UK surname
An occupational surname derived from the Middle English word 'frayer', referring to a maker of baskets or woven containers.
In the 1881 census there were 70 people recorded with the Frayer surname, ranking it #23,670 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 16, ranked #36,998, down from #23,670 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St James Westminster, Gateshead and Newcastle All Saints. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Frayer is 208 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 77.1%.
1881 census count
70
Ranked #23,670
Modern count
16
2016, ranked #36,998
Peak year
1891
208 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Frayer surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Frayer surname density by area, 1911 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 | 27 | #28,467 |
| 1861 | historical | 197 | #12,166 |
| 1881 | historical | 70 | #23,670 |
| 1891 | historical | 208 | #14,496 |
| 1901 | historical | 71 | #26,277 |
| 1911 | historical | 105 | #22,064 |
| 1997 | modern | 17 | #36,181 |
| 1998 | modern | 15 | #36,457 |
| 1999 | modern | 15 | #36,476 |
| 2000 | modern | 17 | #36,207 |
| 2001 | modern | 13 | #36,483 |
| 2002 | modern | 13 | #36,570 |
| 2003 | modern | 11 | #36,842 |
| 2004 | modern | 11 | #36,969 |
| 2005 | modern | 12 | #36,936 |
| 2006 | modern | 11 | #37,118 |
| 2007 | modern | 11 | #37,217 |
| 2008 | modern | 11 | #37,270 |
| 2009 | modern | 9 | #37,573 |
| 2010 | modern | 10 | #37,517 |
| 2011 | modern | 10 | #37,504 |
| 2012 | modern | 14 | #37,078 |
| 2013 | modern | 13 | #37,224 |
| 2014 | modern | 14 | #37,161 |
| 2015 | modern | 14 | #37,157 |
| 2016 | modern | 16 | #36,998 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St James Westminster, Gateshead, Newcastle All Saints, Kidderminster and Cholsey. 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 | St James Westminster | London (West Districts) |
| 2 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 3 | Newcastle All Saints | Northumberland |
| 4 | Kidderminster | Worcestershire |
| 5 | Cholsey | Berkshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Frayer 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 Frayer, 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 Frayer surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Frayer 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, Frayer 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 Frayer is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Frayer, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Frayer is of English origin, with its roots dating back to the late medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word 'fraier,' which means 'to rub' or 'to beat.' This suggests that the name may have been an occupational surname given to someone who worked as a cloth beater or fuller, a profession responsible for thickening and felting woolen cloth.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, compiled in 1273, which mentions a Hugo le Frayer. This historical document serves as evidence of the name's existence in England during the 13th century.
The Frayer surname has also been linked to various place names in England, such as Fryers Copse in Hampshire and Fryers Court in Oxfordshire. These places may have been named after individuals bearing the Frayer surname or may have been locations where fullers or cloth workers resided.
In the 14th century, the name appeared in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, where a John le Frayer was listed. This record provides further evidence of the name's prevalence in medieval England.
One notable individual bearing the Frayer surname was Robert Frayer (1623-1670), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Streatham in Surrey. His work, "A Treatise on the Ancient Tenures of Land in the Manor of Taunton Deane," published in 1663, is considered a significant contribution to the study of English land tenure.
Another notable figure was Thomas Frayer (1670-1733), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Cockermouth in Cumberland from 1722 to 1727.
In the 18th century, John Frayer (1718-1791) was a successful merchant and land-owner in Lincolnshire, England. His son, William Frayer (1760-1832), followed in his footsteps and became a prominent figure in the local community.
The Frayer surname also has a presence in other parts of the world, such as the United States and Canada, where it was likely brought by English immigrants in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Overall, the surname Frayer has a rich history rooted in medieval England, with its origins closely tied to the cloth-making industry. While its prevalence may have fluctuated over time, it has left an indelible mark on historical records and continues to be carried by individuals around the world today.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Frayer 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. Middlesex leads with 25 Frayers recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.66x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 25 | 3.66x |
| Durham | 16 | 7.88x |
| Surrey | 8 | 2.40x |
| Lancashire | 7 | 0.86x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.44x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 1.33x |
| Midlothian | 2 | 2.19x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.70x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.74x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 0.84x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.71x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 1.32x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 0.92x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.87x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kelloe in Durham leads with 8 Frayers recorded in 1881 and an index of 3636.36x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kelloe | 8 | 3636.36x |
| Islington London | 7 | 10.58x |
| St George In East London | 7 | 109.03x |
| Hampstead London | 5 | 47.04x |
| Camberwell | 4 | 9.17x |
| Mile End Old Town London | 4 | 27.53x |
| Norton | 4 | 533.33x |
| Salford | 4 | 16.79x |
| Westoe | 4 | 34.75x |
| Rotherhithe | 3 | 35.55x |
| Chester St Oswald | 2 | 73.26x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 2 | 5.43x |
| Holy Trinity | 2 | 12.29x |
| Liverpool | 2 | 4.07x |
| Barking | 1 | 25.38x |
| Bethnal Green London | 1 | 3.37x |
| Burrough | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Cuckfield | 1 | 86.21x |
| Great Grimsby | 1 | 14.43x |
| Kirkleatham | 1 | 109.89x |
| Llanwonno | 1 | 23.42x |
| Okehampton | 1 | 185.19x |
| Penge | 1 | 22.94x |
| Preston | 1 | 4.61x |
| Ryde | 1 | 33.22x |
| St George Hanover Square | 1 | 8.31x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Frayer 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 Frayer 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 Frayer households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 15 |
| Coal Miner | 4 |
| Baker | 2 |
| Nurse | 2 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Agents Wife | 1 |
| Assistant (Draper) | 1 |
| Assistant To Diamond Merchant | 1 |
| Coal Miner Wife | 1 |
| Cook (N D) | 1 |
| Diamond Merchant (Goldsmith) | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| G Laborer | 1 |
| Gardener (Dom) | 1 |
| Grocer | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Housemaid (Inn) | 1 |
| Housemaid Dom Sert | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Lady Annuitant | 1 |
| Marine Engineer | 1 |
| Mate | 1 |
| Messenger Sect Dept GPO | 1 |
| Overseer Inland GPO | 1 |
| Rope Mr | 1 |
| Tailoress | 1 |
| Tinsmith | 1 |
| Wesleyan Minister | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 70 people were recorded with the Frayer surname. That placed it at #23,670 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 16 in 2016. That gives Frayer a modern rank of #36,998.
An occupational surname derived from the Middle English word 'frayer', referring to a maker of baskets or woven containers.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Frayer 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.