NameCensus.

UK surname

Frayne

A habitational surname derived from the French town of Fraines.

In the 1881 census there were 210 people recorded with the Frayne surname, ranking it #12,440 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 615, ranked #8,539, up from #12,440 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to North Molton, Highbray, Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) and Sawley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Caerphilly, Neath Port Talbot and East Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Frayne is 641 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 192.9%.

1881 census count

210

Ranked #12,440

Modern count

615

2016, ranked #8,539

Peak year

2010

641 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Frayne had 210 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,440 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 615 in 2016, ranked #8,539.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 391 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Frayne surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Frayne surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Frayne 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 147 #13,084
1861 historical 118 #18,512
1881 historical 210 #12,440
1891 historical 253 #12,645
1901 historical 310 #11,393
1911 historical 391 #9,443
1997 modern 610 #8,047
1998 modern 617 #8,228
1999 modern 624 #8,215
2000 modern 614 #8,297
2001 modern 593 #8,365
2002 modern 605 #8,415
2003 modern 619 #8,134
2004 modern 622 #8,126
2005 modern 611 #8,162
2006 modern 599 #8,292
2007 modern 604 #8,310
2008 modern 609 #8,309
2009 modern 630 #8,271
2010 modern 641 #8,336
2011 modern 625 #8,412
2012 modern 607 #8,534
2013 modern 613 #8,599
2014 modern 618 #8,601
2015 modern 607 #8,659
2016 modern 615 #8,539

Geography

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Where Fraynes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around North Molton, Highbray, Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Sawley, Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton and Clee. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Caerphilly, Neath Port Talbot, East Devon, Exeter and Shropshire. 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 North Molton, Highbray Devon
2 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
3 Sawley Derbyshire
4 Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton Devon
5 Clee Lincolnshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Caerphilly 006 Caerphilly
2 Neath Port Talbot 004 Neath Port Talbot
3 East Devon 020 East Devon
4 Exeter 007 Exeter
5 Shropshire 005 Shropshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Frayne

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Frayne

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Frayne surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Frayne household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Frayne is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Frayne 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

Frayne falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Frayne is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Frayne

The surname Frayne is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages. It is thought to have derived from the Old English word "frene," meaning "stranger" or "foreigner." This suggests that the name may have initially been given as a descriptive nickname to someone who had come from a distant place.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Frayne can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, dating back to 1273. This historical document lists a person named William Freyn, which likely represents an early spelling variation of the surname.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Frayne, Frayn, and Fraine, in various records across different counties in England, including Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, and Gloucestershire. This indicates that the name had become more widespread during this period.

The Frayne surname is also associated with several place names in England, such as Frayne in Somerset and Frayne Court in Gloucestershire. These place names may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time, or they may have been named after individuals bearing the Frayne surname.

Notable individuals with the surname Frayne include:

1. Robert Frayne (c. 1340-1401), an English landowner and Member of Parliament for Wiltshire in the late 14th century. 2. Mary Frayne (1676-1754), a British writer and poet known for her religious works. 3. John Frayne (1806-1888), an Irish-born Australian politician and member of the New South Wales Legislative Council. 4. Michael Frayne (1933-2022), an English playwright and novelist best known for his works like "Noises Off" and "Copenhagen." 5. Robert Frayne (b. 1944), a Canadian actor and director who has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including "The X-Files" and "Watchmen."

These examples demonstrate the longevity and geographical spread of the Frayne surname, which has been present in various parts of the United Kingdom, as well as other English-speaking regions, for several centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Frayne families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Frayne 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. Devon leads with 53 Fraynes recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.49x.

County Total Index
Devon 53 12.49x
Glamorgan 29 8.17x
Lancashire 27 1.12x
Middlesex 23 1.13x
Cornwall 13 5.63x
Somerset 11 3.35x
Cheshire 9 2.00x
Warwickshire 8 1.56x
Lincolnshire 7 2.15x
Durham 6 0.99x
Staffordshire 6 0.87x
Worcestershire 6 2.25x
Sussex 4 1.16x
Hampshire 2 0.48x
Yorkshire 2 0.10x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.53x
Dorset 1 0.75x
Gloucestershire 1 0.25x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. North Molton in Devon leads with 16 Fraynes recorded in 1881 and an index of 1927.71x.

Place Total Index
North Molton 16 1927.71x
Barnstaple 13 195.20x
Egloskerry 11 3666.67x
Llansamlet Lower 10 311.53x
Bideford 8 175.82x
Neath 8 110.80x
Birmingham 7 4.09x
Great Grimsby 7 33.83x
Stoke Newington London 7 44.08x
Swansea Town 7 24.06x
Wigan 7 20.71x
Windle 7 51.43x
Burrington 6 1111.11x
Helmington Row 6 212.77x
Westminster St Margaret 6 61.04x
Witton Cum Twambrooks 6 149.63x
Wolverhampton 6 11.34x
Manchester 5 4.60x
Pendleton In Salford 5 17.35x
South Molton 5 214.59x
Wookey 5 694.44x
Brighton 4 5.77x
Dulverton 4 416.67x
Ystradyfodwg 4 12.85x
Birkenhead 3 8.36x
Edmonton 3 18.27x
Kings Norton 3 12.57x
Bromsgrove 2 22.32x
Stoke Damerel 2 6.73x
Alverstoke 1 6.61x
Ashton Under Lyne 1 1.89x
Catherington 1 108.70x
Clifton 1 4.95x
Compton Gifford 1 75.19x
Edgbaston 1 6.27x
Frithelstock 1 256.41x
Fulham London 1 3.38x
Gillingham 1 43.48x
Hackney London 1 0.88x
Hammersmith London 1 1.99x
Howden 1 72.99x
Huntspill 1 74.63x
Lewannick 1 222.22x
Old Deer 1 27.93x
Oldbury 1 7.63x
Oldham 1 1.28x
Paddington London 1 1.33x
Pilton 1 71.43x
Sheffield 1 1.56x
St George Bloomsbury 1 8.55x
St George Hanover Square 1 2.78x
St Luke London 1 3.06x
St Mary Magdalene 1 58.82x
West Derby 1 1.41x
Weston Super Mare 1 12.06x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 21
Elizabeth 11
Jane 9
Ann 7
Sarah 5
Eliza 4
Ellen 3
Florence 3
Margaret 3
Agnes 2
Alice 2
Annie 2
Bridget 2
Caroline 2
Catherine 2
Grace 2
Maria 2
Nelly 2
Teresa 2
Alma 1
Anne 1
Daisy 1
Edith 1
Elizabath 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Ethel 1
Frances 1
Judith 1
Katherine 1
Letty 1
Lizzie 1
Louisa 1
Margt. 1
Phillipa 1
Rose 1
Susan 1
Susana 1
Thomasin 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 19
William 17
James 14
George 8
Peter 8
Robert 5
Richard 3
Charles 2
Henry 2
Luke 2
Martin 2
Samuel 2
Thomas 2
Alfred 1
Ambrose 1
Arthur 1
Chas. 1
Edwin 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Hallold 1
Howard 1
Jas. 1
Patrick 1
Percival 1
Raymond 1
Stephen 1
Winford 1

FAQ

Frayne surname: questions and answers

How common was the Frayne surname in 1881?

In 1881, 210 people were recorded with the Frayne surname. That placed it at #12,440 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Frayne surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 615 in 2016. That gives Frayne a modern rank of #8,539.

What does the Frayne surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from the French town of Fraines.

What does the Frayne map show?

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