NameCensus.

UK surname

Fernie

A surname derived from a place name referring to someone from Fernie, Scotland.

In the 1881 census there were 897 people recorded with the Fernie surname, ranking it #4,245 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 982, ranked #5,886, down from #4,245 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Falkland, Cupar and Govan Combination. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cardenden, Kelty West and Leven North.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fernie is 1,074 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 9.5%.

1881 census count

897

Ranked #4,245

Modern count

982

2016, ranked #5,886

Peak year

1901

1,074 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Fernie had 897 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,245 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 982 in 2016, ranked #5,886.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,074 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Fernie surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Fernie surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Fernie 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 501 #4,984
1861 historical 493 #5,294
1881 historical 897 #4,245
1891 historical 888 #4,636
1901 historical 1,074 #4,497
1911 historical 374 #9,770
1997 modern 998 #5,508
1998 modern 1,036 #5,511
1999 modern 1,048 #5,492
2000 modern 1,050 #5,469
2001 modern 1,018 #5,507
2002 modern 1,041 #5,504
2003 modern 998 #5,603
2004 modern 1,010 #5,550
2005 modern 1,017 #5,473
2006 modern 1,016 #5,487
2007 modern 1,025 #5,500
2008 modern 1,025 #5,535
2009 modern 1,008 #5,727
2010 modern 1,014 #5,822
2011 modern 1,011 #5,769
2012 modern 962 #5,921
2013 modern 976 #5,937
2014 modern 996 #5,881
2015 modern 985 #5,886
2016 modern 982 #5,886

Geography

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Where Fernies are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Falkland, Cupar, Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cardenden, Kelty West, Leven North, Pollok North and East and Kinross. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Falkland Fife
2 Cupar Fife
3 Govan Combination Lanark
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cardenden Fife
2 Kelty West Fife
3 Leven North Fife
4 Pollok North and East Glasgow City
5 Kinross Perth and Kinross

Forenames

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First names often paired with Fernie

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Fernie

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Fernie surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Fernie household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Fernie 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

Fernie is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Fernie falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Fernie is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Fernie

The surname Fernie has its origins in Scotland, with records indicating its initial usage in the eastern part of the country, particularly in the regions of Fife and Angus. The name is believed to be derived from the Old English word "fearn," meaning fern, combined with the diminutive suffix "-ie," suggesting a location characterized by the presence of ferns. This etymology reflects the common practice of naming individuals based on topographical features of their residence.

Historical records of the surname date back to the early medieval period. One of the earliest references is found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a document listing the names of Scottish nobles who pledged allegiance to Edward I of England. Among these names is "Ferne," indicating an early form of the name. Over time, the name evolved into its current form, Fernie.

The surname Fernie is also associated with the village of Fernie, located in the parish of Monikie in Angus. The place name likely contributed to the adoption of the surname by individuals who lived there or owned land in the vicinity. During the 16th century, the name appears in various land charters and legal documents, establishing its prevalence among landowners and residents of the region.

One notable historical figure bearing the surname is John Fernie, a merchant from Edinburgh born in the early 17th century who played a prominent role in the city's trade activities. Another distinguished individual is Alexander Fernie, a clergyman and scholar born in 1622, known for his contributions to theological literature. In the 18th century, David Fernie emerged as a significant figure in Scottish legal circles, serving as an advocate and judge before his death in 1763.

The 19th century saw the emergence of George Fernie, an accomplished engineer born in 1825 who contributed to the development of railway infrastructure in Scotland. Another important figure is James Fernie, a shipbuilder born in 1838 who played a key role in the maritime industry during the industrial revolution.

In summary, the surname Fernie is rooted in the geographical features of eastern Scotland, with historical references tracing back to the medieval period. The name has been associated with various prominent individuals across different centuries, contributing to its enduring legacy. The historical evolution of Fernie is marked by its consistent presence in records and its connection to specific regions and professions, reflecting the interplay between location, occupation, and identity in the formation of surnames.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Fernie families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fernie 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. Fife leads with 284 Fernies recorded in 1881 and an index of 55.01x.

County Total Index
Fife 284 55.01x
Angus 91 11.26x
Midlothian 82 7.02x
Lanarkshire 59 2.09x
Lancashire 36 0.35x
Durham 33 1.27x
Middlesex 32 0.37x
Renfrewshire 32 4.73x
Perthshire 30 7.66x
Dunbartonshire 23 9.81x
Staffordshire 20 0.68x
Devon 13 0.72x
Surrey 12 0.28x
Aberdeenshire 11 1.36x
Cheshire 11 0.57x
Northumberland 11 0.85x
Yorkshire 11 0.13x
Stirlingshire 10 3.11x
Argyllshire 9 3.71x
Berkshire 9 1.37x
Nottinghamshire 9 0.77x
Clackmannanshire 7 9.72x
Herefordshire 7 1.96x
Buteshire 6 11.36x
Derbyshire 5 0.37x
Lincolnshire 5 0.36x
Hampshire 4 0.22x
Wiltshire 4 0.52x
Worcestershire 4 0.35x
Cumberland 3 0.40x
Sussex 3 0.20x
West Lothian 3 2.28x
Roxburghshire 2 1.27x
Wigtownshire 2 1.73x
Ayrshire 1 0.15x
Dorset 1 0.17x
East Lothian 1 0.87x
Flintshire 1 0.43x
Leicestershire 1 0.10x
Norfolk 1 0.07x
Northamptonshire 1 0.12x
Orkney 1 1.04x
Peeblesshire 1 2.44x
Selkirkshire 1 1.27x
Warwickshire 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. Dundee in Angus leads with 67 Fernies recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.21x.

