NameCensus.

UK surname

Ferrier

An occupational surname referring to a craftsman who shoes horses.

In the 1881 census there were 1,730 people recorded with the Ferrier surname, ranking it #2,495 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,199, ranked #2,949, down from #2,495 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Arbroath and St. Vigeans, Montrose and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Forfar West, Forfar East and Broughty Ferry West.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ferrier is 2,234 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 27.1%.

1881 census count

1,730

Ranked #2,495

Modern count

2,199

2016, ranked #2,949

Peak year

2010

2,234 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ferrier had 1,730 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,495 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,199 in 2016, ranked #2,949.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,091 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Ferrier surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ferrier surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ferrier 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 1,316 #2,177
1861 historical 1,231 #2,319
1881 historical 1,730 #2,495
1891 historical 1,837 #2,497
1901 historical 2,091 #2,565
1911 historical 704 #6,060
1997 modern 2,050 #2,997
1998 modern 2,125 #3,007
1999 modern 2,133 #3,022
2000 modern 2,130 #3,007
2001 modern 2,088 #3,000
2002 modern 2,138 #2,996
2003 modern 2,077 #3,018
2004 modern 2,113 #2,965
2005 modern 2,087 #2,955
2006 modern 2,099 #2,954
2007 modern 2,141 #2,925
2008 modern 2,153 #2,942
2009 modern 2,201 #2,952
2010 modern 2,234 #2,977
2011 modern 2,174 #3,007
2012 modern 2,141 #2,991
2013 modern 2,168 #3,006
2014 modern 2,178 #3,010
2015 modern 2,188 #2,968
2016 modern 2,199 #2,949

Geography

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Where Ferriers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Arbroath and St. Vigeans, Montrose, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Brechin. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Forfar West, Forfar East, Broughty Ferry West, IZ09 and Letham and Glamis. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Arbroath and St. Vigeans Forfar
2 Montrose Forfar
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
5 Brechin Forfar

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Forfar West Angus
2 Forfar East Angus
3 Broughty Ferry West Dundee City
4 IZ09 East Lothian
5 Letham and Glamis Angus

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ferrier

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ferrier

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Ferrier, 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 Ferrier surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Ferrier 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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Ferrier is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ferrier 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

Ferrier falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Ferrier 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 Ferrier, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Ferrier

The surname Ferrier is of French origin, derived from the Old French word 'ferrier', meaning a blacksmith or worker of iron. It is believed to have emerged in the late 11th century, around the time of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

The name is thought to have originated in the northern regions of France, particularly in Normandy and Brittany. These areas were known for their metalworking and ironworking industries, which likely contributed to the emergence of the occupational surname Ferrier.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name is listed as 'Ferrarius', a latinized version of the French 'ferrier', indicating the presence of individuals with this occupation in England shortly after the Norman Conquest.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as 'Ferrer', 'Ferour', and 'Feror', reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling. One notable bearer of the name during this period was Robert le Ferrier, a prominent landowner in Nottinghamshire, England, who was mentioned in records from the year 1275.

The Ferrier surname can also be traced to various place names in France, such as Ferrières, which means 'iron works' or 'iron mines'. This further reinforces the connection between the name and the metalworking trade.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the Ferrier surname. One example is Jean Ferrier (1489-1550), a French jurist and philosopher who served as the Chancellor of France during the reign of King Francis I. Another notable bearer of the name was Arnaud Ferrier (1506-1585), a French lawyer and diplomat who played a significant role in the French Wars of Religion.

In England, the Ferrier family can be traced back to the 16th century. One prominent member was Sir Walter Ferrier (1555-1629), an English courtier and diplomat who served under Queen Elizabeth I and King James I.

Other notable individuals with the Ferrier surname include James Frederick Ferrier (1808-1864), a Scottish philosopher and metaphysician, and Jean-Baptiste Ferrier (1866-1936), a French sculptor and medalist.

Overall, the Ferrier surname has a rich history rooted in the metalworking and ironworking trades of medieval France, with branches spreading throughout Europe and beyond, leaving a lasting legacy in various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ferrier families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ferrier 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. Angus leads with 467 Ferriers recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.66x.

