NameCensus.

UK surname

Impey

A surname possibly derived from a variation of the French surname Impey meaning a small person.

In the 1881 census there were 614 people recorded with the Impey surname, ranking it #5,725 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,035, ranked #5,635, up from #5,725 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Matthew Bethnal Green and Foxton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cambridge, Gloucester and Luton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Impey is 1,149 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 68.6%.

1881 census count

614

Ranked #5,725

Modern count

1,035

2016, ranked #5,635

Peak year

1999

1,149 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Impey had 614 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,725 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,035 in 2016, ranked #5,635.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,045 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Impey surname distribution map

The map shows where the Impey surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Impey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Impey over time

The 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 430 #5,692
1861 historical 348 #7,339
1881 historical 614 #5,725
1891 historical 661 #5,884
1901 historical 831 #5,455
1911 historical 1,045 #4,395
1997 modern 1,088 #5,119
1998 modern 1,128 #5,143
1999 modern 1,149 #5,116
2000 modern 1,137 #5,129
2001 modern 1,112 #5,121
2002 modern 1,148 #5,096
2003 modern 1,109 #5,143
2004 modern 1,107 #5,162
2005 modern 1,058 #5,300
2006 modern 1,038 #5,404
2007 modern 1,058 #5,353
2008 modern 1,055 #5,407
2009 modern 1,063 #5,487
2010 modern 1,086 #5,498
2011 modern 1,071 #5,492
2012 modern 1,073 #5,397
2013 modern 1,085 #5,437
2014 modern 1,082 #5,487
2015 modern 1,050 #5,575
2016 modern 1,035 #5,635

Geography

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Where Impeys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Matthew Bethnal Green, Foxton, Luton and Dunstable. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cambridge, Gloucester, Luton, South Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 London parishes London 3
2 St Matthew Bethnal Green London (East Districts)
3 Foxton Hertfordshire
4 Luton Bedfordshire
5 Dunstable Bedfordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cambridge 011 Cambridge
2 Gloucester 007 Gloucester
3 Luton 008 Luton
4 South Cambridgeshire 016 South Cambridgeshire
5 Huntingdonshire 007 Huntingdonshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Impey

These lists show first names that appear often with the Impey surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Impey

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Impey, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Impey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Impey household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Impey is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Impey is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Impey falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Impey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Impey, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Impey

The surname Impey has its roots in England, originating in the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "imp," which referred to a young sprout or shoot. This connection suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive one, perhaps referring to a person's small stature or youthful appearance.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire, dated 1195, where a Robert Impey is mentioned. This document provides evidence of the name's existence in England during the late 12th century.

In the 13th century, the surname appeared in various records across different counties in England, including Yorkshire, Wiltshire, and Oxfordshire. The Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1279 list a Richard Impey, while the Subsidy Rolls of Wiltshire from 1332 mention a John Impey.

The name Impey has also been linked to the village of Impey in Herefordshire, which may have served as a place of origin for some bearers of the surname. This connection suggests a possible alternative derivation from a locational surname, referring to someone from that particular place.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Impey include Sir Elijah Impey (1732-1809), a British lawyer and the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Judicature at Fort William in Bengal, India. Another prominent figure was Michael Impey (1753-1857), an English-born British Army officer who served in the East India Company and later became a member of the Supreme Council of Bengal.

In the realm of literature, John Impey (1768-1839) was an English poet and writer, known for his works such as "Nugae Antiquae" and "Lays of the Laureates." Additionally, Edward Impey (1837-1904) was an English-born Australian journalist and author, who wrote several books on Australian history and culture.

The surname Impey has also been associated with the field of science, with individuals like Sir Albert Impey (1882-1960), a British chemist and educator who served as the Principal of the Royal College of Science and Technology in Glasgow.

These examples illustrate the historical presence and significance of the surname Impey across various fields and regions, reflecting its English origins and evolution over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Impey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Impey surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Bedfordshire leads with 151 Impeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 48.69x.

