UK surname
A surname of English origin, derived from the personal name Humphrey, meaning "peaceful warrior."
In the 1881 census there were 90 people recorded with the Humprey surname, ranking it #20,965 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 26, ranked #36,254, down from #20,965 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Grimstone, St George in the East and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Humprey is 220 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 71.1%.
1881 census count
90
Ranked #20,965
Modern count
26
2016, ranked #36,254
Peak year
1911
220 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Humprey surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Humprey surname density by area, 1911 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 | 92 | #18,050 |
| 1861 | historical | 177 | #13,265 |
| 1881 | historical | 90 | #20,965 |
| 1891 | historical | 143 | #18,920 |
| 1901 | historical | 62 | #27,252 |
| 1911 | historical | 220 | #14,088 |
| 1997 | modern | 73 | #30,306 |
| 1998 | modern | 61 | #31,841 |
| 1999 | modern | 51 | #32,940 |
| 2000 | modern | 37 | #34,217 |
| 2001 | modern | 32 | #34,537 |
| 2002 | modern | 26 | #35,338 |
| 2003 | modern | 18 | #36,115 |
| 2004 | modern | 15 | #36,530 |
| 2005 | modern | 17 | #36,407 |
| 2006 | modern | 19 | #36,323 |
| 2007 | modern | 19 | #36,450 |
| 2008 | modern | 25 | #36,072 |
| 2009 | modern | 29 | #35,922 |
| 2010 | modern | 26 | #36,220 |
| 2011 | modern | 26 | #36,193 |
| 2012 | modern | 28 | #36,048 |
| 2013 | modern | 28 | #36,096 |
| 2014 | modern | 27 | #36,180 |
| 2015 | modern | 27 | #36,173 |
| 2016 | modern | 26 | #36,254 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Grimstone, St George in the East, London parishes, Hadlow and St John Hackney. 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 | Grimstone | Norfolk |
| 2 | St George in the East | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Hadlow | Kent |
| 5 | St John Hackney | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Humprey 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 Humprey, 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 Humprey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Humprey 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, Humprey 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 Humprey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Humprey, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Humprey is of English origin, derived from the Old English personal name "Hunfrið" or "Hunfrið." This name is composed of the elements "hun" meaning "bear cub" and "frið" meaning "peace." The surname likely emerged in the 11th century or earlier, during the Anglo-Saxon period in England.
One of the earliest documented references to the surname Humprey can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded landowners and their holdings across England after the Norman Conquest. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Humfrei," "Humfrey," and "Humphrey."
In the 12th century, a notable bearer of the name was Humphrey de Bohun, a prominent Anglo-Norman nobleman and military commander who lived from around 1144 to 1181. He served as the Lord of Trowbridge and held significant lands in Wiltshire.
Another influential figure was Humphrey de Vere, Earl of Oxford, who lived from around 1208 to 1263. He played a crucial role in the Barons' War against King Henry III and was a prominent figure in the political turmoil of the 13th century.
During the 14th century, the surname Humprey was also associated with various places in England, such as Humphrey Head in Cumbria and Humphrey's Bank in Worcestershire. These place names likely derived from individuals bearing the surname who had settled or owned land in those areas.
One of the most famous bearers of the name was Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, who lived from 1391 to 1447. He was a younger son of King Henry IV of England and served as the Lord Protector of England during the minority of his nephew, King Henry VI.
In the 16th century, Laurence Humphrey, an English Protestant theologian and Oxford University reformer, made significant contributions to the Church of England. He lived from 1527 to 1590 and played a pivotal role in shaping the religious landscape of England during the Reformation.
The surname Humprey continued to be prominent in various fields throughout history, with notable individuals such as John Humphrey, a 17th-century English settler in Connecticut, and James Humphrey, an 18th-century English naval architect and shipbuilder.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Humprey 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 15 Humpreys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.71x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 15 | 1.71x |
| Surrey | 13 | 3.04x |
| Norfolk | 12 | 8.89x |
| Yorkshire | 10 | 1.15x |
| Lincolnshire | 9 | 6.41x |
| Durham | 6 | 2.30x |
| Dorset | 4 | 6.94x |
| Kent | 4 | 1.34x |
| Leicestershire | 4 | 4.11x |
| Sussex | 4 | 2.70x |
| Essex | 2 | 1.15x |
| Bedfordshire | 1 | 2.20x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 0.73x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.55x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.56x |
| Merionethshire | 1 | 6.23x |
| Ross-shire | 1 | 4.15x |
| Shropshire | 1 | 1.32x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Grimston in Norfolk leads with 12 Humpreys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3529.41x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Grimston | 12 | 3529.41x |
| Chiddingfold | 8 | 2000.00x |
| Hackney London | 8 | 16.25x |
| Crayke | 7 | 4666.67x |
| St Swithin Lincoln | 7 | 316.74x |
| Birtley | 6 | 560.75x |
| Billesdon | 4 | 1600.00x |
| Melcombe Regis | 4 | 167.36x |
| Windlesham | 4 | 500.00x |
| Paddington London | 3 | 9.29x |
| Biddenden | 2 | 487.80x |
| Brighton | 2 | 6.70x |
| Gate Fulford | 2 | 98.52x |
| Hampton Wick London | 2 | 312.50x |
| Mile End Old Town London | 2 | 10.71x |
| Poynings | 2 | 2222.22x |
| Andover | 1 | 58.82x |
| Barton St Peter | 1 | 156.25x |
| Beddgelert | 1 | 250.00x |
| Catton | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Clapham | 1 | 9.12x |
| Colchester All Sts | 1 | 714.29x |
| Dingwall | 1 | 147.06x |
| Dunstable | 1 | 71.43x |
| Lewisham | 1 | 6.26x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 1 | 7.10x |
| Ridgwell | 1 | 500.00x |
| Tonbridge | 1 | 9.26x |
| West Halton Gunness | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Whitchurch New | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Wortley In Bramley | 1 | 14.51x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Humprey 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 Humprey surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 90 people were recorded with the Humprey surname. That placed it at #20,965 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 26 in 2016. That gives Humprey a modern rank of #36,254.
A surname of English origin, derived from the personal name Humphrey, meaning "peaceful warrior."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Humprey 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.