NameCensus.

UK surname

Farr

An English toponymic surname derived from the Old English word "færr," meaning a bull or ox.

In the 1881 census there were 4,455 people recorded with the Farr surname, ranking it #1,006 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 5,922, ranked #1,137, down from #1,006 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Herefordshire, Monmouthshire and Forest of Dean.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Farr is 6,287 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 32.9%.

1881 census count

4,455

Ranked #1,006

Modern count

5,922

2016, ranked #1,137

Peak year

1999

6,287 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Farr had 4,455 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,006 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 5,922 in 2016, ranked #1,137.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5,810 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Farr surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Farr surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Farr 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 2,696 #1,094
1861 historical 2,472 #1,181
1881 historical 4,455 #1,006
1891 historical 4,558 #1,030
1901 historical 5,269 #1,069
1911 historical 5,810 #897
1997 modern 5,948 #1,105
1998 modern 6,274 #1,086
1999 modern 6,287 #1,089
2000 modern 6,228 #1,092
2001 modern 6,053 #1,099
2002 modern 6,169 #1,101
2003 modern 5,960 #1,111
2004 modern 5,967 #1,112
2005 modern 5,869 #1,112
2006 modern 5,868 #1,110
2007 modern 5,895 #1,118
2008 modern 5,950 #1,116
2009 modern 6,048 #1,123
2010 modern 6,137 #1,128
2011 modern 6,086 #1,124
2012 modern 5,934 #1,125
2013 modern 6,040 #1,122
2014 modern 6,047 #1,132
2015 modern 5,959 #1,139
2016 modern 5,922 #1,137

Geography

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Where Farrs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Wolstanton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, Forest of Dean and North Somerset. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 London parishes London 1
4 Wolstanton Staffordshire
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Herefordshire 021 Herefordshire, County of
2 Monmouthshire 001 Monmouthshire
3 Forest of Dean 007 Forest of Dean
4 North Somerset 021 North Somerset
5 Herefordshire 010 Herefordshire, County of

Forenames

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First names often paired with Farr

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Farr

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Farr 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

Farr is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Farr

The surname FARR is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "feor," meaning "far" or "distant." It likely originated as a descriptive name referring to someone who lived far away or came from a distant place.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the FARR surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Ferre" or "Farre." This suggests that the name was already established in England during the Norman Conquest.

In the 13th century, the name was also recorded in various forms, such as "Ferre," "Farre," and "Ferre de Malmesbury," indicating a connection with the town of Malmesbury in Wiltshire.

Notable individuals with the FARR surname include Richard Farr (c. 1530-1594), an English composer and musician who served as a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal under Queen Elizabeth I. Another prominent figure was Samuel Farr (1741-1795), a British naval officer and explorer who served as a commander in the Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War.

In the literary world, Jonathan Farr (1720-1798) was an English author and playwright known for his comedic works, such as "The Constant Couple" and "The Mistakes of a Night."

Moving into the 19th century, William Farr (1807-1883) was a renowned British statistician and epidemiologist who played a crucial role in developing modern medical statistics and public health initiatives.

Another notable person was John Farr (1829-1913), a British architect responsible for designing several notable buildings in London, including the grand hotel at Charing Cross Station.

