NameCensus.

UK surname

Naish

An English surname derived from the Middle English word nesh meaning "soft" or "tender".

In the 1881 census there were 1,067 people recorded with the Naish surname, ranking it #3,704 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,002, ranked #5,796, down from #3,704 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, St James and St Paul and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Reading, South Gloucestershire and Wokingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Naish is 1,306 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 6.1%.

1881 census count

1,067

Ranked #3,704

Modern count

1,002

2016, ranked #5,796

Peak year

1901

1,306 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Naish had 1,067 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,704 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,002 in 2016, ranked #5,796.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,306 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Naish surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Naish surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Naish 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 1,081 #2,600
1861 historical 801 #3,429
1881 historical 1,067 #3,704
1891 historical 1,136 #3,747
1901 historical 1,306 #3,825
1911 historical 1,263 #3,766
1997 modern 1,045 #5,290
1998 modern 1,125 #5,153
1999 modern 1,122 #5,210
2000 modern 1,108 #5,239
2001 modern 1,064 #5,313
2002 modern 1,074 #5,375
2003 modern 1,045 #5,398
2004 modern 1,039 #5,437
2005 modern 1,014 #5,484
2006 modern 1,017 #5,482
2007 modern 1,023 #5,508
2008 modern 1,023 #5,542
2009 modern 1,038 #5,602
2010 modern 1,044 #5,673
2011 modern 1,031 #5,678
2012 modern 1,035 #5,582
2013 modern 1,037 #5,672
2014 modern 1,032 #5,710
2015 modern 1,014 #5,743
2016 modern 1,002 #5,796

Geography

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Where Naishs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, St James and St Paul, London parishes, St Philip and Jacob and St Pancras. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Reading, South Gloucestershire and Wokingham. 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 St James and St Paul Gloucestershire
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Philip and Jacob Gloucestershire
5 St Pancras London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Reading 015 Reading
2 South Gloucestershire 030 South Gloucestershire
3 South Gloucestershire 003 South Gloucestershire
4 South Gloucestershire 032 South Gloucestershire
5 Wokingham 012 Wokingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Naish

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Naish

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Naish 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

Naish is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Naish 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 Naish 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 Naish, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Naish

The surname NAISH is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English word "næss" meaning "headland" or "promontory". The name likely originated in England, specifically in areas near coastlines or cliffs, indicating that the earliest bearers of this surname lived near such geographic features.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the NAISH surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Naisse". This early spelling variation suggests that the name had already been established in parts of England by the time of the Norman Conquest.

During the Middle Ages, the NAISH surname was particularly prevalent in the counties of Hampshire, Somerset, and Devon, which were home to numerous coastal settlements and villages. It is believed that some of the earliest recorded NAISH families hailed from these regions.

In the 13th century, a prominent figure named William NAISH served as the Sheriff of Somerset during the reign of King Edward I. Records from this period also mention a John NAISH, who held lands in the village of Nailsea, Somerset, derived from the Old English "Næsse" and "eg" meaning "island".

Sir Robert NAISH (1563-1641), a distinguished English lawyer and politician, served as the Recorder of Bristol and a Member of Parliament during the early 17th century. He played a significant role in the establishment of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in New England.

Another notable bearer of the NAISH surname was Reverend Thomas NAISH (1720-1787), an influential Anglican clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Sutton-upon-Trent in Nottinghamshire.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the NAISH surname spread across various parts of England, with families settling in counties such as Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Warwickshire. The name also gained prominence in the United States, particularly in the New England region, where descendants of early English settlers established themselves.

One of the most renowned figures with the NAISH surname was Admiral Sir Michael NAISH (1857-1940), a highly decorated British naval officer who played a crucial role in the First World War. He served as the Commander-in-Chief of the British East Indies Station and was awarded the prestigious Order of the Bath for his distinguished service.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Naish families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Naish 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. Somerset leads with 213 Naishs recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.67x.

County Total Index
Somerset 213 12.67x
Gloucestershire 175 8.54x
Wiltshire 172 18.62x
Middlesex 168 1.61x
Berkshire 69 8.80x
Hampshire 45 2.10x
Surrey 44 0.86x
Monmouthshire 25 3.31x
Lancashire 18 0.15x
Oxfordshire 16 2.48x
Staffordshire 16 0.45x
Sussex 13 0.74x
Worcestershire 13 0.95x
Warwickshire 12 0.46x
Kent 11 0.31x
Glamorgan 9 0.49x
Nottinghamshire 7 0.50x
Derbyshire 6 0.37x
Dorset 6 0.88x
Bedfordshire 5 0.92x
Essex 5 0.24x
Huntingdonshire 4 1.93x
Leicestershire 4 0.35x
Devon 3 0.14x
Hertfordshire 3 0.42x
Royal Navy 2 1.61x
Angus 1 0.10x
Cardiganshire 1 0.39x
Durham 1 0.03x
Fife 1 0.16x
Lanarkshire 1 0.03x
Lincolnshire 1 0.06x
Yorkshire 1 0.01x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bristol St James St Paul in Gloucestershire leads with 53 Naishs recorded in 1881 and an index of 77.58x.

