NameCensus.

UK surname

Free

Derived from a nickname for an emancipated serf or an independent man not bound by feudal obligations.

In the 1881 census there were 736 people recorded with the Free surname, ranking it #4,976 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,149, ranked #5,136, down from #4,976 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Loughton, London parishes and Hitchenden or Hughenden. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Breckland, Suffolk Coastal and Bradford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Free is 1,242 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 56.1%.

1881 census count

736

Ranked #4,976

Modern count

1,149

2016, ranked #5,136

Peak year

1999

1,242 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Free had 736 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,976 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,149 in 2016, ranked #5,136.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,200 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Free surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Free surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Free 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 571 #4,456
1861 historical 468 #5,549
1881 historical 736 #4,976
1891 historical 802 #5,019
1901 historical 1,084 #4,459
1911 historical 1,200 #3,917
1997 modern 1,199 #4,714
1998 modern 1,221 #4,817
1999 modern 1,242 #4,776
2000 modern 1,224 #4,816
2001 modern 1,188 #4,832
2002 modern 1,205 #4,886
2003 modern 1,182 #4,868
2004 modern 1,144 #5,022
2005 modern 1,141 #4,974
2006 modern 1,107 #5,113
2007 modern 1,111 #5,143
2008 modern 1,117 #5,158
2009 modern 1,114 #5,265
2010 modern 1,113 #5,383
2011 modern 1,120 #5,297
2012 modern 1,137 #5,143
2013 modern 1,169 #5,106
2014 modern 1,168 #5,136
2015 modern 1,167 #5,088
2016 modern 1,149 #5,136

Geography

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Where Frees are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Loughton, London parishes, Hitchenden or Hughenden, Hadstock and Chipping Wycombe. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Breckland, Suffolk Coastal and Bradford. 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 Loughton Essex
2 London parishes London 3
3 Hitchenden or Hughenden Buckinghamshire
4 Hadstock Cambridgeshire
5 Chipping Wycombe Buckinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Breckland 011 Breckland
2 Suffolk Coastal 004 Suffolk Coastal
3 Bradford 016 Bradford
4 Breckland 013 Breckland
5 Suffolk Coastal 003 Suffolk Coastal

Forenames

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First names often paired with Free

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Free

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Free is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Free 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

Free falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Free

The surname "Free" is of English origin and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "freo," meaning "free" or "free-born." The name was likely given to someone who was not a serf or slave and was born free.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname "Free" can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, which lists a person named Robert le Free. The name also appears in other medieval records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which mentions a John le Fre.

During the Middle Ages, the surname "Free" was particularly prevalent in the counties of Oxfordshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire. It is believed that the name may have originated in these regions due to the presence of free tenants or freemen in these areas.

One notable historical figure with the surname "Free" was John Free (c. 1520-1605), an English prelate who served as the Bishop of Worcester from 1585 to 1605. Another prominent individual was Walter Free (c. 1550-1608), an English clergyman and controversialist who was known for his criticisms of the Church of England.

In the 17th century, the surname "Free" was found in various records, such as the Hearth Tax returns of 1662, which listed several households with this name in the county of Gloucestershire. One example is Thomas Free, a resident of the parish of Eastington.

During the 18th century, the surname "Free" continued to be found throughout England. One notable individual from this period was John Free (1711-1792), an English Baptist minister and author who published several works on religious topics.

In the 19th century, the surname "Free" was still prevalent in various parts of England. One notable individual was Walter Free (1797-1876), an English painter and engraver who was known for his landscapes and architectural subjects.

Overall, the surname "Free" has a long and rich history in England, with its origins dating back to the Middle Ages. While it was particularly prevalent in certain regions, such as Oxfordshire and Worcestershire, the name has since spread throughout the country and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Free families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Free 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. Cambridgeshire leads with 149 Frees recorded in 1881 and an index of 32.99x.

County Total Index
Cambridgeshire 149 32.99x
Middlesex 116 1.63x
Essex 108 7.67x
Buckinghamshire 99 22.96x
Suffolk 36 4.14x
Surrey 32 0.92x
Lancashire 30 0.35x
Warwickshire 28 1.56x
Worcestershire 24 2.58x
Lincolnshire 17 1.49x
Kent 15 0.62x
Yorkshire 12 0.17x
Wiltshire 8 1.27x
Glamorgan 7 0.56x
Nottinghamshire 7 0.73x
Sussex 7 0.58x
Lanarkshire 6 0.26x
Northumberland 6 0.57x
Durham 5 0.24x
Hertfordshire 5 1.02x
Gloucestershire 3 0.21x
Hampshire 3 0.21x
Royal Navy 2 2.35x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.15x
Berkshire 1 0.19x
Cheshire 1 0.06x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.71x
Norfolk 1 0.09x
Shropshire 1 0.16x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Castle Camps in Cambridgeshire leads with 71 Frees recorded in 1881 and an index of 3271.89x.

