NameCensus.

UK surname

Felix

Derived from the Latin word meaning "happy" or "lucky," originally bestowed as a nickname for a fortunate person.

In the 1881 census there were 256 people recorded with the Felix surname, ranking it #10,885 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 990, ranked #5,847, up from #10,885 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Llanbyther and Caron or Tref-Garon. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lambeth, Brent and Powys.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Felix is 996 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 286.7%.

1881 census count

256

Ranked #10,885

Modern count

990

2016, ranked #5,847

Peak year

2014

996 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Felix had 256 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,885 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 990 in 2016, ranked #5,847.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 367 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Felix surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Felix surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Felix 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 162 #12,215
1861 historical 120 #18,255
1881 historical 256 #10,885
1891 historical 237 #13,242
1901 historical 323 #11,065
1911 historical 367 #9,914
1997 modern 663 #7,554
1998 modern 729 #7,259
1999 modern 719 #7,369
2000 modern 706 #7,441
2001 modern 681 #7,513
2002 modern 704 #7,474
2003 modern 737 #7,103
2004 modern 760 #6,956
2005 modern 765 #6,847
2006 modern 808 #6,575
2007 modern 826 #6,523
2008 modern 840 #6,494
2009 modern 887 #6,335
2010 modern 909 #6,343
2011 modern 913 #6,258
2012 modern 926 #6,116
2013 modern 977 #5,930
2014 modern 996 #5,881
2015 modern 979 #5,911
2016 modern 990 #5,847

Geography

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Where Felix' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Llanbyther, Caron or Tref-Garon, London parishes and Llancynfelin. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Lambeth, Brent, Powys and Westminster. 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 Llanbyther Cardiganshire
3 Caron or Tref-Garon Cardiganshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Llancynfelin Cardiganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Lambeth 028 Lambeth
2 Brent 031 Brent
3 Powys 018 Powys
4 Westminster 010 Westminster
5 Lambeth 029 Lambeth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Felix

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Felix

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

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Felix surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Felix 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 younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Felix is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Felix 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

Felix 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 Felix is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Felix

The surname Felix has its origins in Latin, derived from the word "felix" meaning "happy" or "fortunate." This name was initially used as a cognomen, or a personal name, by ancient Roman families.

The earliest recorded use of Felix as a surname dates back to the Middle Ages in various regions of Italy, particularly in the northern cities of Milan and Venice. It is believed that some of the first bearers of this surname were families who had established themselves as prosperous merchants or influential citizens within these cities.

During the late 11th century, the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror, recorded several individuals with the surname Felix or its variations, such as Felice and Feliz. This suggests that the name had spread beyond Italy and into other parts of Europe by that time.

In the 13th century, a notable figure bearing the surname Felix was Johannes Felix, a German philosopher and theologian born around 1200 in Saxony. He is known for his influential work, "Lectura super Metaphysicam Aristotelis," which contributed significantly to the development of medieval scholastic philosophy.

Another historical figure with the surname Felix was Felice Feliciano (1433-1479), an Italian humanist, calligrapher, and historian from Verona. He is renowned for his contributions to the study of ancient Roman inscriptions and his beautifully crafted manuscripts.

In the 16th century, the surname Felix was associated with the Italian mathematician and engineer Prospero Felice (1510-1592), who was born in Naples. He is best known for his work on fortifications and military engineering, as well as his contributions to the field of mathematics.

Moving forward in time, Fortunato Felice (1723-1789) was an Italian composer and music theorist from Naples. He is recognized for his compositions, particularly his operas, and his influential treatise on music theory, "Metodo Facile per ben Imparare la Musica Pratica."

Throughout history, the surname Felix has been borne by numerous other notable individuals across various fields, including literature, art, and science, further solidifying its presence and significance across different cultures and regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Felix families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Felix 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. Cardiganshire leads with 93 Felix' recorded in 1881 and an index of 154.49x.

County Total Index
Cardiganshire 93 154.49x
Middlesex 44 1.78x
Surrey 36 2.99x
Carmarthenshire 10 9.61x
Lancashire 10 0.34x
Glamorgan 9 2.09x
Derbyshire 8 2.07x
Montgomeryshire 6 10.61x
Northumberland 6 1.63x
Kent 4 0.48x
Yorkshire 4 0.16x
Lanarkshire 3 0.38x
Radnorshire 3 15.07x
Merionethshire 2 4.43x
Staffordshire 2 0.24x
Anglesey 1 2.29x
Brecknockshire 1 2.03x
Buteshire 1 6.69x
Caernarfonshire 1 1.00x
Cheshire 1 0.18x
Cumberland 1 0.47x
Denbighshire 1 1.07x
Devon 1 0.19x
Essex 1 0.21x
Flintshire 1 1.51x
Hampshire 1 0.20x
Hertfordshire 1 0.59x
Shropshire 1 0.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Caron Ys Clawdd in Cardiganshire leads with 22 Felix' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1506.85x.

