NameCensus.

UK surname

Frye

Derived from Middle English fry or frygh, referring to someone who lived near a small wood or on a heath.

In the 1881 census there were 119 people recorded with the Frye surname, ranking it #17,841 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 190, ranked #20,262, down from #17,841 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Ealing, Chiswick and Woking. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Waverley, Ardrossan North East and Broadland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Frye is 190 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 59.7%.

1881 census count

119

Ranked #17,841

Modern count

190

2016, ranked #20,262

Peak year

2014

190 bearers

Map years

6

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Frye had 119 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #17,841 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 190 in 2016, ranked #20,262.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 151 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Frye surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Frye surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Frye 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 43 #25,518
1861 historical 43 #28,562
1881 historical 119 #17,841
1891 historical 88 #25,677
1901 historical 131 #19,552
1911 historical 151 #17,797
1997 modern 130 #23,021
1998 modern 137 #22,922
1999 modern 141 #22,702
2000 modern 143 #22,457
2001 modern 140 #22,441
2002 modern 148 #22,087
2003 modern 149 #21,766
2004 modern 158 #21,077
2005 modern 166 #20,379
2006 modern 173 #19,995
2007 modern 173 #20,243
2008 modern 165 #21,056
2009 modern 171 #21,024
2010 modern 177 #21,034
2011 modern 178 #20,809
2012 modern 180 #20,606
2013 modern 181 #20,879
2014 modern 190 #20,374
2015 modern 189 #20,345
2016 modern 190 #20,262

Geography

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Where Fryes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Ealing, Chiswick, Woking and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Waverley, Ardrossan North East, Broadland, Ardrossan North West and Chichester. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Ealing, Chiswick Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
3 Woking Surrey
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Waverley 016 Waverley
2 Ardrossan North East North Ayrshire
3 Broadland 003 Broadland
4 Ardrossan North West North Ayrshire
5 Chichester 004 Chichester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Frye

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Frye

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Frye, 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 Frye surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Frye 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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Frye is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Frye is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Frye falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Frye

The surname Frye originated in England and is derived from the Old English word "frig," which means "free" or "free-born." It was often used as a nickname for someone who was born free or had obtained their freedom. The name first appeared in records from the 12th century.

Frye is also thought to be related to the Old English word "freo," which means "beloved" or "noble." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who was highly regarded or held in high esteem within their community.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Frye can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of land and property conducted in England and Wales by order of William the Conqueror. The name is listed as "Frie" in the Domesday Book.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Fry," "Frie," and "Frye." These variations were likely due to regional dialects and spelling conventions of the time.

One notable bearer of the name Frye was John Frye, a prominent English printer and publisher who lived from 1537 to 1592. He was known for publishing works by renowned authors such as John Foxe and John Bale.

Another notable figure was Tobias Frye, an English clergyman and author who lived from 1663 to 1733. He was a prolific writer and published several works on religious topics.

In the 18th century, James Frye, an English surveyor and cartographer, was born in 1709. He is known for his detailed maps of the American colonies, which were widely used during the Revolutionary War.

Moving to the 19th century, William Pierce Frye, an American politician and lawyer, was born in 1831. He served as a United States Senator from Maine and was a prominent figure in the Republican Party.

Finally, in the 20th century, David Frye, an American comedian and impressionist, was born in 1934. He was renowned for his impersonations of political figures, including Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Frye families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Frye 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 50 Fryes recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.31x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 50 4.31x
Essex 21 9.17x
Surrey 13 2.30x
Kent 8 2.02x
Warwickshire 5 1.71x
Lancashire 4 0.29x
Hampshire 3 1.26x
Suffolk 3 2.12x
Devon 2 0.83x
Gloucestershire 2 0.88x
Cambridgeshire 1 1.36x
Dorset 1 1.31x
East Lothian 1 6.51x
Northumberland 1 0.58x
Somerset 1 0.54x
Staffordshire 1 0.26x
Sussex 1 0.51x
Yorkshire 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chelsea London in Middlesex leads with 12 Fryes recorded in 1881 and an index of 34.31x.

Place Total Index
Chelsea London 12 34.31x
Ashford 8 207.25x
Paddington London 8 18.74x
West Ham 8 15.82x
Romford 6 165.75x
Woking 6 175.95x
Halstead 5 187.27x
Kensington London 5 7.75x
Shoreditch London 5 9.94x
St Marylebone London 5 8.07x
Hartshill 4 1818.18x
St Pancras London 4 4.28x
Lambeth 3 2.96x
Newmarket St Mary 3 275.23x
Shanklin 3 422.54x
Tottenham 3 16.23x
Saffron Walden 2 82.64x
St George Hanover Square 2 9.78x
St Sepulchre London 2 117.65x
Stoke Damerel 2 11.83x
Tooting Graveney 2 127.39x
West Derby 2 4.96x
Worsley 2 23.56x
All Hallows Barking 1 344.83x
Bramley In Bramley 1 22.73x
Bromley London 1 3.92x
Camberwell 1 1.35x
Cheltenham 1 5.69x
Edgbaston 1 11.01x
Edmondsham 1 1111.11x
Lancing 1 185.19x
Lichfield St Michael 1 81.30x
Newcastle On Tyne St John 1 44.05x
Newington 1 2.33x
Newland 1 52.36x
Newmarket All Sts 1 185.19x
Salton 1 434.78x
Walcot 1 10.05x
Westminster St James 1 8.38x
Westminster St Margaret 1 17.86x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 6
Mary 4
Alice 3
Harriett 3
Jane 3
Kate 3
Frances 2
L. 2
Louisa 2
Selina 2
A.L. 1
Agnes 1
Ann 1
Annie 1
Barbara 1
Charlotte 1
E.A. 1
Eliz. 1
Elizabeth 1
Ethel 1
Fannie 1
Fanny 1
Flora 1
Gertrude 1
Isabel 1
Judith 1
Letitia 1
Lily 1
Lucy 1
Lydia 1
M. 1
M.M. 1
Margaret 1
Marguerite 1
Maria 1
Minnie 1
Penelope 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 6
Charles 5
Ernest 4
John 4
Henry 3
James 3
Thomas 3
Alfred 2
Arthur 2
Benjamin 2
Frederick 2
Matthias 2
Robert 2
A. 1
A.B. 1
Archibald 1
Augustus 1
Austin 1
C.H.S. 1
Colin 1
Earnest 1
Edward 1
Edwr. 1
Fredk. 1
Joseph 1
M. 1
Norman 1
Percy 1
Philemon 1
Richd. 1
Theodore 1
W.F. 1
W.H.J. 1

FAQ

Frye surname: questions and answers

How common was the Frye surname in 1881?

In 1881, 119 people were recorded with the Frye surname. That placed it at #17,841 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Frye surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 190 in 2016. That gives Frye a modern rank of #20,262.

What does the Frye surname mean?

Derived from Middle English fry or frygh, referring to someone who lived near a small wood or on a heath.

What does the Frye map show?

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