NameCensus.

UK surname

Marais

A surname of French origin meaning "marsh" or "swamp."

In the 1881 census there were 6 people recorded with the Marais surname, ranking it #32,926 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 327, ranked #13,868, up from #32,926 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hart, Sefton and Kensington and Chelsea.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Marais is 327 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5350.0%.

1881 census count

6

Ranked #32,926

Modern count

327

2016, ranked #13,868

Peak year

2016

327 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Marais had 6 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,926 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 327 in 2016, ranked #13,868.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 12 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Marais surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Marais surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Marais 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
1861 historical 12 #32,329
1881 historical 6 #32,926
1891 historical 6 #33,800
1901 historical 12 #32,772
1911 historical 10 #32,609
1997 modern 106 #26,057
1998 modern 126 #24,094
1999 modern 130 #23,805
2000 modern 142 #22,544
2001 modern 151 #21,375
2002 modern 204 #18,062
2003 modern 227 #16,718
2004 modern 228 #16,723
2005 modern 270 #14,822
2006 modern 266 #15,076
2007 modern 276 #14,855
2008 modern 293 #14,364
2009 modern 301 #14,386
2010 modern 323 #14,005
2011 modern 311 #14,260
2012 modern 314 #14,063
2013 modern 310 #14,403
2014 modern 318 #14,246
2015 modern 325 #13,927
2016 modern 327 #13,868

Geography

Back to top

Where Marais' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hart, Sefton, Kensington and Chelsea, Poole and Bromley. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hart 006 Hart
2 Sefton 035 Sefton
3 Kensington and Chelsea 013 Kensington and Chelsea
4 Poole 011 Poole
5 Bromley 037 Bromley

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Marais

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Marais

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Marais surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Marais 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Marais 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

Marais is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Marais falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Marais 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Marais

The surname Marais has its origins in France and dates back to the early medieval period. It is derived from the French word "marais," which means "marsh" or "swamp." This suggests that the name was originally given to someone who lived near or worked in a marshy area.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in various historical records from the 13th and 14th centuries. For example, the name appears in the records of the French provinces of Normandy and Brittany, where it was likely used to identify individuals residing in or near swampy regions.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname was Jean Marais, a French nobleman and military commander who lived in the 14th century. He was a prominent figure during the Hundred Years' War and played a significant role in several battles against the English forces.

Another notable figure with the surname Marais was Pierre Marais, a French architect who lived in the 17th century. He is best known for his work on the Château de Versailles, where he contributed to the design and construction of several buildings and gardens.

In the 18th century, Jean-Baptiste Marais was a French composer and organist who made significant contributions to the genre of French Baroque music. He is particularly renowned for his compositions for the organ and his work as an organist at various churches in Paris.

During the 19th century, the surname Marais was also prominent in literature. Eugène Marais was a South African writer, poet, and naturalist who is considered one of the pioneers of Afrikaans literature. He is best known for his collection of short stories titled "Die Siel van die Mier" (The Soul of the Ant).

Another notable bearer of the surname was Jean-Paul Marais, a French actor and director who gained international recognition in the mid-20th century. He starred in several acclaimed films, including Jean Cocteau's "Beauty and the Beast" (1946) and "Orpheus" (1950).

While the surname Marais has its origins in France, it has since spread to various parts of the world, particularly to regions with French influence or colonial history, such as Canada, South Africa, and parts of the Caribbean.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Marais families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Marais 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. Channel Islands leads with 13 Marais' recorded in 1881 and an index of 236.79x.

County Total Index
Channel Islands 13 236.79x
Sussex 2 6.40x
Essex 1 2.74x
Middlesex 1 0.54x
Midlothian 1 4.03x
Somerset 1 3.35x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Grouville in Channel Islands leads with 6 Marais' recorded in 1881 and an index of 4000.00x.

Place Total Index
Grouville 6 4000.00x
St Saviour 4 1333.33x
St Clement 2 2500.00x
Beckington 1 1666.67x
Dagenham 1 454.55x
Eastbourne 1 69.44x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 10.02x
Rye 1 333.33x
St Martin 1 294.12x
St Marylebone London 1 10.11x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Madeline 2
Eliza 1
Elizabeth 1
Elizth. 1
Jane 1
Louisa 1
Lucie 1
Marguerite 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 3
Joseph 2
Francis 1
Frederick 1
George 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 Marais households.

FAQ

Marais surname: questions and answers

How common was the Marais surname in 1881?

In 1881, 6 people were recorded with the Marais surname. That placed it at #32,926 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Marais surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 327 in 2016. That gives Marais a modern rank of #13,868.

What does the Marais surname mean?

A surname of French origin meaning "marsh" or "swamp."

What does the Marais map show?

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