NameCensus.

UK surname

Mary

An English surname derived from the female given name Mary, meaning "bitter" or "beloved".

In the 1881 census there were 84 people recorded with the Mary surname, ranking it #21,690 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 262, ranked #16,256, up from #21,690 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and St James Clerkenwell. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kensington and Chelsea, Broadland and Ealing.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mary is 1,284 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 211.9%.

1881 census count

84

Ranked #21,690

Modern count

262

2016, ranked #16,256

Peak year

1861

1,284 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mary had 84 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #21,690 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 262 in 2016, ranked #16,256.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,284 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Mary surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mary surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Mary 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 790 #3,376
1861 historical 1,284 #2,219
1881 historical 84 #21,690
1891 historical 483 #7,638
1901 historical 198 #15,213
1911 historical 693 #6,131
1997 modern 119 #24,302
1998 modern 112 #25,856
1999 modern 117 #25,362
2000 modern 74 #30,785
2001 modern 57 #32,275
2002 modern 66 #31,821
2003 modern 77 #30,762
2004 modern 80 #30,679
2005 modern 113 #25,974
2006 modern 108 #27,015
2007 modern 108 #27,391
2008 modern 112 #27,061
2009 modern 134 #24,711
2010 modern 145 #24,031
2011 modern 156 #22,690
2012 modern 181 #20,531
2013 modern 199 #19,584
2014 modern 211 #19,002
2015 modern 229 #17,846
2016 modern 262 #16,256

Geography

Back to top

Where Marys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, St James Clerkenwell and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kensington and Chelsea, Broadland, Ealing and Leeds. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 St James Clerkenwell London (Central Districts)
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kensington and Chelsea 012 Kensington and Chelsea
2 Broadland 006 Broadland
3 Broadland 007 Broadland
4 Ealing 031 Ealing
5 Leeds 024 Leeds

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Mary

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Mary

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Mary surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Mary 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Mary is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mary 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

Mary falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mary 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Mary

The surname Mary is an anglicized form of the French surname Marie, which has its origins in the Hebrew name Miriam or Miryam. This name was derived from the ancient Egyptian word "mer," meaning "beloved." The surname Mary is believed to have first appeared in England during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Mary can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Marye." This entry suggests that the name was already in use in England by the late 11th century. During this time, the name was often associated with individuals who lived near churches or monasteries dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

By the 13th century, the surname Mary had spread to various parts of England, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Oxfordshire. In Yorkshire, the name was often spelled as "Marye" or "Maryee," while in Lincolnshire, it was sometimes written as "Marri" or "Marye." These spelling variations reflect the regional dialects and linguistic influences of the time.

One notable individual with the surname Mary was John Mary (c. 1285-1348), an English scholar and clergyman who served as the Chancellor of the University of Cambridge. Another prominent figure was Sir William Mary (c. 1450-1518), a member of the English gentry and a supporter of the House of Tudor during the Wars of the Roses.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname Mary was associated with several prominent families in England, including the Marys of Cheshire and the Marys of Gloucestershire. These families often held influential positions in local government and contributed to the cultural and economic life of their respective regions.

Among the notable individuals with the surname Mary in later centuries were:

1. Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797), a British writer, philosopher, and advocate of women's rights who authored "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman." 2. Mary Somerville (1780-1872), a Scottish scientist and writer who made significant contributions to the study of mathematics and astronomy. 3. Mary Seacole (1805-1881), a British-Jamaican nurse and entrepreneur who provided care to soldiers during the Crimean War. 4. Mary Cassatt (1844-1926), an American painter and printmaker who was a prominent figure in the Impressionist movement. 5. Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955), an American educator and civil rights activist who founded the Bethune-Cookman University in Florida.

While the surname Mary has its roots in ancient languages and cultures, it has become a part of the rich tapestry of English surnames, reflecting the diverse histories and contributions of individuals who have borne this name throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Mary families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mary 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. Middlesex leads with 21 Marys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.63x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 21 2.63x
Lancashire 7 0.74x
Surrey 6 1.54x
Yorkshire 6 0.76x
Essex 5 3.17x
Midlothian 5 4.67x
Stirlingshire 5 16.95x
Worcestershire 5 4.79x
Warwickshire 4 1.98x
Cornwall 2 2.21x
Derbyshire 2 1.60x
Devon 2 1.20x
Gloucestershire 2 1.27x
Kent 2 0.73x
Buckinghamshire 1 2.07x
Caernarfonshire 1 3.09x
Cheshire 1 0.57x
Durham 1 0.42x
Hampshire 1 0.61x
Pembrokeshire 1 3.93x
Somerset 1 0.78x
Staffordshire 1 0.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Great Little Marsden in Lancashire leads with 5 Marys recorded in 1881 and an index of 114.94x.

Place Total Index
Great Little Marsden 5 114.94x
Paddington London 5 17.00x
St Luke London 5 38.97x
Stirling 5 134.41x
Wanstead 5 180.51x
Aston 4 7.20x
Battersea 4 13.59x
Tenbury 4 701.75x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 3 6.96x
St Marylebone London 3 7.02x
Kensington London 2 4.50x
Middlesbrough 2 19.38x
South Leith 2 16.58x
Staplegate 2 2857.14x
Thirsk 2 219.78x
All Hallows Less 1 10000.00x
Amblecote 1 129.87x
Bethnal Green London 1 2.88x
Bodmin 1 66.67x
Bristol St James St Paul 1 19.12x
Camberwell 1 1.96x
Clifton 1 12.61x
Clynnog 1 227.27x
Croydon 1 4.62x
Dawlish 1 80.65x
Eckington 1 32.89x
Hackney London 1 2.23x
Halifax 1 8.59x
Iver 1 161.29x
Little Sutton 1 416.67x
Liverpool 1 1.73x
Llanycefn 1 1000.00x
Manchester 1 2.34x
Paignton 1 78.74x
Poplar London 1 6.62x
Ratcliffe London 1 22.62x
Redruth 1 39.06x
Ryde 1 28.41x
Sheffield 1 3.96x
Shirland 1 106.38x
St Pancras London 1 1.55x
Wingate 1 61.35x
Witham Friary 1 769.23x
Yardley 1 37.45x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ellen 4
Mary 3
Agnes 2
Amy 2
Elizabeth 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Fanny 2
Harriet 2
Sister 2
Wife 2
Ada 1
Alice 1
Ann 1
Annie 1
Barron 1
Cath. 1
Catherine 1
Charity 1
Charlotte 1
Daur 1
Dorman 1
Edith 1
Ethel 1
Hagar 1
Hannah 1
Helena 1
Jessica 1
Jessie 1
Joha. 1
Keefe 1
Llewelyn 1
Louise 1
Lucy 1
Rachel 1
Sarah 1
Virginia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Joseph 3
George 2
John 2
Thomas 2
William 2
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Ellen 1
Ernest 1
Frances 1
Francis 1
Henry 1
James 1
Josiah 1
Lancelet 1
Marie 1
Mary 1
Vina 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1
Wm.F. 1

FAQ

Mary surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mary surname in 1881?

In 1881, 84 people were recorded with the Mary surname. That placed it at #21,690 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mary surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 262 in 2016. That gives Mary a modern rank of #16,256.

What does the Mary surname mean?

An English surname derived from the female given name Mary, meaning "bitter" or "beloved".

What does the Mary map show?

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