NameCensus.

UK surname

Masey

An English surname deriving from the Old English personal name Maese or Mathias.

In the 1881 census there were 221 people recorded with the Masey surname, ranking it #12,049 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 211, ranked #18,904, down from #12,049 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Dover St James, Dover St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Shepway, Bracknell Forest and Leeds.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Masey is 333 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 4.5%.

1881 census count

221

Ranked #12,049

Modern count

211

2016, ranked #18,904

Peak year

1861

333 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Masey had 221 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,049 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 211 in 2016, ranked #18,904.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 333 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Masey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Masey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Masey 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 325 #7,157
1861 historical 333 #7,646
1881 historical 221 #12,049
1891 historical 307 #10,914
1901 historical 256 #12,934
1911 historical 315 #11,050
1997 modern 240 #15,678
1998 modern 231 #16,555
1999 modern 237 #16,360
2000 modern 238 #16,290
2001 modern 225 #16,664
2002 modern 218 #17,338
2003 modern 222 #16,942
2004 modern 221 #17,066
2005 modern 218 #17,170
2006 modern 212 #17,612
2007 modern 211 #17,856
2008 modern 216 #17,758
2009 modern 224 #17,685
2010 modern 222 #18,148
2011 modern 223 #17,940
2012 modern 224 #17,786
2013 modern 217 #18,493
2014 modern 212 #18,945
2015 modern 206 #19,208
2016 modern 211 #18,904

Geography

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Where Maseys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Dover St James, Dover St Mary, Lambeth 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 Shepway, Bracknell Forest, Leeds and Nottingham. 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 London parishes London 3
3 Dover St James, Dover St Mary Kent
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Shepway 012 Shepway
2 Bracknell Forest 007 Bracknell Forest
3 Bracknell Forest 003 Bracknell Forest
4 Leeds 069 Leeds
5 Nottingham 034 Nottingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Masey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Masey

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Masey is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

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

Masey is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Masey 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 Masey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Masey

The surname Masey has its origins in England, with early records indicating the name first appeared in the 12th century. It is believed to be a locational name, derived from a place called Massey in Cheshire. This place name was spelled "Mascy" in the Domesday Book of 1086, showing the surname's Anglo-Saxon roots.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Masey can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire from 1196, which refers to Richard de Massheye. The spelling variations of the name included Mascy, Massey, Massie, and Masey, reflecting regional dialects and preferences of the time.

During the 13th century, the Masey family established themselves as landowners and prominent figures in Cheshire. In 1311, a record mentions Geoffrey de Mascy as a knight serving King Edward II. The family's influence continued to grow, and in the 15th century, Sir John Masey served as the Sheriff of Cheshire under King Henry VI.

Notably, the surname Masey has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such person was Sir Geoffrey Masey (1460-1516), a prominent lawyer and Speaker of the House of Commons during the reign of King Henry VIII. Another was Sir Edward Masey (1590-1675), a Royalist commander during the English Civil War, who fought for King Charles I.

In the 17th century, the Masey family expanded their presence beyond Cheshire. John Masey (1655-1722), a merchant and politician, became the Mayor of Bristol in 1699. His son, Robert Masey (1690-1768), followed in his footsteps and served as the Mayor of Bristol in 1744.

Another notable figure with the surname Masey was Sir Francis Masey (1670-1738), a British naval officer who served as the Governor of Jamaica from 1728 to 1734. He played a significant role in defending the island against the Spanish during the War of Jenkins' Ear.

Throughout the centuries, the Masey surname has been associated with various places and landmarks, such as the Masey Estate in Cheshire and the village of Masey Hampton in Gloucestershire. The name has also been recorded in various spellings, including Massie, Massey, and Massy, reflecting its evolution over time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Masey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Masey 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. Kent leads with 56 Maseys recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.72x.

