NameCensus.

UK surname

Garrett

An occupational surname referring to a person who made or managed military equipment, such as spears, arrows, and armor.

In the 1881 census there were 6,521 people recorded with the Garrett surname, ranking it #652 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 8,974, ranked #730, down from #652 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wrexham, Stranraer West and Sandwell.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Garrett is 9,443 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 37.6%.

1881 census count

6,521

Ranked #652

Modern count

8,974

2016, ranked #730

Peak year

1999

9,443 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Garrett had 6,521 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #652 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 8,974 in 2016, ranked #730.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 8,640 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Garrett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Garrett surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Garrett 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 4,186 #684
1861 historical 3,852 #728
1881 historical 6,521 #652
1891 historical 6,838 #663
1901 historical 8,483 #630
1911 historical 8,640 #571
1997 modern 9,150 #684
1998 modern 9,422 #693
1999 modern 9,443 #699
2000 modern 9,427 #695
2001 modern 9,226 #694
2002 modern 9,338 #703
2003 modern 9,102 #705
2004 modern 9,054 #708
2005 modern 8,847 #716
2006 modern 8,814 #720
2007 modern 8,856 #724
2008 modern 8,900 #725
2009 modern 9,073 #727
2010 modern 9,227 #735
2011 modern 9,101 #728
2012 modern 8,900 #733
2013 modern 9,179 #722
2014 modern 9,190 #726
2015 modern 9,025 #731
2016 modern 8,974 #730

Geography

Back to top

Where Garretts are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Wrexham, Stranraer West, Sandwell, Stranraer South and Sefton. 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 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wrexham 017 Wrexham
2 Stranraer West Dumfries and Galloway
3 Sandwell 009 Sandwell
4 Stranraer South Dumfries and Galloway
5 Sefton 034 Sefton

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Garrett

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Garrett

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

Garrett is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Garrett 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 Garrett 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 Garrett, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Garrett

The surname Garrett has its roots in ancient France, emerging around the 11th century. It is believed to originate from the Germanic personal name "Gerard", which means "spear-brave" or "brave with the spear". This name was popularized in France during the Middle Ages, where it evolved into various spellings, including Garret, Garratt, and Garrett.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Garrett can be found in the famous Domesday Book, a survey of land ownership commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This document mentions individuals with the name Garret in several counties across England, indicating that the name had already spread beyond its French origins.

In the 13th century, the surname Garrett appeared in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, a census-like record of landowners and their holdings. This suggests that the Garrett family had established themselves as landowners in England by this time.

During the medieval period, the name was often associated with place names, such as Garrett's Green in Suffolk and Garrett's Hall in Essex. These place names likely derived from individuals named Garrett who once owned or resided in those locations.

One notable figure in history bearing the surname Garrett was John Garrett (1545-1617), an English clergyman and academic who served as the President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, from 1612 until his death.

In the 17th century, Robert Garrett (1592-1668) was a prominent English merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1647. He played a crucial role in supporting the parliamentarian cause during the English Civil War.

Another significant figure was the English landscape architect and garden designer, John Garrett (1758-1847), who was known for his work on numerous estates across England, including Woburn Abbey and Chiswick House.

In the United States, the Garrett family gained prominence through Henry Garrett (1794-1856), a successful industrialist and founder of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, one of the earliest railroads in the country.

