UK surname
A surname derived from the French "ferrier" meaning a blacksmith or metalworker.
In the 1881 census there were 74 people recorded with the Ferriss surname, ranking it #23,062 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 65, ranked #34,017, down from #23,062 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Battersea and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ferriss is 130 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 12.2%.
1881 census count
74
Ranked #23,062
Modern count
65
2016, ranked #34,017
Peak year
1901
130 bearers
Map years
2
1901 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Ferriss surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Ferriss surname density by area, 1911 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 | 44 | #25,328 |
| 1861 | historical | 19 | #31,470 |
| 1881 | historical | 74 | #23,062 |
| 1891 | historical | 84 | #26,229 |
| 1901 | historical | 130 | #19,649 |
| 1911 | historical | 106 | #21,948 |
| 1997 | modern | 61 | #31,526 |
| 1998 | modern | 59 | #32,027 |
| 1999 | modern | 57 | #32,367 |
| 2000 | modern | 58 | #32,317 |
| 2001 | modern | 58 | #32,180 |
| 2002 | modern | 57 | #32,661 |
| 2003 | modern | 59 | #32,530 |
| 2004 | modern | 65 | #32,177 |
| 2005 | modern | 60 | #32,917 |
| 2006 | modern | 59 | #33,330 |
| 2007 | modern | 65 | #33,045 |
| 2008 | modern | 64 | #33,402 |
| 2009 | modern | 66 | #33,538 |
| 2010 | modern | 70 | #33,480 |
| 2011 | modern | 75 | #33,071 |
| 2012 | modern | 68 | #33,763 |
| 2013 | modern | 73 | #33,557 |
| 2014 | modern | 73 | #33,587 |
| 2015 | modern | 67 | #33,911 |
| 2016 | modern | 65 | #34,017 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Battersea, Manchester, Lambeth and St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace. 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 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 2 | Battersea | London (South Districts) |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace | London (West Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Ferriss 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 Ferriss, 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 Ferriss surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Ferriss 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, Ferriss 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 Ferriss is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Ferriss, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Ferriss is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old French word "ferrier," which referred to a worker who dealt with iron or a blacksmith. This occupational surname suggests that the earliest bearers of this name were likely blacksmiths or ironworkers by trade.
The name Ferriss can be traced back to various regions in England, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Essex. It was often spelled differently in historical records, such as Ferris, Ferres, or Ferrers. These variations in spelling were common during the Middle Ages due to inconsistent record-keeping and the lack of standardized spelling conventions.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ferriss can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This document mentions a certain "Radulfus Ferrer" in Lincolnshire, indicating the presence of the name in England at that time.
In the 13th century, a notable figure named William Ferriss was appointed as the Sheriff of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. He played a significant role in the administration of these counties during the reign of King Henry III.
Another prominent individual with the surname Ferriss was Sir John Ferriss, who lived during the 15th century. He was a member of the gentry class and served as a Member of Parliament for the county of Hertfordshire in 1449.
During the 16th century, a man named Thomas Ferriss (c. 1520 - 1585) gained recognition as a prominent scholar and translator. He is best known for his English translations of several works by the Greek philosopher Plato.
In the 17th century, a clergyman named Richard Ferriss (1635 - 1698) made significant contributions to the Church of England. He served as the Archdeacon of Barnstaple and played a crucial role in the religious affairs of the region.
The surname Ferriss has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Ferris Hill in Worcestershire and Ferris Court in Kent. These place names likely derived from individuals with the Ferriss surname who once lived or owned land in those areas.
Throughout history, the Ferriss surname has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including blacksmiths, clergymen, scholars, and members of the gentry class. While the name may have evolved in spelling over time, its origins can be traced back to the occupational roots of ironworkers and blacksmiths in medieval England.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ferriss 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. Surrey leads with 24 Ferriss' recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.83x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 24 | 6.83x |
| Lanarkshire | 11 | 4.71x |
| Berkshire | 9 | 16.62x |
| Middlesex | 8 | 1.11x |
| Gloucestershire | 6 | 4.24x |
| Devon | 5 | 3.33x |
| Staffordshire | 3 | 1.23x |
| Somerset | 2 | 1.72x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 1.61x |
| Herefordshire | 1 | 3.38x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.41x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.12x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 1.03x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.55x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 15 Ferriss' recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.84x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lambeth | 15 | 23.84x |
| West Ilsley | 8 | 8888.89x |
| Govan | 6 | 10.40x |
| Croydon | 5 | 25.61x |
| Glasgow | 5 | 12.07x |
| Tormoham | 5 | 78.62x |
| Aldsworth | 4 | 4000.00x |
| St Pancras London | 4 | 6.89x |
| Wednesbury | 3 | 49.26x |
| Battersea | 2 | 7.53x |
| Chard | 2 | 141.84x |
| Kempley | 2 | 2857.14x |
| Rotherhithe | 2 | 22.42x |
| Bow London | 1 | 10.88x |
| Darenth | 1 | 263.16x |
| Farnworth | 1 | 19.49x |
| Liberton | 1 | 67.11x |
| Llangarren | 1 | 370.37x |
| Rugby | 1 | 40.65x |
| Sonning | 1 | 166.67x |
| St Bride London | 1 | 238.10x |
| St George Martyr London | 1 | 68.49x |
| St Luke London | 1 | 8.64x |
| Wetheral | 1 | 121.95x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Ferriss 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 Ferriss 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 Ferriss households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 13 |
| Ag Laborer | 2 |
| Carpenter | 2 |
| Laundress | 2 |
| Shepherd | 2 |
| Artificial Flower Maker | 1 |
| Cabinet Maker | 1 |
| Clerk | 1 |
| Dividends | 1 |
| Domestic (Serv) | 1 |
| Farm Work | 1 |
| Gardener (M) | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| General Serv | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Ladys Maid | 1 |
| Nurse Maid | 1 |
| Painter (Ret) | 1 |
| Retired Draper | 1 |
| Sawyer | 1 |
| Servt | 1 |
| Shipwright Unemployed | 1 |
| Tailoress | 1 |
| Tutor | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 74 people were recorded with the Ferriss surname. That placed it at #23,062 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 65 in 2016. That gives Ferriss a modern rank of #34,017.
A surname derived from the French "ferrier" meaning a blacksmith or metalworker.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Ferriss 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.