NameCensus.

UK surname

Figg

An English surname derived from the Old English word "ficce" meaning "fig tree."

In the 1881 census there were 722 people recorded with the Figg surname, ranking it #5,047 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 645, ranked #8,231, down from #5,047 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Abinger, Ockley, Wotton with Oakwood, London parishes and Ashendon with Pollecot. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mole Valley, Purbeck and Rochford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Figg is 921 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 10.7%.

1881 census count

722

Ranked #5,047

Modern count

645

2016, ranked #8,231

Peak year

1911

921 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Figg had 722 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,047 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 645 in 2016, ranked #8,231.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 921 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Figg surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Figg surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Figg 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 482 #5,171
1861 historical 473 #5,497
1881 historical 722 #5,047
1891 historical 684 #5,723
1901 historical 863 #5,302
1911 historical 921 #4,863
1997 modern 770 #6,736
1998 modern 785 #6,864
1999 modern 756 #7,105
2000 modern 732 #7,242
2001 modern 711 #7,275
2002 modern 731 #7,248
2003 modern 703 #7,367
2004 modern 717 #7,251
2005 modern 709 #7,256
2006 modern 687 #7,479
2007 modern 687 #7,535
2008 modern 668 #7,753
2009 modern 682 #7,806
2010 modern 718 #7,631
2011 modern 678 #7,885
2012 modern 663 #7,943
2013 modern 659 #8,125
2014 modern 666 #8,096
2015 modern 651 #8,187
2016 modern 645 #8,231

Geography

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Where Figgs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Abinger, Ockley, Wotton with Oakwood, London parishes, Ashendon with Pollecot and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mole Valley, Purbeck, Rochford, Chichester and Bromley. 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 Abinger, Ockley, Wotton with Oakwood Surrey
2 London parishes London 1
3 Ashendon with Pollecot Buckinghamshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mole Valley 012 Mole Valley
2 Purbeck 006 Purbeck
3 Rochford 002 Rochford
4 Chichester 008 Chichester
5 Bromley 039 Bromley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Figg

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Figg

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Figg surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Figg household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Figg is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Figg is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Figg 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 Figg is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Figg

The surname FIGG is of English origin and can be traced back to the late 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "ficce" or "fic," which was used to refer to a fig tree or a small fig.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire in 1199, where a person named William Figg is listed as a landowner. The Pipe Rolls were a series of financial records maintained by the English Exchequer and provide valuable insights into the names and locations of individuals during that time period.

In the 13th century, the surname appears in various forms such as Fygge, Figge, and Figg, reflecting the various spellings used in medieval times. The earliest known bearer of the name was Thomas Figge, who was listed in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273. The Hundred Rolls were a series of administrative records compiled during the reign of King Edward I.

The name FIGG is often associated with certain place names, particularly in the counties of Suffolk and Norfolk, where it is believed to have originated. For instance, the village of Figg's Marsh in Suffolk may have derived its name from an early bearer of the surname.

Among the notable individuals with the surname FIGG throughout history are:

1. James Figg (1684-1734), an English bare-knuckle boxer and instructor who is considered one of the pioneers of the sport in Britain. 2. Robert Figg (c. 1670-1725), an English carpenter and builder who was active in the early 18th century and worked on various projects in London. 3. John Figg (1616-1660), an English Puritan minister and author who wrote several religious works during the 17th century. 4. William Figg (fl. 1590s), an English printer and publisher who was active in London during the late 16th century. 5. Elizabeth Figg (c. 1620-1680), an English woman who was accused of witchcraft and tried during the infamous Matthew Hopkins witchcraft trials in the 1640s.

While the surname FIGG may have been more prevalent in certain regions of England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and can be found in various countries today.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Figg families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Figg 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. Surrey leads with 174 Figgs recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.13x.

County Total Index
Surrey 174 5.13x
Middlesex 147 2.11x
Buckinghamshire 92 21.85x
Sussex 72 6.13x
Kent 56 2.36x
Hertfordshire 37 7.71x
Hampshire 25 1.75x
Oxfordshire 25 5.81x
Cheshire 19 1.24x
Derbyshire 13 1.19x
Yorkshire 13 0.19x
Essex 10 0.73x
Berkshire 5 0.96x
Aberdeenshire 4 0.62x
Bedfordshire 4 1.11x
Lancashire 4 0.05x
Devon 3 0.21x
Norfolk 2 0.19x
Warwickshire 2 0.11x
Durham 1 0.05x
Gloucestershire 1 0.07x
Herefordshire 1 0.35x
Midlothian 1 0.11x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.11x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.45x
Royal Navy 1 1.20x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bermondsey in Surrey leads with 29 Figgs recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.99x.