Place Total Index
Bristol St James St Paul 53 77.58x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 39 20.22x
Midsomer Norton 29 183.08x
St Pancras London 27 3.21x
Great Cheverell 20 1388.89x
Salisbury St Edmund 20 134.86x
West Pennard 20 740.74x
Seavington St Mary 19 1743.12x
Bedminster 18 11.39x
Clifton 16 15.45x
Edmonton 16 19.01x
Richmond 16 22.43x
Pewsey 15 220.91x
West Swallowfield 15 403.23x
Bethnal Green London 14 3.08x
Lambeth 14 1.54x
Portsea 14 3.34x
Shoreditch London 14 3.09x
Berkley 12 1034.48x
Claines 11 29.38x
Frome 11 27.35x
Norton Canes 11 85.60x
Bristol St George 10 10.55x
Bristol St James In 10 33.19x
Bristol St Paul In 10 18.32x
Castle Cary 10 136.43x
Hampstead London 10 6.15x
Mynyddyslwyn 10 33.57x
Sanford On Thames 10 877.19x
Bradford On Avon 9 30.43x
Bristol St Augustine 9 27.22x
Chitterne All Sts 9 584.42x
Clevedon 9 51.46x
Denton 9 32.76x
St George Hanover 9 6.60x
Trowbridge 9 22.04x
Twickenham 9 20.09x
Westbury On Trym 9 12.96x
Wilton 9 137.83x
Chelsea London 8 2.54x
Etchilhampton 8 1333.33x
Kensington London 8 1.38x
Mile End Old Town 8 4.85x
Wallingford St Mary Le 8 180.59x
Broadwater 7 17.33x
Duffryn 7 736.84x
Dundry 7 346.53x
Earley 7 53.60x
Froxfield 7 448.72x
Great Wishford 7 546.88x
Hackney London 7 1.20x
Lyncombe Widcombe 7 15.90x
Milford 7 141.41x
Reading St Giles 7 9.10x
Salisbury St Martin 7 72.77x
Timsbury 7 137.25x
Tottenham 7 4.21x
Aston 6 0.83x
Cardiff St John 6 10.10x
Chew Magna 6 101.87x
Potterne 6 144.93x
Reading St Lawrence 6 35.76x
St Marylebone London 6 1.08x
St Thomas Winchester 6 39.68x
Trevethin 6 8.41x
Yatton 6 91.74x
Aldermaston 5 260.42x
Alverstoke 5 6.45x
Barrow Gurney 5 454.55x
Birmingham 5 0.57x
Camberwell 5 0.75x
Ealing 5 5.36x
Horfield 5 24.25x
Islington London 5 0.49x
Lovington 5 684.93x
Monckton Combe 5 92.94x
Paulton 5 64.94x
Salisbury St Thomas 5 68.31x
Twerton 5 28.84x
Whitechapel London 5 4.86x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 72
George 53
John 42
Henry 30
Charles 28
James 26
Thomas 22
Alfred 18
Joseph 18
Frederick 14
Walter 14
Albert 13
Arthur 11
Edward 10
Edwin 9
Robert 9
Samuel 9
Ernest 8
Francis 7
Harry 7
Herbert 6
Frank 5
Jacob 5
David 4
Daniel 3
Ebenezer 3
Norman 3
Stephen 3
Fredrick 2
Hy. 2
Jonathan 2
Louis 2
Matthew 2
Reginald 2
Thos. 2
Alf. 1
Archibald 1
Cuthbert 1
E.R. 1
Emanuel 1
Enos 1
F.L. 1
Ferdinand 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Huziah 1
Isaac 1
Jabez 1
Jessie 1
Wm.C. 1

FAQ

Naish surname: questions and answers

How common was the Naish surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,067 people were recorded with the Naish surname. That placed it at #3,704 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Naish surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,002 in 2016. That gives Naish a modern rank of #5,796.

What does the Naish surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Middle English word nesh meaning "soft" or "tender".

What does the Naish map show?

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