UK surname
An occupational surname referring to a person who washes clothes for others.
In the 1881 census there were 43 people recorded with the Laundry surname, ranking it #27,575 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 17, ranked #36,904, down from #27,575 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Fryern Barnet, Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Laundry is 121 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 60.5%.
1881 census count
43
Ranked #27,575
Modern count
17
2016, ranked #36,904
Peak year
1911
121 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Laundry surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Laundry surname density by area, 1911 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 | 83 | #19,181 |
| 1861 | historical | 101 | #20,955 |
| 1881 | historical | 43 | #27,575 |
| 1891 | historical | 76 | #27,290 |
| 1901 | historical | 73 | #26,069 |
| 1911 | historical | 121 | #20,336 |
| 1997 | modern | 16 | #36,292 |
| 1998 | modern | 15 | #36,457 |
| 1999 | modern | 19 | #36,041 |
| 2000 | modern | 20 | #35,915 |
| 2001 | modern | 15 | #36,265 |
| 2002 | modern | 18 | #36,067 |
| 2003 | modern | 14 | #36,512 |
| 2004 | modern | 14 | #36,648 |
| 2005 | modern | 14 | #36,730 |
| 2006 | modern | 15 | #36,707 |
| 2007 | modern | 14 | #36,886 |
| 2008 | modern | 14 | #36,950 |
| 2009 | modern | 15 | #36,942 |
| 2010 | modern | 14 | #37,124 |
| 2011 | modern | 14 | #37,115 |
| 2012 | modern | 13 | #37,169 |
| 2013 | modern | 14 | #37,127 |
| 2014 | modern | 16 | #36,974 |
| 2015 | modern | 16 | #36,978 |
| 2016 | modern | 17 | #36,904 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Fryern Barnet, Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841), London parishes, Northill and Liskeard, St Cleer. 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 | Fryern Barnet | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 2 | Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) | Devon |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Northill | Cornwall |
| 5 | Liskeard, St Cleer | Cornwall |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Laundry 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 Laundry, 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 Laundry surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Laundry 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, Laundry 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 Laundry is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Laundry, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname LAUNDRY originated in England during the late medieval period. It is an occupational surname derived from the Old French word "lavendier," which referred to a person who washed clothes or linens for a living. The name likely emerged in areas where Norman French influence was strong, particularly in the southeastern regions of England.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the LAUNDRY surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, a census-like record compiled in 1273. This document mentions a certain William le Lavendere, suggesting that the name was already in use during the 13th century.
In the 14th century, the LAUNDRY surname appeared in various spellings, such as Lavendrye, Laundrie, and Laundry, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling conventions of the time. The name was particularly prevalent in the counties of Essex, Kent, and Sussex, where laundry services were in high demand due to the proximity to London and other urban centers.
One notable individual with the LAUNDRY surname was John Laundry, a merchant and landowner who lived in the town of Colchester, Essex, during the 15th century. Records indicate that he played an active role in the local community and held various civic positions.
During the 16th century, the LAUNDRY surname spread to other parts of England, and its spelling became more standardized. In 1587, a certain Thomas Laundry was mentioned in the Parish Registers of St. Mary's Church in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, indicating the name's presence in the eastern regions of the country.
In the 17th century, the LAUNDRY surname gained further prominence. One notable bearer was Elizabeth Laundry, a renowned seamstress and laundress who worked for the Royal Household during the reign of King Charles I (1625-1649). Her exceptional skills earned her a reputation among the nobility of the time.
As the LAUNDRY surname spread throughout England over the centuries, it also found its way to other parts of the British Isles and eventually to the British colonies in North America and other parts of the world. However, its origins and associations with the laundry trade in medieval and early modern England remain a significant part of its historical narrative.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Laundry 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. Cornwall leads with 35 Laundrys recorded in 1881 and an index of 72.05x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cornwall | 35 | 72.05x |
| Devon | 5 | 5.60x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1.14x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 1.73x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 19.57x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.48x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Landrake in Cornwall leads with 10 Laundrys recorded in 1881 and an index of 9090.91x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Landrake | 10 | 9090.91x |
| Menheniot | 9 | 4500.00x |
| Botus Fleming | 3 | 10000.00x |
| Cardynham | 3 | 7500.00x |
| Liskeard | 3 | 370.37x |
| Saltash | 3 | 789.47x |
| Lidford | 2 | 500.00x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 2 | 29.07x |
| Basford | 1 | 37.45x |
| Callington | 1 | 357.14x |
| Falmouth | 1 | 58.14x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 2.67x |
| Portsea | 1 | 5.80x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 22.88x |
| St Germans | 1 | 294.12x |
| St Mary Magdalene | 1 | 277.78x |
| Stoke Damerel | 1 | 16.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Laundry 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 Laundry surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 43 people were recorded with the Laundry surname. That placed it at #27,575 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 17 in 2016. That gives Laundry a modern rank of #36,904.
An occupational surname referring to a person who washes clothes for others.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Laundry 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.