NameCensus.

UK surname

Furber

An occupational surname derived from the Middle English "furber" meaning fur dresser or cleaner.

In the 1881 census there were 765 people recorded with the Furber surname, ranking it #4,830 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,038, ranked #5,614, down from #4,830 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Prees and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Shropshire and Wrexham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Furber is 1,113 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 35.7%.

1881 census count

765

Ranked #4,830

Modern count

1,038

2016, ranked #5,614

Peak year

1999

1,113 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Furber had 765 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,830 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,038 in 2016, ranked #5,614.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,047 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Furber surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Furber surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Furber 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 428 #5,717
1861 historical 395 #6,492
1881 historical 765 #4,830
1891 historical 714 #5,514
1901 historical 984 #4,824
1911 historical 1,047 #4,389
1997 modern 1,035 #5,334
1998 modern 1,107 #5,230
1999 modern 1,113 #5,247
2000 modern 1,079 #5,345
2001 modern 1,056 #5,345
2002 modern 1,091 #5,308
2003 modern 1,071 #5,289
2004 modern 1,048 #5,400
2005 modern 1,020 #5,460
2006 modern 1,028 #5,434
2007 modern 1,038 #5,446
2008 modern 1,032 #5,510
2009 modern 1,037 #5,608
2010 modern 1,042 #5,685
2011 modern 1,031 #5,678
2012 modern 1,021 #5,642
2013 modern 1,048 #5,613
2014 modern 1,062 #5,579
2015 modern 1,047 #5,589
2016 modern 1,038 #5,614

Geography

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Where Furbers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Prees, London parishes, Bedwelty and Ellesmere (Ellesmere), Welshampton, Whittington, Halston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Shropshire and Wrexham. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Prees Shropshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Bedwelty Monmouthshire
5 Ellesmere (Ellesmere), Welshampton, Whittington, Halston Shropshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Shropshire 001 Shropshire
2 Shropshire 005 Shropshire
3 Shropshire 010 Shropshire
4 Shropshire 008 Shropshire
5 Wrexham 018 Wrexham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Furber

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Furber

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Furber is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Furber 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

Furber falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Furber

The surname FURBER is of English origin, deriving from the Old English word "furh" or "fyrhþ," which referred to a furrow or small trench. This name likely originated as an occupational surname for someone who worked as a ploughman or plough-maker.

The earliest recorded instances of the FURBER surname date back to the 13th century in various county records across England. One of the earliest recorded examples is found in the Pipe Rolls of Sussex in 1230, where a John le Furber is mentioned.

In the 14th century, the FURBER surname appears in various manorial records and tax rolls, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, which lists a Richard Furbur. The name also appears in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire in 1379, where a Johannes Furbour is recorded.

The FURBER surname can be traced back to various place names in England, including Furber Lane in Derbyshire and Furbur Court in Surrey. These place names likely derived from the Old English word "furh" or "fyrhþ," indicating a connection between the surname and these locations.

One notable historical figure bearing the FURBER surname was Robert Furber (1674-1756), an English cleric and botanist. He was the author of several works on botany, including "The Flower Garden Display'd" and "The Flower Garden Adorn'd."

Another prominent individual was Sir Henry Furber (1685-1753), an English merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1733. He was instrumental in establishing the Marine Society, an organization dedicated to training poor boys for service in the Royal Navy.

In the 18th century, the FURBER surname was also associated with the family of George Furber (1723-1788), a renowned English horticulturist and nurseryman. He was known for his work in propagating and cultivating various plants and trees.

The FURBER surname continued to be well-represented in various fields throughout the 19th century. One notable figure was John Furber (1803-1880), an English engineer and inventor who contributed significantly to the development of the steam engine and railway technology.

Additionally, Henry Furber (1842-1917) was a prominent English architect and surveyor. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Aquarium and the Royal School of Mines.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Furber families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Furber 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. Shropshire leads with 128 Furbers recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.85x.

County Total Index
Shropshire 128 19.85x
Cheshire 103 6.25x
Staffordshire 92 3.65x
Lancashire 70 0.79x
Middlesex 55 0.74x
Gloucestershire 52 3.55x
Somerset 44 3.66x
Surrey 44 1.21x
Warwickshire 27 1.43x
Devon 23 1.48x
Hampshire 18 1.18x
Dorset 13 2.65x
Monmouthshire 12 2.22x
Kent 11 0.43x
Wiltshire 10 1.52x
Brecknockshire 8 5.36x
Glamorgan 8 0.62x
Yorkshire 8 0.11x
Flintshire 7 3.49x
Herefordshire 6 1.96x
Cornwall 4 0.47x
Derbyshire 4 0.34x
Essex 4 0.27x
Sussex 4 0.32x
Worcestershire 4 0.41x
Leicestershire 2 0.24x
Norfolk 2 0.17x
Montgomeryshire 1 0.58x
Oxfordshire 1 0.22x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Prees in Shropshire leads with 47 Furbers recorded in 1881 and an index of 598.73x.

