NameCensus.

UK surname

Freebury

A locational surname referring to someone from Freebury, a place in England.

In the 1881 census there were 165 people recorded with the Freebury surname, ranking it #14,559 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 193, ranked #20,039, down from #14,559 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Acton, Swindon, Lyddington and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Craven, Torfaen and Doncaster.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Freebury is 221 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 17.0%.

1881 census count

165

Ranked #14,559

Modern count

193

2016, ranked #20,039

Peak year

1911

221 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Freebury had 165 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,559 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 193 in 2016, ranked #20,039.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 221 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Freebury surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Freebury surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Freebury 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 40 #26,118
1861 historical 95 #21,768
1881 historical 165 #14,559
1891 historical 197 #15,101
1901 historical 194 #15,425
1911 historical 221 #14,044
1997 modern 171 #19,438
1998 modern 182 #19,162
1999 modern 176 #19,722
2000 modern 181 #19,360
2001 modern 180 #19,161
2002 modern 176 #19,829
2003 modern 177 #19,549
2004 modern 184 #19,183
2005 modern 191 #18,707
2006 modern 194 #18,627
2007 modern 193 #18,923
2008 modern 199 #18,699
2009 modern 199 #19,090
2010 modern 202 #19,322
2011 modern 203 #19,098
2012 modern 193 #19,665
2013 modern 196 #19,790
2014 modern 205 #19,375
2015 modern 200 #19,567
2016 modern 193 #20,039

Geography

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Where Freeburys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Acton, Swindon, Lyddington, London parishes, Castle Eaton and Stroud, Whaddon, Longney, Brookthorpe, Harescombe, Haresfield, Standish, Moreton Valence, Saul, Fret. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Craven, Torfaen, Doncaster, Cheltenham and Northampton. 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 Acton Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
2 Swindon, Lyddington Wiltshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Castle Eaton Wiltshire
5 Stroud, Whaddon, Longney, Brookthorpe, Harescombe, Haresfield, Standish, Moreton Valence, Saul, Fret Gloucestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Craven 002 Craven
2 Torfaen 008 Torfaen
3 Doncaster 039 Doncaster
4 Cheltenham 009 Cheltenham
5 Northampton 011 Northampton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Freebury

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Freebury

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

Ageing Communities

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Freebury is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Freebury is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Freebury 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 Freebury is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Freebury

The surname Freebury is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval era. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "freo," meaning free, and "burgh" or "bury," referring to a fortified town or borough. This suggests that the name may have been given to individuals who resided in a free town or borough, possibly exempt from certain taxes or obligations.

One of the earliest records of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Freburge." This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and populations in England and parts of Wales. The inclusion of the name indicates its presence in the region during that time.

Over the centuries, various spellings and variations of the name emerged, such as Freebury, Freeborrow, and Freeborow. These changes reflect the fluidity of spelling conventions in earlier times and the influence of regional dialects.

Notable individuals bearing the Freebury surname include:

1. Sir Thomas Freebury (c. 1520-1589), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

2. Richard Freebury (1640-1712), a renowned clockmaker from London, known for his intricate and beautifully crafted timepieces.

3. Elizabeth Freebury (1685-1761), a prominent philanthropist and benefactor who funded the construction of several churches and schools in the county of Wiltshire.

4. William Freebury (1790-1872), a renowned architect responsible for designing numerous grand estates and country houses across England during the Georgian era.

5. Catherine Freebury (1815-1892), a celebrated author and poet whose works explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition.

The name Freebury has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as Freebury Manor in Buckinghamshire and Freebury Hill in Oxfordshire. These locations may have served as reference points for the surname's origin or provided a geographical connection for families bearing the name.

While the Freebury surname may not be as widespread as some other English surnames, it carries a rich history and connection to the country's medieval past, reflecting the significance of free boroughs and the evolving nature of naming conventions over time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Freebury families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Freebury 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. Gloucestershire leads with 43 Freeburys recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.54x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 43 13.54x
Wiltshire 26 18.16x
Surrey 19 2.41x
Yorkshire 19 1.18x
Middlesex 14 0.86x
Somerset 10 3.84x
Nottinghamshire 8 3.67x
Lincolnshire 7 2.70x
Shropshire 7 5.00x
Derbyshire 6 2.37x
Denbighshire 2 3.27x
Herefordshire 2 3.01x
Glamorgan 1 0.35x
Royal Navy 1 5.18x
Warwickshire 1 0.24x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bermondsey in Surrey leads with 19 Freeburys recorded in 1881 and an index of 39.41x.

Place Total Index
Bermondsey 19 39.41x
Hatherop 16 8421.05x
Stroud 12 194.17x
Bedminster 10 40.83x
Castle Eaton 9 5000.00x
Ealing 9 62.20x
Misterton 8 1176.47x
Beverley St Martin 7 261.19x
St Martin 7 448.72x
Heanor 6 158.31x
Moreton Valence 6 3157.89x
Swindon 6 54.01x
Cheltenham 5 20.41x
Wroughton 5 403.23x
Acton 4 42.15x
Blyborough 4 2857.14x
Beverley St Mary 3 128.21x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 3 103.81x
Wombwell 3 64.10x
Brightside Bierlow 2 6.36x
Glyn Traian 2 425.53x
Liddiard Millicent 2 408.16x
Rodbourne Cheney 2 180.18x
Aston 1 0.89x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 1 6.69x
Box 1 81.97x
Burghill 1 133.33x
Cardiff St Mary 1 6.44x
Great Badminton 1 370.37x
Great Driffield 1 30.40x
Harpswell 1 1428.57x
Hereford All Sts 1 32.89x
Highworth 1 54.64x
Holy Trinity 1 2.59x
Molescroft 1 1000.00x
Royal Navy 1 6.06x
St Martin Lincoln 1 41.67x
St Marylebone London 1 1.16x
St Peterin Eastgate 1 125.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 9
Sarah 9
Alice 7
Elizabeth 7
Emma 5
Ellen 4
Ada 3
Ann 3
Annie 3
Jane 3
Anna 2
Frances 2
Hannah 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Maria 2
Arthur 1
Betsy 1
Carie 1
Charlotte 1
Dianah 1
Dinah 1
Eliza 1
Emely 1
Emily 1
Florance 1
Harritt 1
Honor 1
Isabella 1
Kate 1
Lillian 1
Lizzie 1
Matilda 1
Olivia 1
Rebeca 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Freebury surname: questions and answers

How common was the Freebury surname in 1881?

In 1881, 165 people were recorded with the Freebury surname. That placed it at #14,559 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Freebury surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 193 in 2016. That gives Freebury a modern rank of #20,039.

What does the Freebury surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from Freebury, a place in England.

What does the Freebury map show?

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