NameCensus.

UK surname

Every

A surname indicating the person was a sheriff's officer or bailiff.

In the 1881 census there were 450 people recorded with the Every surname, ranking it #7,321 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 503, ranked #9,950, down from #7,321 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Portsmouth, Portsea and Llanelly. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Somerset, Stockton-on-Tees and Carmarthenshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Every is 656 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 11.8%.

1881 census count

450

Ranked #7,321

Modern count

503

2016, ranked #9,950

Peak year

1911

656 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Every had 450 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,321 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 503 in 2016, ranked #9,950.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 656 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Every surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Every surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Every 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 367 #6,469
1861 historical 373 #6,841
1881 historical 450 #7,321
1891 historical 528 #7,101
1901 historical 584 #7,219
1911 historical 656 #6,401
1997 modern 557 #8,579
1998 modern 587 #8,518
1999 modern 575 #8,686
2000 modern 575 #8,648
2001 modern 563 #8,654
2002 modern 578 #8,658
2003 modern 544 #8,922
2004 modern 531 #9,100
2005 modern 496 #9,499
2006 modern 491 #9,600
2007 modern 494 #9,654
2008 modern 499 #9,646
2009 modern 524 #9,516
2010 modern 518 #9,778
2011 modern 531 #9,524
2012 modern 515 #9,663
2013 modern 515 #9,804
2014 modern 510 #9,945
2015 modern 505 #9,933
2016 modern 503 #9,950

Geography

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Where Everys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Portsmouth, Portsea, Llanelly, St Mary Islington and Bleadon. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Somerset, Stockton-on-Tees, Carmarthenshire and Bassetlaw. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
3 Llanelly Carmarthenshire
4 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)
5 Bleadon Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Somerset 024 South Somerset
2 Stockton-on-Tees 010 Stockton-on-Tees
3 Carmarthenshire 026 Carmarthenshire
4 Bassetlaw 015 Bassetlaw
5 Carmarthenshire 021 Carmarthenshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Every

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Every

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Every 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

Every 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

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

Meaning and origin of Every

The surname Every is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "efre," which means "always" or "ever." This suggests that the name may have initially been used as a nickname or descriptive term for someone who was always present or constantly available.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Every can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Euerie" in this historical record, indicating its presence in England during the 11th century.

In the 13th century, the name Every was also found in various legal documents and records, such as the Curia Regis Rolls and the Feet of Fines. These mentions provide evidence of the name's continued use and establishment in different parts of England.

Among the notable individuals bearing the surname Every throughout history are:

1. John Every (c. 1545-1589), an English Puritan minister and author. 2. Simon Every (1576-1632), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Master of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. 3. Henry Every (c. 1653-1696), a notorious English pirate who became known as "The King of the Pirates" and terrorized ships in the Indian Ocean during the late 17th century. 4. William Every (1719-1804), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for East Looe from 1768 to 1784. 5. Sir Henry Every (1828-1909), a British diplomat and colonial administrator who served as the Governor of the Straits Settlements from 1867 to 1873.

The name Every has also been associated with various place names and localities in England. For example, the village of Evered in Suffolk was once known as "Everedes" or "Everedes Maner," which may be related to the surname Every or its earlier variations.

While the surname Every is not among the most common surnames in England, it has a rich history that can be traced back to the medieval period, with several notable individuals bearing this name throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Every families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Every 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 66 Everys recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.26x.

County Total Index
Devon 66 7.26x
Somerset 60 8.53x
Middlesex 51 1.17x
Lancashire 47 0.91x
Surrey 40 1.88x
Cornwall 29 5.86x
Sussex 26 3.53x
Carmarthenshire 24 13.03x
Hampshire 19 2.12x
Dorset 10 3.49x
Monmouthshire 10 3.17x
Wiltshire 10 2.59x
Warwickshire 9 0.82x
Yorkshire 9 0.21x
Gloucestershire 8 0.93x
Essex 6 0.70x
Cheshire 4 0.41x
Leicestershire 4 0.83x
Glamorgan 3 0.39x
Kent 3 0.20x
Royal Navy 3 5.76x
Durham 2 0.15x
Berkshire 1 0.30x
Cumberland 1 0.27x
Derbyshire 1 0.15x
Hertfordshire 1 0.33x
Norfolk 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bleadon in Somerset leads with 24 Everys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2580.65x.

