NameCensus.

UK surname

Jarrett

Derived from the Old French word "jarret," meaning a grass enclosure or garden.

In the 1881 census there were 2,748 people recorded with the Jarrett surname, ranking it #1,623 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4,930, ranked #1,371, up from #1,623 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Bedwelty. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bristol, Herefordshire and Sevenoaks.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Jarrett is 5,155 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 79.4%.

1881 census count

2,748

Ranked #1,623

Modern count

4,930

2016, ranked #1,371

Peak year

2010

5,155 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Jarrett had 2,748 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,623 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 4,930 in 2016, ranked #1,371.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,895 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Jarrett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Jarrett surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Jarrett 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 1,523 #1,882
1861 historical 978 #2,843
1881 historical 2,748 #1,623
1891 historical 2,674 #1,780
1901 historical 3,739 #1,504
1911 historical 3,895 #1,319
1997 modern 4,873 #1,343
1998 modern 5,041 #1,353
1999 modern 5,095 #1,348
2000 modern 5,097 #1,334
2001 modern 4,964 #1,340
2002 modern 5,078 #1,336
2003 modern 4,913 #1,345
2004 modern 4,942 #1,330
2005 modern 4,863 #1,338
2006 modern 4,901 #1,334
2007 modern 4,944 #1,333
2008 modern 4,937 #1,347
2009 modern 5,089 #1,340
2010 modern 5,155 #1,350
2011 modern 5,046 #1,354
2012 modern 4,904 #1,366
2013 modern 4,993 #1,369
2014 modern 4,982 #1,379
2015 modern 4,949 #1,373
2016 modern 4,930 #1,371

Geography

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Where Jarretts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Bedwelty and Sittingbourne. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bristol, Herefordshire, Sevenoaks, North Norfolk and Rossendale. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Bedwelty Monmouthshire
5 Sittingbourne Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bristol 046 Bristol, City of
2 Herefordshire 023 Herefordshire, County of
3 Sevenoaks 002 Sevenoaks
4 North Norfolk 009 North Norfolk
5 Rossendale 010 Rossendale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Jarrett

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Jarrett

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Jarrett, 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 Jarrett surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Jarrett 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Jarrett is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Jarrett is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Jarrett falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Jarrett 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 Jarrett, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Jarrett

The surname Jarrett has its origins in France, with the earliest recordings dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the French personal name "Gérard," which itself comes from the Germanic elements "gair" meaning "spear" and "hart" meaning "brave" or "hardy." The name likely referred to a brave or hardy spearman or warrior.

The earliest known bearer of the name was Gérard de Jarret, who was mentioned in the Cartulaire de l'Abbaye de Saint-Père de Chartres in 1162. This document was a collection of charters and records from the Abbey of Saint-Père in Chartres, France. The name Jarret in this context is thought to have been a locational surname, referring to someone who lived in a specific place called Jarret or Jarré.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Jarret, Jarrett, Jarette, and Jarrette, in records from the regions of Normandy, Picardy, and Île-de-France in northern France. These regions were home to many early bearers of the surname.

One notable historical figure with the surname Jarrett was Sir Thomas Jarrett (c. 1450-1513), an English courtier and soldier who served under King Henry VIII. He was appointed Captain of the Guard and held various military positions during the Tudor period.

Another early bearer of the name was Jean Jarret (c. 1480-1552), a French Catholic theologian and professor at the University of Paris. He was known for his writings on theology and his involvement in the religious debates of the time.

In the 17th century, the name Jarrett appeared in the British colonies of North America. One notable figure was Thomas Jarrett (c. 1620-1671), who was among the early settlers of the Virginia Colony and served as a member of the House of Burgesses.

The surname Jarrett also has a long history in England, with records showing families bearing the name in various counties, including Warwickshire, Staffordshire, and Gloucestershire. One notable English bearer of the name was John Jarrett (1721-1784), a clergyman and author who wrote several religious works.

As the name spread across the English-speaking world, it has been associated with various notable individuals, including American artist Darel Jarrett (1936-2018), Canadian politician Claude Jarrett (1938-2020), and British musician Joss Jarrett (1959-present).

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Jarrett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Jarrett 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. Kent leads with 751 Jarretts recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.22x.

County Total Index
Kent 751 8.22x
Middlesex 261 0.97x
Surrey 256 1.96x
Gloucestershire 217 4.13x
Sussex 151 3.34x
Warwickshire 122 1.81x
Norfolk 109 2.65x
Monmouthshire 99 5.11x
Shropshire 90 3.89x
Durham 62 0.78x
Lancashire 55 0.17x
Worcestershire 52 1.49x
Somerset 50 1.16x
Yorkshire 49 0.18x
Staffordshire 39 0.43x
Oxfordshire 34 2.06x
Essex 32 0.61x
Berkshire 29 1.44x
Glamorgan 24 0.51x
Leicestershire 24 0.81x
Hampshire 23 0.42x
Hertfordshire 21 1.14x
Suffolk 21 0.64x
Anglesey 20 4.21x
Merionethshire 19 3.88x
Cambridgeshire 16 0.94x
Lincolnshire 16 0.37x
Herefordshire 14 1.28x
Caernarfonshire 8 0.74x
Midlothian 8 0.22x
Wiltshire 8 0.34x
Northumberland 7 0.18x
Bedfordshire 6 0.43x
Brecknockshire 6 1.12x
Derbyshire 6 0.14x
Devon 6 0.11x
Carmarthenshire 5 0.44x
Cheshire 5 0.08x
Buckinghamshire 4 0.25x
Lanarkshire 4 0.05x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.11x
Royal Navy 3 0.94x
Dorset 2 0.11x
Montgomeryshire 2 0.33x
Pembrokeshire 2 0.24x
Renfrewshire 2 0.10x
Channel Islands 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Croydon in Surrey leads with 66 Jarretts recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.11x.

