NameCensus.

UK surname

Macey

Derived from the French surname Massé, indicating someone from the town of Macé in Normandy, France.

In the 1881 census there were 1,639 people recorded with the Macey surname, ranking it #2,615 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,439, ranked #2,700, down from #2,615 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Chilmark and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mendip, Chichester and Bath and North East Somerset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Macey is 2,528 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 48.8%.

1881 census count

1,639

Ranked #2,615

Modern count

2,439

2016, ranked #2,700

Peak year

2014

2,528 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Macey had 1,639 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,615 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,439 in 2016, ranked #2,700.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,420 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Macey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Macey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Macey 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 1,045 #2,681
1861 historical 914 #3,030
1881 historical 1,639 #2,615
1891 historical 1,733 #2,626
1901 historical 2,121 #2,538
1911 historical 2,420 #2,117
1997 modern 2,383 #2,625
1998 modern 2,483 #2,629
1999 modern 2,520 #2,615
2000 modern 2,510 #2,608
2001 modern 2,455 #2,602
2002 modern 2,518 #2,600
2003 modern 2,426 #2,632
2004 modern 2,400 #2,657
2005 modern 2,361 #2,663
2006 modern 2,346 #2,685
2007 modern 2,369 #2,682
2008 modern 2,349 #2,723
2009 modern 2,390 #2,743
2010 modern 2,473 #2,724
2011 modern 2,450 #2,717
2012 modern 2,444 #2,675
2013 modern 2,511 #2,652
2014 modern 2,528 #2,649
2015 modern 2,479 #2,671
2016 modern 2,439 #2,700

Geography

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Where Maceys are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Mendip, Chichester, Bath and North East Somerset, Test Valley and Neath Port Talbot. 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 Chilmark Wiltshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Southampton St Mary Hampshire
5 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mendip 013 Mendip
2 Chichester 008 Chichester
3 Bath and North East Somerset 025 Bath and North East Somerset
4 Test Valley 009 Test Valley
5 Neath Port Talbot 003 Neath Port Talbot

Forenames

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First names often paired with Macey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Macey

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Macey, 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 Macey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Macey 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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Macey is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Macey is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Macey falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Macey

The surname Macey is believed to have its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old French name "Macy," which itself is a variant of the Latin name "Matthaeus" or "Matthew."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Macey surname can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners and tenants in England compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. This entry suggests that the name was present in England shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066.

During the Middle Ages, the Macey surname was particularly prevalent in the counties of Wiltshire and Somerset in southwestern England. It is believed that the name may have originated from a place name, possibly a town or village with a similar spelling, though records of such a location are scarce.

In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the Macey surname was John Macey, a prominent merchant and landowner in the city of Bristol. He is mentioned in several historical records from the time, including legal documents and land transactions.

Another early bearer of the Macey name was William Macey, a scholar and clergyman who lived in the 15th century. He is known for his contributions to the field of theology and for serving as a chaplain to King Henry VI of England.

During the Tudor period, the Macey family gained prominence in the county of Gloucestershire. Sir Thomas Macey, born in 1520, was a respected member of the local gentry and served as a magistrate and justice of the peace.

In the 17th century, a notable figure was Captain John Macey, a seafarer and explorer who is said to have sailed with the English naval commander Sir Walter Raleigh on his voyages to the Americas.

Another historical figure with the Macey surname was Richard Macey, a prominent lawyer and judge who lived in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He served as a justice of the Court of King's Bench and played a significant role in shaping English common law.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Macey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Macey 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. Hampshire leads with 235 Maceys recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.13x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 235 7.13x
Wiltshire 234 16.46x
Middlesex 225 1.40x
Somerset 172 6.65x
Gloucestershire 107 3.39x
Devon 105 3.14x
Kent 101 1.84x
Surrey 101 1.29x
Dorset 85 8.06x
Sussex 35 1.29x
Essex 26 0.82x
Yorkshire 25 0.16x
Glamorgan 24 0.86x
Lancashire 23 0.12x
Suffolk 20 1.02x
Cornwall 18 0.99x
Durham 16 0.33x
Warwickshire 15 0.37x
Buckinghamshire 13 1.34x
Derbyshire 12 0.48x
Monmouthshire 11 0.95x
Dunbartonshire 8 1.85x
Staffordshire 8 0.15x
Channel Islands 7 1.47x
Norfolk 6 0.24x
Lanarkshire 5 0.10x
Berkshire 4 0.33x
Hertfordshire 3 0.27x
Buteshire 1 1.03x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.05x
Renfrewshire 1 0.08x
Royal Navy 1 0.52x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Portsea in Hampshire leads with 68 Maceys recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.53x.

