NameCensus.

UK surname

Jacoby

Derived from the Hebrew name Ya'aqov (Jacob), meaning "supplanter" or "one who follows on the heels of another."

In the 1881 census there were 114 people recorded with the Jacoby surname, ranking it #18,324 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 146, ranked #24,173, down from #18,324 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Mary Whitechapel and St Dunstan Stepney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Teignbridge, Sutton and Barnet.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Jacoby is 159 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 28.1%.

1881 census count

114

Ranked #18,324

Modern count

146

2016, ranked #24,173

Peak year

1901

159 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Jacoby had 114 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,324 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 146 in 2016, ranked #24,173.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 159 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Jacoby surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Jacoby surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Jacoby 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 17 #30,267
1861 historical 57 #26,718
1881 historical 114 #18,324
1891 historical 137 #19,501
1901 historical 159 #17,442
1911 historical 143 #18,401
1997 modern 116 #24,688
1998 modern 128 #23,828
1999 modern 134 #23,378
2000 modern 133 #23,462
2001 modern 132 #23,230
2002 modern 142 #22,687
2003 modern 140 #22,634
2004 modern 134 #23,425
2005 modern 132 #23,623
2006 modern 128 #24,267
2007 modern 124 #25,086
2008 modern 124 #25,371
2009 modern 122 #26,220
2010 modern 136 #25,009
2011 modern 134 #25,050
2012 modern 136 #24,830
2013 modern 142 #24,547
2014 modern 147 #24,177
2015 modern 142 #24,617
2016 modern 146 #24,173

Geography

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Where Jacobys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Mary Whitechapel, St Dunstan Stepney and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Teignbridge, Sutton, Barnet and Camden. 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 1
2 St Mary Whitechapel London (East Districts)
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Dunstan Stepney London (East Districts)
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Teignbridge 003 Teignbridge
2 Sutton 006 Sutton
3 Barnet 025 Barnet
4 Camden 013 Camden
5 Camden 008 Camden

Forenames

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First names often paired with Jacoby

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Jacoby

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Jacoby surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Jacoby household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Jacoby is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

These very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Jacoby 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

Jacoby falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Jacoby is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Jacoby

The surname Jacoby originated in Germany, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Hebrew name Jacob, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows behind." The name likely came into use as a patronymic, indicating a person as the son of Jacob.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Jacoby can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of medieval documents from the region of Saxony. A reference to a certain Henricus Jacoby is documented in this codex, dated to the year 1283.

In the 14th century, the surname Jacoby appeared in various records across German-speaking regions, including the Libro de los Fuegos, a tax register from the Kingdom of Aragon. This document mentions a Petrus Jacoby living in the town of Castellón de la Plana in 1377.

The Jacoby surname has also been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One example is Johann Jacoby, a German astronomer born in 1805 who made significant contributions to the study of comets and asteroids. Another is Friedrich Jacoby, a German classical scholar and philologist who lived from 1876 to 1959 and is renowned for his work on ancient Greek history and literature.

In the 16th century, the surname Jacoby can be found in the records of the city of Nuremberg, where a prominent family of the name resided. One member, Hans Jacoby (1518-1585), was a respected merchant and city councilor.

The name Jacoby has also been linked to various place names, such as Jacobydorf (now Jakubów) in Poland, which was likely named after an early settler with the surname.

Other notable individuals with the surname Jacoby include:

1. Sir Walter Jacoby (1842-1915), a British naval officer and colonial administrator who served as Governor of Newfoundland from 1909 to 1913.

2. Annice Jacoby (1899-1975), an American editor and writer who co-founded the pioneering children's magazine "Child Life" in 1935.

3. Oswald Jacoby (1902-1984), an American contract bridge player and author who was widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his era.

4. Russell Jacoby (born 1945), an American sociologist and author known for his works on critical theory and intellectual history.

5. Susan Jacoby (born 1945), an American author and secular humanist known for her writings on modern secularism and freedom of thought.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Jacoby families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Jacoby 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. Middlesex leads with 64 Jacobys recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.76x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 64 5.76x
Kent 12 3.16x
Lancashire 10 0.76x
Renfrewshire 10 11.61x
Surrey 9 1.66x
Durham 3 0.91x
Nottinghamshire 3 2.00x
Devon 1 0.43x
Gloucestershire 1 0.46x
Yorkshire 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Bartholomew Great in Middlesex leads with 13 Jacobys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1287.13x.

Place Total Index
St Bartholomew Great 13 1287.13x
Swanscombe 12 705.88x
Islington London 11 10.21x
Mile End Old Town London 11 46.49x
Cathcart 10 214.59x
Moss Side 10 144.09x
St George In East London 7 66.92x
Croydon 5 16.63x
St Marylebone London 5 8.42x
St Pancras London 5 5.59x
Camberwell 4 5.63x
Spitalfields London 4 47.85x
Bishopwearmouth 3 10.57x
Plumtree 3 1875.00x
Clerkenwell London 2 7.62x
Bethnal Green London 1 2.07x
Bradford 1 714.29x
Bramham Cum Oglethorpe 1 227.27x
Chelsea London 1 2.99x
Cheltenham 1 5.95x
Hampstead London 1 5.77x
Mile End New Town London 1 45.45x
St Anne Soho London 1 15.75x
St Sepulchre London 1 61.35x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Jacoby surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Jacoby surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Henry 4
Charles 3
James 3
Julius 3
Alfred 2
Frederick 2
John 2
Joseph 2
Max 2
Myer 2
Aaron 1
Abraham 1
Adolphus 1
Arthur 1
Bernard 1
C. 1
Daniel 1
Edward 1
Emanuel 1
Ernest 1
Fred.John 1
George 1
Hermann 1
Martin 1
Montague 1
Philip 1
Samuel 1
Seigmund 1
Siegfried 1
Sigismund 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Jacoby surname: questions and answers

How common was the Jacoby surname in 1881?

In 1881, 114 people were recorded with the Jacoby surname. That placed it at #18,324 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Jacoby surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 146 in 2016. That gives Jacoby a modern rank of #24,173.

What does the Jacoby surname mean?

Derived from the Hebrew name Ya'aqov (Jacob), meaning "supplanter" or "one who follows on the heels of another."

What does the Jacoby map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Jacoby 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.