NameCensus.

UK surname

Keymer

A toponymic surname indicating one's origin from the village of Keymer in Sussex, England.

In the 1881 census there were 122 people recorded with the Keymer surname, ranking it #17,602 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 163, ranked #22,407, down from #17,602 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Gorleston and St John Hackney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Broadland and Salford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Keymer is 202 in 1997. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 33.6%.

1881 census count

122

Ranked #17,602

Modern count

163

2016, ranked #22,407

Peak year

1997

202 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Keymer had 122 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #17,602 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 163 in 2016, ranked #22,407.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 165 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Keymer surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Keymer surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Keymer 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 85 #18,940
1861 historical 79 #23,702
1881 historical 122 #17,602
1891 historical 121 #21,169
1901 historical 165 #17,085
1911 historical 148 #18,023
1997 modern 202 #17,514
1998 modern 201 #18,047
1999 modern 198 #18,343
2000 modern 188 #18,916
2001 modern 189 #18,590
2002 modern 193 #18,713
2003 modern 185 #18,999
2004 modern 185 #19,114
2005 modern 184 #19,117
2006 modern 180 #19,526
2007 modern 189 #19,146
2008 modern 179 #20,015
2009 modern 173 #20,869
2010 modern 177 #21,034
2011 modern 179 #20,732
2012 modern 161 #22,157
2013 modern 174 #21,401
2014 modern 174 #21,561
2015 modern 168 #21,971
2016 modern 163 #22,407

Geography

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Where Keymers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Gorleston, St John Hackney, Aylsham and St Matthew Bethnal Green. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Broadland, Salford, Fenland and Tandridge. 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 Gorleston Suffolk
3 St John Hackney London (North Districts)
4 Aylsham Norfolk
5 St Matthew Bethnal Green London (East Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 048 Cornwall
2 Broadland 001 Broadland
3 Salford 029 Salford
4 Fenland 002 Fenland
5 Tandridge 006 Tandridge

Forenames

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First names often paired with Keymer

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Keymer

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Keymer surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Keymer 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Keymer is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, 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

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

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

Keymer is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Keymer falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Keymer

The surname Keymer originated in England during the late Anglo-Saxon period, around the 8th to 11th centuries. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "caeg" meaning "key" and "mere" meaning "lake" or "pool," suggesting a possible location near a body of water secured by a key or lock.

The earliest known records of the name Keymer can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Caimere" in reference to a settlement in the county of Sussex. This settlement is likely the modern-day village of Keymer, located near the town of Hassocks.

In the 13th century, the name was recorded as "Kaymer" in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1262. This document was a legal record of land transfers and transactions, indicating that individuals with the surname Keymer were landowners or involved in legal matters related to property.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Keymer was John Keymer, born around 1450 in Keymer, Sussex. He was a yeoman farmer and is mentioned in local records from the late 15th century.

Another notable figure was Thomas Keymer, born in 1525 in Keymer, Sussex. He was a member of the gentry and served as a Justice of the Peace in the county during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

In the 17th century, the name appeared in various spellings, such as "Keymor" and "Keymere." One prominent individual from this period was Richard Keymor (1622-1692), a wealthy merchant and landowner in Gloucestershire.

During the 18th century, the spelling of the surname became more standardized as "Keymer." One notable individual was Reverend John Keymer (1704-1776), a clergyman in the Church of England and the author of several religious treatises.

In the 19th century, the name continued to be associated with various professions and social classes. For example, William Keymer (1815-1892) was a successful architect and surveyor based in London, responsible for designing several notable buildings in the city.

Throughout its history, the surname Keymer has been present in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Sussex, Surrey, and Kent, reflecting its origins in the southern regions of the country. While not a common surname, it has maintained a presence over centuries and is still in use today.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Keymer families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Keymer 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 39 Keymers recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.28x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 39 3.28x
Norfolk 38 20.77x
Lancashire 10 0.71x
Suffolk 9 6.21x
Kent 7 1.72x
Surrey 6 1.03x
Cheshire 5 1.90x
Essex 5 2.13x
Northamptonshire 1 0.89x
Somerset 1 0.52x
Sussex 1 0.50x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bethnal Green London in Middlesex leads with 12 Keymers recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.22x.

Place Total Index
Bethnal Green London 12 23.22x
Lakenham 11 423.08x
Hulme 10 33.92x
Thetford St Cuthbert 8 1212.12x
Gorleston 7 190.22x
Hackney London 7 10.49x
Islington London 7 6.07x
Holt 6 952.38x
Greenwich 5 26.40x
St Luke London 5 26.19x
Guildford Holy Trinity 4 360.36x
St Pancras London 4 4.18x
Woodford 4 150.38x
Aylsham 3 275.23x
Swaffham 3 201.34x
Timperley 3 329.67x
Ashton On Mersey 2 147.06x
Ipswich St Margaret 2 40.65x
Norwich St John Sepulchre 2 168.07x
Poplar London 2 8.90x
Salthouse 2 2500.00x
Windlesham 2 183.49x
Brighton 1 2.47x
Colchester St Mary At 1 120.48x
East Dereham 1 43.29x
Erith 1 25.00x
Hampstead London 1 5.40x
Hornsey 1 6.64x
Kettering 1 22.08x
Lewisham 1 4.62x
Norwich St Michael At 1 94.34x
Thetford St Peter 1 208.33x
Wellington 1 38.46x

Top female names

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

FAQ

Keymer surname: questions and answers

How common was the Keymer surname in 1881?

In 1881, 122 people were recorded with the Keymer surname. That placed it at #17,602 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Keymer surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 163 in 2016. That gives Keymer a modern rank of #22,407.

What does the Keymer surname mean?

A toponymic surname indicating one's origin from the village of Keymer in Sussex, England.

What does the Keymer map show?

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