NameCensus.

UK surname

Farber

An occupational surname referring to a dyer or painter, derived from the German word "Farber" meaning "painter" or "dyer."

In the 1881 census there were 20 people recorded with the Farber surname, ranking it #30,738 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 100, ranked #31,123, down from #30,738 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes and Acton (Burland), Baddiley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hackney, Ipswich and Leeds.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Farber is 109 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 400.0%.

1881 census count

20

Ranked #30,738

Modern count

100

2016, ranked #31,123

Peak year

1911

109 bearers

Map years

2

1911 to 2016

Key insights

  • Farber had 20 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,738 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 100 in 2016, ranked #31,123.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 109 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Farber surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Farber surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Farber 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 41 #25,926
1861 historical 90 #22,312
1881 historical 20 #30,738
1891 historical 90 #25,399
1901 historical 81 #25,130
1911 historical 109 #21,611
1997 modern 71 #30,521
1998 modern 73 #30,681
1999 modern 78 #30,327
2000 modern 68 #31,380
2001 modern 67 #31,297
2002 modern 68 #31,626
2003 modern 75 #30,994
2004 modern 76 #31,125
2005 modern 85 #30,219
2006 modern 77 #31,510
2007 modern 81 #31,408
2008 modern 75 #32,373
2009 modern 78 #32,471
2010 modern 88 #31,875
2011 modern 83 #32,336
2012 modern 96 #30,949
2013 modern 95 #31,523
2014 modern 98 #31,370
2015 modern 94 #31,872
2016 modern 100 #31,123

Geography

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Where Farbers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes, Acton (Burland), Baddiley, Manchester and Leigh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hackney, Ipswich and Leeds. 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 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Acton (Burland), Baddiley Cheshire
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Leigh Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hackney 006 Hackney
2 Ipswich 016 Ipswich
3 Hackney 001 Hackney
4 Hackney 009 Hackney
5 Leeds 015 Leeds

Forenames

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First names often paired with Farber

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Farber

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Farber surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Farber 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Farber is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Farber is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Farber falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Farber 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Farber

The surname Farber originates from the German language, derived from the word "farbe" meaning "color" or "dye." It is believed to have first emerged in the 14th century in the regions of Germany and Austria, where it was initially an occupational name for a dyer or someone involved in the dyeing trade.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Farber surname can be traced back to the 15th century in the city of Nuremberg, where a certain Hans Farber was mentioned in official records dated 1463. This suggests that the name was already well-established in the region by that time.

During the Middle Ages, the Farber name was closely associated with the guild system, where families often passed down their occupations from generation to generation. Dyers played an essential role in the textile industry, which was a significant economic force in many European cities during that era.

While the Farber surname is predominantly of German origin, it also spread to other parts of Europe through migration and trade. In the 16th century, a family bearing the name Farber was recorded in the Netherlands, where they were likely involved in the flourishing textile industry of that region.

One notable figure in history who carried the Farber surname was Johann Farber, a German mathematician and astronomer who lived from 1668 to 1730. He is best known for his contributions to the study of comets and the calculation of their orbits.

Another individual of historical significance was Johann Georg Farber, a German botanist and physician who lived from 1668 to 1744. He authored several works on medicinal plants and is considered a pioneer in the field of pharmacognosy.

In the 19th century, the Farber name gained prominence in the artistic world with the German painter and engraver Ferdinand Farber (1816-1886), whose works were exhibited in prestigious galleries across Europe.

Moving into the 20th century, one cannot overlook the influence of Samuel Farber, an American film producer and screenwriter who was born in 1924. He is best known for his collaborations with renowned directors such as Alfred Hitchcock and Billy Wilder.

Throughout its long history, the Farber surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including scientists, artists, and entrepreneurs, reflecting the diverse paths taken by those who once shared a common occupational heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Farber families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Farber 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. Lancashire leads with 6 Farbers recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.59x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 6 2.59x
Surrey 6 6.32x
Cheshire 2 4.65x
Yorkshire 2 1.04x
Glamorgan 1 2.95x
Hampshire 1 2.50x
Middlesex 1 0.51x
Shropshire 1 5.94x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 4 Farbers recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.54x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 4 23.54x
Liverpool 4 28.49x
Bermondsey 2 34.48x
Poole 2 20000.00x
Bowling 1 52.36x
Cardiff St John 1 90.09x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 27.25x
Norwood 1 222.22x
Prees 1 476.19x
Rawmarsh 1 147.06x
Romsey Infra 1 714.29x
West Derby 1 14.79x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Emma 2
Annie 1
Catherine 1
Clara 1
Ethel 1
Lina 1
Margt. 1
Wilhelmina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Henry 2
Joseph 2
Albert 1
Dethman 1
Frederick 1
Fret 1
George 1
Samuel 1
Thomas 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 Farber households.

FAQ

Farber surname: questions and answers

How common was the Farber surname in 1881?

In 1881, 20 people were recorded with the Farber surname. That placed it at #30,738 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Farber surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 100 in 2016. That gives Farber a modern rank of #31,123.

What does the Farber surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a dyer or painter, derived from the German word "Farber" meaning "painter" or "dyer."

What does the Farber map show?

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