UK surname
A French occupational surname derived from the word "faire," meaning to do or make.
In the 1881 census there were 55 people recorded with the Faire surname, ranking it #25,862 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 36, ranked #35,648, down from #25,862 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Alkmund, St Werburgh and Portsmouth, Portsea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Faire is 107 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 34.5%.
1881 census count
55
Ranked #25,862
Modern count
36
2016, ranked #35,648
Peak year
1891
107 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Faire surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Faire surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 17 | #30,267 |
| 1861 | historical | 52 | #27,369 |
| 1881 | historical | 55 | #25,862 |
| 1891 | historical | 107 | #22,967 |
| 1901 | historical | 78 | #25,500 |
| 1911 | historical | 73 | #25,541 |
| 1997 | modern | 28 | #34,904 |
| 1998 | modern | 30 | #34,833 |
| 1999 | modern | 28 | #35,127 |
| 2000 | modern | 27 | #35,188 |
| 2001 | modern | 26 | #35,152 |
| 2002 | modern | 29 | #35,030 |
| 2003 | modern | 25 | #35,471 |
| 2004 | modern | 28 | #35,354 |
| 2005 | modern | 26 | #35,674 |
| 2006 | modern | 26 | #35,822 |
| 2007 | modern | 31 | #35,592 |
| 2008 | modern | 35 | #35,441 |
| 2009 | modern | 36 | #35,496 |
| 2010 | modern | 36 | #35,620 |
| 2011 | modern | 35 | #35,659 |
| 2012 | modern | 45 | #35,105 |
| 2013 | modern | 44 | #35,222 |
| 2014 | modern | 40 | #35,454 |
| 2015 | modern | 35 | #35,702 |
| 2016 | modern | 36 | #35,648 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Alkmund, St Werburgh, Portsmouth, Portsea, Forcett (Barforth), Wycliffe and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. 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.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Alkmund | Derbyshire |
| 2 | St Werburgh | Derbyshire |
| 3 | Portsmouth, Portsea | Hampshire |
| 4 | Forcett (Barforth), Wycliffe | Durham |
| 5 | Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars | Leicestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Faire surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Faire, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Faire surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Faire household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Faire 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
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Faire is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Faire, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "FAIRE" is believed to have originated in France, and its earliest recorded use dates back to the 12th century. The name is derived from the Old French word "foire," which means "fair" or "market." It is thought that the name was initially given to someone who lived near a fair or market.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "FAIRE" can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners and their estates in England compiled by order of William the Conqueror in 1086. The name is listed as "de la Foire," which is the Norman French version of the name.
In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "de la Faire," "de la Feyre," and "de la Fere," reflecting the different spellings and dialects of the time. Some of these variations may have been influenced by place names, such as the town of Fere in Picardy, France.
Notable historical figures with the surname "FAIRE" include Jean de la Faire (c. 1320-1390), a French architect and builder who worked on several important projects, including the Palais de la Cité in Paris. Another notable figure was Guillaume de la Faire (c. 1450-1520), a French merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the economic development of his region.
In England, one of the earliest recorded instances of the name is that of Robert de la Faire (c. 1230-1290), a wealthy landowner and knight who fought in the Barons' War against King Henry III. Later, in the 15th century, there was John Faire (c. 1420-1480), a renowned scholar and theologian who taught at the University of Cambridge.
During the 16th century, the surname "FAIRE" gained prominence in Scotland with the birth of James Faire (c. 1550-1620), a prominent merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the development of the city of Edinburgh.
While the surname "FAIRE" has its origins in France, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and intermarriage. Over time, the name has undergone various spellings and adaptations, reflecting the linguistic and cultural influences of different regions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Faire surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Leicestershire leads with 29 Faires recorded in 1881 and an index of 47.90x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Leicestershire | 29 | 47.90x |
| Derbyshire | 7 | 8.19x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 1.10x |
| Lanarkshire | 4 | 2.27x |
| Devon | 2 | 1.76x |
| Durham | 2 | 1.23x |
| Buteshire | 1 | 30.21x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 1.05x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.54x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.15x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 15.36x |
| Sussex | 1 | 1.09x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leicester St Mary in Leicestershire leads with 14 Faires recorded in 1881 and an index of 286.30x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Leicester St Mary | 14 | 286.30x |
| Barkby | 9 | 7500.00x |
| Derby St Alkmund | 7 | 273.44x |
| Leicester St Margaret | 6 | 40.65x |
| St Marylebone London | 5 | 17.15x |
| Barony | 4 | 8.95x |
| Broadwoodwidger | 2 | 1538.46x |
| Cumbrae | 1 | 285.71x |
| Dawdon | 1 | 50.00x |
| Greenwich | 1 | 11.51x |
| Horsham | 1 | 55.87x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 2.54x |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 1 | 10.94x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 17.99x |
| Westminster St John | 1 | 15.04x |
| Westoe | 1 | 10.86x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Faire surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Faire surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Faire households.
FAQ
In 1881, 55 people were recorded with the Faire surname. That placed it at #25,862 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 36 in 2016. That gives Faire a modern rank of #35,648.
A French occupational surname derived from the word "faire," meaning to do or make.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Faire bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.