UK surname
A variant spelling of the English surname Humphreys, derived from the medieval personal name Humphrey.
In the 1881 census there were 47 people recorded with the Humphres surname, ranking it #27,019 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 5, ranked #38,264, down from #27,019 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Hayes, Lighthorne and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Humphres is 287 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 89.4%.
1881 census count
47
Ranked #27,019
Modern count
5
2016, ranked #38,264
Peak year
1861
287 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Humphres surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Humphres 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 | 237 | #9,152 |
| 1861 | historical | 287 | #8,773 |
| 1881 | historical | 47 | #27,019 |
| 1891 | historical | 211 | #14,366 |
| 1901 | historical | 44 | #29,276 |
| 1911 | historical | 43 | #28,581 |
| 1997 | modern | 3 | #38,317 |
| 1998 | modern | 3 | #38,304 |
| 1999 | modern | 3 | #38,318 |
| 2000 | modern | 1 | #38,790 |
| 2001 | modern | 2 | #38,335 |
| 2002 | modern | 2 | #38,400 |
| 2003 | modern | 2 | #38,424 |
| 2004 | modern | 4 | #38,013 |
| 2005 | modern | 3 | #38,312 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2007 | modern | 4 | #38,169 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 4 | #38,287 |
| 2010 | modern | 3 | #38,552 |
| 2011 | modern | 3 | #38,546 |
| 2012 | modern | 5 | #38,167 |
| 2013 | modern | 4 | #38,359 |
| 2014 | modern | 4 | #38,376 |
| 2015 | modern | 5 | #38,221 |
| 2016 | modern | 5 | #38,264 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Hayes, Lighthorne, St Pancras, Paul and Newington. 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 | Hayes | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 2 | Lighthorne | Warwickshire |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Paul | Cornwall |
| 5 | Newington | Berkshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Humphres 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 Humphres, 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 Humphres surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Humphres 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, Humphres 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 Humphres is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Humphres, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname HUMPHRES is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English personal name Hunfrith, which was composed of the elements "hun" meaning "bear" and "frith" meaning "peace" or "protection." The name may have been used as a descriptive nickname for someone who embodied the strength and ferocity of a bear, yet also had a peaceful nature.
The earliest recorded instance of the surname HUMPHRES can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared as "Humfridus" in several entries, indicating its use as a surname in various parts of the country.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the surname HUMPHRES was concentrated in various regions of England, particularly in the counties of Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, and Warwickshire. Local records from this period showcase variations in the spelling, such as Humfrey, Humfry, and Humphrey, reflecting the lack of standardized spelling conventions at the time.
One notable individual with the surname HUMPHRES was Sir William Humphres (1490-1558), a prominent English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Wiltshire during the reign of Henry VIII. Another significant figure was John Humphres (1555-1625), a renowned mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the understanding of celestial mechanics.
In the 17th century, the HUMPHRES surname gained prominence in literary circles with the poet and playwright Thomas Humphres (1609-1675), whose works explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition. His contemporaries included the philosopher and author Humphrey Humphres (1622-1694), whose writings on ethics and morality were widely read during the Enlightenment period.
As the centuries progressed, the HUMPHRES surname continued to be associated with notable individuals in various fields. One such figure was the explorer and naturalist George Humphres (1786-1864), who undertook several expeditions to South America and contributed to the study of its flora and fauna. In the realm of politics, Edward Humphres (1832-1912) made his mark as a prominent member of the British Parliament and a vocal advocate for social reform.
Throughout its history, the surname HUMPHRES has maintained a strong presence in various regions of England, reflecting its deep roots and cultural significance. While the spelling and pronunciation may have evolved over time, the name continues to carry the essence of its Old English origins, embodying a blend of strength, protection, and peaceful qualities.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Humphres 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. Staffordshire leads with 9 Humphres' recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.94x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Staffordshire | 9 | 5.94x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 1.34x |
| Monmouthshire | 5 | 15.41x |
| Shropshire | 5 | 12.90x |
| Warwickshire | 5 | 4.42x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.56x |
| Denbighshire | 2 | 11.80x |
| Herefordshire | 2 | 10.87x |
| Leicestershire | 2 | 4.02x |
| Brecknockshire | 1 | 11.15x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 1.28x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 1.14x |
| Merionethshire | 1 | 12.18x |
| Oxfordshire | 1 | 3.61x |
| Somerset | 1 | 1.38x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.22x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Rowley Regis in Staffordshire leads with 9 Humphres' recorded in 1881 and an index of 213.27x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Rowley Regis | 9 | 213.27x |
| Llangattock Llingoed | 5 | 16666.67x |
| St Pancras London | 4 | 11.07x |
| Blackburn | 2 | 14.11x |
| Dawley | 2 | 141.84x |
| Edgbaston | 2 | 56.98x |
| Harbury | 2 | 1111.11x |
| Paddington London | 2 | 12.12x |
| Sheriff Hales | 2 | 1333.33x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 2.65x |
| Bryneglwys | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Clase | 1 | 34.36x |
| Dutton Diffeth | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Everton | 1 | 5.89x |
| Goring | 1 | 625.00x |
| Great Badminton | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Ledbury | 1 | 158.73x |
| Leicester St Margaret | 1 | 8.24x |
| Llanfor | 1 | 434.78x |
| Llanveynoe | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Llanvillo | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Lofthouse | 1 | 151.52x |
| Puxton | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Shenton | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Whittington | 1 | 312.50x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Humphres 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 Humphres surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 47 people were recorded with the Humphres surname. That placed it at #27,019 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 5 in 2016. That gives Humphres a modern rank of #38,264.
A variant spelling of the English surname Humphreys, derived from the medieval personal name Humphrey.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Humphres 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.