UK surname
A French surname likely derived from the nickname "Larr" meaning someone talkative or cheerful.
In the 1881 census there were 45 people recorded with the Larey surname, ranking it #27,314 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3, ranked #38,594, down from #27,314 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Edmonton, St Anne Soho and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Larey is 115 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 93.3%.
1881 census count
45
Ranked #27,314
Modern count
3
2016, ranked #38,594
Peak year
1851
115 bearers
Map years
1
1851 to 1851
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Larey surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Larey surname density by area, 1851 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 | 115 | #15,634 |
| 1861 | historical | 29 | #30,287 |
| 1881 | historical | 45 | #27,314 |
| 1891 | historical | 41 | #31,095 |
| 1901 | historical | 32 | #30,501 |
| 1911 | historical | 33 | #29,703 |
| 1999 | modern | 1 | #38,820 |
| 2002 | modern | 2 | #38,400 |
| 2003 | modern | 2 | #38,424 |
| 2004 | modern | 2 | #38,464 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 2 | #38,590 |
| 2007 | modern | 2 | #38,617 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 3 | #38,494 |
| 2010 | modern | 5 | #38,186 |
| 2011 | modern | 7 | #37,865 |
| 2012 | modern | 2 | #38,754 |
| 2013 | modern | 2 | #38,761 |
| 2014 | modern | 2 | #38,791 |
| 2015 | modern | 3 | #38,558 |
| 2016 | modern | 3 | #38,594 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Edmonton, St Anne Soho, St Pancras, Bedwelty and Crickhowell. 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 | Edmonton | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 2 | St Anne Soho | London (Central Districts) |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Bedwelty | Monmouthshire |
| 5 | Crickhowell | Brecon |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Larey 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 Larey, 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 Larey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Larey 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, Larey 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 Larey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Larey, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname LAREY is believed to have originated in France, specifically in the Normandy region, during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old French word "lairier," which referred to a place where wild rabbits or hares were abundant, possibly indicating that the earliest bearers of this name were associated with hunting or game-keeping.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the LAREY surname can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners in England compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. This suggests that individuals with this surname may have been among the Norman settlers who accompanied William during the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
During the 13th century, a notable figure with the LAREY surname was Sir Robert de Larey, a knight who served under King Edward I of England. He participated in several military campaigns, including the Wars of Scottish Independence, and was awarded land grants for his service.
In the 15th century, John LAREY, a wealthy merchant from Normandy, is mentioned in historical records as having established a successful trading business in the city of Rouen. His descendants continued to play a prominent role in the local economy for several generations.
Another notable figure was Pierre LAREY, a French diplomat who lived during the 16th century. He served as an ambassador to several European courts and played a crucial role in negotiating important treaties and alliances on behalf of the French monarchy.
During the 17th century, a prominent member of the LAREY family was Jacques LAREY, a renowned architect who contributed to the design and construction of several notable buildings in Paris, including the Palais du Luxembourg and parts of the Louvre palace complex.
It is worth mentioning that variations in spelling, such as Larey, Leray, Lerey, and Lairey, were common throughout history due to regional dialects and inconsistent record-keeping practices. Additionally, the surname may have been influenced by or derived from specific place names or localities, further contributing to its variations.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Larey 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. Middlesex leads with 20 Lareys recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.77x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 20 | 4.77x |
| Lanarkshire | 6 | 4.43x |
| Kent | 4 | 2.80x |
| Durham | 3 | 2.41x |
| Glamorgan | 3 | 4.11x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 2.43x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 0.40x |
| Devon | 1 | 1.15x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.49x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.24x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Anne Soho London in Middlesex leads with 8 Lareys recorded in 1881 and an index of 334.73x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Anne Soho London | 8 | 334.73x |
| Maryhill | 6 | 226.42x |
| Beckenham | 4 | 213.90x |
| Gateshead | 3 | 32.12x |
| Islington London | 3 | 7.38x |
| Ystradyfodwg | 3 | 46.88x |
| Isleworth | 2 | 107.53x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 8.58x |
| Bristol Christchurch | 1 | 833.33x |
| Bristol St Paul In | 1 | 45.66x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 3.31x |
| Manchester | 1 | 4.47x |
| Middlesbrough | 1 | 18.48x |
| Penge | 1 | 37.31x |
| Poplar London | 1 | 12.64x |
| St George In East London | 1 | 25.38x |
| St Giles In Fields London | 1 | 48.54x |
| St Luke London | 1 | 14.88x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 2.96x |
| Stoke Damerel | 1 | 16.37x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Larey 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 Larey surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 45 people were recorded with the Larey surname. That placed it at #27,314 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 3 in 2016. That gives Larey a modern rank of #38,594.
A French surname likely derived from the nickname "Larr" meaning someone talkative or cheerful.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Larey 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.