UK surname
A surname derived from the Old English word meaning "to fetch or bring".
In the 1881 census there were 115 people recorded with the Fetch surname, ranking it #18,230 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 70, ranked #33,700, down from #18,230 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars, Sheffield and Slains. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fetch is 147 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 39.1%.
1881 census count
115
Ranked #18,230
Modern count
70
2016, ranked #33,700
Peak year
1891
147 bearers
Map years
4
1861 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Fetch surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Fetch surname density by area, 1881 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 | 70 | #21,020 |
| 1861 | historical | 145 | #15,715 |
| 1881 | historical | 115 | #18,230 |
| 1891 | historical | 147 | #18,592 |
| 1901 | historical | 107 | #21,955 |
| 1911 | historical | 92 | #23,580 |
| 1997 | modern | 65 | #31,141 |
| 1998 | modern | 65 | #31,477 |
| 1999 | modern | 68 | #31,311 |
| 2000 | modern | 61 | #32,039 |
| 2001 | modern | 62 | #31,798 |
| 2002 | modern | 67 | #31,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 63 | #32,152 |
| 2004 | modern | 65 | #32,177 |
| 2005 | modern | 68 | #32,097 |
| 2006 | modern | 64 | #32,839 |
| 2007 | modern | 65 | #33,045 |
| 2008 | modern | 67 | #33,135 |
| 2009 | modern | 68 | #33,341 |
| 2010 | modern | 67 | #33,713 |
| 2011 | modern | 67 | #33,704 |
| 2012 | modern | 66 | #33,901 |
| 2013 | modern | 63 | #34,193 |
| 2014 | modern | 65 | #34,082 |
| 2015 | modern | 68 | #33,854 |
| 2016 | modern | 70 | #33,700 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars, Sheffield, Slains, Paisley Abbey and Banff. 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 | Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars | Leicestershire |
| 2 | Sheffield | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 3 | Slains | Aberdeen |
| 4 | Paisley Abbey | Renfrew |
| 5 | Banff | Banff |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Fetch 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 Fetch, 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 Fetch surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Fetch 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, Fetch 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 Fetch is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Fetch, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname FETCH is believed to have originated in England, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. It is likely derived from the Old English word "fecc," which means "to fetch" or "to bring." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to a person who was a messenger or a courier.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name FETCH can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1191, where a person named Richard Fecche is mentioned. This document, which was a record of financial transactions, provides evidence that the name was in use during the late 12th century.
During the 13th century, the name FETCH appears to have spread across various regions of England. In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were a survey of landowners and their holdings, there are references to individuals with the surname FETCH in counties such as Oxfordshire and Warwickshire.
In the 14th century, the name FETCH is found in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk, which were tax records from the year 1327. These rolls list a John Feche among the taxpayers, indicating that the name was well-established in the region at that time.
One notable figure associated with the surname FETCH was Sir John Fetch (c. 1450-1519), a wealthy merchant and alderman of the City of London. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1511 and was known for his philanthropic efforts, including the establishment of a school in Walsall, Staffordshire.
Another prominent individual was William Fetch (1557-1629), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the Rector of Steeple Ashton in Wiltshire. He was known for his academic works, including a Latin grammar textbook published in 1615.
In the 17th century, the name FETCH can be found in various parish records across England. For example, in the parish register of St. Mary's Church in Warwick, there are entries for the baptisms of children with the surname FETCH in the years 1623 and 1631.
The name FETCH has also been associated with several place names in England, such as Fetch Wood in Shropshire and Fetch Farm in Oxfordshire. These place names may have derived from the surname or vice versa, reflecting the deep-rooted connections between family names and geographical locations.
Among the notable individuals with the surname FETCH in more recent history was Sir Gerald Fetch (1875-1942), a British businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the development of education and healthcare facilities in his hometown of Wolverhampton.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fetch 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. Banffshire leads with 24 Fetchs recorded in 1881 and an index of 104.08x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Banffshire | 24 | 104.08x |
| Yorkshire | 24 | 2.18x |
| Middlesex | 14 | 1.26x |
| Essex | 12 | 5.47x |
| Leicestershire | 12 | 9.73x |
| Bedfordshire | 7 | 12.16x |
| Northamptonshire | 6 | 5.74x |
| Surrey | 5 | 0.92x |
| Aberdeenshire | 4 | 3.88x |
| Cambridgeshire | 4 | 5.68x |
| Dorset | 1 | 1.37x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.26x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Banff in Banffshire leads with 21 Fetchs recorded in 1881 and an index of 1050.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Banff | 21 | 1050.00x |
| Melton Mowbray | 11 | 495.50x |
| Brightside Bierlow | 9 | 41.65x |
| Islington London | 9 | 8.35x |
| Little Warley | 7 | 2258.06x |
| Luton | 7 | 70.21x |
| Brigstock | 5 | 1250.00x |
| Lambeth | 5 | 5.16x |
| Middlesbrough | 5 | 34.84x |
| Sible Hedingham | 3 | 410.96x |
| Slains | 3 | 625.00x |
| Brentwood | 2 | 149.25x |
| Easington In Patrington | 2 | 1333.33x |
| Hampstead London | 2 | 11.55x |
| St Andrewthe Great | 2 | 219.78x |
| Sutton Stoneferry | 2 | 63.49x |
| Aberdeen St Nicholas | 1 | 5.19x |
| Alvah | 1 | 192.31x |
| Attercliffe Cum Darnall | 1 | 9.75x |
| Dunnington In York | 1 | 357.14x |
| Forglen | 1 | 357.14x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 3.65x |
| Holy Trinity | 1 | 3.77x |
| Hook | 1 | 41.32x |
| Leicester St Nicholas | 1 | 142.86x |
| Margate St John Baptist | 1 | 14.39x |
| Ordiquhill | 1 | 370.37x |
| Owthorne | 1 | 476.19x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 2.45x |
| Portland | 1 | 25.51x |
| Southcoates | 1 | 16.34x |
| St George Hanover Square | 1 | 5.10x |
| Tansor | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Trumpington | 1 | 277.78x |
| Wisbech St Peter | 1 | 28.33x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Fetch 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 Fetch 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 Fetch households.
FAQ
In 1881, 115 people were recorded with the Fetch surname. That placed it at #18,230 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 70 in 2016. That gives Fetch a modern rank of #33,700.
A surname derived from the Old English word meaning "to fetch or bring".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Fetch 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.