NameCensus.

UK surname

Massey

From the Old French word "macé," an occupational surname for someone who made or sold maces and other weapons.

In the 1881 census there were 7,642 people recorded with the Massey surname, ranking it #558 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 10,643, ranked #608, down from #558 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Stockport, London parishes and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester and Trafford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Massey is 11,167 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 39.3%.

1881 census count

7,642

Ranked #558

Modern count

10,643

2016, ranked #608

Peak year

1999

11,167 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Massey had 7,642 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #558 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 10,643 in 2016, ranked #608.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 10,333 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Massey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Massey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Massey 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 4,466 #634
1861 historical 3,812 #735
1881 historical 7,642 #558
1891 historical 7,735 #575
1901 historical 9,530 #550
1911 historical 10,333 #474
1997 modern 10,417 #595
1998 modern 11,093 #581
1999 modern 11,167 #578
2000 modern 11,117 #578
2001 modern 10,875 #576
2002 modern 11,036 #581
2003 modern 10,760 #585
2004 modern 10,714 #584
2005 modern 10,435 #594
2006 modern 10,488 #591
2007 modern 10,514 #594
2008 modern 10,551 #598
2009 modern 10,763 #600
2010 modern 10,994 #603
2011 modern 10,917 #598
2012 modern 10,765 #597
2013 modern 10,926 #597
2014 modern 10,937 #598
2015 modern 10,782 #602
2016 modern 10,643 #608

Geography

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Where Masseys are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Trafford and Redcar and Cleveland. 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 Stockport Cheshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Warrington Lancashire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cheshire East 020 Cheshire East
2 Cheshire West and Chester 017 Cheshire West and Chester
3 Trafford 017 Trafford
4 Cheshire East 018 Cheshire East
5 Redcar and Cleveland 022 Redcar and Cleveland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Massey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Massey

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Massey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Massey 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Massey is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Massey is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Massey falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Massey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Massey

The surname Massey originated in Normandy, France, during the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old French word "massie," meaning a large estate or manor. It is believed that the name was initially given to someone who lived or worked on such an estate.

The earliest recorded instances of the Massey surname can be found in various historical records from the 11th and 12th centuries. One notable mention is in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror.

During the Middle Ages, the Massey family established themselves in several regions of England, particularly in Cheshire, Lancashire, and Yorkshire. The name was also associated with various place names, such as Massey in Cheshire and Massingham in Norfolk.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Massey surname was Hamo de Mascy, who lived in the 12th century and was a prominent landowner in Cheshire. Another notable figure was Sir Geoffrey Massey (c. 1275-1349), who served as a knight and fought in the Scottish Wars of Independence.

In the 15th century, the Massey family gained further prominence with the rise of John Massey (c. 1415-1499), a Member of Parliament and Speaker of the House of Commons during the reign of King Henry VI. He was also involved in the Wars of the Roses and played a significant role in the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471.

During the Tudor period, the Masseys continued to hold influential positions. Sir Reginald Massey (c. 1520-1586) was a prominent courtier and served as a member of the Privy Council under Queen Elizabeth I. His son, Sir George Massey (c. 1550-1612), was a successful military commander and served as the Governor of Flushing in the Netherlands.

In the 17th century, Edward Massey (c. 1619-1674) was a notable Parliamentarian soldier during the English Civil War. He played a crucial role in the defense of Gloucester against the Royalist forces and later became the governor of the city.

The Massey surname has also been associated with various notable individuals in more recent history, such as the British philosopher John Massey (1892-1987) and the American actress Anna Massey (1937-2011).

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Massey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Massey 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. Lancashire leads with 2,330 Masseys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.63x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 2,330 2.63x
Cheshire 1,008 6.11x
Staffordshire 808 3.20x
Middlesex 523 0.70x
Yorkshire 472 0.64x
Derbyshire 250 2.14x
Surrey 220 0.60x
Shropshire 212 3.28x
Worcestershire 191 1.96x
Nottinghamshire 171 1.70x
Warwickshire 155 0.82x
Leicestershire 129 1.56x
Oxfordshire 126 2.73x
Lincolnshire 94 0.79x
Durham 87 0.39x
Lanarkshire 77 0.32x
Essex 68 0.46x
Buckinghamshire 67 1.48x
Devon 53 0.34x
Kent 51 0.20x
Cambridgeshire 41 0.87x
Gloucestershire 40 0.27x
Northumberland 40 0.36x
Hampshire 37 0.24x
Denbighshire 34 1.20x
Bedfordshire 30 0.78x
Sussex 27 0.21x
Flintshire 26 1.29x
Hertfordshire 26 0.50x
Wiltshire 24 0.36x
Cumberland 21 0.33x
Somerset 20 0.17x
Midlothian 19 0.19x
Berkshire 18 0.32x
Herefordshire 18 0.59x
Northamptonshire 18 0.26x
Norfolk 17 0.15x
Cardiganshire 10 0.55x
Channel Islands 10 0.45x
Glamorgan 10 0.08x
Cornwall 8 0.09x
Suffolk 7 0.08x
Aberdeenshire 6 0.09x
Angus 6 0.09x
Monmouthshire 6 0.11x
Pembrokeshire 6 0.25x
Perthshire 6 0.18x
Royal Navy 6 0.67x
Radnorshire 5 0.83x
Montgomeryshire 4 0.23x
Renfrewshire 4 0.07x
Huntingdonshire 3 0.20x
Merionethshire 3 0.22x
Ayrshire 2 0.04x
Westmorland 2 0.12x
Anglesey 1 0.08x
Argyllshire 1 0.05x
Dorset 1 0.02x
Fife 1 0.02x
Roxburghshire 1 0.07x
Wigtownshire 1 0.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Manchester in Lancashire leads with 194 Masseys recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.87x.