County Total Index
Kent 56 7.72x
Middlesex 29 1.36x
Surrey 25 2.41x
Somerset 22 6.43x
Sussex 10 2.79x
Glamorgan 9 2.43x
Gloucestershire 9 2.16x
Devon 8 1.81x
Warwickshire 8 1.49x
Hampshire 7 1.61x
Staffordshire 6 0.84x
Wiltshire 5 2.66x
Lancashire 4 0.16x
Oxfordshire 4 3.05x
Shropshire 3 1.63x
Worcestershire 3 1.08x
Berkshire 2 1.25x
Brecknockshire 1 2.35x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.78x
Cornwall 1 0.42x
Cumberland 1 0.55x
Essex 1 0.24x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.35x
Royal Navy 1 3.95x
Yorkshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 18 Maseys recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.71x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 18 9.71x
Dover St Mary Virgin 13 185.19x
New Romney 11 1466.67x
Kensington London 10 8.46x
Dymchurch 7 1750.00x
Portsea 6 7.02x
Wellington 6 129.31x
Woolwich 6 22.39x
Birmingham 5 2.80x
Clevedon 5 140.45x
St Pancras London 5 2.92x
Charlton Kings 4 138.41x
Deal 4 64.62x
Hastings St Michael 4 1538.46x
Llantrisant 4 42.87x
Willenhall 4 29.76x
Aston 3 2.03x
Bedminster 3 9.33x
Bow London 3 11.08x
Cheam 3 270.27x
Chiswick 3 25.82x
Everton 3 3.73x
Headington 3 147.06x
Minster In Sheppey 3 24.96x
Plymouth St Andrew 3 8.80x
Taunton St Mary 3 47.77x
Warnham 3 384.62x
Ashford 2 28.29x
Beckbury 2 833.33x
Bristol St Augustine 2 29.72x
Cheltenham 2 6.22x
East Stonehouse 2 22.94x
Llanfabon 2 103.09x
Maidstone 2 9.26x
Plumstead 2 8.27x
Poplar London 2 4.98x
St George Hanover 2 7.20x
West Bagborough 2 571.43x
West Lavington 2 222.22x
Aberdare 1 3.93x
Aylesbury 1 17.54x
Banbury 1 38.02x
Battersea 1 1.28x
Bradford On Avon 1 16.61x
Brighton 1 1.38x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 1 2.55x
Canterbury St Mary 1 20.53x
Chartham 1 55.25x
Cheriton 1 33.78x
Clewer 1 15.29x
Clive 1 344.83x
Coddington 1 263.16x
Crowcombe 1 312.50x
Devonport 1 19.65x
Ealing 1 5.26x
Folkestone 1 7.11x
Fulham London 1 3.24x
Hastings St Mary 1 11.21x
Holdfast Queenshill 1 769.23x
Hope All Sts 1 5000.00x
Ilminster 1 41.84x
Islington London 1 0.49x
Leyton Low 1 11.72x
Liskeard 1 24.81x
Llanelly 1 19.65x
Lorton 1 344.83x
Lower Mitton 1 40.82x
Marcross 1 2000.00x
Newton Abbot St Mary 1 26.95x
Ottery St Mary 1 34.48x
Putney 1 10.32x
Royal Navy 1 4.62x
Rye 1 29.33x
Sedgley 1 3.75x
Southwark Christchurch 1 10.04x
St Marylebone London 1 0.88x
Swindon 1 6.85x
Thornborough 1 5000.00x
Wantage 1 39.37x
Wolverhampton 1 1.81x

Top female names

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

Name Count
George 9
John 9
Thomas 8
William 8
Alfred 6
Charles 5
Henry 5
Joseph 4
Albert 3
Richard 3
Samuel 3
Walter 3
Arthur 2
Edward 2
Francis 2
Frederick 2
James 2
Robert 2
Wm. 2
Alexandra 1
Alfread 1
Benjamin 1
Clarence 1
David 1
Ellen 1
Harry 1
Job 1
Mark 1
Philip 1
Roland 1
Theophilus 1
Thom.C. 1
Thom.N. 1
Tom 1
Will. 1
Wm.G. 1

FAQ

Masey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Masey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 221 people were recorded with the Masey surname. That placed it at #12,049 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Masey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 211 in 2016. That gives Masey a modern rank of #18,904.

What does the Masey surname mean?

An English surname deriving from the Old English personal name Maese or Mathias.

What does the Masey map show?

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