NameCensus.

UK surname

Frain

A variant spelling of the French surname Frein, which denotes someone from the region of Freine.

In the 1881 census there were 394 people recorded with the Frain surname, ranking it #8,055 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 909, ranked #6,259, up from #8,055 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Bury and Birstall. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kirklees, Bury and Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Frain is 973 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 130.7%.

1881 census count

394

Ranked #8,055

Modern count

909

2016, ranked #6,259

Peak year

1999

973 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Frain had 394 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,055 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 909 in 2016, ranked #6,259.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 587 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Suburban Professionals.

Frain surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Frain surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Frain 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 160 #12,347
1861 historical 230 #10,611
1881 historical 394 #8,055
1891 historical 517 #7,225
1901 historical 587 #7,189
1911 historical 537 #7,421
1997 modern 878 #6,084
1998 modern 950 #5,901
1999 modern 973 #5,825
2000 modern 947 #5,936
2001 modern 929 #5,925
2002 modern 947 #5,939
2003 modern 909 #6,037
2004 modern 908 #6,056
2005 modern 864 #6,230
2006 modern 880 #6,138
2007 modern 896 #6,108
2008 modern 893 #6,158
2009 modern 926 #6,117
2010 modern 945 #6,145
2011 modern 937 #6,136
2012 modern 916 #6,162
2013 modern 926 #6,216
2014 modern 916 #6,292
2015 modern 915 #6,252
2016 modern 909 #6,259

Geography

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Where Frains are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Bury, Birstall, Manchester and Aberdeen and Old Machar. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kirklees, Bury, Cornwall, Wigan and Rotherham. 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 Rochdale Lancashire
2 Bury Lancashire
3 Birstall Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Aberdeen and Old Machar Aberdeen

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kirklees 018 Kirklees
2 Bury 007 Bury
3 Cornwall 006 Cornwall
4 Wigan 031 Wigan
5 Rotherham 020 Rotherham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Frain

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Frain

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

Suburban Professionals

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Employment in this Group is typically in managerial and professional occupations, and education to degree level is common. Residents are typically of working age, many of whom identify with an Indian ethnicity. Households are unlikely to be of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities, and English is not the main language used in some households. This Group is found on the outskirts of most conurbations as well as in the suburbs of some free-standing towns.

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, Frain 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

Frain 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

Frain falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Frain 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 Frain, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Frain

The surname FRAIN has its origins in medieval England, dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "frein," meaning "curb" or "bridle," suggesting an occupational connection to horse breeding or handling.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name FRAIN can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1166, where a person named Radulfus Frain is mentioned. The surname also appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, suggesting the name's presence in various regions of England during the Middle Ages.

The FRAIN surname has ties to several place names in England, such as Frain's Green in Worcestershire and Frain's Farm in Buckinghamshire. These place names may have originated from individuals bearing the FRAIN surname, indicating their ownership or association with those locations.

Historically, the name FRAIN has been associated with notable individuals. One such person was Sir John Frain, a prominent landowner and knight who lived in the 14th century. Records show that he participated in the Scottish Wars of Independence and was granted lands in Northumberland by King Edward III in recognition of his military service.

Another notable figure was Richard Frain, born in 1547, who was a renowned scholar and theologian at Cambridge University. He authored several influential works on religious subjects and was known for his expertise in Biblical studies.

In the 17th century, a prominent member of the FRAIN family was Elizabeth Frain, born in 1623. She was a successful businesswoman and landowner in London, owning several properties and establishing herself as a respected figure in the city's mercantile circles.

The FRAIN surname also has connections to the arts. John Frain, born in 1785, was a celebrated landscape painter whose works captured the beauty of the English countryside. His paintings are still highly regarded and can be found in various art galleries and private collections.

Thomas Frain, born in 1832, was a renowned architect who designed several iconic buildings in London, including the Royal Albert Hall. His innovative designs and attention to detail earned him widespread acclaim and left a lasting impact on the city's architectural landscape.

Throughout its history, the FRAIN surname has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, contributing to the rich tapestry of English culture and society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Frain families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Frain 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 140 Frains recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.07x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 140 3.07x
Yorkshire 54 1.42x
Durham 40 3.50x
Aberdeenshire 37 10.39x
Devon 26 3.25x
Staffordshire 22 1.70x
Angus 12 3.37x
Middlesex 12 0.31x
Northumberland 10 1.75x
Worcestershire 6 1.20x
Fife 5 2.20x
Cheshire 4 0.47x
Warwickshire 4 0.41x
Derbyshire 3 0.50x
Leicestershire 3 0.70x
Essex 2 0.26x
Midlothian 2 0.39x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.39x
Sussex 2 0.31x
Ayrshire 1 0.35x
Glamorgan 1 0.15x
Gloucestershire 1 0.13x
Kent 1 0.08x
Oxfordshire 1 0.42x
Roxburghshire 1 1.44x
Shropshire 1 0.30x
Wiltshire 1 0.29x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bury in Lancashire leads with 51 Frains recorded in 1881 and an index of 97.89x.