Place Total Index
Prees 47 598.73x
Monks Coppenhall 35 56.31x
Stoke Upon Trent 19 7.11x
Bristol St George 16 23.64x
St Marylebone London 16 4.02x
Culmstock 15 681.82x
Wem 15 156.41x
Widnes 15 23.49x
Hodnet 14 277.78x
Bitton Oldland 13 86.90x
Lambeth 13 2.00x
West Derby 13 5.02x
Kensington London 12 2.89x
Everton 11 3.90x
Mile End Old Town London 11 6.93x
Kingsbury Episcopi 10 257.07x
Morden 10 483.09x
Birmingham 9 1.43x
Castle Church 9 59.45x
Rockbourne 9 775.86x
Stone 9 27.93x
Aston 8 1.54x
Kingswinford 8 8.75x
Llangattock 8 65.84x
Maidstone 8 10.55x
Pontesbury 8 102.04x
Swansea Town 8 7.51x
Chester St Peter St 7 395.48x
High Offley 7 336.54x
Leftwich 7 95.63x
Marston 7 411.76x
Martock 7 89.63x
Penge 7 14.68x
Pitcombe 7 648.15x
Rhuddlan 7 39.64x
Salford 7 2.69x
Southwark St Saviour 7 18.25x
Tettenhall 7 45.45x
Walton On Hill 7 443.04x
Weaverham Cum Milton 7 160.55x
Whittington 7 129.63x
Altrincham 6 20.85x
Austerson 6 3750.00x
Beswick 6 26.50x
Cheltenham 6 5.31x
Coole Pilate 6 4000.00x
Drayton In Hales 6 45.15x
Gorton 6 7.21x
Hankelow 6 1071.43x
Trentham 6 28.01x
Trevethin 6 11.78x
Wootton Bassett 6 104.53x
Baddiley 5 684.93x
Battersea 5 1.82x
Birkenhead 5 3.81x
Burley In Wharfdale 5 76.57x
Exeter Heavitree 5 43.18x
Moreton Say 5 301.20x
Shepton Mallet 5 37.09x
Whitchurch 5 39.97x
Whitchurch Tilstock 5 314.47x
Aberystruth 4 8.41x
Alvechurch 4 96.39x
Coventry St Michael 4 6.62x
Eccleshall 4 41.88x
Falmouth 4 13.38x
Filton 4 519.48x
Fulham London 4 3.70x
Lympsham 4 344.83x
Ranton 4 563.38x
West Ham 4 1.23x
Bitton 3 23.55x
Burslem 3 4.16x
Chester St John Baptist 3 10.13x
Liverpool 3 0.56x
Malpas 3 123.46x
Paddington London 3 1.09x
Sound 3 428.57x
St Pancras London 3 0.50x
Warmington 3 303.03x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 55
Sarah 44
Elizabeth 26
Ann 15
Annie 13
Eliza 13
Emily 13
Jane 13
Charlotte 12
Ellen 12
Emma 12
Florence 8
Martha 8
Margaret 7
Edith 6
Alice 5
Hannah 5
Louisa 5
Anna 4
Anne 4
Harriet 4
Catherine 3
Fanny 3
Frances 3
Jessie 3
Kate 3
Maria 3
May 3
Ada 2
Agnes 2
Beatrice 2
Caroline 2
Christina 2
Elizth. 2
Harriett 2
Hester 2
Kathleen 2
Mabel 2
Margt. 2
Minnie 2
Selina 2
Bessey 1
Bolina 1
Eave 1
Eddeth 1
Eiza 1
Eleanor 1
Ida 1
Isabella 1
Winnifred 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Furber surname: questions and answers

How common was the Furber surname in 1881?

In 1881, 765 people were recorded with the Furber surname. That placed it at #4,830 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Furber surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,038 in 2016. That gives Furber a modern rank of #5,614.

What does the Furber surname mean?

An occupational surname derived from the Middle English "furber" meaning fur dresser or cleaner.

What does the Furber map show?

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