UK surname
A French surname of uncertain origin, possibly derived from a place name.
In the 1881 census there were 18 people recorded with the Fary surname, ranking it #31,019 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4, ranked #38,419, down from #31,019 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Stockport, Christchurch and Clifton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fary is 132 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 77.8%.
1881 census count
18
Ranked #31,019
Modern count
4
2016, ranked #38,419
Peak year
1861
132 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Fary surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Fary surname density by area, 1861 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 | 57 | #23,092 |
| 1861 | historical | 132 | #16,957 |
| 1881 | historical | 18 | #31,019 |
| 1891 | historical | 62 | #28,991 |
| 1901 | historical | 12 | #32,772 |
| 1911 | historical | 7 | #33,083 |
| 1997 | modern | 8 | #37,372 |
| 1998 | modern | 2 | #38,550 |
| 1999 | modern | 2 | #38,551 |
| 2000 | modern | 1 | #38,790 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2009 | modern | 1 | #38,998 |
| 2010 | modern | 4 | #38,371 |
| 2011 | modern | 2 | #38,745 |
| 2013 | modern | 2 | #38,761 |
| 2014 | modern | 3 | #38,552 |
| 2015 | modern | 3 | #38,558 |
| 2016 | modern | 4 | #38,419 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Stockport, Christchurch, Clifton, St John Hackney and St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford. 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 | Stockport | Cheshire |
| 2 | Christchurch | Monmouthshire |
| 3 | Clifton | Gloucestershire |
| 4 | St John Hackney | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Fary 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 Fary, 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 Fary surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Fary 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, Fary 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 Fary is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Fary, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname FARY is believed to have originated in the Lombardy region of northern Italy during the late Middle Ages. It is derived from the Italian word "fara," which means a small group or cluster. This suggests that the name may have referred to a family or community that lived together in a particular area.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the FARY name can be found in a document from the city of Milan, dated 1387. This document mentions a certain "Giovanni Fary," who was a merchant and landowner. It is possible that this individual or his ancestors were among the first to bear the surname.
Another notable early reference to the FARY name comes from the Venetian Republic in the 15th century. Historical records indicate that a family by the name of Fari (a variant spelling) was prominent in the city of Venice during this period. They were involved in the silk trade and held various positions within the Venetian government.
In the 16th century, the FARY surname began to spread beyond Italy as individuals and families emigrated to other parts of Europe. For example, a man named Pietro Fary, born in 1521, is recorded as having settled in the city of Lyon, France, where he established a successful business dealing in textiles.
One of the earliest known references to the FARY name in England can be found in a parish register from the village of Stoke-on-Trent, dated 1642. This register lists the baptism of a child named Mary Fary, suggesting that a family bearing this surname had already established itself in the area by that time.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the FARY surname. These include:
1. Antonio Fary (1615-1691), an Italian composer and violinist who served at the court of the Gonzaga family in Mantua. 2. Jean-Baptiste Fary (1736-1819), a French playwright and librettist who wrote several popular comedies and operas in the late 18th century. 3. Maria Fary (1810-1888), an Italian painter and portraitist who was active in the city of Venice during the Romantic era. 4. Émile Fary (1858-1924), a French engineer and inventor who made significant contributions to the development of early automobiles and aircraft. 5. Isabella Fary (1901-1983), an Italian-American author and journalist who wrote extensively about the experiences of Italian immigrants in the United States.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fary 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. Kent leads with 8 Farys recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.35x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kent | 8 | 13.35x |
| Surrey | 4 | 4.68x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 1.15x |
| Essex | 1 | 2.89x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 1.76x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.48x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 3.70x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Deptford St Paul in Kent leads with 7 Farys recorded in 1881 and an index of 151.52x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Deptford St Paul | 7 | 151.52x |
| Lambeth | 3 | 19.60x |
| Brightside Bierlow | 2 | 58.65x |
| Glasgow | 1 | 9.92x |
| Great Hallingbury | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Kings Lynn St Margaret | 1 | 123.46x |
| Lympne | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Newington | 1 | 15.41x |
| Widnes | 1 | 66.67x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Fary 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 Fary 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 Fary households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| (No Occ) | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Dock At Wharf | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Gen Lab | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| Groom D. | 1 |
| Saw Smith | 1 |
| Servant (D) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 18 people were recorded with the Fary surname. That placed it at #31,019 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 4 in 2016. That gives Fary a modern rank of #38,419.
A French surname of uncertain origin, possibly derived from a place name.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Fary 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.