Place Total Index
Bury 51 97.89x
Aberdeen Old Machar 20 26.91x
Batley 17 46.97x
Manchester 16 7.80x
Hartlepool 12 73.85x
Monifieth 11 87.44x
Salford 11 8.20x
Westoe 10 15.43x
Stoke Upon Trent 8 5.82x
Wardleworth 8 30.70x
Wolsingham 8 76.78x
Bradford 7 7.59x
Burslem 7 18.84x
Gomersal 7 39.37x
Parkham 7 660.38x
Thornley 7 169.08x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 6 9.01x
Bradford 6 28.10x
Castleton 6 13.17x
Clerkenwell London 6 6.61x
Oldbury 6 24.30x
Oldham 6 4.08x
Plymouth St Andrew 6 9.74x
Seaton Delaval 6 119.52x
Westleigh 6 57.92x
Buckland Brewer 5 515.46x
Dewsbury 5 12.80x
Failsworth 5 47.94x
Forgan 5 114.68x
West Ardsley 5 109.17x
Wolstanton 5 12.69x
Birmingham 4 1.24x
Plymouth Charles The 4 11.35x
Selby 4 50.25x
Tarland 4 259.74x
Tormoham 4 11.82x
Tottington Lower End 4 18.46x
Byker 3 10.61x
Chester St John Baptist 3 19.67x
Hulme 3 3.15x
Leicester St Margaret 3 2.89x
Liverpool 3 1.08x
Midmar 3 218.98x
Appleton Wiske 2 454.55x
Colne 2 14.72x
Hammersmith London 2 2.11x
Haslingden 2 10.59x
Heckmondwike 2 16.33x
Ringmer 2 109.29x
Skene 2 84.75x
St Pancras London 2 0.65x
Warrington 2 3.70x
West Ham 2 1.19x
Widnes 2 6.08x
Ashton Under Lyne 1 1.00x
Aspull 1 9.32x
Birtle Cum Bamford 1 33.56x
Boldon 1 24.51x
Burton Extra 1 13.44x
Burton Pidsea 1 217.39x
Burton Upon Trent 1 3.29x
Clifton 1 2.62x
Dalry 1 7.39x
Echt 1 58.48x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 0.48x
Fintray 1 73.53x
Halifax 1 1.79x
Langley Burrell 1 70.92x
Liberton 1 12.58x
Monk Hesleden 1 31.35x
Neithrop 1 12.53x
Newchurch 1 2.68x
Nottingham St Mary 1 0.75x
Prestwich 1 8.79x
Roath 1 3.29x
Shipley 1 5.06x
St George Hanover Square 1 1.48x
Tynemouth 1 3.27x
Windle 1 3.90x
Witton Le Wear 1 30.86x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 38
Margaret 13
Catherine 12
Bridget 9
Elizabeth 8
Ellen 8
Ann 7
Sarah 7
Annie 6
Clara 3
Jane 3
Agnes 2
Anne 2
Catharine 2
Emma 2
Hannah 2
Jessie 2
Maggie 2
Maria 2
A.A. 1
A.E. 1
Ada 1
Adelaide 1
Amelia 1
Amy 1
Charlotte 1
Eliza 1
Elizh. 1
Emily 1
Georgina 1
Harriet 1
Henrietta 1
Infant 1
Katherine 1
Katie 1
Louisa 1
Lucretia 1
Lucy 1
Margret 1
Martha 1
Mgt. 1
Norah 1
Olivia 1
Sally 1
Selina 1
Susanna 1
Teresa 1
Theresa 1
Thirza 1
Winafred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 35
Thomas 20
Michael 18
James 17
Patrick 13
Martin 11
William 9
Joseph 7
Richard 7
Henry 4
Andrew 3
Anthony 3
Edward 3
Elias 2
George 2
Micheal 2
A.E. 1
A.W. 1
David 1
F.G. 1
Frederick 1
Geo. 1
H.E. 1
Levi 1
Luke 1
Matthew 1
Michail 1
Peter 1
Phillip 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1
Willam 1
Willm. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Frain surname: questions and answers

How common was the Frain surname in 1881?

In 1881, 394 people were recorded with the Frain surname. That placed it at #8,055 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Frain surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 909 in 2016. That gives Frain a modern rank of #6,259.

What does the Frain surname mean?

A variant spelling of the French surname Frein, which denotes someone from the region of Freine.

What does the Frain map show?

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