UK surname
A surname derived from the Latin word magus, referring to a magician or astrologer.
In the 1881 census there were 33 people recorded with the Mages surname, ranking it #28,965 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 82, ranked #32,895, down from #28,965 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Ockendon, South, Millbrook and Llandaff (incl. Canton), Leckwith. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mages is 113 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 148.5%.
1881 census count
33
Ranked #28,965
Modern count
82
2016, ranked #32,895
Peak year
1891
113 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mages surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mages surname density by area, 1891 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 | 9 | #31,675 |
| 1861 | historical | 52 | #27,369 |
| 1881 | historical | 33 | #28,965 |
| 1891 | historical | 113 | #22,162 |
| 1901 | historical | 32 | #30,501 |
| 1911 | historical | 37 | #29,263 |
| 1997 | modern | 69 | #30,712 |
| 1998 | modern | 73 | #30,681 |
| 1999 | modern | 71 | #31,036 |
| 2000 | modern | 69 | #31,273 |
| 2001 | modern | 69 | #31,098 |
| 2002 | modern | 71 | #31,351 |
| 2003 | modern | 68 | #31,689 |
| 2004 | modern | 74 | #31,306 |
| 2005 | modern | 70 | #31,912 |
| 2006 | modern | 65 | #32,743 |
| 2007 | modern | 67 | #32,871 |
| 2008 | modern | 66 | #33,217 |
| 2009 | modern | 69 | #33,257 |
| 2010 | modern | 71 | #33,401 |
| 2011 | modern | 74 | #33,151 |
| 2012 | modern | 73 | #33,431 |
| 2013 | modern | 79 | #33,142 |
| 2014 | modern | 84 | #32,823 |
| 2015 | modern | 84 | #32,782 |
| 2016 | modern | 82 | #32,895 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Ockendon, South, Millbrook, Llandaff (incl. Canton), Leckwith, St Pancras and Llangafelach. 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 | Ockendon, South | Essex |
| 2 | Millbrook | Hampshire |
| 3 | Llandaff (incl. Canton), Leckwith | Glamorganshire |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Llangafelach | Glamorganshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mages 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 Mages, 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 Mages surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mages 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, Mages 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 Mages is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mages, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname MAGES originated in France and has its roots in the Old French word "mage", which means "magician" or "sorcerer". The name can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when it was likely used as a descriptive surname for someone who practiced magic or had a fascination with the occult.
During the Middle Ages, the name MAGES appeared in various records and manuscripts from France, often associated with individuals involved in mystical or occult practices. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the "Livre des Métiers" (Book of Trades), a 13th-century document that listed the various professions and trades in Paris.
The MAGES surname is also linked to certain place names in France, such as the village of Mages in the department of Gard, which may have contributed to the spread and adoption of the name in different regions. Additionally, variations in spelling, such as "Maiges" and "Magès", can be found in historical records.
Notable individuals with the surname MAGES throughout history include:
1. Gaspar Mages (c. 1530-1601), a French philosopher and humanist known for his work on natural philosophy and metaphysics. 2. Pierre Mages (1612-1679), a French Jesuit missionary who traveled to Canada and worked among the Huron people. 3. Jacques-Philippe Mages (1718-1801), a French astronomer and mathematician who made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics. 4. Marie-Victorine Mages (1839-1914), a French nun and the founder of the Congregations of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. 5. Émile Mages (1873-1945), a French writer and journalist known for his works on art and literature.
While the MAGES surname is not as common as some other French surnames, it has a rich history that can be traced back to the Middle Ages, with connections to the occult, mysticism, and various professions throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mages 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 11 Mages' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.32x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 11 | 3.32x |
| Norfolk | 10 | 19.62x |
| Glamorgan | 8 | 13.86x |
| Essex | 1 | 1.53x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 2.25x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 25.32x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.62x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 2.31x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Pancras London in Middlesex leads with 9 Mages' recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.72x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Pancras London | 9 | 33.72x |
| Hevingham | 8 | 8888.89x |
| Swansea St Thomas | 8 | 1379.31x |
| Heigham | 2 | 72.99x |
| Great Malvern | 1 | 111.11x |
| Hampton London | 1 | 181.82x |
| Liberton | 1 | 144.93x |
| Merrow | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 29.59x |
| South Ockendon | 1 | 714.29x |
| Westminster St James | 1 | 29.33x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mages 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 Mages 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 Mages households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 7 |
| Bootmaker | 2 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Commercial Traveller | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Cook (Dom) | 1 |
| German Governess | 1 |
| Leading Seaman | 1 |
| Mineral Water Maker | 1 |
| Servt | 1 |
| Spelterman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 33 people were recorded with the Mages surname. That placed it at #28,965 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 82 in 2016. That gives Mages a modern rank of #32,895.
A surname derived from the Latin word magus, referring to a magician or astrologer.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mages 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.