NameCensus.

UK surname

Dray

A surname derived from the Old English term for a carter, driver or drawer of vehicles.

In the 1881 census there were 675 people recorded with the Dray surname, ranking it #5,339 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 984, ranked #5,874, down from #5,339 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lewisham, London parishes and Withyham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Gravesham, Cornwall and Shepway.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dray is 1,055 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 45.8%.

1881 census count

675

Ranked #5,339

Modern count

984

2016, ranked #5,874

Peak year

1999

1,055 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dray had 675 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,339 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 984 in 2016, ranked #5,874.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,037 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Dray surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dray surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Dray 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 468 #5,304
1861 historical 497 #5,262
1881 historical 675 #5,339
1891 historical 839 #4,858
1901 historical 901 #5,144
1911 historical 1,037 #4,428
1997 modern 1,011 #5,446
1998 modern 1,043 #5,474
1999 modern 1,055 #5,459
2000 modern 1,054 #5,450
2001 modern 1,034 #5,442
2002 modern 1,054 #5,455
2003 modern 1,032 #5,454
2004 modern 997 #5,617
2005 modern 957 #5,747
2006 modern 950 #5,794
2007 modern 977 #5,713
2008 modern 972 #5,773
2009 modern 987 #5,831
2010 modern 1,017 #5,805
2011 modern 989 #5,874
2012 modern 993 #5,768
2013 modern 1,016 #5,750
2014 modern 1,019 #5,774
2015 modern 987 #5,872
2016 modern 984 #5,874

Geography

Back to top

Where Drays are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lewisham, London parishes, Withyham, Hythe St Leonard, Cheriton, Newington, Saltwood, West Hythe, Burmarsh and Hawkinge, Folkestone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Gravesham, Cornwall, Shepway and Teignbridge. 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 Lewisham London (South Districts)
2 London parishes London 3
3 Withyham Sussex
4 Hythe St Leonard, Cheriton, Newington, Saltwood, West Hythe, Burmarsh Kent
5 Hawkinge, Folkestone Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Gravesham 010 Gravesham
2 Cornwall 033 Cornwall
3 Shepway 005 Shepway
4 Teignbridge 003 Teignbridge
5 Shepway 010 Shepway

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Dray

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Dray

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Dray is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Dray is most concentrated in decile 9 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dray falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Dray

The surname Dray originated in England during the medieval period, likely derived from the Old English word "draeg," meaning a carrying device or a sled. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who worked as a drayman, transporting goods on a dray or cart.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Dray can be traced back to the 13th century. One notable reference is found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, which mentions a Thomas Dray. This document provides valuable insights into the distribution of surnames during that era.

In the 14th century, the surname Dray appeared in various historical records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, which listed a John Drey. The variations in spelling, like Drey and Dray, were common during this period due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions.

The Dray surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest was William Dray, a monk and scholar who lived in the late 14th century and authored several theological works. Another notable figure was John Dray, a prominent merchant who lived in Bristol in the 16th century and played a significant role in the city's trade and commerce.

During the 17th century, the Dray surname gained further prominence. Thomas Dray, born in 1620, was a renowned English clergyman and author who wrote several religious texts. Additionally, Edward Dray, born in 1665, was a respected lawyer and judge who served as a justice of the King's Bench.

In the 18th century, the Dray surname continued to be represented across various professions. One notable figure was Samuel Dray, born in 1745, who was a highly regarded architect and designed several notable buildings in London.

The 19th century saw the rise of several prominent individuals with the Dray surname. One of the most notable was William Dray, born in 1827, who was a renowned explorer and author. He published several books detailing his travels and adventures in various parts of the world.

These examples illustrate the rich history and diversity of the Dray surname, which has been carried by individuals from various walks of life throughout the centuries. While the name's origins can be traced back to medieval England, its legacy has extended far beyond its initial geographical boundaries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Dray families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dray 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. Kent leads with 354 Drays recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.80x.

