NameCensus.

UK surname

Essery

A surname believed to be derived from a place name in England, possibly Essex.

In the 1881 census there were 290 people recorded with the Essery surname, ranking it #9,946 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 366, ranked #12,690, down from #9,946 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sefton, Stafford and Newport.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Essery is 407 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 26.2%.

1881 census count

290

Ranked #9,946

Modern count

366

2016, ranked #12,690

Peak year

1999

407 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Essery had 290 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,946 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 366 in 2016, ranked #12,690.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 382 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Essery surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Essery surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Essery 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 203 #10,291
1861 historical 192 #12,423
1881 historical 290 #9,946
1891 historical 325 #10,426
1901 historical 379 #9,841
1911 historical 382 #9,615
1997 modern 361 #11,892
1998 modern 400 #11,335
1999 modern 407 #11,305
2000 modern 381 #11,814
2001 modern 382 #11,606
2002 modern 379 #11,913
2003 modern 376 #11,791
2004 modern 371 #11,914
2005 modern 368 #11,926
2006 modern 371 #11,916
2007 modern 372 #12,032
2008 modern 373 #12,104
2009 modern 390 #11,950
2010 modern 392 #12,186
2011 modern 399 #11,882
2012 modern 382 #12,127
2013 modern 386 #12,243
2014 modern 379 #12,483
2015 modern 373 #12,519
2016 modern 366 #12,690

Geography

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Where Esserys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton, London parishes, Portsmouth, Portsea and St Woollos (incl. Newport). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sefton, Stafford, Newport, North Devon and Harlow. 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 Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton Devon
3 London parishes London 3
4 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
5 St Woollos (incl. Newport) Monmouthshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sefton 024 Sefton
2 Stafford 016 Stafford
3 Newport 003 Newport
4 North Devon 008 North Devon
5 Harlow 010 Harlow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Essery

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Essery

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

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Essery surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Essery household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Essery is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Essery is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Essery

The surname ESSERY is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, specifically in the county of Lincolnshire. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "esra," which means "water meadow" or "marshy ground." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived near a low-lying, damp area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls, which were a series of administrative records from the late 13th century. In these rolls, the name appears as "de Esserya," indicating that it was likely a locational surname referring to a specific place called Essery.

During the 14th century, the name ESSERY appeared in various forms in other historical records, such as the Pipe Rolls and the Subsidy Rolls. These documents show variations in spelling, including "Esserie," "Essery," and "Esserye." This was common during that time period, as spelling was not yet standardized.

In the 16th century, there are records of an Edward Essery, born in 1542 in Lincolnshire, who was a member of the local gentry. Another notable figure with this surname was John Essery, born in 1617 in the village of Epworth, Lincolnshire. He was a prominent merchant and landowner in the area.

Moving into the 17th century, the name ESSERY appears in parish records and other documents across various counties in England, including Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, and Derbyshire. This suggests that the name had spread beyond its original Lincolnshire roots.

One individual of note from this period was William Essery, born in 1683 in Retford, Nottinghamshire. He was a respected scholar and author who wrote several treatises on theology and philosophy.

Another significant figure was Elizabeth Essery, born in 1721 in Yorkshire. She was a pioneering woman in the field of education and founded one of the first schools for girls in the region.

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the name ESSERY continued to be found in various parts of England, with individuals bearing this surname contributing to various fields, including agriculture, industry, and the arts.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Essery families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Essery 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. Devon leads with 130 Esserys recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.00x.

County Total Index
Devon 130 22.00x
Hampshire 23 3.95x
Middlesex 23 0.81x
Cornwall 22 6.85x
Monmouthshire 16 7.80x
Lancashire 10 0.30x
Bedfordshire 8 5.44x
Gloucestershire 8 1.44x
Somerset 8 1.75x
Warwickshire 8 1.12x
Glamorgan 7 1.42x
Kent 7 0.72x
Surrey 6 0.43x
Cheshire 5 0.80x
Northamptonshire 2 0.75x
Angus 1 0.38x
Essex 1 0.18x
Fife 1 0.60x
Lanarkshire 1 0.11x
Royal Navy 1 2.96x
Suffolk 1 0.29x
Sussex 1 0.21x
Yorkshire 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barnstaple in Devon leads with 30 Esserys recorded in 1881 and an index of 323.62x.

Place Total Index
Barnstaple 30 323.62x
Portsea 20 17.54x
Plymouth St Andrew 15 32.96x
East Stonehouse 14 120.27x
St Woollos 14 61.14x
Northam 10 232.02x
Bideford 8 126.38x
Inwardleigh 8 1600.00x
Kenwyn 8 95.24x
Poplar London 8 14.93x
Turvey 8 860.22x
Bromley London 7 11.21x
Tormoham 7 28.00x
Adisham 6 1363.64x
Bedminster 6 13.98x
Clifton 6 21.32x
Chester Holy Trinity 5 170.07x
Everton 5 4.66x
Leamington Priors 5 28.39x
Lynton 5 423.73x
Sheepwash 5 1250.00x
South Petherwin 5 625.00x
Swansea Town 5 12.34x
Exeter St Sidwell 4 29.56x
Little Torrington 4 769.23x
Monkleigh 4 769.23x
West Derby 4 4.06x
Birmingham 3 1.26x
Great Torrington 3 89.55x
St Mary Magdalene 3 127.12x
St Stephen 3 263.16x
Truro St Mary 3 111.11x
Abbotsham 2 434.78x
Camberwell 2 1.10x
Chiswick 2 12.89x
Croydon 2 2.61x
Instow 2 312.50x
Newport 2 20.43x
Northampton St Giles 2 19.67x
Penmaen 2 1666.67x
Pilton 2 102.56x
Portsmouth 2 14.93x
St Luke London 2 4.39x
Stoke Damerel 2 4.84x
Withycombe Rawleigh 2 64.94x
Abbas Temple Coombe 1 416.67x
Andover 1 18.18x
Brindle 1 86.21x
Bristol St Augustine 1 11.14x
Bristol St Stephen 1 68.97x
Chelsea London 1 1.17x
Colchester St Botolph 1 20.96x
Dartmouth Townstall 1 41.49x
Dundee 1 1.02x
East Teignmouth 1 41.32x
Forgan 1 31.06x
Great Barton 1 125.00x
Greenwich 1 2.21x
Hastings St Mary 1 8.40x
Ilfracombe 1 16.45x
Kingston On Thames 1 3.01x
Kinning Park 1 769.23x
Milverton 1 59.17x
Richmond 1 5.16x
Royal Navy 1 3.46x
Shoreditch London 1 0.81x
Westminster St Margaret 1 7.30x
Whitechapel London 1 3.57x
York St Margaret 1 57.47x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 22
John 15
Henry 10
George 9
Thomas 8
Charles 7
Joseph 7
James 6
Richard 5
Albert 4
Alfred 4
Arthur 4
Frederick 4
Robert 4
Edmund 2
Edwin 2
Ernest 2
Fred 2
A. 1
Albt. 1
Aubrey 1
Authur 1
Benjamin 1
Bertie 1
Chas. 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Orlando 1
Oscar 1
Richd. 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Essery surname: questions and answers

How common was the Essery surname in 1881?

In 1881, 290 people were recorded with the Essery surname. That placed it at #9,946 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Essery surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 366 in 2016. That gives Essery a modern rank of #12,690.

What does the Essery surname mean?

A surname believed to be derived from a place name in England, possibly Essex.

What does the Essery map show?

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