NameCensus.

UK surname

Facer

A surname referring to someone with a recognizable or prominent facial feature.

In the 1881 census there were 601 people recorded with the Facer surname, ranking it #5,826 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 769, ranked #7,138, down from #5,826 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Haddon, West, Rugby and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rugby, Richmondshire and Derbyshire Dales.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Facer is 883 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 28.0%.

1881 census count

601

Ranked #5,826

Modern count

769

2016, ranked #7,138

Peak year

1911

883 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Facer had 601 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,826 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 769 in 2016, ranked #7,138.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 883 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Suburban Professionals.

Facer surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Facer surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Facer 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 416 #5,842
1861 historical 428 #6,002
1881 historical 601 #5,826
1891 historical 687 #5,701
1901 historical 807 #5,591
1911 historical 883 #5,042
1997 modern 764 #6,783
1998 modern 790 #6,824
1999 modern 789 #6,872
2000 modern 771 #6,967
2001 modern 745 #7,021
2002 modern 741 #7,174
2003 modern 723 #7,203
2004 modern 717 #7,251
2005 modern 731 #7,091
2006 modern 742 #7,042
2007 modern 737 #7,158
2008 modern 749 #7,114
2009 modern 769 #7,108
2010 modern 775 #7,200
2011 modern 762 #7,220
2012 modern 767 #7,115
2013 modern 780 #7,118
2014 modern 771 #7,205
2015 modern 771 #7,149
2016 modern 769 #7,138

Geography

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Where Facers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Haddon, West, Rugby, London parishes, Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory and Houghton Regis. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rugby, Richmondshire, Derbyshire Dales and Shropshire. 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 Haddon, West Northamptonshire
2 Rugby Warwickshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory Northamptonshire
5 Houghton Regis Bedfordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rugby 006 Rugby
2 Richmondshire 005 Richmondshire
3 Rugby 011 Rugby
4 Derbyshire Dales 001 Derbyshire Dales
5 Shropshire 014 Shropshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Facer

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Facer

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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Suburban Professionals

Nationally, the Facer surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Suburban Professionals, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Facer household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Employment in this Group is typically in managerial and professional occupations, and education to degree level is common. Residents are typically of working age, many of whom identify with an Indian ethnicity. Households are unlikely to be of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities, and English is not the main language used in some households. This Group is found on the outskirts of most conurbations as well as in the suburbs of some free-standing towns.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Facer 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

Facer 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

Facer 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 Facer is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Facer

The surname Facer is believed to have originated in England, with its roots tracing back to the Middle English period, specifically the 13th or 14th century. The name is thought to be an occupational surname derived from the Old French word "facer," meaning "to do" or "to make." It likely referred to a skilled craftsman or maker of various goods.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hertfordshire Assize Rolls of 1285, where a certain John le Facer is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use by the late 13th century, potentially indicating an even earlier origin.

The Facer surname has also been linked to various place names in England, such as Fazackerley in Lancashire, which was recorded as Fazeakerlegh in the 13th century. This connection implies that some bearers of the name may have been associated with specific locations.

Interestingly, the Facer surname appears to have been more prevalent in certain regions of England, particularly in the northern counties. This is evidenced by records from the 16th and 17th centuries, where individuals with the name Facer can be found in places like Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Westmorland.

One notable figure from history bearing the Facer surname was John Facer (c. 1530-1590), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the rector of Burton Latimer in Northamptonshire during the latter half of the 16th century.

Another example is William Facer (1634-1712), a prominent English cartographer and surveyor who was responsible for creating detailed maps of various counties in England, including Middlesex and Surrey.

In the 18th century, we find Thomas Facer (1720-1795), a renowned clockmaker from Hertfordshire, whose intricate timepieces were highly sought after by the nobility and gentry of the time.

The 19th century saw the emergence of James Facer (1835-1899), a successful industrialist and entrepreneur from Yorkshire, who played a significant role in the development of the textile industry in the region.

Finally, one cannot overlook the contributions of Mary Facer (1878-1956), a pioneering British educator and advocate for women's rights, who fought tirelessly for equal opportunities in education and employment.

While the Facer surname may not be among the most common in modern times, its rich history and diverse origins across various regions of England serve as a testament to the fascinating stories and lives of those who bore this name throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Facer families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Facer 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. Northamptonshire leads with 145 Facers recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.21x.

