NameCensus.

UK surname

Dyre

A surname derived from the Old Norse word "dyr" meaning "animal" or "beast".

In the 1881 census there were 26 people recorded with the Dyre surname, ranking it #29,911 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 6, ranked #38,110, down from #29,911 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ruabon, Stockport and Kemsing. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dyre is 105 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 76.9%.

1881 census count

26

Ranked #29,911

Modern count

6

2016, ranked #38,110

Peak year

1861

105 bearers

Map years

2

1861 to 1891

Key insights

  • Dyre had 26 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,911 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 6 in 2016, ranked #38,110.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 105 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is No data.

Dyre surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dyre surname density by area, 1891 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dyre 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 55 #23,413
1861 historical 105 #20,298
1881 historical 26 #29,911
1891 historical 105 #23,241
1901 historical 37 #30,009
1911 historical 20 #31,288
1997 modern 12 #36,785
1998 modern 4 #38,082
1999 modern 6 #37,696
2000 modern 1 #38,790
2001 modern 1 #38,647
2002 modern 3 #38,152
2003 modern 5 #37,750
2004 modern 6 #37,655
2005 modern 5 #37,885
2006 modern 4 #38,130
2007 modern 5 #38,004
2008 modern 7 #37,735
2009 modern 7 #37,816
2010 modern 8 #37,769
2011 modern 10 #37,504
2012 modern 9 #37,614
2013 modern 6 #38,049
2014 modern 7 #37,929
2015 modern 6 #38,076
2016 modern 6 #38,110

Geography

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Where Dyres are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ruabon, Stockport, Kemsing, Stretton-on-the-Foss and Ashford. 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.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Ruabon Denbighshire
2 Stockport Cheshire
3 Kemsing Kent
4 Stretton-on-the-Foss Warwickshire
5 Ashford Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 No data No data

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dyre

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dyre

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

No data

Group

No data

Nationally, the Dyre surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Dyre household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

No data

Group

No data

Within London, Dyre 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

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Dyre is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Dyre

The surname DYRE is of English origin and can be traced back to the late medieval period, with the earliest known records dating from the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "deor," meaning "deer," suggesting that the name may have been initially given as a nickname to someone associated with deer, such as a hunter or a forester.

One of the earliest known references to the name DYRE can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were records of legal proceedings and taxation. In these rolls, a person named William Dyre is mentioned as residing in the county of Oxfordshire.

The DYRE surname is also documented in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327, which were tax records kept by the English government. In these rolls, a Robert Dyre is listed as a taxpayer in the county of Gloucestershire.

During the 15th century, the DYRE name appeared in the Paston Letters, a collection of correspondence between members of the Paston family in Norfolk, England. In one of the letters dated 1472, a John Dyre is mentioned as a servant of the Paston household.

In the 16th century, the DYRE surname is found in various parish records and court documents. One notable example is the case of Robert Dyre, who was born in 1534 in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Robert Dyre was a prominent figure in the town and served as a chamberlain and a member of the corporation.

Another notable individual with the DYRE surname was Sir Edward Dyre, a military officer and Member of Parliament who lived from 1590 to 1658. He played a significant role in the English Civil War and served as a Colonel in the Parliamentarian forces.

In the 17th century, the DYRE name was also present in the American colonies. One of the earliest recorded individuals was William Dyre, who was born in England in 1609 and immigrated to Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1630s. He later became a prominent citizen of Newport, Rhode Island, and served as a Deputy Governor and Attorney General of the colony.

The DYRE surname has also been associated with various places and place names throughout history. For example, there is a village called Dyrham in Gloucestershire, which may have derived its name from the Old English word "deor," similar to the surname's origin.

While the above examples highlight some notable individuals and historical references associated with the DYRE surname, it is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, and there may be other significant figures or records that have not been mentioned.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dyre families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dyre 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 7 Dyres recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.09x.

County Total Index
Kent 7 8.09x
Devon 5 9.47x
Yorkshire 5 1.99x
Derbyshire 3 7.56x
Worcestershire 3 9.06x
Angus 1 4.26x
Lancashire 1 0.33x
Renfrewshire 1 5.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kemsing in Kent leads with 7 Dyres recorded in 1881 and an index of 17500.00x.

Place Total Index
Kemsing 7 17500.00x
Marwood 4 5714.29x
Bushley 3 15000.00x
Handsworth 3 454.55x
Stapenhill 3 508.47x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 2 232.56x
Dundee 1 11.40x
Renfrew 1 153.85x
Stokeinteignhead 1 1666.67x
Widnes 1 46.08x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Jane 2
Eliza 1
Elizabeth 1
Emily 1
Francis 1
Lavinia 1
Lucy 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 4
Thomas 3
William 2
Charles 1
George 1
Isaac 1
James 1
Jesse 1
Michael 1

Top occupations

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 Dyre households.

FAQ

Dyre surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dyre surname in 1881?

In 1881, 26 people were recorded with the Dyre surname. That placed it at #29,911 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dyre surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 6 in 2016. That gives Dyre a modern rank of #38,110.

What does the Dyre surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old Norse word "dyr" meaning "animal" or "beast".

What does the Dyre map show?

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