Over the centuries, the FARR surname has also been associated with various place names, such as Farringdon in London and Farringworth in Northamptonshire, which may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the name in different regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Farr families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Farr 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. Middlesex leads with 586 Farrs recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.35x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 586 1.35x
Surrey 330 1.56x
Yorkshire 275 0.64x
Wiltshire 220 5.73x
Staffordshire 212 1.45x
Worcestershire 169 2.98x
Warwickshire 168 1.54x
Herefordshire 165 9.28x
Bedfordshire 144 6.41x
Hertfordshire 144 4.82x
Cheshire 135 1.41x
Gloucestershire 130 1.53x
Monmouthshire 126 4.02x
Lancashire 122 0.24x
Kent 119 0.80x
Lincolnshire 113 1.63x
Devon 112 1.24x
Hampshire 110 1.24x
Glamorgan 102 1.35x
Somerset 102 1.46x
Sussex 96 1.31x
Berkshire 89 2.73x
Shropshire 88 2.35x
Dorset 69 2.42x
Essex 68 0.79x
Nottinghamshire 68 1.16x
Lanarkshire 43 0.31x
Cornwall 37 0.75x
Durham 33 0.26x
Brecknockshire 31 3.57x
Northamptonshire 26 0.64x
Derbyshire 25 0.37x
Norfolk 25 0.37x
Suffolk 24 0.45x
Buckinghamshire 20 0.76x
Huntingdonshire 20 2.32x
Renfrewshire 19 0.57x
Montgomeryshire 15 1.51x
Northumberland 13 0.20x
Cambridgeshire 10 0.36x
Leicestershire 10 0.21x
Cumberland 7 0.19x
Royal Navy 6 1.16x
West Lothian 6 0.92x
Radnorshire 4 1.14x
Rutland 3 0.94x
Denbighshire 2 0.12x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.06x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.10x
Fife 1 0.04x
Midlothian 1 0.02x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.07x
Perthshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 68 Farrs recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.62x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 68 1.62x
Lambeth 58 1.53x
Luton 54 13.89x
St Pancras London 52 1.49x
Manningford Bruce 48 1273.21x
Sandbach 45 55.10x
Redditch 40 34.83x
West Bromwich 40 4.77x
Portsea 38 2.18x
Trowbridge 38 22.41x
Aston 36 1.20x
Birmingham 36 0.99x
Holy Trinity 36 3.48x
Chelsea London 34 2.60x
Kensington London 32 1.33x
Plumstead 32 6.49x
Merthyr Tydfil 29 3.99x
Reading St Mary 29 11.12x
Wolstanton 29 6.52x
Hillingdon 28 20.24x
Paddington London 28 1.76x
St Marylebone London 27 1.17x
Wolstanton Oldcott 27 50.91x
Camberwell 26 0.94x
Leeds 25 1.03x
Sheffield 25 1.83x
Battersea 24 1.50x
Merriott 24 117.47x
Shoreditch London 24 1.28x
Hackney London 22 0.90x
Ipsley 21 104.69x
Clifton 20 4.65x
Deptford St Paul 20 1.75x
Droitwich St Nicholas 20 95.24x
Trevethin 20 6.75x
Baldock 19 67.59x
Bethnal Green London 19 1.01x
Ilchester 19 187.38x
Farnham 18 10.95x
Hawnes 18 129.78x
Longtown 18 163.64x
Westbury On Trym 18 6.24x
Wolstanton Thursfield 18 101.29x
Blunham 17 111.70x
Brighton 17 1.15x
Cheshunt 17 16.26x
Hunslet 17 2.54x
Monks Coppenhall 17 4.70x
St Giles In Fields London 17 7.99x
Tottenham 17 2.46x
Truro St Mary 17 41.19x
Alcester 16 44.35x
Cannock 16 6.26x
Hambledon 16 71.49x
Tormoham 16 4.19x
Manningham 15 2.83x
Roath 15 4.37x
Sculcoates 15 2.20x
Southwark Christchurch 15 7.38x
St George Hanover Square 15 1.96x
Swindon 15 5.04x
West Ham 15 0.79x
Bridport 14 23.89x
Church Coppenhall 14 32.70x
Govan 14 0.40x
Kingston On Thames 14 2.76x
Newington 14 0.87x
Panteg 14 28.35x
Pool 14 18.67x
West Dean 14 10.13x
Willesden 14 3.42x
Aberdare 13 2.51x
Kentchurch 13 248.09x
Owston 13 66.02x
Saddleworth 13 3.92x
Wortley In Bramley 13 3.82x
Haywood 12 449.44x
Southill 12 65.90x
Stroud 12 7.25x
Wolverhampton 12 1.07x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 246
Sarah 185
Elizabeth 173
Ellen 95
Ann 84
Eliza 73
Emily 73
Emma 72
Jane 71
Alice 70
Annie 64
Martha 38
Hannah 36
Louisa 36
Harriet 33
Fanny 31
Maria 31
Charlotte 30
Margaret 30
Clara 28
Caroline 27
Florence 27
Ada 26
Edith 24
Kate 23
Lucy 23
Matilda 20
Amelia 17
Susan 17
Anne 16
Harriett 16
Rose 15
Frances 14
Agnes 13
Catherine 12
Rebecca 12
Beatrice 11
Minnie 11
Rachel 10
Elizth. 9
Julia 9
Lydia 9
Eleanor 8
Helen 8
Selina 8
Amy 7
Ethel 7
Henrietta 7
Jessie 7
Sophia 7

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 313
John 228
George 158
Thomas 144
James 142
Charles 110
Henry 104
Joseph 64
Edward 50
Frederick 50
Robert 45
Alfred 44
Arthur 44
Albert 42
Walter 38
Richard 36
Samuel 35
Harry 25
Frank 22
Ernest 21
Herbert 19
David 17
Edwin 16
Francis 15
Wm. 14
Fredrick 8
Reuben 7
Tom 7
Daniel 6
Geo. 6
Joshua 6
Sidney 6
Alexander 5
Chas. 5
Edgar 5
Leonard 5
Matthew 5
Oliver 5
Peter 5
Thos. 5
Fred 4
Fredk. 4
Josiah 4
Sydney 4
Isaac 3
Jesse 3
Richd. 3
Robt. 3
Stanley 3
Stephen 3

FAQ

Farr surname: questions and answers

How common was the Farr surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4,455 people were recorded with the Farr surname. That placed it at #1,006 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Farr surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 5,922 in 2016. That gives Farr a modern rank of #1,137.

What does the Farr surname mean?

An English toponymic surname derived from the Old English word "færr," meaning a bull or ox.

What does the Farr map show?

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