NameCensus.

UK surname

Frewin

An old English surname likely referring to someone who was considered a free man.

In the 1881 census there were 462 people recorded with the Frewin surname, ranking it #7,183 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 703, ranked #7,683, down from #7,183 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Henley-on-Thames, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Redcar and Cleveland, Windsor and Maidenhead and Dacorum.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Frewin is 738 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 52.2%.

1881 census count

462

Ranked #7,183

Modern count

703

2016, ranked #7,683

Peak year

2002

738 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Frewin had 462 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,183 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 703 in 2016, ranked #7,683.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 657 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Outer Suburbs.

Frewin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Frewin surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Frewin 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 309 #7,449
1861 historical 255 #9,699
1881 historical 462 #7,183
1891 historical 487 #7,590
1901 historical 597 #7,100
1911 historical 657 #6,393
1997 modern 716 #7,127
1998 modern 724 #7,290
1999 modern 737 #7,244
2000 modern 725 #7,300
2001 modern 709 #7,299
2002 modern 738 #7,199
2003 modern 699 #7,393
2004 modern 680 #7,575
2005 modern 661 #7,679
2006 modern 663 #7,700
2007 modern 668 #7,708
2008 modern 670 #7,731
2009 modern 694 #7,690
2010 modern 699 #7,787
2011 modern 696 #7,726
2012 modern 695 #7,649
2013 modern 707 #7,673
2014 modern 716 #7,638
2015 modern 706 #7,671
2016 modern 703 #7,683

Geography

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Where Frewins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Henley-on-Thames, London parishes, St Pancras and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Redcar and Cleveland, Windsor and Maidenhead, Dacorum, Birmingham and Calderdale. 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 Henley-on-Thames Oxfordshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Pancras London (North Districts)
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Redcar and Cleveland 011 Redcar and Cleveland
2 Windsor and Maidenhead 011 Windsor and Maidenhead
3 Dacorum 001 Dacorum
4 Birmingham 029 Birmingham
5 Calderdale 004 Calderdale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Frewin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Frewin

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

Outer Suburbs

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods are found on the outer edges of many towns and cities. Many residents were born outside the UK. Indian ethnic group representation is high. There are high numbers of families with dependent children aged 5 to 14. Incidences of disability and of provision of unpaid care are low. Neighbourhoods provide a mix of detached housing and flats, and terraced housing is not uncommon. Levels of overcrowding are low and homeownership rates are high. Professional and managerial occupations are prevalent: unemployment is low and education to degree level is the norm.

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, Frewin 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

Frewin 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

Frewin 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 Frewin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Frewin

The surname Frewin has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English words "freo" meaning free and "wynn" meaning friend or joy, suggesting it may have been a descriptive name for someone who was considered a free and joyful person.

The earliest known record of the name Frewin appears in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1191, where a Robert Frewin is mentioned. The Frewin family is believed to have originated from the county of Gloucestershire in the southwest of England.

In the 13th century, the name is found in various records such as the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a William Frewyn is listed in Wiltshire. The spelling variations during this period include Frewyne, Frewayn, and Frewine.

One of the earliest notable figures with the name Frewin was John Frewin, born in 1558 in Worcestershire. He was a prominent English clergyman who served as the Bishop of Worcester from 1628 until his death in 1633.

In the 17th century, Richard Frewin (1625-1691) was a notable English lawyer and writer who published several works on legal matters and served as the Recorder of London.

Another notable figure was William Frewin (1633-1688), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Milborne Port in Somerset during the reign of King Charles II.

The surname Frewin is also associated with place names in England, such as Frewin Hall, a historic manor house located in Worcestershire, which was once owned by the Frewin family.

Other notable individuals with the surname Frewin include Thomas Frewin (1648-1690), an English clergyman and writer, and John Frewin (1762-1823), a British Army officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Frewin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Frewin 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. Middlesex leads with 131 Frewins recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.89x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 131 2.89x
Oxfordshire 80 28.62x
Surrey 71 3.22x
Berkshire 34 10.01x
Wiltshire 25 6.25x
Kent 24 1.55x
Gloucestershire 21 2.37x
Buckinghamshire 16 5.85x
Hampshire 15 1.62x
Yorkshire 10 0.22x
Northamptonshire 9 2.11x
Lancashire 6 0.11x
Worcestershire 6 1.02x
Essex 5 0.56x
Sussex 3 0.39x
Warwickshire 3 0.26x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.33x
Leicestershire 1 0.20x
Montgomeryshire 1 0.96x
Royal Navy 1 1.85x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Pancras London in Middlesex leads with 33 Frewins recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.06x.