Place Total Index
Bermondsey 29 13.99x
Watlington 25 568.18x
Lambeth 22 3.62x
Clerkenwell London 17 10.34x
Aylesbury 16 85.74x
Croydon 15 7.96x
Islington London 15 2.22x
Marsworth 15 1376.15x
Deptford St Paul 14 7.64x
Shoreditch London 14 4.64x
Battersea 13 5.07x
Hackney London 13 3.33x
Storrington 13 403.73x
Dorking 12 52.65x
Dover St James 11 105.67x
Keymer 11 132.69x
St Marylebone London 11 2.96x
Harmondsworth 10 231.48x
St Pancras London 10 1.78x
Abinger 9 319.15x
Ashendon 9 1551.72x
Chelsea London 9 4.29x
Lewisham 9 7.10x
Newton In Ashton Under 9 59.33x
Petersham 9 671.64x
Bushey 8 69.99x
Camberwell 8 1.80x
Haddenham 8 231.21x
St Albans 8 81.30x
Tring 8 62.40x
Brighton 7 2.95x
Kingston On Thames 7 8.59x
Mile End Old Town London 7 4.72x
Portsea 7 2.50x
Shipley 7 404.62x
Wandsworth 7 10.44x
Wanstead 7 29.07x
Westcott 7 1250.00x
Woolbeding 7 804.60x
Cuddington 6 530.97x
Glossop Dale 6 11.75x
Ham Kingston On Thames 6 402.68x
Monks Risborough 6 297.03x
Selborne 6 206.19x
Stedham 6 465.12x
Watford 6 16.12x
Wimbledon 6 15.75x
Bethnal Green London 5 1.65x
Billingshurst 5 129.87x
Hove 5 9.70x
Maidstone 5 7.06x
North Mundham 5 427.35x
Waddesdon Westcott 5 378.79x
Wendover 5 110.13x
Weston Turville 5 255.10x
Wycombe 5 15.93x
Aberdeen Old Machar 4 2.97x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 4 6.22x
Clophill 4 151.52x
Godley 4 120.48x
Holdenhurst 4 10.68x
Horsham 4 17.54x
Lymington 4 38.13x
Southwark St John 4 18.78x
Uxbridge 4 50.25x
Woking 4 19.56x
Caytn Deepdal Kilrby 3 205.48x
Dukinfield 3 4.22x
Ealing 3 4.82x
Edmonton 3 5.35x
Eltham 3 21.54x
Hackington St Stephen 3 197.37x
Milton In Gravesend 3 8.42x
Newdigate 3 188.68x
Newington 3 1.17x
Reading St Mary 3 7.17x
Redbourn 3 57.14x
St Thomas Winchester 3 29.76x
Stoke Newington London 3 5.53x
West Moulsey 3 189.87x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 29
Sarah 28
Elizabeth 24
Annie 19
Ann 16
Eliza 14
Emma 14
Ellen 13
Charlotte 11
Jane 11
Emily 10
Martha 10
Fanny 9
Alice 8
Caroline 7
Louisa 7
Kate 6
Lydia 6
Susan 6
Esther 5
Florence 5
Harriet 5
Minnie 5
Edith 4
Frances 4
Helen 4
Margaret 4
Rebecca 4
Jemima 3
Matilda 3
Ada 2
Amelia 2
Amy 2
Anne 2
Clara 2
Ethel 2
Hannah 2
Hart. 2
Leah 2
Lucy 2
Maria 2
Rose 2
Rosena 2
Rosina 2
Ruth 2
Selina 2
Susannah 2
Cecilia 1
Elizebeth 1
Elizth. 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 44
William 39
George 24
Henry 24
James 22
Thomas 15
Charles 12
Arthur 11
Joseph 11
Richard 11
Alfred 10
Frederick 10
Robert 10
Harry 8
Albert 5
Edward 5
Frank 5
Ernest 4
Walter 4
Herbert 3
Wm. 3
Benjamin 2
Elijah 2
Francis 2
Geo. 2
Job 2
Jonathan 2
Robt. 2
Tom 2
Carls 1
Dan 1
David 1
Dick 1
Dunn 1
Edmund 1
Fred.Wm. 1
Freddy 1
Fredk. 1
Hermon 1
Jabez 1
Leonard 1
Mark 1
Norman 1
Olbery 1
Owen 1
Percy 1
Peter 1
Philip 1
Phillip 1
Rolland 1

FAQ

Figg surname: questions and answers

How common was the Figg surname in 1881?

In 1881, 722 people were recorded with the Figg surname. That placed it at #5,047 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Figg surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 645 in 2016. That gives Figg a modern rank of #8,231.

What does the Figg surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Old English word "ficce" meaning "fig tree."

What does the Figg map show?

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