NameCensus.

UK surname

Fitzroy

A surname meaning "son of the king" derived from the Norman French fils ("son") and roi ("king").

In the 1881 census there were 123 people recorded with the Fitzroy surname, ranking it #17,506 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 126, ranked #26,686, down from #17,506 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rugby, London parishes and Yately. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include St Edmundsbury, Birmingham and South Norfolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fitzroy is 129 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 2.4%.

1881 census count

123

Ranked #17,506

Modern count

126

2016, ranked #26,686

Peak year

2013

129 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Fitzroy had 123 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #17,506 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016, ranked #26,686.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 123 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Fitzroy surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Fitzroy surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Fitzroy 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 81 #19,457
1861 historical 45 #28,296
1881 historical 123 #17,506
1891 historical 107 #22,967
1901 historical 123 #20,248
1911 historical 102 #22,465
1997 modern 105 #26,188
1998 modern 106 #26,689
1999 modern 120 #24,960
2000 modern 117 #25,324
2001 modern 115 #25,222
2002 modern 118 #25,358
2003 modern 121 #24,776
2004 modern 123 #24,679
2005 modern 124 #24,529
2006 modern 116 #25,813
2007 modern 128 #24,632
2008 modern 128 #24,901
2009 modern 126 #25,686
2010 modern 128 #26,036
2011 modern 127 #25,926
2012 modern 125 #26,298
2013 modern 129 #26,211
2014 modern 127 #26,634
2015 modern 128 #26,356
2016 modern 126 #26,686

Geography

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Where Fitzroys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rugby, London parishes, Yately 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 St Edmundsbury, Birmingham, South Norfolk, Kensington and Chelsea and Medway. 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 Rugby Warwickshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Yately Surrey
4 London parishes London 3
5 St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace London (West Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 St Edmundsbury 002 St Edmundsbury
2 Birmingham 053 Birmingham
3 South Norfolk 010 South Norfolk
4 Kensington and Chelsea 008 Kensington and Chelsea
5 Medway 017 Medway

Forenames

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First names often paired with Fitzroy

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Fitzroy

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Fitzroy surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Fitzroy household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

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Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Fitzroy 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.

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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

Fitzroy 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

Fitzroy falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Fitzroy is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Fitzroy

The surname FITZROY has its origins in medieval England, derived from the Norman-French term "fitz le roy," which translates to "son of the king." This surname initially gained prominence during the Norman conquest of England in the 11th century.

The earliest known usage of the surname FITZROY can be traced back to the late 11th century, when it was used by the illegitimate children of King Henry I of England. One of the most notable bearers of this surname was Henry FitzRoy, born around 1103, who was the son of Henry I and his mistress, Sybilla Redvers.

During the Middle Ages, the surname FITZROY was closely associated with the English royal family, as it was often bestowed upon the illegitimate offspring of monarchs or their close relatives. This practice continued through the reigns of subsequent English kings, such as Henry II and John.

The FITZROY surname is mentioned in several historical documents, including the Domesday Book, which was compiled in 1086 under the order of William the Conqueror. In this record, there are references to individuals bearing the surname, indicating their connection to the English monarchy.

One of the most famous individuals with the surname FITZROY was Robert FitzRoy (1805-1865), who was a British naval officer and meteorologist. He is best known for captaining HMS Beagle during Charles Darwin's famous voyage of discovery, which led to the development of Darwin's theory of evolution.

Another notable bearer of the FITZROY surname was Charles FitzRoy (1683-1757), who was the 2nd Duke of Grafton and served as Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1768 to 1770. He was a prominent figure in British politics during the 18th century.

In the 16th century, the FITZROY surname was also held by Henry FitzRoy (1519-1536), who was the illegitimate son of King Henry VIII and his mistress, Elizabeth Blount. Henry FitzRoy was appointed Duke of Richmond at a young age and was considered a potential heir to the English throne before his untimely death at the age of 17.

Throughout history, the FITZROY surname has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Fitzroy Square in London and the town of Fitzroy in Somerset. These place names are believed to have been derived from individuals bearing the FITZROY surname who had connections to those locations.