Place Total Index
St Pancras London 33 9.06x
St Marylebone London 20 8.28x
Kingston On Thames 19 35.86x
Henley On Thames 18 314.14x
Lambeth 18 4.56x
Reading St Mary 18 66.15x
Swindon 15 48.31x
Turville 14 2153.85x
Kensington London 13 5.17x
Paddington London 13 7.81x
Ipsden 11 1000.00x
Great Bedwin 10 352.11x
Watlington 10 349.65x
Hackney London 8 3.15x
Nuffield 8 2424.24x
Wytham 8 2580.65x
Ealing 7 17.31x
East Harlsey 7 1186.44x
Fulham London 7 10.66x
Lewisham 7 8.50x
Newington 7 4.19x
Battersea 6 3.60x
Bramley 6 857.14x
Charlton 6 58.48x
Cirencester 6 49.92x
Frimley 6 95.54x
Goring 6 375.00x
Oldbury 6 20.63x
Barking 5 19.13x
Basingstoke 5 46.86x
Bensington 5 280.90x
Chelsea London 5 3.67x
Nether Worton 5 5555.56x
Stoke Newington London 5 14.18x
Westbury On Severn East 5 24.91x
Barnes 4 42.87x
Burham 4 187.79x
Chipping Sodbury 4 242.42x
Clifton 4 8.91x
Margate St John Baptist 4 14.14x
Northampton Priory St 4 15.66x
Northampton St Sepulchre 4 18.47x
Southwark St George Martyr 4 4.39x
Warborough 4 373.83x
Aston 3 0.95x
Brighton 3 1.95x
Crowmarsh Gifford 3 638.30x
Hammersmith London 3 2.69x
Oxford St Giles 3 22.51x
Prestwich 3 22.39x
Richmond 3 9.71x
Shottesbrook 3 1250.00x
St Andrew Holborn London 3 15.31x
St George Hanover Square 3 3.76x
Andover 2 22.83x
Islington London 2 0.46x
Mortlake 2 20.35x
North Hincksey 2 526.32x
Nottingham St Mary 2 1.27x
Putney 2 9.69x
Rotherfield Greys 2 67.57x
Shiplake 2 210.53x
Tottenham 2 2.77x
Westminster St John 2 3.63x
Bristol St Augustine 1 6.98x
Broughton In Salford 1 2.04x
Farmington 1 238.10x
Goudhurst 1 23.42x
Pool 1 12.79x
Ratby 1 39.84x
Royal Navy 1 2.17x
Shanklin 1 36.23x
St George In East London 1 2.35x
St Gilesin Fields London 1 26.11x
St Peters 1 14.01x
St Sepulchre London 1 15.08x
Thame 1 19.69x
Wallingford St Mary Le 1 52.08x
Willesden 1 2.34x
Wooburn 1 26.53x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 19
Elizabeth 17
Ellen 11
Emma 11
Ann 10
Sarah 10
Alice 8
Annie 8
Eliza 8
Emily 8
Jane 8
Edith 6
Hannah 6
Harriet 5
Ada 4
Kate 4
Rebecca 4
Charlotte 3
Clara 3
Esther 3
Florence 3
Gertrude 3
Louisa 3
Lucy 3
Martha 3
Susan 3
Anne 2
Caroline 2
Fanny 2
Frances 2
Harriett 2
Isabella 2
Jessie 2
Matilda 2
Nellie 2
Sophia 2
Angelina 1
Argentina 1
Arthur 1
Bessie 1
Bridget 1
Dorkus 1
E. 1
Eleanor 1
Elizth. 1
Ester 1
Georgina 1
Henrietta 1
June 1
Winnifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 25
John 21
George 20
Thomas 18
James 15
Alfred 10
Henry 10
Albert 8
Arthur 8
Harry 8
Charles 7
Edward 6
Frederick 6
Ernest 4
Joseph 4
Samuel 4
Isaac 3
Robert 3
Walter 3
Daniel 2
Edwin 2
Frank 2
Fredrick 2
Percy 2
Peter 2
Richard 2
Thos. 2
Wm. 2
Allan 1
Bennett 1
Bethuel 1
Caleb 1
Clyde 1
Cuthbert 1
David 1
Eber 1
Edgar 1
Francis 1
Jonathan 1
Oscar 1
Percival 1
Philip 1
Rd. 1
Reuben 1
Russell 1
T. 1
Wiliam 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Frewin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Frewin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 462 people were recorded with the Frewin surname. That placed it at #7,183 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Frewin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 703 in 2016. That gives Frewin a modern rank of #7,683.

What does the Frewin surname mean?

An old English surname likely referring to someone who was considered a free man.

What does the Frewin map show?

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