NameCensus.

UK surname

Forey

A surname derived from the French word "forêt" meaning forest or woodland.

In the 1881 census there were 89 people recorded with the Forey surname, ranking it #21,091 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 259, ranked #16,393, up from #21,091 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Horton and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Doncaster, Drumchapel North and Spelthorne.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Forey is 292 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 191.0%.

1881 census count

89

Ranked #21,091

Modern count

259

2016, ranked #16,393

Peak year

2002

292 bearers

Map years

6

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Forey had 89 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #21,091 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 259 in 2016, ranked #16,393.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 175 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Outer Suburbs.

Forey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Forey surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Forey 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 83 #19,181
1861 historical 106 #20,147
1881 historical 89 #21,091
1891 historical 98 #24,313
1901 historical 149 #18,146
1911 historical 175 #16,246
1997 modern 264 #14,734
1998 modern 283 #14,442
1999 modern 276 #14,762
2000 modern 280 #14,601
2001 modern 261 #15,066
2002 modern 292 #14,236
2003 modern 273 #14,715
2004 modern 258 #15,386
2005 modern 246 #15,802
2006 modern 257 #15,448
2007 modern 257 #15,606
2008 modern 247 #16,205
2009 modern 255 #16,183
2010 modern 275 #15,673
2011 modern 279 #15,353
2012 modern 257 #16,212
2013 modern 272 #15,836
2014 modern 266 #16,213
2015 modern 260 #16,361
2016 modern 259 #16,393

Geography

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Where Foreys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Horton, London parishes, St Pancras and St Giles-in-the-Fields. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Doncaster, Drumchapel North, Spelthorne, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Rushcliffe. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Horton Buckinghamshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Pancras London (North Districts)
5 St Giles-in-the-Fields London (Central Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Doncaster 034 Doncaster
2 Drumchapel North Glasgow City
3 Spelthorne 008 Spelthorne
4 Rhondda Cynon Taf 004 Rhondda Cynon Taf
5 Rushcliffe 002 Rushcliffe

Forenames

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First names often paired with Forey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Forey

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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Outer Suburbs

Nationally, the Forey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Outer Suburbs, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Forey household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods are found on the outer edges of many towns and cities. Many residents were born outside the UK. Indian ethnic group representation is high. There are high numbers of families with dependent children aged 5 to 14. Incidences of disability and of provision of unpaid care are low. Neighbourhoods provide a mix of detached housing and flats, and terraced housing is not uncommon. Levels of overcrowding are low and homeownership rates are high. Professional and managerial occupations are prevalent: unemployment is low and education to degree level is the norm.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Forey 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

Forey is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Forey falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Forey 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Forey

The surname Forey is of English origin, deriving from the Old English words "fore" and "hege," which together mean "dweller before the enclosure." This suggests that the name initially referred to someone who lived near the front fence or hedge of a particular village or estate.

The earliest recorded instance of the name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Foriet." This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, was a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation in England.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name underwent various spelling variations, including Forrey, Forry, and Forey. These variations were likely due to regional dialects and the inconsistent nature of record-keeping during that time.

In the 13th century, a prominent member of the Forey family was Sir John Forey (1235-1301), a knight who fought in the Crusades and was known for his bravery on the battlefield. He is mentioned in several historical chronicles of the period.

Another notable figure was Richard Forey (1458-1521), a merchant and landowner from Somerset, England. Records indicate that he owned substantial properties in the region and was influential in local affairs.

During the Tudor period, the name appeared in various parish records and legal documents. For instance, Thomas Forey (1520-1588) was a yeoman farmer from Warwickshire, whose name is documented in the Stratford-upon-Avon parish registers.

In the 17th century, the name Forey was associated with several prominent individuals, such as Captain William Forey (1605-1677), a naval officer who served in the English Civil War and is mentioned in naval records of the time.

Another noteworthy individual was Reverend John Forey (1638-1712), an Anglican clergyman and scholar who served as the vicar of St. Mary's Church in Nottinghamshire. His sermons and writings were widely circulated during his lifetime.

The name Forey has also been linked to several place names in England, such as Forey's Green in Oxfordshire and Forey's Farm in Gloucestershire. These place names likely originated from individuals or families bearing the Forey surname who owned land or resided in those areas.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Forey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Forey 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 31 Foreys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.57x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 31 3.57x
Glamorgan 22 14.56x
Surrey 13 3.07x
Buckinghamshire 11 20.96x
Cheshire 4 2.09x
Yorkshire 2 0.23x
Bedfordshire 1 2.23x
Berkshire 1 1.53x
Essex 1 0.58x
Hampshire 1 0.56x
Hertfordshire 1 1.67x
Lanarkshire 1 0.36x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aberdare in Glamorgan leads with 16 Foreys recorded in 1881 and an index of 154.29x.

Place Total Index
Aberdare 16 154.29x
Horton 10 3846.15x
St Giles In Fields London 10 234.74x
St Marylebone London 7 15.11x
Baglan Lower 6 3750.00x
Clerkenwell London 4 19.52x
Richmond 4 67.45x
St Pancras London 4 5.73x
Willaston In Nantwich 4 677.97x
Bermondsey 2 7.74x
Chelsea London 2 7.65x
Esher 2 338.98x
Ewell 2 224.72x
Selby 2 111.11x
Shoreditch London 2 5.32x
Croydon 1 4.26x
Govan 1 1.44x
Luton 1 12.85x
Portsea 1 2.87x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 5.72x
St George Hanover Square 1 6.54x
Stone 1 243.90x
Sunbury 1 96.15x
Walton On Thames 1 51.55x
Wanstead 1 33.33x
Watford 1 21.55x
West Swallowfield 1 322.58x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Annie 4
Jane 3
Mary 3
Amelia 2
Ann 2
Charlotte 2
Eliza 2
Ellen 2
Emily 2
Fanny 2
Harriet 2
Sarah 2
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Christina 1
Clara 1
Elizabeth 1
Emma 1
France 1
Ht. 1
Isabel 1
Isabella 1
Kate 1
Mabel 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 11
Frederick 7
William 7
John 4
David 3
George 2
Benjamin 1
Colin 1
Gerald 1
Henry 1
Jno.Edwd. 1
Patrick 1
Percival 1
Richard 1
Samuel 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Forey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Forey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 89 people were recorded with the Forey surname. That placed it at #21,091 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Forey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 259 in 2016. That gives Forey a modern rank of #16,393.

What does the Forey surname mean?

A surname derived from the French word "forêt" meaning forest or woodland.

What does the Forey map show?

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