NameCensus.

UK surname

Harry

A surname derived from the medieval English personal name Harry or Henry, or from the Old English word "hæra," meaning "army ruler."

In the 1881 census there were 2,163 people recorded with the Harry surname, ranking it #2,052 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,591, ranked #2,565, down from #2,052 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Redruth and Paul. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Swansea, Cornwall and Carmarthenshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Harry is 3,368 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 19.8%.

1881 census count

2,163

Ranked #2,052

Modern count

2,591

2016, ranked #2,565

Peak year

1861

3,368 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Harry had 2,163 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,052 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,591 in 2016, ranked #2,565.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,368 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Harry surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Harry surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Harry 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 2,177 #1,341
1861 historical 3,368 #848
1881 historical 2,163 #2,052
1891 historical 2,763 #1,709
1901 historical 2,395 #2,272
1911 historical 2,851 #1,831
1997 modern 2,170 #2,854
1998 modern 2,231 #2,884
1999 modern 2,225 #2,910
2000 modern 2,220 #2,901
2001 modern 2,148 #2,928
2002 modern 2,209 #2,910
2003 modern 2,184 #2,885
2004 modern 2,171 #2,905
2005 modern 2,147 #2,889
2006 modern 2,166 #2,873
2007 modern 2,225 #2,829
2008 modern 2,248 #2,825
2009 modern 2,323 #2,807
2010 modern 2,441 #2,748
2011 modern 2,380 #2,778
2012 modern 2,422 #2,688
2013 modern 2,503 #2,661
2014 modern 2,569 #2,619
2015 modern 2,547 #2,611
2016 modern 2,591 #2,565

Geography

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Where Harrys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Redruth, Paul, Llangafelach and Llanelly. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Swansea, Cornwall, Carmarthenshire and Neath Port Talbot. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Redruth Cornwall
3 Paul Cornwall
4 Llangafelach Glamorganshire
5 Llanelly Carmarthenshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Swansea 018 Swansea
2 Cornwall 054 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 073 Cornwall
4 Carmarthenshire 027 Carmarthenshire
5 Neath Port Talbot 004 Neath Port Talbot

Forenames

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First names often paired with Harry

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Harry

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Harry is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Harry is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Harry falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Harry

The surname Harry originates from the English language and can be traced back to the medieval period, around the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "hær," meaning "army" or "warrior." The name was initially used as a descriptive nickname for someone who was a soldier or a member of the armed forces.

In early records, the name appears with various spellings, such as Herry, Hary, and Harey. One of the earliest documented references to the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which mentions a landowner named William Harei in Berkshire.

During the Middle Ages, the surname Harry was particularly prevalent in the counties of Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk in eastern England. Many individuals bearing this name were recorded in medieval tax rolls and court records from these regions.

One notable bearer of the surname Harry was Sir John Harry, a member of the English Parliament who lived in the 14th century. Another early example is William Harry, a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of London, who was recorded in documents from the late 15th century.

In the 16th century, the name appeared in various forms, including Harrie, Harrye, and Harrey. During this period, several individuals with the surname Harry made significant contributions to English history and culture.

One such person was William Harrey (c. 1530-1599), an English physician and scholar who is considered one of the founders of modern anatomy and physiology. He authored several influential works, including "De Motu Cordis" (On the Motion of the Heart and Blood).

Another notable figure was Thomas Harrys (c. 1570-1631), an English composer and organist who served as the organist at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford. His compositions included anthems, madrigals, and other sacred works.

In the 17th century, the surname Harry continued to be prominent, particularly in the counties of Essex and Suffolk. One notable bearer was John Harrey (1633-1692), an English politician and lawyer who served as a Member of Parliament for Thetford.

As time progressed, the surname Harry spread to other parts of the British Isles and eventually to other English-speaking countries through immigration and colonization. Today, the name is found in various spellings, including Harry, Harrie, and Harrey, throughout the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and other nations with historical ties to Britain.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Harry families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Harry 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. Glamorgan leads with 618 Harrys recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.77x.

County Total Index
Glamorgan 618 16.77x
Cornwall 470 19.61x
Carmarthenshire 182 20.40x
Devon 179 4.06x
Middlesex 151 0.71x
Monmouthshire 134 8.76x
Surrey 49 0.48x
Lancashire 46 0.18x
Gloucestershire 38 0.92x
Kent 32 0.44x
Wiltshire 24 1.28x
Hampshire 22 0.51x
Somerset 21 0.62x
Yorkshire 21 0.10x
Essex 17 0.41x
Flintshire 14 2.46x
Dorset 13 0.94x
Staffordshire 13 0.18x
Midlothian 10 0.35x
Shropshire 10 0.55x
Cumberland 8 0.44x
Herefordshire 8 0.92x
Pembrokeshire 8 1.19x
Hertfordshire 7 0.48x
Rutland 7 4.50x
Suffolk 7 0.27x
Angus 6 0.31x
Durham 5 0.08x
Lincolnshire 5 0.15x
Northumberland 5 0.16x
Channel Islands 4 0.64x
Cheshire 4 0.09x
Derbyshire 4 0.12x
Norfolk 4 0.12x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.14x
Warwickshire 4 0.07x
Aberdeenshire 2 0.10x
Brecknockshire 2 0.47x
Royal Navy 2 0.79x
Sussex 2 0.06x
Worcestershire 2 0.07x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.12x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.24x
Morayshire 1 0.30x
Northamptonshire 1 0.05x
Radnorshire 1 0.59x
Stirlingshire 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Llanelly in Carmarthenshire leads with 95 Harrys recorded in 1881 and an index of 47.28x.