Place Total Index
Croydon 66 9.11x
Bristol St George 62 25.53x
Birmingham 54 2.40x
Lambeth 42 1.80x
Sittingbourne 39 54.06x
Chatham 37 14.72x
Maidstone 36 13.23x
Brighton 35 3.84x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 35 7.08x
Frindsbury 33 95.85x
Hackney London 31 2.06x
Margate St John Baptist 31 18.53x
Islington London 28 1.08x
Cherrington 27 1189.43x
Bedwellty 26 7.61x
Strood 25 47.97x
Camberwell 22 1.29x
Rodmersham 22 561.22x
Bapchild 21 549.74x
Faversham 21 24.10x
Amlwch 20 44.77x
Kensington London 19 1.28x
Northfleet 19 23.61x
West Ham 19 1.63x
Rainham 18 71.68x
Rye 18 41.95x
Tonbridge 18 5.46x
Bitton 17 37.19x
Boxley 17 121.17x
Deddington 17 94.71x
Greenwich 17 3.99x
Milton In Milton 16 41.19x
Lower Llanvrechva 15 78.95x
Mile End Old Town London 15 2.63x
Minster In Sheppey 15 9.91x
St George Hanover Square 14 2.97x
Stockton On Tees 14 3.65x
Trevethin 14 7.66x
Almondsbury 13 64.84x
Battersea 13 1.32x
Boughton Monchelsea 13 129.10x
Countesthorpe 13 128.33x
Deptford St Paul 13 1.84x
Gateshead 13 2.18x
Murston 13 161.09x
Westerham 13 61.70x
Aylesford 12 47.39x
Bedminster 12 2.96x
Great Grimsby 12 4.42x
Keynsham 12 38.77x
Limehouse London 12 4.08x
Lydd 12 61.35x
Smethcott 12 463.32x
Trawsfynydd 12 67.76x
Whitchurch 12 178.84x
Aston 11 0.59x
Bromley London 11 1.87x
Everton 11 1.09x
Kenley 11 552.76x
Kingsdown In Milton 11 1549.30x
Upper Llanvrechva 11 36.58x
Welford 11 127.31x
West Dean 11 12.89x
Aberavon 10 23.30x
Chirbury 10 73.37x
Dover St Mary Virgin 10 11.31x
Frampton Cotterell 10 54.26x
Gillingham 10 5.31x
Kingswinford 10 3.05x
Newington 10 1.01x
Olveston 10 67.70x
Penshurst 10 65.10x
Southwark St Saviour 10 7.27x
Stoke Newington London 10 4.79x
Teynham 10 60.72x
Bethnal Green London 9 0.77x
Folkestone 9 5.08x
Hammersmith London 9 1.36x
Newcastle Under Lyme 9 5.63x
Todenham 9 306.12x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 171
Elizabeth 104
Sarah 80
Ann 54
Ellen 53
Jane 49
Emily 44
Eliza 43
Alice 40
Annie 39
Emma 37
Margaret 25
Edith 21
Harriet 21
Charlotte 18
Hannah 18
Kate 18
Caroline 17
Ada 16
Louisa 16
Martha 16
Fanny 15
Florence 14
Harriett 13
Agnes 12
Clara 12
Rose 12
Anne 11
Catherine 11
Esther 11
Lucy 11
Maria 10
Sophia 10
Amy 9
Frances 9
Amelia 8
Jessie 8
Laura 7
Matilda 7
Susan 7
Eleanor 6
Elizth. 6
Minnie 6
Susannah 6
Bertha 5
Julia 5
Lily 5
Lizzie 5
Phoebe 5
Rosa 5

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 187
George 137
John 127
Thomas 96
James 73
Henry 64
Edward 57
Charles 48
Alfred 46
Joseph 29
Frederick 26
Albert 25
Arthur 25
Robert 24
Walter 23
Harry 22
Samuel 19
Frank 15
Richard 13
Stephen 11
Ernest 10
Edwin 9
Wm. 9
Jesse 8
Herbert 7
Elias 6
Francis 6
Thos. 6
Benjamin 5
David 5
Fred 5
Isaac 5
Percy 5
Edgar 4
Edwd. 4
Fredk. 4
Leonard 4
Owen 4
Sidney 4
Tom 4
Aaron 3
Edmund 3
Geo. 3
Gideon 3
Horace 3
Hubert 3
Jarret 3
Louis 3
Richd. 3
Starling 3

FAQ

Jarrett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Jarrett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,748 people were recorded with the Jarrett surname. That placed it at #1,623 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Jarrett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 4,930 in 2016. That gives Jarrett a modern rank of #1,371.

What does the Jarrett surname mean?

Derived from the Old French word "jarret," meaning a grass enclosure or garden.

What does the Jarrett map show?

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