NameCensus.

UK surname

Maze

An English occupational surname for a harvester or reaper of corn, derived from the Old English "mæd".

In the 1881 census there were 68 people recorded with the Maze surname, ranking it #23,950 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 106, ranked #29,927, down from #23,950 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Reading, Broomhouse and Bankhead and Aylesbury Vale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Maze is 112 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 55.9%.

1881 census count

68

Ranked #23,950

Modern count

106

2016, ranked #29,927

Peak year

2014

112 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Maze had 68 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #23,950 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 106 in 2016, ranked #29,927.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 68 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Maze surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Maze surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Maze 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 39 #26,319
1861 historical 42 #28,691
1881 historical 68 #23,950
1891 historical 32 #31,754
1901 historical 66 #26,794
1911 historical 47 #28,110
1997 modern 61 #31,526
1998 modern 77 #30,289
1999 modern 78 #30,327
2000 modern 82 #29,922
2001 modern 78 #30,168
2002 modern 83 #30,070
2003 modern 82 #30,206
2004 modern 82 #30,468
2005 modern 88 #29,831
2006 modern 82 #30,933
2007 modern 81 #31,408
2008 modern 88 #30,857
2009 modern 96 #30,239
2010 modern 103 #29,780
2011 modern 100 #30,058
2012 modern 97 #30,798
2013 modern 107 #29,561
2014 modern 112 #28,934
2015 modern 112 #28,809
2016 modern 106 #29,927

Geography

Back to top

Where Mazes 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 Reading, Broomhouse and Bankhead and Aylesbury Vale. 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 Reading 018 Reading
2 Reading 017 Reading
3 Reading 006 Reading
4 Broomhouse and Bankhead City of Edinburgh
5 Aylesbury Vale 006 Aylesbury Vale

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Maze

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Maze

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

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Maze surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Maze household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Maze 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

Maze 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

Maze falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Maze 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 Maze, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Maze

The surname "MAZE" originates from England, with records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "maese," meaning "meadow" or "pasture." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near or owned a meadow.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is spelled "Mace." This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, was a survey of land and resources in England and provides valuable insight into the names and locations of people during that time.

As the name evolved, it took on various spellings, such as "Mays," "Mayes," and "Mase," before settling on the modern spelling of "MAZE." These variations were likely influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of individuals or scribes who recorded the names.

In the 13th century, the name "MAZE" appeared in several historical records, including the Curia Regis Rolls of 1216, which documented legal proceedings in England. This suggests that the name was well-established and had spread throughout different regions of the country by that time.

One notable bearer of the name was Sir John Maze (c. 1350-1419), a prominent English landowner and military commander during the Hundred Years' War. He served under King Henry V and participated in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, where the English achieved a remarkable victory against the French.

Another individual of note was Thomas Maze (1529-1589), an English churchman who served as the Bishop of Ely from 1581 until his death. He was known for his support of Protestant reforms during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

In the 17th century, the name "MAZE" was associated with several place names in England, such as Maze Hill in London and Maze Pond in Southwark. These locations may have been named after individuals with the surname or could have influenced the surname's development.

John Maze (1683-1744) was a notable English architect and surveyor who is credited with designing several churches and public buildings in London, including St. Mary's Church in Whitechapel.

During the 19th century, the name "MAZE" gained prominence in other parts of the world, including the United States. One example is Samuel Maze (1804-1878), an American Methodist minister and educator who served as the president of several educational institutions, including Indiana Asbury University (now DePauw University).

Overall, the surname "MAZE" has a rich history that spans centuries and reflects the linguistic and cultural diversity of England. Its evolution and spread across different regions and continents demonstrate the enduring legacy of this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Maze families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Maze 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. Surrey leads with 16 Mazes recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.10x.

County Total Index
Surrey 16 5.10x
Middlesex 14 2.18x
Kent 9 4.10x
Berkshire 7 14.49x
Lancashire 7 0.92x
Durham 4 2.09x
Cambridgeshire 3 7.36x
Sussex 2 1.84x
Yorkshire 2 0.31x
Gloucestershire 1 0.79x
Northamptonshire 1 1.65x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bidborough in Kent leads with 8 Mazes recorded in 1881 and an index of 13333.33x.

Place Total Index
Bidborough 8 13333.33x
Lambeth 8 14.26x
St Bride London 8 2162.16x
Barrow In Furness 7 67.37x
Reading St Giles 7 147.68x
Battersea 5 21.11x
Iveston 4 454.55x
Brighton 2 9.14x
Ewell 2 303.03x
Melbourn 2 500.00x
Shoreditch London 2 7.17x
Bristol St James In 1 53.76x
Dover St Mary Virgin 1 46.95x
Egham 1 51.81x
Fen Ditton 1 666.67x
Harrow 1 102.04x
Holy Trinity 1 6.52x
Newington 1 56.82x
Pinner 1 178.57x
Poplar London 1 8.23x
St Marylebone London 1 2.91x
Stanwick 1 714.29x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Charles 4
John 4
Alexander 2
George 2
Henry 2
William 2
Alfred 1
Douglas 1
Edward 1
Freddie 1
James 1
Louis 1
Robert 1
Saml. 1
Sydney 1
Thomas 1

FAQ

Maze surname: questions and answers

How common was the Maze surname in 1881?

In 1881, 68 people were recorded with the Maze surname. That placed it at #23,950 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Maze surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 106 in 2016. That gives Maze a modern rank of #29,927.

What does the Maze surname mean?

An English occupational surname for a harvester or reaper of corn, derived from the Old English "mæd".

What does the Maze map show?

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