Place Total Index
Bleadon 24 2580.65x
Llanelly 24 57.86x
Portsea 17 9.68x
Battersea 16 9.95x
Stoke Damerel 15 23.56x
Everton 12 7.26x
Islington London 12 2.83x
Lambeth 12 3.15x
Lidford 12 293.40x
Brighton 10 6.73x
Madron Penzance 9 50.03x
Monmouth 9 107.40x
Salford 9 5.90x
Shadwell London 8 65.41x
East Stonehouse 7 39.06x
Maker 7 153.17x
Paull 7 853.66x
St Pancras London 7 1.99x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 6 7.43x
Great Bolton 6 8.73x
Hammersmith London 6 5.57x
Sixpenny Handley 6 428.57x
Stoke Newington London 6 17.63x
Birmingham 5 1.36x
Bishops Cannings 5 349.65x
Buckland St Mary 5 549.45x
Eastbourne 5 14.75x
Exeter St Sidwell 5 24.00x
Hastings St Mary In The 5 31.81x
Kensington London 5 2.06x
Otterford 5 819.67x
Yarcombe 5 480.77x
Accrington 4 8.49x
Bishopstone 4 217.39x
Chilvers Coton 4 88.30x
Chipping Ongar 4 270.27x
Landulph 4 526.32x
Leicester St Mary 4 10.22x
Montacute 4 310.08x
Portland 4 25.94x
Southwark St George Martyr 4 4.55x
Woking 4 31.18x
Ashton Under Lyne 3 2.65x
Exeter St Mary Major 3 54.74x
Honiton 3 59.64x
Lewes St John Southover 3 60.61x
Roath 3 8.68x
Royal Navy 3 6.74x
Spotland 3 5.20x
Taunton St James 3 29.24x
Tormoham 3 7.79x
Upottery 3 275.23x
Walcot 3 8.01x
Camberwell 2 0.72x
Chelsea London 2 1.52x
Churchstanton 2 178.57x
Clifton 2 4.62x
Dukinfield 2 4.49x
Fowey 2 88.11x
Great Crosby 2 14.14x
Huntspill 2 69.44x
Ilminster 2 40.73x
Kenwyn 2 15.46x
Lewes St Ann 2 79.68x
Moorlinch Stawell 2 769.23x
North Meols 2 3.94x
Plymouth Charles The 2 4.99x
Plympton St Mary 2 38.02x
Street 2 52.49x
Strood 2 23.50x
Tottington Lower End 2 8.12x
Westminster St Margaret 2 9.49x
Abergavenny 1 8.45x
Colchester St Botolph 1 13.62x
Harrow On The Hill 1 11.45x
Newbottle 1 14.08x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 1.43x
St Clement 1 19.38x
Winscombe 1 52.63x
Withington 1 5.99x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 23
Elizabeth 18
Ellen 10
Jane 9
Sarah 9
Alice 8
Ann 8
Emma 7
Louisa 7
Annie 5
Catherine 5
Eliza 5
Emily 5
Caroline 4
Harriett 4
Kate 4
Mabel 4
Margaret 4
Ada 3
Fanny 3
Maria 3
Amelia 2
Amy 2
Beatrice 2
Bessie 2
Charlotte 2
Cissie 2
Clara 2
Edith 2
Elisabeth 2
Elizbeth 2
Elizth. 2
Esther 2
Florence 2
Hannah 2
Lily 2
Lucy 2
Martha 2
Millicent 2
Sophia 2
An 1
Betrice 1
Betsy 1
Dorothy 1
Elizt. 1
Grace 1
Harriet 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Veneranda 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 30
William 20
Alfred 17
James 17
George 15
Henry 13
Arthur 10
Thomas 9
Edward 8
Samuel 7
Charles 6
Frederick 6
Robert 6
Albert 4
Joseph 4
Oswald 4
Ernest 3
David 2
Frank 2
Harry 2
Herbert 2
Richard 2
Walter 2
Wm. 2
Chas. 1
Chas.J. 1
Christopher 1
Edgar 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Eli 1
Esau 1
Evan 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Horatio 1
Job 1
Joe 1
Jos. 1
Llewellyn 1
Louis 1
Luke 1
Martin 1
Nicholas 1
Oliver 1
Page 1
Reginald 1
Ruben 1
S.F. 1

FAQ

Every surname: questions and answers

How common was the Every surname in 1881?

In 1881, 450 people were recorded with the Every surname. That placed it at #7,321 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Every surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 503 in 2016. That gives Every a modern rank of #9,950.

What does the Every surname mean?

A surname indicating the person was a sheriff's officer or bailiff.

What does the Every map show?

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