Place Total Index
Dundee 67 22.21x
Falkland 47 578.82x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 36 7.66x
Govan 29 4.16x
Strathmiglo 28 453.81x
Cupar 25 111.36x
Beath 22 134.89x
St Andrews 19 80.89x
Inveresk 16 50.58x
Barony 14 1.96x
Leslie 14 107.12x
Auchterderran 13 100.15x
Liff Benvie 13 10.60x
Throston 13 261.04x
Kilconquhar 12 195.44x
Dunfermline 11 13.86x
Great Crosby 11 38.99x
Kinghorn 10 91.24x
South Leith 10 7.61x
Barry 9 92.78x
Bray 9 46.80x
Dunoon 9 180.36x
Elswick 9 8.69x
Paisley Middle Church 9 22.87x
Rattray 9 98.79x
St Monance 9 146.10x
St Pancras London 9 1.28x
Burntisland 8 55.44x
Duddingston 8 34.12x
Row 8 26.39x
Barnstaple 7 24.57x
Cameron 7 233.33x
Eastnor 7 588.24x
Glasgow 7 1.40x
Hampstead London 7 5.15x
Kilmany 7 370.37x
Liscard 7 20.18x
Liverpool 7 1.11x
Penge 7 12.57x
Stone 7 18.59x
West Greenock 7 5.77x
Aberdeen Old Machar 6 3.56x
Blairgowrie 6 38.76x
Dysart 6 17.26x
Handsworth 6 8.27x
Hunslet 6 4.45x
Kirkintilloch 6 18.84x
Litherland 6 27.73x
Nottingham St Mary 6 1.97x
Tillicoultry 6 37.45x
Wemyss 6 27.47x
Cumbrae 5 89.93x
Derby St Werburgh 5 6.34x
Dumbarton 5 15.33x
Errol 5 68.97x
Falkirk 5 6.64x
Hart 5 79.11x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 5 4.45x
Kirkcaldy 5 19.53x
Leuchars 5 76.57x
Maryhill 5 9.06x
Newington 5 1.55x
Paisley High Church 5 9.29x
Abbey 4 3.88x
Abbotsham 4 283.69x
Castle Church 4 22.61x
Hamilton 4 5.09x
Hartlepool 4 10.85x
Kennoway 4 85.11x
Kinglassie 4 101.78x
New Kilpatrick 4 17.95x
Port Glasgow 4 12.24x
Salford 4 1.31x
Scoonie 4 35.78x
St Helens 4 30.79x
Stirling 4 9.86x
Stockton On Tees 4 3.20x
Stratton St Margaret 4 33.81x
Thornaby 4 12.39x
West Derby 4 1.32x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 16
Jane 10
Margaret 9
Elizabeth 7
Emma 6
Annie 5
Emily 4
Janet 4
Edith 3
Isabella 3
Anne 2
Arabella 2
Catherine 2
Ellen 2
Fanny 2
Frances 2
Gertrude 2
Jessie 2
Kate 2
Martha 2
Alice 1
Amelia 1
Ann 1
Audrey 1
Betsy 1
Caroline 1
Cashie 1
Christ. 1
Christ.J. 1
Dora 1
Dorothy 1
Eliz. 1
Eliza 1
Elizth. 1
Ester 1
Ethel 1
Evelyn 1
Florence 1
Hannah 1
Harriett 1
Helen 1
Isabel 1
Janie 1
Jesse 1
Marie 1
May 1
Millicent 1
Penuel 1
Rachel 1
Willia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 14
William 11
David 10
James 10
George 8
Edward 6
Charles 4
Peter 4
Robert 4
Thomas 4
Andrew 3
Henry 3
Arthur 2
Francis 2
Frank 2
Herbert 2
Joseph 2
Alexander 1
Arnol 1
Cornelius 1
D.S. 1
Edd.Brooke 1
Ernest 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Herbt. 1
Isaac 1
Jno 1
Maxwell 1
Ralph 1
Reberton 1
Robertson 1
Robt. 1
Samuel 1
Soloman 1
Solomon 1
Sylvanus 1
Walter 1
Willm. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Fernie surname: questions and answers

How common was the Fernie surname in 1881?

In 1881, 897 people were recorded with the Fernie surname. That placed it at #4,245 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Fernie surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 982 in 2016. That gives Fernie a modern rank of #5,886.

What does the Fernie surname mean?

A surname derived from a place name referring to someone from Fernie, Scotland.

What does the Fernie map show?

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