UK surname
German surname derived from the personal name Gerard, meaning "brave with the spear".
In the 1881 census there were 29 people recorded with the Gery surname, ranking it #29,484 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 12, ranked #37,385, down from #29,484 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Saviour Southwark, Skipton and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gery is 132 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 58.6%.
1881 census count
29
Ranked #29,484
Modern count
12
2016, ranked #37,385
Peak year
1861
132 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Gery surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Gery surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 61 | #22,412 |
| 1861 | historical | 132 | #16,957 |
| 1881 | historical | 29 | #29,484 |
| 1891 | historical | 112 | #22,291 |
| 1901 | historical | 34 | #30,281 |
| 1911 | historical | 35 | #29,478 |
| 1997 | modern | 9 | #37,214 |
| 1998 | modern | 6 | #37,703 |
| 1999 | modern | 4 | #38,100 |
| 2000 | modern | 2 | #38,472 |
| 2001 | modern | 2 | #38,335 |
| 2002 | modern | 2 | #38,400 |
| 2003 | modern | 2 | #38,424 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 2 | #38,590 |
| 2007 | modern | 3 | #38,372 |
| 2008 | modern | 4 | #38,216 |
| 2009 | modern | 6 | #37,953 |
| 2010 | modern | 7 | #37,904 |
| 2011 | modern | 6 | #38,016 |
| 2012 | modern | 10 | #37,509 |
| 2013 | modern | 11 | #37,435 |
| 2014 | modern | 11 | #37,462 |
| 2015 | modern | 9 | #37,684 |
| 2016 | modern | 12 | #37,385 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Saviour Southwark, Skipton, St Pancras, Calne, Bowood, Blackland, Calstone Withington and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Saviour Southwark | London (South Districts) |
| 2 | Skipton | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Calne, Bowood, Blackland, Calstone Withington | Wiltshire |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Gery surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Gery, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Gery surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Gery household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Gery is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gery is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Gery, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname GERY has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "gere," which means "war" or "battle." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who was a skilled warrior or had a reputation for being a formidable fighter.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name GERY can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and property ownership in England. The entry mentions a landowner named Geoffrey Geri, whose name is likely an early variant of the modern GERY surname.
In the 12th century, there are records of a family named Gery residing in the county of Somerset, England. This family is believed to have played a significant role in the local community and held positions of influence and authority.
During the 13th century, the name GERY appeared in various historical documents, including tax records and land registers. One notable figure from this time period was Sir William Gery, a knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War against France in the mid-14th century.
In the 16th century, the GERY surname gained prominence with the birth of John Gery (1520-1593), a prominent English Protestant reformer and clergyman. He served as the Bishop of Exeter and played a crucial role in the establishment of the Church of England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Another notable individual with the GERY surname was Sir Robert Gery (1612-1680), an English politician and judge who served as the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas during the reign of King Charles II.
In the 18th century, the GERY surname was associated with several prominent figures, including William Gery (1737-1819), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War and later became an influential figure in the maritime community.
One of the most renowned individuals with the GERY surname was Sir Ralph Gery (1820-1892), a British civil engineer who played a pivotal role in the construction of many important infrastructure projects, including the London Underground railway system.
While the surname GERY may have originated in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, with variations in spelling and pronunciation. However, its roots can be traced back to the medieval period, when it was associated with individuals who possessed qualities of strength, bravery, and military prowess.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gery surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Surrey leads with 9 Gerys recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.53x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 9 | 6.53x |
| Devon | 5 | 8.49x |
| Cumberland | 3 | 12.32x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.89x |
| Glamorgan | 2 | 4.06x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.71x |
| Oxfordshire | 2 | 11.45x |
| Durham | 1 | 1.19x |
| Kent | 1 | 1.04x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 3.19x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Southwark St Saviour in Surrey leads with 8 Gerys recorded in 1881 and an index of 551.72x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Southwark St Saviour | 8 | 551.72x |
| Merton | 4 | 6666.67x |
| Bootle Cum Linacre | 3 | 112.78x |
| Workington | 3 | 215.83x |
| Aberdare | 2 | 59.17x |
| Neithrop | 2 | 338.98x |
| Gateshead | 1 | 15.87x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 6.36x |
| Oakthorpe Donsthorpe | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 1 | 22.08x |
| Ramsgate | 1 | 63.69x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 4.39x |
| Streatham | 1 | 47.62x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Gery surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Gery surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Gery households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 2 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Articled Clerk | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Blacksmiths Wife | 1 |
| Clerk L & NW Ry | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Engine Smiths Apprentice | 1 |
| Farm Lab | 1 |
| Farm Lab Wife | 1 |
| Groom | 1 |
| Horseman To L Clinton | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Housemaid Serv | 1 |
| Licensed Victualler | 1 |
| School Mistress N.S. | 1 |
| Solicitor | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 29 people were recorded with the Gery surname. That placed it at #29,484 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 12 in 2016. That gives Gery a modern rank of #37,385.
German surname derived from the personal name Gerard, meaning "brave with the spear".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Gery bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.