Lastly, John Work Garrett (1820-1884), an American businessman and philanthropist, played a pivotal role in the growth of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, serving as its president for over two decades.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have carried the surname Garrett, highlighting its rich heritage and enduring presence across various cultures and regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Garrett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Garrett 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 1,158 Garretts recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.75x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 1,158 1.75x
Surrey 477 1.48x
Hampshire 361 2.66x
Yorkshire 343 0.52x
Somerset 337 3.16x
Kent 333 1.47x
Lancashire 332 0.42x
Isle of Man 278 22.57x
Warwickshire 226 1.35x
Wiltshire 214 3.65x
Northamptonshire 193 3.09x
Essex 164 1.25x
Durham 153 0.78x
Suffolk 149 1.84x
Dorset 142 3.26x
Sussex 134 1.20x
Leicestershire 125 1.70x
Berkshire 121 2.43x
Northumberland 115 1.17x
Staffordshire 113 0.50x
Glamorgan 110 0.95x
Norfolk 103 1.01x
Bedfordshire 102 2.97x
Monmouthshire 96 2.00x
Gloucestershire 90 0.69x
Buckinghamshire 75 1.87x
Derbyshire 75 0.72x
Worcestershire 68 0.79x
Hertfordshire 66 1.44x
Cheshire 57 0.39x
Oxfordshire 56 1.37x
Shropshire 44 0.77x
Cambridgeshire 41 0.98x
Herefordshire 40 1.47x
Nottinghamshire 40 0.45x
Devon 33 0.24x
Wigtownshire 28 3.18x
Lanarkshire 26 0.12x
Huntingdonshire 22 1.67x
Pembrokeshire 19 0.90x
Lincolnshire 17 0.16x
Brecknockshire 14 1.06x
Royal Navy 13 1.64x
Flintshire 10 0.56x
Renfrewshire 10 0.19x
Ayrshire 9 0.18x
Cornwall 8 0.11x
Denbighshire 7 0.28x
Anglesey 6 0.51x
East Lothian 6 0.68x
Midlothian 6 0.07x
Buteshire 5 1.24x
Cumberland 3 0.05x
Argyllshire 2 0.11x
Carmarthenshire 2 0.07x
Kirkcudbrightshire 2 0.21x
Rutland 2 0.41x
Sutherland 2 0.39x
Berwickshire 1 0.12x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.04x
Channel Islands 1 0.05x
Inverness-shire 1 0.05x
Merionethshire 1 0.08x
Perthshire 1 0.03x
Radnorshire 1 0.19x
Stirlingshire 1 0.04x
Westmorland 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 122 Garretts recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.90x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 122 1.90x
Camberwell 88 2.08x
St Pancras London 83 1.55x
Mile End Old Town London 73 5.17x
Portsea 71 2.66x
Hackney London 69 1.86x
Shoreditch London 61 2.12x
Paddington London 57 2.34x
Chelsea London 55 2.75x
Battersea 54 2.21x
Lambeth 54 0.93x
Bethnal Green London 50 1.74x
Onchan 50 14.09x
Yeovil 50 23.05x
Brighton 48 2.13x
St Marylebone London 48 1.36x
Newington 46 1.88x
Hammersmith London 45 2.75x
Liverpool 41 0.86x
Aberystruth 40 9.46x
St George Hanover Square 40 3.42x
Toxteth Park 39 1.46x
Chatham 38 6.10x
German 38 56.56x
Leeds 37 1.00x
Clerkenwell London 33 2.11x
Gateshead 33 2.23x
Leicester St Margaret 33 1.84x
German Peel 32 45.12x
Horningsham 32 173.35x
Luton 32 5.38x
Swindon 32 7.03x
Ystradyfodwg 32 3.16x
Maughold 31 32.62x
Wootton St Lawrence 31 137.11x
Clapham 30 3.62x
Southampton St Mary 30 3.51x
Plumstead 29 3.84x
Aston 26 0.56x
Kensington London 26 0.71x
Kirkdale 26 1.96x
West Derby 26 1.13x
Birmingham 24 0.43x
Dudley 24 2.28x
Lidlington 24 160.21x
Bedminster 23 2.29x
Bromley London 23 1.58x
Lewisham 23 1.91x
Lyncombe Widcombe 23 8.23x
Ware 23 17.55x
Byker 22 4.51x
Southwark St Saviour 22 6.45x
St Woollos 22 4.11x
West Ham 22 0.76x
Westminster St Margaret 22 6.88x
Kingsclere 21 33.82x
Monkwearmouth Shore 21 5.45x
Rotherhithe 21 2.56x
Ryde 21 7.19x
Warminster 21 16.34x
Michael 20 79.87x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 20 3.39x
Peterchurch 20 137.84x
Poplar London 20 1.60x
St George In East London 20 3.21x
Bride 19 112.96x
Cowpen 19 8.36x
Reading St Giles 19 3.89x
Sherborne 19 14.82x
Southwark St George Martyr 19 1.42x
Tipton 19 2.77x
Deptford St Paul 18 1.03x
Drayton In Hales 18 15.24x
Dunkerton 18 77.82x
East Chinnock 18 136.67x
Greenwich 18 1.70x
Ipswich St Margaret 18 6.57x
Tottenham 18 1.70x
Westminster St James 18 2.64x
Bruntingthorpe 17 245.66x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 385
Elizabeth 295
Sarah 205
Ann 128
Jane 124
Ellen 110
Eliza 108
Alice 100
Annie 94
Emma 88
Emily 84
Margaret 61
Louisa 55
Fanny 53
Martha 53
Hannah 50
Edith 47
Caroline 46
Charlotte 40
Florence 40
Susan 40
Ada 39
Maria 39
Catherine 37
Kate 37
Harriett 35
Harriet 33
Lucy 32
Clara 29
Frances 27
Isabella 24
Agnes 23
Esther 22
Sophia 22
Anne 21
Matilda 21
Eleanor 19
Minnie 19
Julia 18
Rose 17
Rebecca 16
Amy 15
Anna 15
Ethel 15
Elizth. 14
Jessie 14
Lizzie 14
Amelia 12
Beatrice 11
Laura 11

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 431
John 347
George 287
Thomas 225
James 191
Henry 161
Charles 130
Joseph 117
Alfred 91
Edward 76
Arthur 74
Robert 73
Frederick 59
Samuel 54
Albert 47
Walter 47
Richard 46
Frank 41
Ernest 36
Harry 36
Wm. 23
Edwin 20
Francis 20
Herbert 20
Edmund 19
David 18
Stephen 17
Fred 16
Benjamin 15
Thos. 13
Daniel 12
Geo. 12
Percy 12
Abraham 10
Tom 10
Hugh 9
Isaac 9
Sidney 9
Philip 8
Fredrick 7
Oliver 7
Sydney 7
Alexander 6
Nathaniel 6
Peter 6
Reginald 6
W. 6
Archibald 5
Chas. 5
Fredk. 5

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Garrett households.

FAQ

Garrett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Garrett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 6,521 people were recorded with the Garrett surname. That placed it at #652 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Garrett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 8,974 in 2016. That gives Garrett a modern rank of #730.

What does the Garrett surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a person who made or managed military equipment, such as spears, arrows, and armor.

What does the Garrett map show?

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