NameCensus.

UK surname

Hendry

A Scottish surname derived from the given name Henry, which means "estate ruler" or "home ruler" in Germanic.

In the 1881 census there were 4,778 people recorded with the Hendry surname, ranking it #926 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 8,217, ranked #801, up from #926 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Keith and Fife Keith, Heldon West, Fogwatt to Inchberry and Greenock West and Central.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hendry is 8,277 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 72.0%.

1881 census count

4,778

Ranked #926

Modern count

8,217

2016, ranked #801

Peak year

2010

8,277 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hendry had 4,778 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #926 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 8,217 in 2016, ranked #801.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 6,535 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Hendry surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hendry surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hendry 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 2,728 #1,077
1861 historical 3,204 #897
1881 historical 4,778 #926
1891 historical 5,445 #861
1901 historical 6,535 #849
1911 historical 1,678 #2,917
1997 modern 7,458 #863
1998 modern 7,733 #868
1999 modern 7,851 #862
2000 modern 7,858 #854
2001 modern 7,654 #858
2002 modern 7,858 #855
2003 modern 7,715 #851
2004 modern 7,773 #836
2005 modern 7,770 #824
2006 modern 7,784 #821
2007 modern 7,887 #818
2008 modern 7,891 #822
2009 modern 8,024 #833
2010 modern 8,277 #820
2011 modern 8,174 #815
2012 modern 8,070 #810
2013 modern 8,177 #815
2014 modern 8,240 #813
2015 modern 8,198 #809
2016 modern 8,217 #801

Geography

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Where Hendrys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Greenock and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Keith and Fife Keith, Heldon West, Fogwatt to Inchberry, Greenock West and Central, Port Glasgow Mid, East and Central and Toryglen and Oatlands. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
4 Greenock Renfrew
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Keith and Fife Keith Moray
2 Heldon West, Fogwatt to Inchberry Moray
3 Greenock West and Central Inverclyde
4 Port Glasgow Mid, East and Central Inverclyde
5 Toryglen and Oatlands Glasgow City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hendry

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hendry

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hendry, 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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Hendry surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Hendry household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Hendry 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

Hendry 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

Hendry falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hendry is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Hendry

The surname Hendry has its origins in Scotland, dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic personal name "Eanruig," which means "fortunate ruler" or "prosperous ruler." The name was initially spelled as "Hendrych" or "Hendrich" in early Scottish records.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Hendry can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a series of historical documents that recorded the names of Scottish landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. This suggests that the Hendry family had established themselves as landowners in Scotland by the late 13th century.

During the 16th century, the surname Hendry was particularly prevalent in the counties of Lanarkshire and Ayrshire in western Scotland. Several notable individuals with this surname lived during this period, including John Hendry, a merchant from Glasgow who was mentioned in records from the late 1500s.

In the 17th century, the Hendry family continued to be prominent in various parts of Scotland. One notable figure was Robert Hendry, a Scottish theologian and minister who lived from 1622 to 1688. He was known for his work in the Church of Scotland and his writings on religious matters.

The 18th century saw the Hendry surname spread to other parts of the British Isles and beyond. James Hendry, a Scottish-born merchant and landowner, immigrated to Virginia in the American colonies in the mid-1700s and established a successful trading business.

In the 19th century, the name Hendry became more widely distributed across the English-speaking world. One notable figure from this period was William Hendry, a Scottish-born engineer and inventor who lived from 1793 to 1867. He is credited with developing several important innovations in the field of shipbuilding.

Another notable individual with the surname Hendry was Sir John Hendry, a Scottish businessman and philanthropist who lived from 1852 to 1923. He made his fortune in the mining industry and was later knighted for his contributions to various charitable causes.

As the centuries progressed, the surname Hendry continued to be found throughout Scotland, as well as in other parts of the United Kingdom, North America, and various parts of the British Empire. While the name may have evolved in spelling and pronunciation over time, its Scottish origins and historical significance remain evident.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hendry families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hendry 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. Lanarkshire leads with 987 Hendrys recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.59x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 987 6.59x
Aberdeenshire 417 9.73x
Renfrewshire 363 10.12x
Angus 358 8.35x
Banffshire 252 26.25x
Ayrshire 242 6.99x
Middlesex 189 0.41x
Norfolk 189 2.66x
Morayshire 188 26.15x
Midlothian 180 2.90x
Lancashire 128 0.23x
Stirlingshire 123 7.21x
Durham 101 0.73x
Perthshire 91 4.38x
Dunbartonshire 77 6.19x
Caithness 54 8.52x
Yorkshire 54 0.12x
Surrey 51 0.23x
Buteshire 50 17.83x
Northumberland 50 0.73x
Berwickshire 45 8.03x
Ross-shire 39 3.07x
Essex 38 0.42x
West Lothian 34 4.88x
Kincardineshire 33 5.86x
Roxburghshire 32 3.82x
Inverness-shire 31 2.24x
Nairnshire 28 19.82x
East Lothian 25 4.08x
Cornwall 24 0.46x
Fife 22 0.80x
Staffordshire 22 0.14x
Kent 19 0.12x
Lincolnshire 18 0.24x
Sussex 17 0.22x
Argyllshire 15 1.16x
Dumfriesshire 13 1.27x
Gloucestershire 13 0.14x
Bedfordshire 10 0.42x
Dorset 10 0.33x
Glamorgan 10 0.12x
Selkirkshire 10 2.39x
Worcestershire 10 0.17x
Shetland 9 1.90x
Sutherland 8 2.25x
Hampshire 7 0.07x
Clackmannanshire 6 1.57x
Hertfordshire 6 0.19x
Warwickshire 6 0.05x
Royal Navy 5 0.91x
Devon 4 0.04x
Leicestershire 4 0.08x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.06x
Cheshire 3 0.03x
Cumberland 3 0.08x
Kirkcudbrightshire 3 0.45x
Kinross-shire 2 1.71x
Northamptonshire 2 0.05x
Oxfordshire 2 0.07x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.03x
Cardiganshire 1 0.09x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.05x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.11x
Peeblesshire 1 0.46x
Suffolk 1 0.02x
Westmorland 1 0.10x
Wigtownshire 1 0.16x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 303 Hendrys recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.19x.

