NameCensus.

UK surname

Ferri

An occupational surname referring to an ironworker or someone who works with iron.

In the 1881 census there were 12 people recorded with the Ferri surname, ranking it #31,914 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 213, ranked #18,785, up from #31,914 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Milnwood, Dover and Bridgend.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ferri is 232 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1675.0%.

1881 census count

12

Ranked #31,914

Modern count

213

2016, ranked #18,785

Peak year

1999

232 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ferri had 12 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,914 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 213 in 2016, ranked #18,785.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 49 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Ferri surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ferri surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Ferri 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 #33,133
1861 historical 8 #32,887
1881 historical 12 #31,914
1891 historical 35 #31,540
1901 historical 49 #28,696
1911 historical 25 #30,654
1997 modern 210 #17,104
1998 modern 227 #16,754
1999 modern 232 #16,594
2000 modern 222 #17,032
2001 modern 212 #17,324
2002 modern 213 #17,603
2003 modern 205 #17,851
2004 modern 198 #18,308
2005 modern 204 #17,893
2006 modern 211 #17,662
2007 modern 207 #18,080
2008 modern 211 #17,997
2009 modern 216 #18,120
2010 modern 224 #18,047
2011 modern 226 #17,792
2012 modern 215 #18,304
2013 modern 221 #18,252
2014 modern 223 #18,279
2015 modern 218 #18,478
2016 modern 213 #18,785

Geography

Back to top

Where Ferris are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Milnwood, Dover, Bridgend, Stockton-on-Tees and Slough. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Milnwood North Lanarkshire
2 Dover 013 Dover
3 Bridgend 015 Bridgend
4 Stockton-on-Tees 022 Stockton-on-Tees
5 Slough 009 Slough

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Ferri

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Ferri

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

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Ferri surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Ferri 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 never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Ferri 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

Ferri 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

Ferri falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Ferri 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Ferri

The surname Ferri originates from Italy, where it first emerged in the 12th century. It is derived from the Latin word "ferrum," meaning iron, and was likely an occupational name for a blacksmith or ironworker. The earliest known bearers of the name were found in the regions of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Ferri name can be found in a document from 1285 in the town of Ferrara, where a certain Guido Ferri was listed as a blacksmith. The name also appears in other medieval records from cities like Florence and Bologna.

In the 14th century, a branch of the Ferri family settled in the town of San Marino, where they became prominent citizens and landowners. A notable member of this branch was Girolamo Ferri (1470-1542), who served as a diplomat and ambassador for the Republic of San Marino.

During the Renaissance period, the Ferri name was associated with several artists and writers. One of the most famous was Ciro Ferri (1634-1689), an Italian painter and architect who worked in Rome and was a student of Pietro da Cortona. Another notable bearer of the name was Girolamo Ferri (1713-1789), an Italian poet and librettist who wrote for several operas.

In the 19th century, a prominent member of the Ferri family was Enrico Ferri (1856-1929), an Italian criminologist and socialist politician who served as a member of the Italian parliament and was a major figure in the development of the positivist school of criminology.

Other notable individuals with the surname Ferri include Giovanni Battista Ferri (1572-1644), an Italian architect and sculptor who worked on several churches and palaces in Rome, and Giacomo Ferri (1712-1779), an Italian mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Ferri families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ferri 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. Midlothian leads with 9 Ferris recorded in 1881 and an index of 45.99x.

County Total Index
Midlothian 9 45.99x
Channel Islands 3 69.28x
Lanarkshire 1 2.12x
Lancashire 1 0.58x
Middlesex 1 0.68x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh High Church in Midlothian leads with 4 Ferris recorded in 1881 and an index of 3333.33x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh High Church 4 3333.33x
Edinburgh St Johns 4 3333.33x
St Helier 3 212.77x
Brindle 1 1666.67x
Edinburgh Tolbooth 1 909.09x
Rutherglen 1 144.93x
St Marylebone London 1 12.82x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Rosa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Arthur 1
Parlino 1

Top occupations

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 Ferri households.

FAQ

Ferri surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ferri surname in 1881?

In 1881, 12 people were recorded with the Ferri surname. That placed it at #31,914 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ferri surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 213 in 2016. That gives Ferri a modern rank of #18,785.

What does the Ferri surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to an ironworker or someone who works with iron.

What does the Ferri map show?

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