County Total Index
Northamptonshire 145 26.21x
Warwickshire 67 4.52x
Leicestershire 56 8.59x
Bedfordshire 46 15.10x
Surrey 43 1.50x
Middlesex 40 0.68x
Yorkshire 39 0.67x
Buckinghamshire 32 9.00x
Worcestershire 21 2.73x
Lancashire 20 0.29x
Huntingdonshire 19 16.27x
Derbyshire 17 1.85x
Essex 9 0.78x
Staffordshire 8 0.40x
Lincolnshire 7 0.74x
Oxfordshire 7 1.93x
Montgomeryshire 6 4.45x
Kent 5 0.25x
Devon 4 0.33x
Berkshire 3 0.68x
Cambridgeshire 2 0.54x
Hertfordshire 2 0.49x
Royal Navy 2 2.85x
Sussex 2 0.20x
Gloucestershire 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. Rotherhithe in Surrey leads with 29 Facers recorded in 1881 and an index of 39.90x.

Place Total Index
Rotherhithe 29 39.90x
Thornby 22 5116.28x
Houghton Regis 20 411.52x
Duston 19 378.49x
Aston 18 4.41x
West Haddon 18 1005.59x
Birmingham 13 2.63x
Leicester St Mary 12 22.77x
Long Buckby 12 234.38x
Northampton St Sepulchre 12 42.63x
Hardingstone 11 208.33x
Horsforth 11 86.07x
Kings Norton 11 15.97x
Rugby 11 54.81x
Barrow Upon Soar 10 185.53x
Islington London 10 1.75x
Leicester St Margaret 10 6.29x
Alverthorpe Cum Thornes 9 42.51x
Northampton Priory St 9 27.11x
West Ham 9 3.51x
Houghton 8 776.70x
Houghton Conquest 8 640.00x
Kensington London 8 2.45x
Little Claybrooke 8 666.67x
Luton 8 15.17x
Quorndon 8 218.58x
Wavendon 8 406.09x
Denham 7 275.59x
Lambeth 7 1.36x
Louth 7 32.48x
Ampthill 6 131.87x
Bradwell 6 119.76x
Chesterfield 6 17.38x
Hunslet 6 6.60x
Kimbolton 6 243.90x
Litchurch 6 16.19x
Llanwnog 6 212.77x
Northampton All Sts 6 31.97x
Northampton St Giles 6 28.46x
Oxford St Clement 6 65.43x
Barby Cum Onley 5 434.78x
Crick 5 267.38x
Foleshill 5 32.03x
Great Little Marsden 5 15.64x
Greenwich 5 5.34x
Hillmorton 5 188.68x
Linslade 5 143.68x
Loughborough 5 16.90x
Openshaw 5 15.30x
St Neots 5 78.74x
Whalley 5 49.16x
Acton 4 11.60x
Bilton 4 116.96x
Coventry St Michael 4 8.39x
Fenny Stratford 4 119.05x
Gayton 4 344.83x
Northfield 4 27.45x
Sheffield 4 2.16x
St Marylebone London 4 1.27x
West Bromwich 4 3.52x
Burton Lazars 3 612.24x
Byfleet 3 117.65x
Castor 3 127.66x
Claines 3 14.23x
Floore 3 144.93x
Hammersmith London 3 2.07x
Kingswinford 3 4.16x
Repton 3 86.21x
Rotherham 3 9.13x
St Pancras London 3 0.63x
Stratford On Avon 3 36.45x
Wallingford St Mary Le 3 120.00x
Akeley 2 256.41x
Aspley Guise 2 68.49x
Blackburn 2 1.08x
Bowling 2 3.46x
Clerkenwell London 2 1.44x
Crediton 2 17.24x
Easenhall 2 392.16x
Guilsborough 2 136.05x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 49
John 30
Thomas 29
George 14
Alfred 13
James 11
Henry 10
Harry 8
Samuel 7
Albert 6
Benjamin 6
Joseph 6
Walter 6
Arthur 5
Charles 5
Frederick 4
Job 4
Charlie 3
David 3
Edward 3
Frank 3
Isaac 3
Richard 3
Thos. 3
Amos 2
Chas. 2
Edwin 2
Elijah 2
Henery 2
Jabez 2
Jacob 2
Roger 2
Wm. 2
Andrew 1
Augustus 1
Austin 1
Authur 1
Bonwell 1
Christian 1
Claude 1
Ernes 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Fred. 1
Horace 1
Horrace 1
Howard 1
Jem 1
John. 1
Wm.Henry 1

FAQ

Facer surname: questions and answers

How common was the Facer surname in 1881?

In 1881, 601 people were recorded with the Facer surname. That placed it at #5,826 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Facer surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 769 in 2016. That gives Facer a modern rank of #7,138.

What does the Facer surname mean?

A surname referring to someone with a recognizable or prominent facial feature.

What does the Facer map show?

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