UK surname
Of Germanic origin, likely a variant of Henry or derived from words meaning lord, ruler, or commander.
In the 1881 census there were 13 people recorded with the Hery surname, ranking it #31,761 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 14, ranked #37,178, down from #31,761 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Beith, St Mary Stoke Newington and Govan Combination. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hery is 106 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 7.7%.
1881 census count
13
Ranked #31,761
Modern count
14
2016, ranked #37,178
Peak year
1861
106 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hery surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hery surname density by area, 1861 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 | 6 | #32,278 |
| 1861 | historical | 106 | #20,147 |
| 1881 | historical | 13 | #31,761 |
| 1891 | historical | 41 | #31,095 |
| 1901 | historical | 22 | #31,562 |
| 1911 | historical | 13 | #32,172 |
| 1997 | modern | 11 | #36,912 |
| 1998 | modern | 9 | #37,189 |
| 1999 | modern | 6 | #37,696 |
| 2000 | modern | 3 | #38,248 |
| 2001 | modern | 5 | #37,652 |
| 2002 | modern | 7 | #37,379 |
| 2003 | modern | 7 | #37,397 |
| 2004 | modern | 5 | #37,830 |
| 2005 | modern | 8 | #37,422 |
| 2006 | modern | 4 | #38,130 |
| 2007 | modern | 9 | #37,435 |
| 2008 | modern | 11 | #37,270 |
| 2009 | modern | 11 | #37,336 |
| 2010 | modern | 7 | #37,904 |
| 2011 | modern | 10 | #37,504 |
| 2012 | modern | 10 | #37,509 |
| 2013 | modern | 10 | #37,539 |
| 2014 | modern | 11 | #37,462 |
| 2015 | modern | 12 | #37,371 |
| 2016 | modern | 14 | #37,178 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Beith, St Mary Stoke Newington, Govan Combination, Bingley and Drainie. 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 | Beith | Ayr |
| 2 | St Mary Stoke Newington | London (North Districts) |
| 3 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 4 | Bingley | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 5 | Drainie | Elgin |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hery 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 Hery, 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 Hery surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hery 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, Hery 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 Hery is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hery, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "HERY" is believed to have originated in France during the medieval period. It is likely derived from a place name or an old French word, but the exact origin and meaning are uncertain.
One theory suggests that the name may have originated from the Old French word "heroi," which meant "brave" or "valiant." This could indicate that the name was initially given as a descriptive surname to someone who was considered courageous or heroic in battle or other endeavors.
Another possibility is that the name is derived from a place name, such as the town of Hery in the Nièvre region of France. It was not uncommon for people to take on surnames based on the place they were from or resided in during the Middle Ages.
The earliest recorded instance of the surname "HERY" can be traced back to the 13th century in French historical documents and records. However, there are no known references to the name in famous historical manuscripts like the Domesday Book, which was compiled in England in 1086.
One of the earliest known bearers of the name "HERY" was Jean Hery, a French nobleman who lived in the 14th century and served as a knight in the court of King Charles V of France (1338-1380).
Another notable figure with the surname "HERY" was Pierre Hery, a French architect and engineer who lived in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. He is best known for his work on the construction of the Château de Chambord, one of the most impressive Renaissance buildings in the Loire Valley region of France.
In the 17th century, a man named Jacques Hery (1610-1678) gained recognition as a French painter and engraver. He was particularly skilled in creating portraits and religious works, and his art can be found in several churches and collections across France.
During the 18th century, Marie-Jeanne Hery (1729-1801) was a French writer and poet who published several collections of poetry and plays. She was also known for her involvement in literary salons and her advocacy for women's education.
In the 19th century, Louis Hery (1825-1892) was a French mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics and the motion of planets and comets.
While the surname "HERY" has its roots in France, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and is now found in various countries and cultures.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hery 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. Kent leads with 6 Herys recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.87x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kent | 6 | 13.87x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 3.94x |
| Devon | 1 | 3.79x |
| Oxfordshire | 1 | 12.77x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Deptford St Nicholas in Kent leads with 5 Herys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1470.59x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Deptford St Nicholas | 5 | 1470.59x |
| Kensington London | 3 | 42.55x |
| Canterbury St Dunstan | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Henley On Thames | 1 | 625.00x |
| Ilfracombe | 1 | 370.37x |
| Islington London | 1 | 8.14x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 14.77x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hery surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 13 people were recorded with the Hery surname. That placed it at #31,761 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 14 in 2016. That gives Hery a modern rank of #37,178.
Of Germanic origin, likely a variant of Henry or derived from words meaning lord, ruler, or commander.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hery 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.