Place Total Index
Portsea 68 10.53x
Chilmark 52 1704.92x
Southampton St Mary 51 24.61x
Hackney London 48 5.33x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 41 13.81x
Warminster 28 89.89x
Fonthill Gifford 23 874.52x
Islington London 23 1.48x
Battersea 20 3.38x
North Petherton 20 95.83x
Southampton All Sts 20 35.37x
Plymouth Charles The 19 12.89x
Deal 18 38.47x
Tottenham 18 7.03x
Antony 15 85.32x
Bedminster 15 6.17x
Lowestoft 15 16.22x
Millbrook 15 18.07x
Netherbury 15 172.02x
St George In East 15 13.72x
Bermondsey 14 2.93x
Bristol St George 14 9.60x
Chard 14 44.67x
Frome 14 22.62x
Littlehampton 14 64.70x
Salisbury St Thomas 14 124.33x
Aylesbury 13 30.18x
Bromley London 13 3.68x
Faversham 13 24.85x
Lambeth 13 0.93x
Poole St James 13 32.80x
Salisbury St Edmund 13 56.97x
Plymouth St Andrew 12 4.66x
Stoke Damerel 12 5.12x
Cheltenham 11 4.52x
Frimley 11 49.31x
Lymington 11 45.42x
Shoreditch London 11 1.58x
Westoe 11 4.06x
Gloucester Barton St 10 54.11x
Wellington 10 28.50x
Wilton 10 99.50x
Broad Hinton 9 297.03x
Claylane 9 25.72x
Croydon 9 2.07x
Monckton Combe 9 108.83x
Tormoham 9 6.36x
Westbury On Trym 9 8.43x
Westminster St John 9 4.60x
Bothenhampton 8 271.19x
Bristol St Paul In 8 9.52x
Clerkenwell London 8 2.11x
Congresbury 8 121.95x
Crundale 8 529.80x
Dauntsey 8 300.75x
Gilling 8 167.01x
Godmersham 8 406.09x
Kensington London 8 0.90x
New Romney 8 141.59x
Old Kilpatrick 8 15.67x
Shepton Mallet 8 27.56x
Sway 8 181.82x
Wareham St Martin 8 199.01x
West Derby 8 1.43x
Witham Friary 8 299.63x
Allington 7 74.39x
Aston 7 0.63x
Clifton 7 4.39x
Dartmouth St Petrox 7 144.93x
East Stonehouse 7 10.62x
Fordington 7 30.80x
Great Burstead 7 60.61x
Mile End Old Town 7 2.76x
Romsey Infra 7 62.67x
Salisbury St Martin 7 47.30x
St George Hanover 7 3.34x
St Helier 7 4.51x
Upton Noble 7 588.24x
Weston Super Mare 7 10.71x
Wylye 7 258.30x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 80
Elizabeth 62
Eliza 37
Jane 36
Sarah 35
Annie 33
Ann 30
Emily 29
Alice 27
Louisa 23
Emma 22
Ellen 20
Caroline 16
Harriet 14
Fanny 12
Hannah 12
Kate 12
Florence 10
Susan 10
Ada 9
Bessie 9
Edith 9
Margaret 9
Martha 9
Amelia 8
Clara 8
Rose 8
Charlotte 7
Maria 7
Maud 6
Anna 5
Frances 5
Jessie 5
Susanna 5
Agnes 4
Elizth. 4
Flora 4
Julia 4
Lucy 4
Matilda 4
Rebecca 4
Rhoda 4
Rosina 4
Susannah 4
Catherine 3
Constance 3
Eva 3
Gertrude 3
Laura 3
Rosa 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 105
James 71
George 66
John 58
Charles 49
Henry 46
Thomas 40
Alfred 27
Albert 26
Frederick 24
Joseph 22
Edward 19
Samuel 18
Arthur 17
Harry 15
Walter 15
Frank 13
Edwin 12
Richard 12
Robert 12
Wm. 9
Francis 8
David 7
Fred 6
Ernest 5
Andrew 4
Benjamin 4
Chas. 4
Isaac 4
Uriah 4
Earnest 3
Fredrick 3
Herbert 3
Sidney 3
Daniel 2
Frederic 2
Jesse 2
Louis 2
Percy 2
Rowland 2
Stephen 2
Thos. 2
Tom 2
Willie 2
Wm.H. 2
Benjn.J.R. 1
Edwd. 1
Elgar 1
Elias 1
Wm.Henry 1

FAQ

Macey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Macey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,639 people were recorded with the Macey surname. That placed it at #2,615 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Macey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,439 in 2016. That gives Macey a modern rank of #2,700.

What does the Macey surname mean?

Derived from the French surname Massé, indicating someone from the town of Macé in Normandy, France.

What does the Macey map show?

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