NameCensus.

UK surname

Mailer

A surname derived from the occupation of a mail maker or armorer.

In the 1881 census there were 365 people recorded with the Mailer surname, ranking it #8,506 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 400, ranked #11,879, down from #8,506 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Blackford, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Auchterarder, Muthill, Greenloaning and Gleneagles and South Norfolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mailer is 430 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 9.6%.

1881 census count

365

Ranked #8,506

Modern count

400

2016, ranked #11,879

Peak year

1901

430 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mailer had 365 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,506 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 400 in 2016, ranked #11,879.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 430 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Mailer surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mailer surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mailer 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 234 #9,241
1861 historical 231 #10,572
1881 historical 365 #8,506
1891 historical 395 #8,961
1901 historical 430 #9,000
1911 historical 73 #25,541
1997 modern 378 #11,474
1998 modern 389 #11,594
1999 modern 406 #11,329
2000 modern 394 #11,520
2001 modern 371 #11,881
2002 modern 383 #11,820
2003 modern 378 #11,741
2004 modern 393 #11,433
2005 modern 379 #11,662
2006 modern 373 #11,854
2007 modern 383 #11,751
2008 modern 388 #11,745
2009 modern 385 #12,070
2010 modern 388 #12,271
2011 modern 380 #12,326
2012 modern 387 #12,015
2013 modern 396 #12,015
2014 modern 405 #11,880
2015 modern 407 #11,760
2016 modern 400 #11,879

Geography

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Where Mailers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Blackford, Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Kilmadock and Perth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Auchterarder, Muthill, Greenloaning and Gleneagles, South Norfolk, Guildtown, Balbeggie and St Madoes and Viewlands, Craigie and Wellshill. 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 Blackford Perth
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Kilmadock Perth
5 Perth Perth

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Auchterarder Perth and Kinross
2 Muthill, Greenloaning and Gleneagles Perth and Kinross
3 South Norfolk 015 South Norfolk
4 Guildtown, Balbeggie and St Madoes Perth and Kinross
5 Viewlands, Craigie and Wellshill Perth and Kinross

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mailer

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mailer

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Mailer surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Mailer household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Mailer is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mailer is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

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

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mailer falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mailer is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Mailer, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Mailer

The surname Mailer has its origins in the British Isles, specifically Scotland. Emerging around the medieval time period, the name is believed to have occupational roots. The surname likely derives from the Middle English word "mail," which means rent or tribute, combined with the Old English suffix "er," indicating an agent or person associated with a particular activity. Hence, Mailer may have originally referred to someone responsible for collecting rent or tribute.

In terms of geographical origin, the surname was found predominantly in regions of Scotland, particularly around Perthshire. Early spellings of the name vary, with instances such as "Mailer" appearing in ancient records. The name has also been linked to various place names, such as the village of Mailer, near Perth. This connection between the surname and place names reinforces its regional origins.

Historical references to the surname Mailer can be found in a few medieval manuscripts. There are records from the 13th century showing the presence of individuals with this surname involved in land and rent collections. One of the earliest documented examples is Alan Mailer, recorded in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a collection of documents listing those who pledged allegiance to King Edward I of England.

Among the notable individuals bearing the surname throughout history is Arthur Henry B. Mailer (1884-1971), a key figure in the Scottish journalistic community. Another prominent figure is Kenneth Mailer, a 19th-century Scottish poet whose works reflect the cultural and social dynamics of his time. Mailer also saw representation in the American context with Norman Mailer (1923-2007), a celebrated novelist and journalist whose works earned him international acclaim and cemented his legacy in literature.

John Mailer, a notable 16th-century landowner, has his activities recorded in various charter documents from that era, indicating significant local influence. Lastly, David Mailer, a 17th-century merchant, expanded the name’s presence beyond Scotland through various trade endeavors.

Overall, the surname Mailer carries with it a rich blend of occupational significance, geographical roots, and historical prominence, with records spanning several centuries and highlighting notable bearers who contributed to its legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mailer families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mailer 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. Perthshire leads with 191 Mailers recorded in 1881 and an index of 120.18x.

County Total Index
Perthshire 191 120.18x
Lanarkshire 49 4.28x
Stirlingshire 21 16.08x
Midlothian 18 3.79x
Warwickshire 11 1.23x
Fife 10 4.77x
Angus 9 2.74x
Lancashire 9 0.21x
Clackmannanshire 8 27.36x
Surrey 6 0.35x
Glamorgan 5 0.81x
Dunbartonshire 4 4.20x
Middlesex 4 0.11x
Aberdeenshire 3 0.91x
Peeblesshire 3 18.01x
Renfrewshire 3 1.09x
Staffordshire 3 0.25x
Bedfordshire 1 0.55x
Cheshire 1 0.13x
Derbyshire 1 0.18x
Hampshire 1 0.14x
Kent 1 0.08x
Kinross-shire 1 11.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Auchterarder in Perthshire leads with 102 Mailers recorded in 1881 and an index of 2297.30x.

Place Total Index
Auchterarder 102 2297.30x
Dunning 18 904.52x
Barony 16 5.52x
Gargunnock 14 1647.06x
Govan 14 4.94x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 13 6.81x
Perth East Church 13 86.78x
Beath 9 135.95x
Blackford 9 463.92x
Glasgow 9 4.43x
Kilmadock 9 246.58x
Perth Middle Church 8 133.78x
Alva 7 112.36x
Findo Gask 7 1590.91x
Foleshill 6 63.90x
Perth West Church 6 79.58x
Birmingham 5 1.68x
Blairgowrie 5 79.49x
Dollar 5 165.02x
Kinnoull 5 119.62x
Llandaff 5 24.38x
Battersea 4 3.07x
Chorlton On Medlock 4 5.99x
Dunbarney 4 434.78x
Inverarity 4 380.95x
Kirkdale 4 5.66x
Old Kilpatrick 4 35.59x
Old Monkland 4 8.80x
St Pancras London 4 1.40x
Bothwell 3 9.66x
Cambusnethan 3 11.80x
Dundee 3 2.45x
Eddleston 3 344.83x
Kincardine 3 182.93x
Neilston 3 21.77x
South Leith 3 5.62x
Walsall Borough 3 32.33x
Alloa 2 14.10x
Camberwell 2 0.88x
Edinburgh St Marys 2 21.69x
Aberdeen Old Machar 1 1.46x
Aldershot 1 4.11x
Alford 1 55.87x
Buglawton 1 53.19x
Coupar Angus 1 32.26x
Crieff 1 16.92x
Derby St Alkmund 1 6.02x
Everton 1 0.75x
Farnell 1 133.33x
Forgan 1 24.88x
Fossoway 1 64.94x
Fraserburgh 1 10.83x
Lee 1 5.70x
Luton 1 3.15x
Muthill 1 48.31x
Tillicoultry 1 15.36x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 4
William 4
Charles 2
Frederick 2
Thomas 2
Alfred 1
Arthur 1
Edwin 1
James 1
Joseph 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1
Willm.H. 1

Top occupations

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 Mailer households.

FAQ

Mailer surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mailer surname in 1881?

In 1881, 365 people were recorded with the Mailer surname. That placed it at #8,506 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mailer surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 400 in 2016. That gives Mailer a modern rank of #11,879.

What does the Mailer surname mean?

A surname derived from the occupation of a mail maker or armorer.

What does the Mailer map show?

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