County Total Index
Angus 467 29.66x
Midlothian 209 9.18x
Lanarkshire 178 3.24x
Middlesex 73 0.43x
Perthshire 63 8.26x
Stirlingshire 52 8.30x
Surrey 52 0.63x
Lancashire 51 0.25x
Kincardineshire 50 24.16x
Aberdeenshire 48 3.05x
Kent 46 0.79x
Fife 38 3.78x
Renfrewshire 38 2.89x
Glamorgan 33 1.12x
Ayrshire 32 2.52x
Durham 32 0.63x
Sussex 21 0.73x
Dunbartonshire 20 4.38x
Morayshire 17 6.44x
Isle of Man 16 5.07x
Norfolk 16 0.61x
Yorkshire 16 0.10x
Pembrokeshire 14 2.59x
West Lothian 14 5.47x
Berwickshire 12 5.83x
Cheshire 12 0.32x
Argyllshire 11 2.33x
Orkney 11 5.88x
Banffshire 9 2.55x
Devon 9 0.25x
Inverness-shire 9 1.77x
Northumberland 9 0.36x
Essex 8 0.24x
Lincolnshire 7 0.26x
Royal Navy 7 3.46x
Caithness 6 2.58x
Hertfordshire 6 0.51x
Buteshire 4 3.89x
Clackmannanshire 4 2.85x
Hampshire 3 0.09x
Peeblesshire 3 3.75x
Roxburghshire 3 0.97x
Suffolk 3 0.14x
Gloucestershire 2 0.06x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.09x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.10x
Channel Islands 1 0.20x
East Lothian 1 0.44x
Northamptonshire 1 0.06x
Ross-shire 1 0.21x
Somerset 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 102 Ferriers recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.14x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 102 11.14x
Dundee 78 13.27x
Monifieth 77 138.46x
Barony 74 5.32x
Brechin 74 119.61x
St Vigeans 56 65.90x
Govan 32 2.35x
Liff Benvie 30 12.55x
Montrose 29 30.40x
Arbroath 28 53.67x
South Leith 25 9.76x
Lambeth 21 1.42x
Forfar 19 22.29x
Kirkden 19 192.89x
Aberdeen Old Machar 18 5.48x
Falkirk 18 12.27x
Benholm 17 191.23x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 17 31.57x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 16 5.43x
Barry 16 84.70x
Malew 16 58.03x
Ardrossan 15 34.08x
Glasgow 15 1.54x
Larbert 15 40.03x
New Monkland 15 9.23x
Dumbarton 14 22.03x
Rutherglen 14 17.36x
Abbey 12 5.97x
Blackburn 11 2.05x
Elgin 11 21.42x
Glenmuick Tullich 11 97.00x
Old Monkland 11 5.04x
Perth East Church 11 15.30x
Roath 11 8.19x
Blackley 10 28.29x
Cwmdu 10 27.74x
Dunoon Kilmun 10 27.11x
Eyemouth 10 58.24x
St Ninians 10 16.10x
Stromness 10 71.33x
Arbuthnott 9 191.08x
Arundel 9 56.11x
Darlington 9 4.61x
Dunlop 9 113.49x
Edinburgh St Marys 9 20.34x
Fettercairn 9 102.27x
Blairgowrie 8 26.52x
Bothkennar 8 42.76x
Edzell 8 166.32x
Hove 8 6.36x
Islington London 8 0.49x
Kinnoull 8 39.90x
Kirriemuir 8 20.60x
Linlithgow 8 24.38x
Mortlach 8 46.48x
South Molton 8 41.17x
St Pancras London 8 0.58x
Cameron 7 119.86x
Cheriton 7 29.62x
Hartlepool 7 9.74x
Inverness 7 5.48x
Kingston On Thames 7 3.52x
Limehouse London 7 3.75x
Mitcham 7 13.38x
Newbattle 7 35.97x
Ormesby 7 15.47x
Paisley High Church 7 6.68x
Poplar London 7 2.18x
St Marylebone London 7 0.77x
Westoe 7 2.44x
Birkenhead 6 2.01x
Cardiff St John 6 6.21x
Chipping Barnet 6 29.28x
Duddingston 6 13.13x
Dundonald 6 12.79x
Manchester 6 0.66x
Minster In Thanet 6 49.71x
Royal Navy 6 3.47x
West Greenock 6 2.54x
Willesden 6 3.75x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 28
Elizabeth 22
Ellen 9
Jane 8
Annie 7
Emma 7
Margaret 7
Sarah 7
Alice 6
Ann 5
Catherine 5
Caroline 4
Charlotte 4
Eliza 4
Maria 4
Elizth. 3
Frances 3
Georgina 3
Martha 3
Matilda 3
Agnes 2
Christina 2
Edith 2
Emily 2
Fanny 2
Harriet 2
Helen 2
Isabella 2
Kate 2
Keturah 2
Mabel 2
Mira 2
Rachel 2
Susan 2
Adela 1
Am.(Mrs.) 1
Anne 1
Bertha 1
Catharine 1
Constance 1
Dora 1
Dorother 1
Elizth.A. 1
Hellen 1
Ida 1
J. 1
Janet 1
Jean 1
Jennie 1
Virginia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 27
Charles 17
Henry 17
William 17
George 15
James 13
Alfred 8
Robert 8
Thomas 8
Alexander 7
Richard 6
Albert 5
Edward 5
Joseph 5
Ernest 4
Walter 4
Arthur 3
David 3
Augustus 2
Benjamin 2
Claude 2
Evan 2
Frank 2
Frederick 2
Herbert 2
Lawrence 2
Alex. 1
Andrew 1
Archibald 1
C.F. 1
Francis 1
G.N. 1
Harry 1
Hugh 1
Jno. 1
Joaquin 1
Kay 1
Loisis 1
Omar 1
Percy 1
Peter 1
Robinson 1
Samuel 1
T. 1
Thornton 1
Timoth 1
Victor 1
W. 1
W.B. 1
Ygnacio 1

FAQ

Ferrier surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ferrier surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,730 people were recorded with the Ferrier surname. That placed it at #2,495 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ferrier surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,199 in 2016. That gives Ferrier a modern rank of #2,949.

What does the Ferrier surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a craftsman who shoes horses.

What does the Ferrier map show?

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