UK surname
A surname derived from the personal name Humphrey, from the Germanic elements "hun" meaning bear cub and "frid" meaning peace.
In the 1881 census there were 11 people recorded with the Humphress surname, ranking it #32,081 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1, ranked #39,061, down from #32,081 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Manchester, Lambeth and Lindfield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Humphress is 202 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 90.9%.
1881 census count
11
Ranked #32,081
Modern count
1
2016, ranked #39,061
Peak year
1861
202 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Humphress surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Humphress 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 | 25 | #28,853 |
| 1861 | historical | 202 | #11,906 |
| 1881 | historical | 11 | #32,081 |
| 1891 | historical | 202 | #14,808 |
| 1901 | historical | 20 | #31,803 |
| 1911 | historical | 19 | #31,416 |
| 1997 | modern | 1 | #38,839 |
| 1998 | modern | 2 | #38,550 |
| 1999 | modern | 2 | #38,551 |
| 2000 | modern | 4 | #38,004 |
| 2001 | modern | 4 | #37,862 |
| 2002 | modern | 4 | #37,921 |
| 2003 | modern | 4 | #37,951 |
| 2004 | modern | 3 | #38,241 |
| 2005 | modern | 2 | #38,532 |
| 2006 | modern | 2 | #38,590 |
| 2007 | modern | 2 | #38,617 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 2 | #38,725 |
| 2010 | modern | 2 | #38,775 |
| 2011 | modern | 1 | #39,015 |
| 2012 | modern | 1 | #38,986 |
| 2013 | modern | 1 | #39,008 |
| 2014 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2015 | modern | 1 | #39,021 |
| 2016 | modern | 1 | #39,061 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Manchester, Lambeth, Lindfield, St Marylebone and Kensington. 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 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 2 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 3 | Lindfield | Sussex |
| 4 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Kensington | London (West Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Humphress 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 Humphress, 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 Humphress surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Humphress 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, Humphress 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 Humphress is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Humphress, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname HUMPHRESS is of English origin and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is derived from the medieval given name Humphrey, which is a Germanic name composed of the elements "hun" meaning "bear cub" and "frid" meaning "peace." The name likely originated in the regions of Northumbria and Mercia, where Anglo-Saxon settlements were established.
Early records show variations in the spelling of the surname, including Humphreys, Humphries, and Humfries. One of the earliest documented references to the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1279, where it is recorded as "Humfrey de Wycham."
In the 14th century, the surname appeared in the Hertfordshire Subsidy Rolls of 1307, where a Thomas Humfrey is listed. The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the name, but it provides insights into the societal and linguistic influences that shaped the development of surnames during that era.
One of the earliest known individuals to bear the surname was John Humfrey (c. 1350-1419), an English clergyman and university chancellor who served as the Chancellor of Oxford University from 1397 to 1399.
Another notable figure was Sir William Humfrey (c. 1425-1500), a Welsh military commander who fought in the Wars of the Roses and served as the constable of Beaumaris Castle on the island of Anglesey.
During the 16th century, the surname gained prominence with individuals like Laurence Humphrey (1527-1590), an English Protestant churchman and academic who served as the Dean of Winchester and was a prominent figure in the Vestiarian Controversy.
In the realm of literature, Ozias Humphry (1742-1810) was an English painter and prominent member of the Royal Academy, known for his pastels and portraits of notable figures such as Samuel Johnson and Oliver Goldsmith.
The 19th century saw the birth of Sir Albert John Humphress (1843-1919), an English businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the development of the city of Birmingham.
These examples illustrate the diverse historical and geographical spread of the surname HUMPHRESS, which has its roots in the Anglo-Saxon settlements of England and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Humphress 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. Flintshire leads with 4 Humphress' recorded in 1881 and an index of 138.89x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Flintshire | 4 | 138.89x |
| Sussex | 4 | 22.12x |
| Surrey | 2 | 3.83x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 4.22x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hanmer Bettisfield in Flintshire leads with 4 Humphress' recorded in 1881 and an index of 40000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hanmer Bettisfield | 4 | 40000.00x |
| Willingdon | 4 | 8000.00x |
| Bermondsey | 2 | 62.70x |
| Hoole | 1 | 1111.11x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Humphress surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 11 people were recorded with the Humphress surname. That placed it at #32,081 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2016. That gives Humphress a modern rank of #39,061.
A surname derived from the personal name Humphrey, from the Germanic elements "hun" meaning bear cub and "frid" meaning peace.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Humphress 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.