In summary, the surname FITZROY has a rich and storied history, tracing its roots back to the Norman conquest of England and the medieval English monarchy. It has been borne by individuals of noble and royal descent, as well as those associated with significant historical events and discoveries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Fitzroy families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fitzroy 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. Middlesex leads with 32 Fitzroys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.76x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 32 2.76x
Sussex 11 5.62x
Northamptonshire 10 9.16x
Warwickshire 9 3.07x
Hampshire 8 3.36x
Kent 7 1.77x
Lancashire 7 0.51x
Glamorgan 6 2.97x
Devon 5 2.07x
Inverness-shire 5 14.43x
Dorset 2 2.63x
Lanarkshire 2 0.53x
Midlothian 2 1.29x
Surrey 2 0.35x
Bedfordshire 1 1.66x
Berkshire 1 1.15x
Buckinghamshire 1 1.43x
Channel Islands 1 2.91x
Essex 1 0.44x
Gloucestershire 1 0.44x
Hertfordshire 1 1.25x
Huntingdonshire 1 4.34x
Norfolk 1 0.56x
Royal Navy 1 7.23x
Yorkshire 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Rugby in Warwickshire leads with 8 Fitzroys recorded in 1881 and an index of 202.02x.

Place Total Index
Rugby 8 202.02x
Brighton 6 15.20x
Kensington London 6 9.30x
Swansea Town 6 36.21x
Westminster St 6 140.19x
Yateley 6 1333.33x
Laggan 5 1351.35x
Liverpool 5 5.98x
Grafton Regis 4 5714.29x
Harlestone 4 1739.13x
Hastings All Sts 4 217.39x
St George Hanover 4 26.40x
Teddington London 4 152.09x
Canterbury St Mary 3 112.78x
Chelsea London 3 8.58x
Stoke Newington London 3 33.19x
Bradford Peverell 2 1538.46x
East Molesey 2 152.67x
Foots Cray 2 263.16x
Holdenhurst 2 32.05x
Passenham 2 444.44x
Stoke 2 204.08x
Stoke Damerel 2 11.83x
Barony 1 1.05x
Beverley St Mary 1 59.52x
Birmingham 1 1.03x
Brampton 1 208.33x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 1 4.67x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 1.60x
Enfield 1 13.12x
Fulham London 1 5.94x
Glasgow 1 1.50x
Gorton 1 7.72x
Halsall 1 185.19x
Hammersmith London 1 3.50x
Horsham 1 26.32x
Hunstanton 1 166.67x
Islington London 1 0.89x
Langley Marish 1 116.28x
Little Waltham 1 434.78x
Luton 1 9.62x
North Leith 1 13.89x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 5.37x
Royal Navy 1 8.46x
St Marylebone London 1 1.61x
St Pauls Cray 1 333.33x
St Saviour 1 52.63x
Watford 1 16.13x
Willesden 1 9.14x
Windsor Castle 1 1250.00x
Woolwich 1 6.84x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Annie 3
Mary 3
Ann 2
Catherine 2
Charlotte 2
Elizabeth 2
Ella 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Gertrude 2
Jane 2
Lucy 2
Maria 2
Sarah 2
Adda 1
Agusta 1
Amelia 1
Anna 1
Anne 1
Bertha 1
Blanche 1
Bona 1
Caroline 1
Constance 1
Ellen 1
Esme 1
Eva 1
F. 1
Frederica 1
Georgina 1
Harriet 1
Helen 1
Ismay 1
Jessie 1
Katherine 1
Kathleen 1
Laura 1
Lilian 1
Lilias 1
Luisa 1
Lydia 1
Margaret 1
Maud 1
May 1
Minnie 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 6
William 6
Charles 5
Edward 5
Frederick 3
James 3
Robert 2
Cavendish 1
Cyril 1
Ernest 1
Evelynn 1
F.Horatio 1
Francis 1
Fredk.G. 1
Harold 1
Henry 1
Hugh 1
Maurice 1
Ronald 1
Samuel 1
Stafford 1
Victor 1
W.F. 1
Wood 1

FAQ

Fitzroy surname: questions and answers

How common was the Fitzroy surname in 1881?

In 1881, 123 people were recorded with the Fitzroy surname. That placed it at #17,506 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Fitzroy surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016. That gives Fitzroy a modern rank of #26,686.

What does the Fitzroy surname mean?

A surname meaning "son of the king" derived from the Norman French fils ("son") and roi ("king").

What does the Fitzroy map show?

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