Place Total Index
Govan 303 8.19x
Barony 247 6.52x
Glasgow 143 5.38x
Dundee 107 6.69x
Rathven 99 54.90x
West Greenock 90 13.98x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 86 3.45x
Falkirk 84 21.02x
Aberdeen Old Machar 83 9.28x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 80 9.98x
East Greenock 73 21.56x
Fraserburgh 58 48.08x
Abbey 49 8.95x
Largs 47 57.60x
Bishopwearmouth 45 3.81x
Hamilton 44 10.54x
Brechin 43 25.52x
New Monkland 38 8.59x
Keith 35 34.20x
Old Monkland 35 5.89x
Kilmarnock 29 7.04x
Ardrossan 28 23.36x
Boyndie 28 88.08x
Cardross 28 18.75x
Urquhart 28 82.40x
Elgin 27 19.30x
Forres 27 35.72x
Islington London 27 0.60x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 27 12.64x
Liff Benvie 26 4.00x
Bothwell 25 6.16x
Monifieth 25 16.51x
Sorn 25 36.74x
Duffus 24 37.88x
Paisley Middle Church 24 11.49x
St Vigeans 24 10.37x
Toxteth Park 24 1.29x
Bethnal Green London 23 1.14x
Eastwood 22 9.96x
Huntly 22 31.55x
Kilmory 22 53.86x
Liverpool 22 0.66x
Rothes 22 62.73x
Tarbat 22 73.26x
Dalry 21 12.89x
Kirkdale 21 2.27x
Cambusnethan 20 6.02x
West Ham 20 0.99x
Docking 19 84.90x
Edinburgh Canongate 18 11.41x
Hackney London 18 0.69x
Whitburn 18 17.88x
Latheron 17 16.04x
Monikie 17 75.62x
Port Glasgow 17 9.81x
Rutherglen 17 7.74x
Camberwell 16 0.54x
Fordyce 16 23.16x
Forglen 16 135.71x
Great Massingham 16 113.96x
Inverkip 16 18.93x
Kilbride 16 46.34x
Maryhill 16 5.46x
St Pancras London 16 0.43x
Stanhoe 16 228.90x
Dalserf 15 10.04x
Montrose 15 5.77x
Old Kilpatrick 15 10.21x
Roxburgh 15 93.46x
Drainie 14 21.98x
St Fergus 14 57.73x
Bower 13 50.94x
Dunblane 13 26.15x
East Kilbride 13 20.28x
Forfar 13 5.60x
Gorbals 13 14.63x
Kirkintilloch 13 7.70x
Mile End Old Town London 13 1.32x
Paisley High Church 13 4.55x
South Leith 13 1.86x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 66
John 63
James 43
George 41
Robert 27
Thomas 23
Charles 14
Frederick 13
Alexander 12
Ernest 10
Walter 9
Wm. 9
Alfred 8
Arthur 8
David 8
Edward 8
Henry 8
Joseph 8
Albert 6
Daniel 6
Matthew 6
Harry 5
Richard 4
Herbert 3
Hugh 3
Manser 3
Percy 3
Abraham 2
Amos 2
Christopher 2
Edmund 2
Francis 2
Frank 2
Fred 2
Fredk. 2
Michael 2
Peter 2
Philip 2
Phillip 2
Richd.Jas. 2
Samuel 2
Stephen 2
Thos. 2
Willm. 2
Alley 1
Geo. 1
Joshua 1
Lancelot 1
Lewis 1
Louis 1

FAQ

Hendry surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hendry surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4,778 people were recorded with the Hendry surname. That placed it at #926 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hendry surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 8,217 in 2016. That gives Hendry a modern rank of #801.

What does the Hendry surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the given name Henry, which means "estate ruler" or "home ruler" in Germanic.

What does the Hendry map show?

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