NameCensus.

UK surname

Helyar

In the 1881 census there were 132 people recorded with the Helyar surname, ranking it #16,744 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 220, ranked #18,376, down from #16,744 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes and Coker, West. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Somerset, Basingstoke and Deane and West Dorset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Helyar is 263 in 2004. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 66.7%.

1881 census count

132

Ranked #16,744

Modern count

220

2016, ranked #18,376

Peak year

2004

263 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Helyar had 132 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,744 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 220 in 2016, ranked #18,376.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 258 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Helyar surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Helyar surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Helyar 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 120 #15,144
1861 historical 131 #17,052
1881 historical 132 #16,744
1891 historical 179 #16,198
1901 historical 207 #14,803
1911 historical 258 #12,614
1997 modern 227 #16,267
1998 modern 245 #15,903
1999 modern 242 #16,146
2000 modern 253 #15,623
2001 modern 239 #15,963
2002 modern 256 #15,565
2003 modern 258 #15,293
2004 modern 263 #15,189
2005 modern 242 #15,987
2006 modern 250 #15,749
2007 modern 250 #15,901
2008 modern 261 #15,597
2009 modern 259 #16,013
2010 modern 261 #16,294
2011 modern 245 #16,874
2012 modern 225 #17,733
2013 modern 224 #18,080
2014 modern 224 #18,202
2015 modern 221 #18,289
2016 modern 220 #18,376

Geography

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Where Helyars are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes, Coker, West and Clifton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Somerset, Basingstoke and Deane and West Dorset. 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 London parishes London 1
3 Coker, West Somerset
4 Clifton Gloucestershire
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Somerset 011 South Somerset
2 South Somerset 014 South Somerset
3 Basingstoke and Deane 002 Basingstoke and Deane
4 South Somerset 012 South Somerset
5 West Dorset 002 West Dorset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Helyar

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Helyar

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Helyar is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Helyar is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Helyar 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 Helyar is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 20-25 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

4
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Helyar, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

1881 census detail

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Helyar families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Helyar 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. Somerset leads with 64 Helyars recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.99x.

County Total Index
Somerset 64 26.99x
Channel Islands 18 41.24x
Surrey 15 2.09x
Dorset 14 14.48x
Glamorgan 9 3.51x
Gloucestershire 9 3.12x
Hampshire 7 2.32x
Pembrokeshire 3 6.41x
Wiltshire 3 2.30x
Devon 2 0.65x
Kent 2 0.40x
Essex 1 0.34x
Royal Navy 1 5.70x
Sussex 1 0.40x
Warwickshire 1 0.27x
Yorkshire 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. East Coker in Somerset leads with 35 Helyars recorded in 1881 and an index of 6730.77x.

Place Total Index
East Coker 35 6730.77x
St Maryde Castro 10 934.58x
Yeovil 10 207.47x
Clifton 9 61.64x
St Peter Port 8 99.13x
Croydon 7 17.57x
Southwark St George Martyr 7 23.62x
Weymouth 7 382.51x
Cardiff St John 6 71.60x
Fareham 6 165.29x
Pendomer 5 16666.67x
Sutton Bingham 4 13333.33x
West Coker 4 833.33x
Bathwick 3 114.50x
Corsham 3 157.89x
Haverfordwest St Mary 3 447.76x
Peterstone Super 3 2500.00x
Chetnole 2 1666.67x
Hilton 2 606.06x
Melbury Osmond 2 1000.00x
Walcot 2 15.84x
Beckenham 1 15.22x
Bradford 1 2.83x
Colchester St Giles 1 34.84x
Dawlish 1 43.67x
Evershot 1 400.00x
Hastings St Mary 1 16.18x
Heathfield 1 2000.00x
Royal Navy 1 6.67x
Stoke Damerel 1 4.66x
Streatham 1 9.15x
Wellesbourne Mountford 1 285.71x
Whippingham 1 43.67x
Woolwich 1 5.39x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 10
George 5
Henry 5
John 5
Frederick 4
Abel 3
Albert 3
Herbert 3
James 3
Joseph 3
Chas. 2
Edward 2
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Maurice 2
Willie 2
Arthur 1
Beaumont 1
Charles 1
E.H.L. 1
Eli 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Harry 1
Hugh 1
Jonas 1
Robert 1
Simon 1
Thomas 1
Tom. 1
Wyndham 1

FAQ

Helyar surname: questions and answers

How common was the Helyar surname in 1881?

In 1881, 132 people were recorded with the Helyar surname. That placed it at #16,744 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Helyar surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 220 in 2016. That gives Helyar a modern rank of #18,376.

What does the Helyar map show?

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