UK surname
An English surname derived from the medieval French name "Mavis", meaning "song thrush".
In the 1881 census there were 38 people recorded with the Mavis surname, ranking it #28,285 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 42, ranked #35,336, down from #28,285 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wigton, London parishes and St Werburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mavis is 153 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 10.5%.
1881 census count
38
Ranked #28,285
Modern count
42
2016, ranked #35,336
Peak year
1861
153 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mavis surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mavis surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 28 | #28,274 |
| 1861 | historical | 153 | #15,032 |
| 1881 | historical | 38 | #28,285 |
| 1891 | historical | 57 | #29,533 |
| 1901 | historical | 47 | #28,929 |
| 1911 | historical | 37 | #29,263 |
| 1997 | modern | 39 | #33,759 |
| 1998 | modern | 33 | #34,532 |
| 1999 | modern | 34 | #34,528 |
| 2000 | modern | 29 | #34,976 |
| 2001 | modern | 28 | #34,936 |
| 2002 | modern | 27 | #35,243 |
| 2003 | modern | 30 | #35,046 |
| 2004 | modern | 28 | #35,354 |
| 2005 | modern | 30 | #35,347 |
| 2006 | modern | 30 | #35,526 |
| 2007 | modern | 26 | #35,932 |
| 2008 | modern | 24 | #36,148 |
| 2009 | modern | 30 | #35,871 |
| 2010 | modern | 33 | #35,794 |
| 2011 | modern | 35 | #35,659 |
| 2012 | modern | 33 | #35,767 |
| 2013 | modern | 41 | #35,384 |
| 2014 | modern | 43 | #35,293 |
| 2015 | modern | 43 | #35,269 |
| 2016 | modern | 42 | #35,336 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wigton, London parishes, St Werburgh, Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory and Westward. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wigton | Cumberland |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | St Werburgh | Derbyshire |
| 4 | Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory | Northamptonshire |
| 5 | Westward | Cumberland |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mavis surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mavis, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Mavis surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mavis household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Mavis is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mavis is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mavis, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Mavis is of English origin and can be traced back to the late 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "mauvis," which means "a song thrush." This bird's name was likely adopted as a nickname for someone who had a melodious voice or enjoyed singing.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Mavis can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Berkshire in 1195, where it appears as "Mauvis." This ancient record of financial accounts and feudal obligations provides valuable insight into the prevalence of the name during the medieval period in England.
In the 13th century, the name Mavis began to appear in various forms, such as "Mavys" and "Maveys," reflecting the variations in spelling that were common in those times. One notable individual from this era was John Mavys, who was mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire in 1279.
By the 14th century, the surname had evolved closer to its modern spelling, with examples like "Mavyse" and "Mavisse" found in historical records. During this time, the name Mavis was also associated with certain place names, such as Mavis Enderby in Lincolnshire, which was recorded in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1334.
In the 16th century, the renowned English poet and playwright William Shakespeare included the name Mavis in his play "Hamlet," where it was used as a term of endearment for a sweetheart. This literary reference further solidified the name's association with the songbird and its melodious qualities.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Mavis. One such person was Andrew Mavis (1759-1824), a Scottish poet and songwriter known for his works in the Scots language. Another was Sylvester Mavis (1880-1956), an American baseball player who played for the Brooklyn Superbas in the early 20th century.
Other examples include Edna Mavis (1887-1966), an American stage and film actress active during the silent film era, and Alicia Mavis (1921-2009), a Spanish painter and sculptor renowned for her abstract and figurative works.
While the surname Mavis is not among the most common in modern times, its rich history and connection to the melodious songbird have endured, providing a unique legacy for those who bear this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mavis surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Durham leads with 14 Mavis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.70x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Durham | 14 | 12.70x |
| Cumberland | 10 | 31.36x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.91x |
| Westmorland | 4 | 49.14x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 1.22x |
| Devon | 1 | 1.30x |
| Essex | 1 | 1.37x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1.32x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.27x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.55x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hedworth Monkton Jarrow in Durham leads with 13 Mavis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 272.54x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hedworth Monkton Jarrow | 13 | 272.54x |
| Kirkoswald | 6 | 7500.00x |
| Liverpool | 4 | 14.98x |
| Lowther | 4 | 6666.67x |
| Westward | 3 | 2307.69x |
| Birkenhead | 1 | 15.34x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 4.23x |
| Carisbrooke | 1 | 95.24x |
| Elvet | 1 | 125.00x |
| Exeter St Kerrian | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 4.86x |
| St Mary Within | 1 | 250.00x |
| West Ham | 1 | 6.20x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mavis surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Mavis surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Mavis households.
FAQ
In 1881, 38 people were recorded with the Mavis surname. That placed it at #28,285 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 42 in 2016. That gives Mavis a modern rank of #35,336.
An English surname derived from the medieval French name "Mavis", meaning "song thrush".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mavis bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.