UK surname
A surname derived from the Old English word "feax" meaning hair or fur.
In the 1881 census there were 30 people recorded with the Fax surname, ranking it #29,363 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 6, ranked #38,110, down from #29,363 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Swindon, Lyddington, Barford and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fax is 133 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 80.0%.
1881 census count
30
Ranked #29,363
Modern count
6
2016, ranked #38,110
Peak year
1851
133 bearers
Map years
1
1851 to 1851
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Fax surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Fax surname density by area, 1851 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 | 133 | #14,106 |
| 1881 | historical | 30 | #29,363 |
| 1901 | historical | 60 | #27,502 |
| 1997 | modern | 1 | #38,839 |
| 1998 | modern | 2 | #38,550 |
| 1999 | modern | 3 | #38,318 |
| 2000 | modern | 2 | #38,472 |
| 2001 | modern | 1 | #38,647 |
| 2002 | modern | 2 | #38,400 |
| 2003 | modern | 2 | #38,424 |
| 2004 | modern | 2 | #38,464 |
| 2005 | modern | 2 | #38,532 |
| 2006 | modern | 2 | #38,590 |
| 2007 | modern | 3 | #38,372 |
| 2008 | modern | 2 | #38,673 |
| 2009 | modern | 3 | #38,494 |
| 2010 | modern | 3 | #38,552 |
| 2011 | modern | 4 | #38,338 |
| 2012 | modern | 7 | #37,854 |
| 2013 | modern | 4 | #38,359 |
| 2014 | modern | 5 | #38,228 |
| 2015 | modern | 5 | #38,221 |
| 2016 | modern | 6 | #38,110 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Swindon, Lyddington, Barford, London parishes, Cockerham (Ellel), Lancaster (Preesall with Hackersall) , Garstang (Pilling) and Ilfracombe. 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 | Swindon, Lyddington | Wiltshire |
| 2 | Barford | Norfolk |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Cockerham (Ellel), Lancaster (Preesall with Hackersall) , Garstang (Pilling) | Lancashire |
| 5 | Ilfracombe | Devon |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Fax 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 Fax, 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 Fax surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Fax 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, Fax 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 Fax is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Fax, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Fax originated in England, with its earliest known roots dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "fæx," which referred to "hair" or "mane." This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname for someone with a distinctive head of hair.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Fax can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1190, where a certain Richard Fax is mentioned. Additionally, the Hundred Rolls of 1273 contain an entry for a Henry Fax residing in Oxfordshire.
In the 14th century, the Fax surname appeared in various spellings, such as Faxe, Faxce, and Fauxe, reflecting the evolving nature of English orthography during that time period. The Subsidy Rolls of 1327 list a John Faxe from Worcestershire, while the Poll Tax of 1379 records a Thomas Faxce in Yorkshire.
The Fax name has also been associated with several place names throughout England. For instance, there is a village called Fax in Norfolk, which may have contributed to the surname's development. Additionally, the name could be linked to the town of Faxfleet in East Yorkshire, mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Faxeflet."
Notable individuals bearing the Fax surname include Sir John Fax (1495-1567), a prominent English lawyer and judge who served as Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another notable figure was Sir Ralph Fax (1570-1632), a Member of Parliament and landowner from Yorkshire.
In the 17th century, the Fax surname gained recognition with the birth of James Fax (1649-1711), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Albury, Surrey. Additionally, the name appeared in the New World with the arrival of Thomas Fax (1620-1687), an early settler in Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Other individuals of note include Sir Francis Fax (1730-1801), a British naval officer who played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War, and John Fax (1765-1842), an English architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in London.
Throughout its history, the Fax surname has been associated with various professions and achievements, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who have borne this name over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fax 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. Warwickshire leads with 10 Fax' recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.56x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Warwickshire | 10 | 13.56x |
| Kent | 4 | 4.01x |
| Yorkshire | 4 | 1.38x |
| Essex | 3 | 5.20x |
| Norfolk | 3 | 6.67x |
| Surrey | 3 | 2.11x |
| Cambridgeshire | 1 | 5.40x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1.67x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.29x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 10 Fax' recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.68x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 10 | 40.68x |
| Graveney | 4 | 13333.33x |
| Barnsley | 3 | 100.33x |
| Great Yarmouth | 3 | 80.65x |
| Newington | 3 | 27.78x |
| Braintree | 2 | 384.62x |
| Balby Cum Hexthorpe | 1 | 285.71x |
| Froyle | 1 | 1250.00x |
| March | 1 | 161.29x |
| Parr | 1 | 80.65x |
| West Ham | 1 | 7.85x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Fax 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 Fax 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 Fax households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| Dressmaker | 2 |
| Nail Feeder | 2 |
| Ag Labourer | 1 |
| Ag Labourer Wife | 1 |
| Butcher | 1 |
| Button Worker | 1 |
| Carriers Porter | 1 |
| Clothiers Assistant | 1 |
| Cook (Dom) | 1 |
| Dock Clerk | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Fisherman | 1 |
| Gun Action Filer | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Metal Roll Turner | 1 |
| Milliner | 1 |
| Polisher Of Spoons | 1 |
| Seamstress | 1 |
| Teacher | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 30 people were recorded with the Fax surname. That placed it at #29,363 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 6 in 2016. That gives Fax a modern rank of #38,110.
A surname derived from the Old English word "feax" meaning hair or fur.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Fax 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.