Place Total Index
Castle Camps 71 3271.89x
Hughenden 32 727.27x
Wycombe 28 87.12x
Hadstock 27 2477.06x
Horseheath 25 1879.70x
Shoreditch London 19 6.15x
Bromley London 18 11.47x
Kensington London 16 4.04x
Redditch 16 84.75x
Aston 15 3.03x
Limehouse London 15 19.16x
Loughton 14 201.15x
Liverpool 13 2.53x
Sturmere 13 1428.57x
Middleton 11 894.31x
Battersea 10 3.81x
Chesterton 10 71.79x
Bottisham 9 233.77x
Princes Risborough 9 155.71x
Saffron Walden 9 60.52x
Fyfield 8 2105.26x
Kings Norton 8 9.58x
Leyton 8 32.99x
Newark Upon Trent 7 20.26x
Windle 7 14.70x
Withersfield 7 500.00x
Balsham 6 242.92x
Bradford 6 15.15x
Ellesborough 6 402.68x
Elswick 6 7.09x
Great Hampden 6 967.74x
Hampstead London 6 5.40x
Pinchbeck 6 82.08x
St George In East London 6 8.95x
St Giles Cambridge 6 102.92x
St Peterin Eastgate 6 169.97x
Stainforth In Thorne 6 333.33x
Sutton Coldfield 6 31.75x
West Ham 6 1.93x
Barony 5 0.86x
Bradenham 5 1111.11x
Cavendish 5 178.57x
Kingston 5 714.29x
Leiston 5 83.75x
Leyton Low 5 17.48x
Mistley 5 132.28x
Roath 5 8.87x
Walthamstow 5 9.87x
Wisbech St Peter 5 22.08x
Bishop Stortford 4 24.36x
Edgbaston 4 7.17x
Hastings St Mary 4 13.37x
Hougham 4 27.64x
Ipswich St Clement 4 18.12x
Mile End Old Town London 4 2.64x
Moulton 4 72.86x
Old Artillery Ground 4 65.15x
St Andrewthe Less 4 7.75x
Stoke 4 24.39x
Upton Cum Chalvey 4 23.28x
Bermondsey 3 1.41x
Bethnal Green London 3 0.97x
Camberwell 3 0.66x
Eastwood 3 243.90x
Gateshead 3 1.89x
Great Missenden 3 56.50x
Haverhill 3 234.38x
Islington London 3 0.43x
Margate St John Baptist 3 6.73x
Plumstead 3 3.70x
Poplar London 3 2.23x
Preston 3 14.29x
Romford 3 13.48x
Rotherhithe 3 3.41x
Stoke Mandeville 3 247.93x
Tottenham 3 2.64x
Wimpole 3 344.83x
Canterbury St Peter 2 72.99x
Newport 2 81.63x
Quainton 2 94.79x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 33
Sarah 25
Elizabeth 21
Emma 20
Eliza 18
Annie 11
Alice 10
Emily 10
Matilda 10
Charlotte 9
Jane 9
Ann 8
Edith 8
Ellen 8
Susan 8
Fanny 7
Ada 6
Ethel 6
Harriet 6
Kate 6
Clara 5
Florence 5
Hannah 5
Julia 5
Anne 4
Catherine 4
Margaret 4
Maria 4
Harriett 3
May 3
Rebecca 3
Agnes 2
Beatrice 2
Bertha 2
Daisy 2
Elsie 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Lydia 2
Martha 2
Mercy 2
Rachel 2
Sophia 2
Bessy 1
Betsy 1
Bridget 1
Elizth. 1
Elleanor 1
Hariett 1
Sylvia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 44
George 37
John 28
Charles 21
Thomas 21
Henry 16
Edward 12
Joseph 12
Alfred 11
Arthur 10
Frederick 10
James 10
Samuel 9
Robert 8
Benjamin 7
Walter 7
Harry 6
Isaac 6
Albert 5
Richard 5
Daniel 4
David 4
Sidney 3
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Fred 2
Herbert 2
Jonas 2
Stephen 2
Willm. 2
Wm. 2
Anthony 1
Archibald 1
Benjamen 1
Bruce 1
Christopher 1
Elijah 1
Ely 1
Enos 1
Francis 1
Fred. 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.T. 1
Jesse 1
Jessie 1
Jim 1
Johnathon 1
Lot 1
Marris 1
Wm.George 1

FAQ

Free surname: questions and answers

How common was the Free surname in 1881?

In 1881, 736 people were recorded with the Free surname. That placed it at #4,976 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Free surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,149 in 2016. That gives Free a modern rank of #5,136.

What does the Free surname mean?

Derived from a nickname for an emancipated serf or an independent man not bound by feudal obligations.

What does the Free map show?

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