NameCensus.

UK surname

Monro

A surname derived from a Celtic placename referring to a river mouth or coastland.

In the 1881 census there were 624 people recorded with the Monro surname, ranking it #5,666 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 575, ranked #8,995, down from #5,666 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Arbroath and St. Vigeans and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Morningside, West Somerset and Rafford, Dallas, Dyke to Dava.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Monro is 855 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 7.9%.

1881 census count

624

Ranked #5,666

Modern count

575

2016, ranked #8,995

Peak year

1851

855 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Monro had 624 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,666 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 575 in 2016, ranked #8,995.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 855 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Monro surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Monro surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Monro 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 855 #3,181
1861 historical 739 #3,698
1881 historical 624 #5,666
1891 historical 641 #6,051
1901 historical 599 #7,081
1911 historical 273 #12,177
1997 modern 530 #8,911
1998 modern 567 #8,715
1999 modern 576 #8,673
2000 modern 587 #8,532
2001 modern 564 #8,645
2002 modern 573 #8,710
2003 modern 553 #8,802
2004 modern 550 #8,865
2005 modern 538 #8,933
2006 modern 543 #8,903
2007 modern 539 #9,025
2008 modern 550 #8,965
2009 modern 556 #9,093
2010 modern 570 #9,106
2011 modern 560 #9,130
2012 modern 550 #9,167
2013 modern 569 #9,066
2014 modern 569 #9,132
2015 modern 572 #9,036
2016 modern 575 #8,995

Geography

Back to top

Where Monros are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Arbroath and St. Vigeans, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Morningside, West Somerset, Rafford, Dallas, Dyke to Dava, Brechin East and North Leith and Newhaven. 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 Arbroath and St. Vigeans Forfar
3 London parishes London 3
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Morningside City of Edinburgh
2 West Somerset 004 West Somerset
3 Rafford, Dallas, Dyke to Dava Moray
4 Brechin East Angus
5 North Leith and Newhaven City of Edinburgh

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Monro

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Monro

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Monro 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

Monro 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

Monro falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Monro 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
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Monro

The surname Monro has its origins in Scotland, with the earliest records dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Scottish Gaelic words "mòr" meaning "great" and "rudha" meaning "headland" or "promontory". The name likely referred to a person who lived near a prominent headland or cliff.

The earliest known bearer of the name was Robert de Monro, who is mentioned in a charter from around 1170 relating to lands in Fife. The name also appears in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from the 13th century, indicating its established presence in the region.

In the 14th century, the Monro clan held lands in Fowlis, Ross-shire, and played a significant role in the Wars of Scottish Independence. Sir George Monro of Fowlis (c. 1390-1460) was a prominent figure who fought alongside Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

The name Monro has several variations in spelling throughout history, including Munro, Monrow, and Munroe. These variations reflect the regional dialects and evolving spellings over time. The name is also associated with various place names, such as Monroeville and Monroe, which were likely named after individuals bearing the surname.

Other notable individuals with the surname Monro include:

1. Dr. John Monro (1670-1752), a Scottish physician who served as a physician to King George II and Queen Caroline. 2. Henry Monro (1791-1814), a British army officer who served in the Napoleonic Wars and was killed at the Battle of Nivelle. 3. Sir Thomas Monro (1761-1827), a British colonial administrator who served as the Governor of Madras Presidency in India. 4. Hector Monro (1865-1936), a Scottish painter known for his landscapes and portraits. 5. Robert Monro (c. 1570-1635), a Scottish soldier and author who wrote a memoir about his experiences in the Thirty Years' War.

These examples highlight the widespread presence of the Monro surname throughout history, from military leaders and colonial administrators to artists and authors. The name's Scottish origins and association with prominent headlands or cliffs have contributed to its enduring legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Monro families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Monro 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. Angus leads with 85 Monros recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.12x.

