sandhurst 9 720.00x
St George Hanover Square 9 6.46x
Wavertree 9 29.95x
Christchurch 8 22.75x
Claines 8 28.22x
Islington London 8 1.04x
Roch 8 551.72x
Rushall 8 50.92x
Toxteth Park 8 2.52x
Bangor 7 22.69x
Barnham 7 564.52x
Hardwick 7 1296.30x
Icklingham 7 608.70x
Ipswich St Mary Stoke 7 78.30x
Newington 7 2.40x
Swansea Town 7 6.20x
Aldershot 6 11.05x
Bury St Edmunds St James 6 23.31x
Chatham 6 8.08x
Clapham 6 6.07x
Leigh 6 47.85x
Luton 6 8.46x
Pembroke St Mary 6 18.53x
Southwark Christchurch 6 16.19x
St Pancras London 6 0.94x
Stoke Upon Trent 6 2.12x
Treffgarn 6 2000.00x
Wycombe 6 16.83x
Accrington 5 5.86x
Bedford 5 25.46x
Bedford St Peter 5 46.99x
Camberwell 5 0.99x
Cheddleton 5 89.45x
Clifton 5 6.37x
Fornham St Martin 5 595.24x
Llanwonno 5 10.10x
Lowestoft 5 10.98x
Salford 5 1.81x
St Marylebone London 5 1.18x
Towerof London London 5 199.20x
Beccles 4 25.79x
Bridgnorth St Mary 4 59.97x
Dawley 4 16.08x
Eton 4 36.90x
Halifax 4 3.48x
Leicester All Sts 4 23.22x
Manchester 4 0.95x
Pirbright 4 204.08x
Rotherhithe 4 4.09x
Shoreditch London 4 1.17x
St Anne Soho London 4 8.85x
Starston 4 289.86x
Wellingborough 4 10.69x
Wolverhampton 4 1.95x
Camrose 3 125.00x
Carmarthen St Ishmael 3 85.23x
Deptford St Paul 3 1.44x
Kidderminster Borough 3 4.96x
Reigate Borough 3 33.75x
Steynton 3 36.90x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 47
John 41
James 36
Thomas 27
George 26
Charles 18
Alfred 12
Arthur 12
Frederick 12
Henry 10
Joseph 10
Samuel 9
Walter 9
Edward 8
Albert 7
Harry 7
Richard 6
Ernest 5
Philip 5
Frank 4
Michael 4
Edwin 3
Fredrick 3
Patrick 3
Robert 3
Willm. 3
Benjamin 2
Daniel 2
Earnest 2
Edmund 2
Edwd. 2
Francis 2
Geo. 2
Herbert 2
Howard 2
Isaac 2
Martin 2
Nicholas 2
Robt. 2
Wm. 2
Chas. 1
Cornelius 1
Frances 1
Fred 1
Fred.C. 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Jas. 1
Job 1
Wm.E. 1

FAQ

Devereux surname: questions and answers

How common was the Devereux surname in 1881?

In 1881, 808 people were recorded with the Devereux surname. That placed it at #4,617 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Devereux surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,152 in 2016. That gives Devereux a modern rank of #3,004.

What does the Devereux surname mean?

A surname derived from a Norman place name meaning "estate of the Evreux family".

What does the Devereux map show?

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