Place Total Index
Llanelly 95 47.28x
Clase 67 48.89x
St Ives 48 102.35x
Paul 47 107.95x
Plymouth St Andrew 42 12.37x
St Just In Penwith 38 81.72x
Redruth 36 53.11x
Beaworthy 33 1542.06x
Llangennech 33 230.93x
Madron Penzance 33 37.87x
Llanrhidian Higher 32 136.69x
Llantrisant 31 33.37x
Cardiff St Mary 28 13.79x
Islington London 28 1.36x
Breage 24 109.69x
Madron 24 123.97x
Llangan St Mary Hill 22 817.84x
Tormoham 22 11.80x
Sancreed 21 309.28x
Cardiff St Andrews 20 478.47x
Kingston On Thames 20 8.07x
Kensington London 19 1.61x
Laugharne 19 160.61x
Phillack 19 61.43x
Mynyddyslwyn 18 29.82x
Shoreditch London 17 1.85x
Cardiff St Nicholas 16 632.41x
Chelsea London 16 2.51x
Gelligaer 16 19.01x
Newport 16 21.92x
Pembrey 16 39.00x
Llandaff 15 12.23x
Margam 15 36.49x
Portsea 15 1.76x
St Athan 15 543.48x
St John Near Swansea 15 32.91x
Deptford St Paul 14 2.51x
Llangeinor 14 64.52x
Abergavenny 13 22.68x
Loughor 13 66.43x
Penrice 13 691.49x
Roath 13 7.77x
Rogerstone 13 137.86x
St Keverne 13 98.56x
Tythegston Higher 13 116.18x
West Dean 13 19.28x
Cury 12 382.17x
Hullavington 12 264.32x
Llangwm Ucha 12 553.00x
St Austell 12 14.65x
St Brides Major 12 243.41x
Swansea Town 12 3.97x
Toxteth Park 12 1.41x
Clerkenwell London 11 2.20x
Mawr 11 141.75x
Penarth 11 30.54x
Plymouth Charles The 11 5.67x
St Marylebone London 11 0.97x
Uny Lelant 11 84.88x
Cardiff St John 10 8.31x
Lifton 10 94.25x
Llantwit Major 10 139.08x
Ludgvan 10 52.36x
Peterstone Super Ely 10 571.43x
Tavistock 10 19.92x
Walthamstow 10 6.65x
Wick 10 380.23x
Bedminster 9 2.81x
Bradstone 9 967.74x
Cannock 9 7.22x
Ellesmere 9 28.66x
Mullion 9 204.55x
Northlew 9 163.04x
St Stephen 9 105.88x
Ystradyfodwg 9 2.78x
Hackney London 8 0.67x
Kenwyn 8 12.77x
Llangyfelach 8 57.97x
Lyme Regis 8 48.08x
Swindon 8 5.51x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 182
Elizabeth 112
Jane 64
Ann 50
Sarah 50
Margaret 40
Eliza 33
Catherine 27
Hannah 23
Ellen 22
Alice 21
Anne 20
Annie 18
Emma 15
Martha 15
Harriet 13
Charlotte 12
Grace 12
Amelia 9
Edith 9
Emily 9
Fanny 9
Louisa 8
Elizth. 7
Frances 7
Minnie 7
Caroline 6
Clara 6
Florence 6
Lucy 6
Rachel 6
Ada 5
Susan 5
Amy 4
Bessie 4
Helen 4
Julia 4
Margret 4
Maria 4
Matilda 4
Sophia 4
Cecilia 3
Charity 3
Constance 3
Esther 3
Harriett 3
Jessie 3
Maud 3
Rhoda 3
Selina 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 178
John 156
Thomas 100
David 56
James 41
George 40
Charles 33
Edward 32
Richard 28
Henry 25
Joseph 24
Daniel 14
Wm. 14
Benjamin 13
Evan 13
Alfred 11
Samuel 11
Walter 10
Albert 9
Arthur 9
Frederick 9
Robert 9
Thos. 8
Edwin 6
Frank 6
Harry 6
Philip 5
Edgar 4
Fred 4
Fredrick 4
Griffith 4
Isaac 4
Jas. 4
Jenkin 4
Phillip 4
Seth 4
Sydney 4
Abraham 3
Anthony 3
Ernest 3
Francis 3
Fredk. 3
Lewis 3
Nicholas 3
Noah 3
S. 3
Michael 2
Morgan 2
Rosser 2
Rowland 2

FAQ

Harry surname: questions and answers

How common was the Harry surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,163 people were recorded with the Harry surname. That placed it at #2,052 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Harry surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,591 in 2016. That gives Harry a modern rank of #2,565.

What does the Harry surname mean?

A surname derived from the medieval English personal name Harry or Henry, or from the Old English word "hæra," meaning "army ruler."

What does the Harry map show?

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