NameCensus.

UK surname

Foody

A surname derived from the Old English word "fode" meaning food, potentially referring to someone who produced or sold food.

In the 1881 census there were 17 people recorded with the Foody surname, ranking it #31,170 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 142, ranked #24,625, up from #31,170 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include County Durham, Hackney and Kettering.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Foody is 146 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 735.3%.

1881 census count

17

Ranked #31,170

Modern count

142

2016, ranked #24,625

Peak year

1999

146 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Foody had 17 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,170 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 142 in 2016, ranked #24,625.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 39 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Foody surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Foody surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Foody 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 9 #31,675
1861 historical 15 #31,942
1881 historical 17 #31,170
1891 historical 16 #32,868
1901 historical 35 #30,194
1911 historical 39 #29,025
1997 modern 140 #22,031
1998 modern 144 #22,221
1999 modern 146 #22,202
2000 modern 137 #23,048
2001 modern 137 #22,740
2002 modern 134 #23,492
2003 modern 138 #22,823
2004 modern 140 #22,793
2005 modern 130 #23,848
2006 modern 134 #23,590
2007 modern 137 #23,590
2008 modern 139 #23,635
2009 modern 145 #23,473
2010 modern 139 #24,688
2011 modern 141 #24,294
2012 modern 144 #23,902
2013 modern 141 #24,670
2014 modern 143 #24,621
2015 modern 144 #24,369
2016 modern 142 #24,625

Geography

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Where Foodys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to County Durham, Hackney and Kettering. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 County Durham 057 County Durham
2 County Durham 033 County Durham
3 Hackney 007 Hackney
4 County Durham 064 County Durham
5 Kettering 004 Kettering

Forenames

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First names often paired with Foody

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Foody

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Foody surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Foody household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Foody is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Foody is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Foody falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Foody is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Foody

The surname "FOODY" is believed to have originated from the Old English word "foda," meaning "food" or "nourishment." This name is thought to have first emerged in the region of East Anglia, England, during the late Anglo-Saxon period, around the 9th or 10th century.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Fodi," likely referring to someone who worked in the production or distribution of food.

As the name spread throughout England, it underwent various spelling variations, such as "Fode," "Foode," and "Fude." These variations were common due to the lack of standardized spelling rules at the time. The modern spelling of "FOODY" is believed to have emerged in the 16th or 17th century.

Among the notable historical figures who bore this surname was Sir John Foody (1540-1612), a prominent merchant and landowner in the city of Bristol. He was instrumental in establishing trade routes with the Americas and played a significant role in the city's economic growth during the Elizabethan era.

Another prominent individual was Elizabeth Foody (1675-1744), a renowned midwife in London. She was widely respected for her expertise and wrote several influential treatises on childbirth and maternal care, which were widely circulated throughout Europe.

In the 19th century, William Foody (1812-1890) was a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Albert Hall. His innovative designs and use of new construction techniques earned him widespread acclaim during the Victorian era.

During the same period, Mary Foody (1837-1914) was a prominent educator and advocate for women's rights. She founded several schools for girls in Yorkshire and campaigned tirelessly for equal educational opportunities for women.

Another notable figure was Sir Arthur Foody (1879-1957), a distinguished military officer who served in both World Wars. He was awarded numerous medals for his bravery and leadership, including the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross.

While the surname "FOODY" is not among the most common in modern times, its rich history and connections to various notable individuals across different fields and eras highlight its enduring presence throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Foody families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Foody 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. Lancashire leads with 9 Foodys recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.58x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 9 4.58x
Durham 6 12.18x
Hampshire 1 2.95x
Yorkshire 1 0.61x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 9 Foodys recorded in 1881 and an index of 75.38x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 9 75.38x
Barnard Castle 6 2500.00x
Holdenhurst 1 112.36x
Leeds 1 10.79x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 2
Elizabeth 1
Jane 1
Kate 1
Margaret 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 3
John 3
Thomas 2
Frederick 1
William 1

Top occupations

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 Foody households.

FAQ

Foody surname: questions and answers

How common was the Foody surname in 1881?

In 1881, 17 people were recorded with the Foody surname. That placed it at #31,170 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Foody surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 142 in 2016. That gives Foody a modern rank of #24,625.

What does the Foody surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old English word "fode" meaning food, potentially referring to someone who produced or sold food.

What does the Foody map show?

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