County Total Index
Kent 354 15.80x
Sussex 90 8.13x
Middlesex 80 1.22x
Surrey 58 1.81x
Devon 14 1.02x
Hampshire 14 1.04x
Yorkshire 14 0.22x
Hertfordshire 13 2.87x
Lancashire 9 0.12x
Glamorgan 5 0.44x
Nottinghamshire 5 0.57x
Essex 4 0.31x
Cornwall 3 0.40x
Brecknockshire 2 1.52x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.25x
Durham 1 0.05x
Gloucestershire 1 0.08x
Leicestershire 1 0.14x
Midlothian 1 0.11x
Northumberland 1 0.10x
Royal Navy 1 1.28x
Somerset 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. Withyam in Sussex leads with 26 Drays recorded in 1881 and an index of 548.52x.

Place Total Index
Withyam 26 548.52x
Folkestone 24 55.24x
Hythe St Leonard 23 290.77x
Lewisham 22 18.42x
Brighton 19 8.51x
St Peters 18 173.75x
Camberwell 16 3.82x
Ruckinge 16 1797.75x
St Pancras London 16 3.03x
Islington London 13 2.04x
Maidstone 12 17.99x
Plumstead 12 16.07x
Higham 11 364.24x
Mile End Old Town London 11 7.87x
Speldhurst 11 96.49x
Orlestone 10 1075.27x
Ramsgate 10 27.35x
Sellinge 10 684.93x
Shoreditch London 10 3.51x
Portsea 9 3.41x
Ashford 8 36.68x
Battersea 8 3.31x
Harpenden 8 115.94x
Lambeth 8 1.40x
Little Mongeham 8 2051.28x
Tonbridge 8 9.90x
Wavertree 8 32.09x
Alkham 7 542.64x
Bromley 7 20.50x
Eastchurch 7 316.74x
Heathfield 7 155.90x
Portslade 7 103.40x
Saltwood 7 448.72x
Bentham 6 120.97x
Burmarsh 6 1500.00x
Deptford St Nicholas 6 33.75x
Exeter St David 6 51.41x
Ospringe 6 217.39x
Sevenoaks 6 33.04x
Strood 6 46.95x
Wittersham 6 300.00x
Battle 5 66.93x
Bethnal Green London 5 1.75x
Bulwell 5 25.99x
Burwash 5 97.47x
Canterbury St Mildred 5 94.16x
Canterbury St Peter 5 197.63x
Croydon 5 2.82x
Darfield 5 84.46x
Farningham 5 250.00x
Guildford Holy Trinity 5 81.97x
Stoke 5 33.13x
Barnstaple 4 18.65x
Buckland In Dover 4 53.91x
Canterbury St George 4 148.70x
Erith 4 18.12x
Hastings St Andrew 4 100.76x
Hertford All Saints 4 158.10x
Littlehampton 4 45.25x
Merthyr Tydfil 4 3.64x
Alverstoke 3 6.16x
Enfield 3 6.97x
Fordwich 3 588.24x
Hastings St Leonards 3 18.44x
Isleworth 3 10.28x
Kensington London 3 0.82x
Preston 3 15.52x
Wateringbury 3 102.39x
Ashburnham 2 114.94x
Bermondsey 2 1.02x
Chiddingly 2 100.50x
Chilham 2 62.70x
Deal 2 10.47x
Frindsbury 2 23.70x
Gillingham 2 4.33x
South Shoebury 2 38.46x
Southwark Christchurch 2 6.50x
St Minver 2 88.11x
Wandsworth 2 3.16x
Westminster St James 2 2.96x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 38
Sarah 27
Elizabeth 22
Emma 14
Emily 13
Alice 12
Ellen 10
Kate 10
Fanny 9
Eliza 8
Ann 6
Annie 6
Florence 6
Frances 6
Ada 5
Jane 5
Rebecca 5
Sophia 5
Agnes 4
Caroline 4
Catherine 4
Edith 4
Margaret 4
Maria 4
Martha 4
Rose 4
Amy 3
Charlotte 3
Harriet 3
Isabella 3
Jessie 3
Lydia 3
Olive 3
Phoebe 3
Rosa 3
Amelia 2
Anne 2
Augusta 2
Bessie 2
Clara 2
Flora 2
Grace 2
Harriett 2
Henrietta 2
Infant 2
Jemima 2
Julia 2
Laura 2
Elth. 1
Sussanna 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Dray surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dray surname in 1881?

In 1881, 675 people were recorded with the Dray surname. That placed it at #5,339 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dray surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 984 in 2016. That gives Dray a modern rank of #5,874.

What does the Dray surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old English term for a carter, driver or drawer of vehicles.

What does the Dray map show?

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