County Total Index
Bedfordshire 151 48.69x
Middlesex 126 2.10x
Hertfordshire 82 19.86x
Cambridgeshire 59 15.55x
Surrey 37 1.27x
Buckinghamshire 34 9.39x
Worcestershire 23 2.94x
Essex 15 1.27x
Glamorgan 10 0.96x
Norfolk 10 1.09x
Yorkshire 9 0.15x
Somerset 7 0.73x
Lancashire 6 0.08x
Oxfordshire 6 1.62x
Sussex 6 0.59x
Wiltshire 6 1.13x
Kent 5 0.24x
Northumberland 5 0.56x
Warwickshire 5 0.33x
Berkshire 4 0.89x
Leicestershire 4 0.60x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.18x
Northamptonshire 1 0.18x
Rutland 1 2.27x
Suffolk 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Luton in Bedfordshire leads with 87 Impeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 162.04x.

Place Total Index
Luton 87 162.04x
Foxton 36 4137.93x
Bethnal Green London 33 12.68x
Kings Norton 21 29.94x
Dunstable 20 209.86x
Islington London 20 3.45x
Lambeth 17 3.26x
Edlesborough 15 454.55x
Flamstead 14 368.42x
Dry Drayton 12 1558.44x
Heigham 10 20.23x
Whipsnade 10 2631.58x
Aylesbury 9 56.11x
Chelsea London 9 4.99x
Eaton Bray 9 287.54x
Hackney London 9 2.68x
Potton 9 218.45x
St Marylebone London 9 2.81x
Studham 9 526.32x
Brickendon 8 418.85x
St Albans St Michael 8 173.54x
St Ippollitts 8 384.62x
Barton 7 1060.61x
Kensworth 7 522.39x
Leeds 7 2.09x
Bromley London 6 4.55x
Cardiff St John 6 17.62x
Ruislip 6 201.34x
Slapton 6 1111.11x
Stratton St Margaret 6 73.89x
Willian 6 983.61x
Baldock 5 128.87x
Broomfield 5 268.82x
Burford 5 155.76x
Kensington London 5 1.50x
Lower Beeding 5 186.57x
Poplar London 5 4.42x
Sutton 5 23.67x
Wallsend 5 17.69x
West Derby 5 2.40x
Edgbaston 4 8.54x
Great Bowden 4 66.23x
Knebworth 4 740.74x
Leyton Low 4 16.65x
Llandaff 4 11.53x
Mortlake 4 30.75x
Shoreditch London 4 1.54x
Street 4 76.63x
Whitchurch 4 268.46x
Clerkenwell London 3 2.12x
Fulham London 3 3.45x
Graveley 3 384.62x
Houghton Regis 3 60.61x
Kingston On Thames 3 4.28x
Southwark Christchurch 3 10.69x
St George Bloomsbury 3 8.73x
Stevenage 3 46.88x
Tring 3 27.22x
Wanstead 3 14.49x
Bishop Stortford 2 14.50x
Bowling 2 3.40x
Guildford Holy Trinity 2 35.97x
Hammersmith London 2 1.36x
Hitchin 2 10.74x
Milton In Gravesend 2 6.53x
New Windsor 2 13.24x
Redbourn 2 44.35x
Roydon 2 114.94x
Sandridge 2 115.61x
St George Hanover Square 2 1.90x
Stotfold 2 33.67x
Totternhoe 2 137.93x
Welwyn 2 55.87x
Westminster St John 2 2.74x
Worcester St Peter 2 13.51x
Langham 1 71.43x
Solihull 1 9.21x
St Andrewthe Less 1 2.31x
Storrington 1 36.10x
West Ham 1 0.38x

FAQ

Impey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Impey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 614 people were recorded with the Impey surname. That placed it at #5,725 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Impey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,035 in 2016. That gives Impey a modern rank of #5,635.

What does the Impey surname mean?

A surname possibly derived from a variation of the French surname Impey meaning a small person.

What does the Impey map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Impey bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.