Place Total Index
Caron Ys Clawdd 22 1506.85x
Aberystwith 19 366.80x
Camberwell 11 6.98x
Llanbyther 10 934.58x
Cynnill Mawr 9 1956.52x
St George In East London 9 38.78x
Ceulany Maesmawr 8 1142.86x
Derby St Werburgh 8 35.86x
Newington 7 7.68x
St Pancras London 7 3.52x
Ystradyfodwg 7 18.57x
Gwnnws Upper 6 1052.63x
Islington London 6 2.51x
Llansant Ffraid 6 566.04x
Cilcennin 5 1162.79x
Liverpool 5 2.81x
Llancynfelin 5 649.35x
Llanidloes 5 119.33x
Southwark Christchurch 5 43.25x
Tynemouth 5 25.42x
Ashford 4 205.13x
Ealing 4 18.13x
Hulme 4 6.54x
Lambeth 4 1.86x
Vainor Lower 4 784.31x
Barony 3 1.49x
Croydon 3 4.49x
Llanbister 3 434.78x
Llangeitho 3 535.71x
Southwark St George Martyr 3 6.04x
Westminster St James 3 11.83x
Bradford 2 3.38x
Chevening 2 217.39x
Deptford St Paul 2 3.08x
Kingswinford 2 6.61x
Lledrod Lower 2 400.00x
St George Hanover Square 2 4.60x
St Marylebone London 2 1.52x
Towyn 2 70.42x
Bangor 1 10.40x
Battersea 1 1.10x
Bermondsey 1 1.36x
Blaenpenal 1 212.77x
Bromley London 1 1.84x
Cardiff St Mary 1 4.22x
Carfan Prisk 1 909.09x
Chester St Oswald 1 10.14x
Christchurch 1 9.12x
Cowpen 1 11.82x
Cumbrae 1 63.69x
East Barnet 1 29.67x
Everton 1 1.07x
Fulham London 1 2.79x
Hornsey 1 3.20x
Ingatestone 1 128.21x
Kensington London 1 0.73x
Llanddewi Abergwessin 1 1428.57x
Llanerchymedd 1 2000.00x
Llansantffraid Glan 1 102.04x
Lledrod Upper 1 243.90x
Mile End Old Town London 1 1.90x
Mold 1 16.61x
Paddington London 1 1.10x
Pool 1 23.42x
Roath 1 5.12x
Shadwell 1 107.53x
Shrewsbury St Chad 1 13.37x
St Anne Soho London 1 7.10x
St Bees 1 102.04x
Tormoham 1 4.60x
Tyry Mynach 1 270.27x
Welburn In Malton 1 212.77x
Woking 1 13.79x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 18
Jane 11
Elizabeth 10
Anne 9
Sarah 6
Margaret 5
Ann 4
Alice 3
Ada 2
Caroline 2
Catherine 2
Eleanor 2
Eliza 2
Emily 2
Flora 2
Kate 2
Margaretta 2
Martha 2
(Miss) 1
(Mrs) 1
Agnes 1
Alberta 1
Annie 1
Cathrine 1
Charlotte 1
Clara 1
Coleta 1
Cornelia 1
E.A. 1
Eliz.Rebacca 1
Ellen 1
Emma 1
Eva 1
Fanny 1
Frances 1
Francesca 1
Hannah 1
Julia 1
Lizzie 1
Louisa 1
Maria 1
Maud 1
Norah 1
Phoebe 1
Soeur 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 25
David 13
Henry 9
Richard 9
Thomas 9
Evan 6
William 6
Alfred 5
Rees 4
Albert 3
Daniel 3
Edward 3
Morgan 3
Arthur 2
Benjamin 2
Chas. 2
George 2
Hugh 2
Michael 2
Thos. 2
Brian 1
Charles 1
Dd.John 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Fredrick 1
Geo.Andw. 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
James 1
Joseph 1
Jules 1
Lee 1
Mary 1
Owen 1
Patrick 1
Pelford 1
Peter 1
Price 1
Samuel 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Felix surname: questions and answers

How common was the Felix surname in 1881?

In 1881, 256 people were recorded with the Felix surname. That placed it at #10,885 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Felix surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 990 in 2016. That gives Felix a modern rank of #5,847.

What does the Felix surname mean?

Derived from the Latin word meaning "happy" or "lucky," originally bestowed as a nickname for a fortunate person.

What does the Felix map show?

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