Place Total Index
Manchester 194 4.87x
Warrington 181 17.22x
Stoke Upon Trent 140 5.24x
Salford 128 4.91x
Heaton Norris 89 17.64x
Toxteth Park 81 2.70x
Macclesfield 77 10.51x
Birmingham 75 1.19x
Dudley 72 6.07x
Hulme 64 3.46x
Radcliffe 63 14.74x
Oldham 62 2.17x
West Derby 61 2.35x
Pendleton In Salford 59 5.59x
Camberwell 56 1.17x
Stretford 56 11.48x
Liverpool 55 1.02x
Stockport 52 6.13x
Wolverhampton 52 2.68x
Dukinfield 49 6.43x
Everton 48 1.70x
Church Gresley 47 25.26x
Lambeth 45 0.69x
Runcorn 45 11.84x
Farnworth 44 8.28x
Nottingham St Mary 40 1.54x
Preston 40 1.69x
Great Bolton 39 3.32x
Barton Upon Irwell 38 5.69x
Islington London 37 0.51x
Wolstanton 37 4.83x
Hackney London 35 0.84x
Leeds 34 0.81x
Sedgley 34 3.63x
Hunslet 33 2.86x
Ipstones 33 91.08x
Tipton 32 4.14x
Aston 31 0.60x
Beswick 31 13.68x
Newcastle Under Lyme 31 6.95x
Launton 30 196.85x
Willenhall 30 6.35x
Kensington London 29 0.70x
Markfield 29 70.61x
Monks Coppenhall 29 4.66x
Ardwick 28 3.50x
Newton In Makerfield 28 10.32x
Bethnal Green London 27 0.83x
Bicester Market End 27 31.87x
Govan 27 0.45x
Sale 27 13.35x
Burslem 26 3.60x
Glassford 26 69.84x
Gorton 25 3.00x
Habergham Eaves 25 3.09x
Little Bolton 25 2.19x
Openshaw 25 6.02x
St Pancras London 25 0.42x
Ruabon 24 6.19x
St George Hanover 24 2.46x
St Marylebone London 24 0.60x
Ashton Under Lyne 23 1.19x
Cheadle 23 7.30x
Chelsea London 23 1.02x
Hawarden 23 14.58x
Withington 23 8.05x
Chorlton On Medlock 22 1.56x
Hugglescote 22 18.06x
Bromley London 21 1.28x
Eccleston In Prescot 21 4.72x
Marton In Prestbury 21 266.50x
Selston 21 18.67x
Shoreditch London 21 0.65x
West Bromwich 21 1.45x
Woolston With 21 162.92x
Cannock 20 4.55x
Cheadle 20 16.51x
Walsall Foreign 20 1.54x
Brampton 19 11.62x
Oldbury 19 3.96x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 575
Elizabeth 332
Sarah 321
Ann 172
Jane 149
Annie 126
Emma 112
Ellen 111
Eliza 106
Martha 106
Hannah 104
Margaret 102
Alice 100
Emily 66
Harriet 57
Fanny 45
Louisa 39
Edith 38
Caroline 36
Charlotte 36
Catherine 35
Maria 35
Lucy 34
Ada 33
Frances 32
Florence 27
Agnes 24
Amelia 22
Anne 22
Isabella 22
Elizth. 21
Esther 21
Rebecca 21
Clara 20
Matilda 17
Susan 17
Gertrude 16
Amy 15
Harriett 15
Kate 15
Julia 14
Lizzie 14
Rose 13
Eleanor 12
Ethel 12
Nancy 12
Selina 12
Betsy 11
Minnie 11
Sophia 11

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 493
John 487
Thomas 294
James 281
George 194
Joseph 185
Charles 141
Henry 130
Samuel 104
Richard 86
Edward 77
Arthur 72
Alfred 66
Frederick 55
Robert 51
Albert 45
David 38
Daniel 37
Walter 37
Peter 34
Harry 32
Francis 28
Herbert 27
Edwin 26
Ernest 26
Frank 26
Benjamin 23
Wm. 20
Isaac 19
Fred 15
Stephen 13
Hugh 12
Thos. 11
Matthew 10
Ralph 10
Harold 9
Josiah 9
Tom 9
Enoch 8
Geo. 8
Richd. 7
Bernard 6
Elijah 6
Fredk. 6
Chas. 5
Eli 5
Mark 5
Percy 5
Willie 5
Godfrey 4

FAQ

Massey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Massey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 7,642 people were recorded with the Massey surname. That placed it at #558 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Massey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 10,643 in 2016. That gives Massey a modern rank of #608.

What does the Massey surname mean?

From the Old French word "macé," an occupational surname for someone who made or sold maces and other weapons.

What does the Massey map show?

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