County Total Index
Angus 85 15.12x
Aberdeenshire 82 14.59x
Middlesex 75 1.24x
Midlothian 74 9.10x
Perthshire 35 12.85x
Lanarkshire 27 1.38x
Surrey 26 0.88x
Hampshire 22 1.77x
Fife 20 5.57x
Banffshire 18 14.30x
Kincardineshire 16 21.65x
Lancashire 16 0.22x
Bedfordshire 14 4.46x
Clackmannanshire 14 27.94x
Kent 12 0.58x
Berwickshire 11 14.97x
Kinross-shire 8 52.15x
Hertfordshire 7 1.67x
Inverness-shire 7 3.86x
Montgomeryshire 6 4.32x
Warwickshire 5 0.33x
Yorkshire 5 0.08x
Ayrshire 4 0.88x
Devon 4 0.32x
Durham 4 0.22x
Oxfordshire 4 1.07x
Dorset 2 0.50x
Gloucestershire 2 0.17x
Monmouthshire 2 0.46x
Ross-shire 2 1.20x
Anglesey 1 0.93x
Cheshire 1 0.07x
Derbyshire 1 0.11x
Herefordshire 1 0.40x
Leicestershire 1 0.15x
Norfolk 1 0.11x
Renfrewshire 1 0.21x
Royal Navy 1 1.38x
Selkirkshire 1 1.82x
Somerset 1 0.10x
Sussex 1 0.10x
Westmorland 1 0.75x
Worcestershire 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 43 Monros recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.15x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 43 13.15x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 39 37.10x
Aberdeen Old Machar 28 23.87x
Montrose 21 61.64x
Govan 18 3.71x
Arbroath 16 85.88x
Tillicoultry 14 125.56x
Dundee 12 5.72x
Lambeth 12 2.27x
South Leith 12 13.12x
Glenbervie 11 544.55x
Grange 11 298.91x
Auchterarder 10 131.58x
Brechin 10 45.27x
Rattray 10 157.73x
Hampstead London 9 9.52x
Fraserburgh 8 50.57x
Hornsey 8 10.43x
Kinross 8 152.09x
Alyth 7 95.50x
Bedford St Mary 7 86.53x
Luton 7 12.87x
St Albans St Michael 7 149.89x
St George Hanover 7 8.84x
St Marylebone London 7 2.16x
St Vigeans 7 23.07x
Banff 6 54.89x
Bonchurch 6 428.57x
Ceres 6 138.89x
Clerkenwell London 6 4.19x
Croydon 6 3.66x
Edrom 6 190.48x
Glencorse 6 192.31x
Greenwich 6 6.21x
Islington London 6 1.02x
Kilmuir 6 112.57x
Liverpool 6 1.37x
Newtown 6 67.49x
Toxteth Park 6 2.46x
Barony 5 1.01x
Cupar 5 32.01x
Harefield 5 160.26x
Harrow On The Hill 5 41.25x
Lauder 5 123.15x
Menmuir 5 318.47x
Monifieth 5 25.18x
Portsea 5 2.05x
Willesden 5 8.74x
Christchurch 4 14.83x
Edinburgh Greenside 4 37.24x
Edinburgh St Marys 4 25.32x
Fetteresso 4 34.54x
Paddington London 4 1.79x
St Andrews 4 24.48x
St Pancras London 4 0.82x
Birmingham 3 0.59x
Bow London 3 3.88x
Camberwell 3 0.77x
Dunfermline 3 5.43x
Heworth 3 8.43x
Holdenhurst 3 9.20x
Ilfracombe 3 23.08x
Lee 3 9.98x
Newhills 3 26.06x
Oxford St Giles 3 16.78x
Aston 2 0.47x
Blairgowrie 2 18.57x
Bromley 2 6.34x
Colton 2 952.38x
Fearn 2 45.05x
Forfar 2 6.57x
Glasgow 2 0.57x
Liff Benvie 2 2.34x
Logie 2 20.47x
Monken Hadley 2 82.30x
Mynyddyslwyn 2 11.56x
New Monkland 2 3.45x
Owslebury 2 113.64x
Parkstone 2 43.01x
Putney 2 7.23x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 14
Elizabeth 11
Helen 5
Janet 5
Margaret 5
Sarah 5
Agnes 4
Annie 4
Frances 4
Eliza 3
Fanny 3
Jessie 3
Alice 2
Amelia 2
Catherine 2
Edith 2
Emily 2
Harriet 2
Kate 2
Louisa 2
Maria 2
Marian 2
Rebecca 2
Rhoda 2
Wilhelmina 2
Anne 1
Arabel 1
Beatrice 1
Caroline 1
Catherin 1
Charlotte 1
Chrispin 1
Eda 1
Eliz. 1
Emely 1
Emma 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Eugene 1
Euphemia 1
Georgina 1
Isabella 1
Jane 1
Jean 1
Jenett 1
Lucy 1
M. 1
Marion 1
Maynard 1
Penelope 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 11
Charles 8
George 6
James 6
Robert 6
John 5
Alexander 3
Hector 3
Henry 3
Colin 2
Edward 2
Frederic 2
Thomas 2
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Archibald 1
Campbell 1
Cecil 1
Chares 1
Chas 1
Chas.J. 1
David 1
Donald 1
Edwin 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Frederk. 1
Fredrick 1
Heeton 1
Horice 1
Hugh 1
Joseph 1
Kenneth 1
Mordaunt 1
Patrick 1
Percy 1
Russell 1
Samuel 1
Seymour 1
Stanley 1
Theodore 1
Tregonwell 1

FAQ

Monro surname: questions and answers

How common was the Monro surname in 1881?

In 1881, 624 people were recorded with the Monro surname. That placed it at #5,666 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Monro surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 575 in 2016. That gives Monro a modern rank of #8,995.

What does the Monro surname mean?

A surname derived from a Celtic placename referring to a river mouth or coastland.

What does the Monro map show?

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