UK surname
An occupational surname referring to a flymaker or someone who worked with flywheels or other mechanical devices.
In the 1881 census there were 88 people recorded with the Fly surname, ranking it #21,211 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 47, ranked #35,069, down from #21,211 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Devonport Stonehouse, East, St Alkmund and Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fly is 103 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 46.6%.
1881 census count
88
Ranked #21,211
Modern count
47
2016, ranked #35,069
Peak year
1851
103 bearers
Map years
1
1851 to 1851
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Fly surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Fly surname density by area, 1851 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 | 103 | #16,835 |
| 1881 | historical | 88 | #21,211 |
| 1901 | historical | 82 | #25,019 |
| 1997 | modern | 38 | #33,872 |
| 1998 | modern | 39 | #33,967 |
| 1999 | modern | 38 | #34,142 |
| 2000 | modern | 38 | #34,146 |
| 2001 | modern | 41 | #33,753 |
| 2002 | modern | 42 | #33,951 |
| 2003 | modern | 41 | #34,113 |
| 2004 | modern | 40 | #34,387 |
| 2005 | modern | 40 | #34,562 |
| 2006 | modern | 43 | #34,647 |
| 2007 | modern | 47 | #34,558 |
| 2008 | modern | 49 | #34,580 |
| 2009 | modern | 50 | #34,663 |
| 2010 | modern | 51 | #34,773 |
| 2011 | modern | 51 | #34,751 |
| 2012 | modern | 44 | #35,164 |
| 2013 | modern | 44 | #35,222 |
| 2014 | modern | 45 | #35,201 |
| 2015 | modern | 47 | #35,056 |
| 2016 | modern | 47 | #35,069 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Devonport Stonehouse, East, St Alkmund, Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Betchworth, Buckland and Merthyr Tydfil. 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 | Devonport Stonehouse, East | Devon |
| 2 | St Alkmund | Derbyshire |
| 3 | Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) | Glamorganshire |
| 4 | Betchworth, Buckland | Surrey |
| 5 | Merthyr Tydfil | Glamorganshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Fly 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 Fly, 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 Fly surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Fly 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, Fly 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 Fly is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Fly, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Fly is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English word 'fleoge' which means 'fly' or 'insect'. It is believed to have originated as a nickname for someone who was considered quick or agile, much like the insect.
One of the earliest recorded references to the surname Fly can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a person named Alwinus Fliga is listed as a landowner in Oxfordshire. This early spelling variation, 'Fliga', further supports the connection to the Old English word 'fleoge'.
In the 13th century, records show a Robert le Fly in Cambridgeshire, England, indicating the surname's establishment by that time. The use of the prefix 'le' was a common practice in medieval times, denoting the occupation or characteristic associated with the surname.
During the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms such as Flie, Flye, and Flyghe, reflecting the evolving spelling practices of the time. One notable individual from this period was John Fly, a member of the Mercers' Company in London, who was mentioned in records from 1349.
As the centuries progressed, the surname Fly spread across England and Scotland. In the 16th century, a family with the surname Fly resided in the village of Flycroft, located in the county of Somerset, England. This place name is believed to have derived from the Old English words 'fleoge' and 'croft', meaning 'insect' and 'small enclosed field' respectively.
Notable individuals with the surname Fly include Thomas Fly (1598-1672), an English author and clergyman who served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Bury St. Edmunds. Another prominent figure was James Fly (1684-1744), a renowned English composer and organist who served as the organist at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
In Scotland, the surname Fly is found in records from the 17th century onwards. One notable Scottish individual was Alexander Fly (1712-1787), a merchant and shipowner from Leith, who played a significant role in the city's maritime trade.
As the name spread throughout the centuries, it also found its way to other parts of the world, including North America and Australia, carried by immigrant families seeking new opportunities.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fly 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. Glamorgan leads with 25 Flys recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.73x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Glamorgan | 25 | 16.73x |
| Surrey | 11 | 2.63x |
| Cheshire | 9 | 4.75x |
| Devon | 9 | 5.04x |
| Hampshire | 9 | 5.12x |
| Essex | 7 | 4.13x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 0.49x |
| Kent | 4 | 1.37x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.23x |
| Northumberland | 2 | 1.57x |
| Warwickshire | 2 | 0.92x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 1.05x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 1.61x |
| Montgomeryshire | 1 | 5.08x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Merthyr Tydfil in Glamorgan leads with 25 Flys recorded in 1881 and an index of 174.09x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Merthyr Tydfil | 25 | 174.09x |
| Betchworth | 9 | 1730.77x |
| North Hayling | 7 | 8750.00x |
| West Ham | 7 | 18.71x |
| Bury | 5 | 42.99x |
| Macclesfield | 5 | 59.38x |
| Congleton | 4 | 122.32x |
| Herne | 4 | 307.69x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 4 | 29.07x |
| East Stonehouse | 3 | 85.23x |
| Murton | 2 | 1538.46x |
| Abergavenny | 1 | 43.10x |
| Aston | 1 | 1.68x |
| Bermondsey | 1 | 3.91x |
| Chelsea London | 1 | 3.87x |
| Exeter Heavitree | 1 | 75.19x |
| Exeter St Leonard | 1 | 204.08x |
| Islington London | 1 | 1.20x |
| Leicester St Mary | 1 | 13.00x |
| Llanidloes | 1 | 68.49x |
| Rotherhithe | 1 | 9.43x |
| Rugby | 1 | 34.13x |
| Southampton | 1 | 714.29x |
| Warblington | 1 | 142.86x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Fly 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 Fly 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 Fly households.
FAQ
In 1881, 88 people were recorded with the Fly surname. That placed it at #21,211 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 47 in 2016. That gives Fly a modern rank of #35,069.
An occupational surname referring to a flymaker or someone who worked with flywheels or other mechanical devices.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Fly 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.