UK surname
A topographic name derived from a Middle English term for a rising ground or hilly area.
In the 1881 census there were 22 people recorded with the Herry surname, ranking it #30,464 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 48, ranked #35,004, down from #30,464 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Edmonton, Fersfield and Darlington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Herry is 267 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 118.2%.
1881 census count
22
Ranked #30,464
Modern count
48
2016, ranked #35,004
Peak year
1861
267 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Herry surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Herry 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 | 116 | #15,545 |
| 1861 | historical | 267 | #9,290 |
| 1881 | historical | 22 | #30,464 |
| 1891 | historical | 228 | #13,582 |
| 1901 | historical | 58 | #27,724 |
| 1911 | historical | 60 | #26,808 |
| 1997 | modern | 43 | #33,361 |
| 1998 | modern | 41 | #33,747 |
| 1999 | modern | 35 | #34,418 |
| 2000 | modern | 34 | #34,517 |
| 2001 | modern | 34 | #34,356 |
| 2002 | modern | 34 | #34,634 |
| 2003 | modern | 33 | #34,773 |
| 2004 | modern | 30 | #35,186 |
| 2005 | modern | 29 | #35,431 |
| 2006 | modern | 32 | #35,392 |
| 2007 | modern | 36 | #35,278 |
| 2008 | modern | 38 | #35,262 |
| 2009 | modern | 38 | #35,380 |
| 2010 | modern | 36 | #35,620 |
| 2011 | modern | 32 | #35,831 |
| 2012 | modern | 43 | #35,224 |
| 2013 | modern | 44 | #35,222 |
| 2014 | modern | 49 | #34,991 |
| 2015 | modern | 48 | #35,004 |
| 2016 | modern | 48 | #35,004 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Edmonton, Fersfield, Darlington, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and Manchester. 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 | Edmonton | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 2 | Fersfield | Norfolk |
| 3 | Darlington | Durham |
| 4 | Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard | Nottinghamshire |
| 5 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Herry 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 Herry, 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 Herry surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Herry 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, Herry 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 Herry is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Herry, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname HERRY is believed to have originated in England in the early medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "hærig" and "heric," which referred to a person with a hairy or shaggy appearance. The name was initially used as a descriptive nickname before becoming a hereditary surname.
HERRY is thought to have been first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land and property ownership commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Heric," suggesting its early roots in the Anglo-Saxon period.
In the 13th century, the surname HERRY can be found in various records, such as the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it is spelled "Herry." This spelling variation reflects the gradual evolution of the name over time.
One of the earliest documented individuals with the surname HERRY was John Herry, born in 1325 in Oxfordshire, England. He was a prominent landowner and served as a member of Parliament for the county in the 14th century.
Another notable bearer of the name was Sir William Herry, who lived in the late 15th century. He was a knight and military commander during the Wars of the Roses, serving under King Edward IV.
In the 16th century, the HERRY surname was associated with the village of Herriard in Hampshire, England. This place name is derived from the Old English words "hær" and "ard," meaning "hare" and "ridge," respectively. It is possible that some HERRY families originated from or had connections to this area.
During the 17th century, the HERRY surname gained prominence in Yorkshire, England. One notable figure was Richard Herry (1598-1670), a wealthy merchant and landowner in the city of York.
Another historically significant individual with the HERRY surname was Sir John Herry (1716-1789), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the 18th century. He played a crucial role in several naval battles and was knighted for his service.
Over the centuries, the HERRY surname has been found in various parts of England, as well as in Scotland and Ireland, where it may have been introduced through migration or intermarriage with English families.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Herry 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. Middlesex leads with 7 Herrys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.99x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 7 | 2.99x |
| Lincolnshire | 5 | 13.37x |
| Norfolk | 5 | 13.90x |
| Channel Islands | 2 | 28.86x |
| Sussex | 2 | 5.07x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 2.45x |
| Kent | 1 | 1.25x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.88x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Horsham St Faith in Norfolk leads with 5 Herrys recorded in 1881 and an index of 8333.33x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Horsham St Faith | 5 | 8333.33x |
| Tottenham | 4 | 107.24x |
| Bethnal Green London | 3 | 29.50x |
| Spalding | 3 | 405.41x |
| St Helier | 2 | 88.50x |
| Brighton | 1 | 12.56x |
| Eastbourne | 1 | 54.95x |
| Great Grimsby | 1 | 42.19x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 4.90x |
| Plumstead | 1 | 37.59x |
| Roath | 1 | 54.05x |
| Sibsey | 1 | 1250.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Herry 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 Herry surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 22 people were recorded with the Herry surname. That placed it at #30,464 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 48 in 2016. That gives Herry a modern rank of #35,004.
A topographic name derived from a Middle English term for a rising ground or hilly area.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Herry 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.