UK surname
A surname of Irish origin referring to an unsavory or disreputable character.
In the 1881 census there were 50 people recorded with the Jarvey surname, ranking it #26,587 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 31, ranked #35,942, down from #26,587 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Mansfield Woodhouse and Eccles. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Jarvey is 133 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 38.0%.
1881 census count
50
Ranked #26,587
Modern count
31
2016, ranked #35,942
Peak year
1861
133 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Jarvey surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Jarvey surname density by area, 1861 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 | 40 | #26,118 |
| 1861 | historical | 133 | #16,835 |
| 1881 | historical | 50 | #26,587 |
| 1891 | historical | 75 | #27,414 |
| 1901 | historical | 42 | #29,487 |
| 1911 | historical | 44 | #28,454 |
| 1997 | modern | 31 | #34,582 |
| 1998 | modern | 35 | #34,344 |
| 1999 | modern | 27 | #35,224 |
| 2000 | modern | 31 | #34,798 |
| 2001 | modern | 26 | #35,152 |
| 2002 | modern | 24 | #35,520 |
| 2003 | modern | 33 | #34,773 |
| 2004 | modern | 34 | #34,868 |
| 2005 | modern | 35 | #34,982 |
| 2006 | modern | 32 | #35,392 |
| 2007 | modern | 28 | #35,801 |
| 2008 | modern | 28 | #35,875 |
| 2009 | modern | 31 | #35,794 |
| 2010 | modern | 33 | #35,794 |
| 2011 | modern | 30 | #35,949 |
| 2012 | modern | 28 | #36,048 |
| 2013 | modern | 32 | #35,862 |
| 2014 | modern | 33 | #35,843 |
| 2015 | modern | 32 | #35,876 |
| 2016 | modern | 31 | #35,942 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Mansfield Woodhouse, Eccles, Manchester and Glasgow. 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 | Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard | Nottinghamshire |
| 2 | Mansfield Woodhouse | Nottinghamshire |
| 3 | Eccles | Lancashire |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Jarvey 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 Jarvey, 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 Jarvey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Jarvey 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, Jarvey 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 Jarvey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Jarvey, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname JARVEY is of English origin, originating in the West Midlands region of England during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "gearr" or "gerre," meaning "a strip of land" or "a triangular piece of land."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, dated 1327, where it appears as "Jarvey." This suggests that the name was already established in the region by the 14th century.
In the 16th century, the name is recorded in various forms, such as "Jarvie" and "Jarvey," in parish records from Worcestershire and the surrounding counties. This variation in spelling was common during this period, as standardized spelling had not yet been established.
The name JARVEY is also linked to several place names in the West Midlands, such as Jarvey's Croft in Warwickshire and Jarvey's Meadow in Worcestershire. These place names likely originated from individuals bearing the surname who owned or resided in these locations.
One notable historical figure with the surname JARVEY was John Jarvey (c. 1570-1640), a wealthy landowner and merchant from Worcestershire. He was a prominent member of the local community and served as a churchwarden at St. Andrew's Church in Droitwich.
Another individual of note was William Jarvey (1645-1712), a English clergyman who served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Warwickshire from 1685 until his death. He was known for his scholarly works on theology and his involvement in local affairs.
In the 18th century, the name appeared in various records, including the marriage of Thomas Jarvey and Elizabeth Smith in 1734 at St. Peter's Church in Worcestershire.
A notable figure from the 19th century was Robert Jarvey (1810-1891), a successful businessman and philanthropist from Birmingham. He made his fortune in the iron industry and was a generous benefactor to various charitable causes in the city.
James Jarvey (1865-1942), a prominent English architect, was responsible for designing several notable buildings in Worcestershire and the surrounding areas during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
While the surname JARVEY is not among the most common in England, it has a rich history deeply rooted in the West Midlands region, with records dating back to the medieval period.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Jarvey 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. Lancashire leads with 24 Jarveys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.64x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 24 | 3.64x |
| Nottinghamshire | 12 | 16.01x |
| Channel Islands | 7 | 42.50x |
| Stirlingshire | 5 | 24.39x |
| West Lothian | 5 | 59.74x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.36x |
| Argyllshire | 1 | 6.46x |
| Dunbartonshire | 1 | 6.69x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Manchester in Lancashire leads with 8 Jarveys recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.96x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester | 8 | 26.96x |
| Mansfield Woodhouse | 6 | 1200.00x |
| Radford | 6 | 157.48x |
| Falkirk | 5 | 104.17x |
| St Helier | 5 | 93.28x |
| Whitburn | 5 | 413.22x |
| Liverpool | 4 | 9.98x |
| Much Woolton | 3 | 333.33x |
| West Derby | 3 | 15.54x |
| Everton | 2 | 9.51x |
| New Malton | 2 | 303.03x |
| Pendleton In Salford | 2 | 25.45x |
| St Martin | 2 | 198.02x |
| Heap | 1 | 28.57x |
| Kilfinichen | 1 | 263.16x |
| Kirkintilloch | 1 | 49.26x |
| Salford | 1 | 5.15x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Jarvey 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 Jarvey surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Jarvey households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 13 |
| Carriage Builder | 2 |
| Boards Housekeeper | 1 |
| Carpenter & Joiner | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Engine Smith (E&M) | 1 |
| Gardener (Dom) | 1 |
| General Labr | 1 |
| Hawker | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Machine Fitter & Turner Cotton Factory (Spg) | 1 |
| Merino Sorter | 1 |
| Paper Dealer (Manuf) | 1 |
| Porter | 1 |
| Printer Compositor | 1 |
| Sailor | 1 |
| Silk Worker | 1 |
| Tailor | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 50 people were recorded with the Jarvey surname. That placed it at #26,587 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 31 in 2016. That gives Jarvey a modern rank of #35,942.
A surname of Irish origin referring to an unsavory or disreputable character.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Jarvey 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.