NameCensus.

UK surname

Nay

A surname of Scottish origin derived from a place name meaning "at the island" in Gaelic.

In the 1881 census there were 106 people recorded with the Nay surname, ranking it #19,083 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 163, ranked #22,407, down from #19,083 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Leonard Shoreditch, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and St Leonard Bromley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Greenwich, Preston and Blackpool.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nay is 192 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 53.8%.

1881 census count

106

Ranked #19,083

Modern count

163

2016, ranked #22,407

Peak year

1901

192 bearers

Map years

5

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Nay had 106 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #19,083 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 163 in 2016, ranked #22,407.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 192 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Nay surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Nay surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Nay 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 89 #18,446
1881 historical 106 #19,083
1891 historical 29 #31,963
1901 historical 192 #15,518
1997 modern 143 #21,761
1998 modern 150 #21,665
1999 modern 145 #22,305
2000 modern 143 #22,457
2001 modern 144 #22,040
2002 modern 143 #22,595
2003 modern 145 #22,172
2004 modern 157 #21,168
2005 modern 150 #21,786
2006 modern 149 #22,013
2007 modern 144 #22,804
2008 modern 146 #22,822
2009 modern 142 #23,791
2010 modern 155 #22,985
2011 modern 157 #22,574
2012 modern 151 #23,166
2013 modern 166 #22,075
2014 modern 157 #23,101
2015 modern 159 #22,796
2016 modern 163 #22,407

Geography

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Where Nays are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Leonard Shoreditch, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, St Leonard Bromley, St John Hackney and Carmichael. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Greenwich, Preston, Blackpool, Redbridge and Forest Heath. 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 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
2 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
3 St Leonard Bromley London (East Districts)
4 St John Hackney London (North Districts)
5 Carmichael Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Greenwich 003 Greenwich
2 Preston 009 Preston
3 Blackpool 019 Blackpool
4 Redbridge 003 Redbridge
5 Forest Heath 002 Forest Heath

Forenames

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First names often paired with Nay

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Nay

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Nay, 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 Nay surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Nay 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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Nay is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Nay is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Nay falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Nay 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Nay

The surname Nay has its origins in England, dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "nae" or "na," which means "no" or "nay." This word was often used as an affirmative response in the early English language, and it is possible that the surname was initially given as a nickname to someone known for their blunt or direct manner of speaking.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Nay can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were administrative records compiled during the reign of King Edward I. These records mention individuals with the name Nay residing in various counties across England, suggesting that the surname was already well-established by that time.

One of the earliest known individuals bearing the surname Nay was John Nay, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1301. Another notable figure was William Nay, a prominent landowner in Northamptonshire during the 14th century.

In the 15th century, the surname Nay appears in several historical documents, including the Paston Letters, a collection of correspondence between members of the influential Paston family. One of the letters, written in 1472, mentions a certain John Nay, who was involved in a legal dispute over land ownership.

The surname Nay has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Nayfield in Wiltshire and Naylands in Suffolk. These place names likely derived from individuals bearing the surname Nay who resided in or owned land in those areas.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Nay. One such person was Thomas Nay (1615-1676), an English Puritan minister who served as the chaplain to Oliver Cromwell's Protectorate. Another prominent figure was Sir Nathaniel Nay (1653-1725), a British naval officer who served during the reign of King William III and Queen Anne.

In the literary world, one cannot overlook the contributions of Robert Nay (1753-1829), an English poet and playwright who wrote several works, including the tragedy "The Woodman's Hut" and the comedic play "The Kentish Barons."

Additionally, the surname Nay has been carried by individuals in the field of science and exploration. One such person was John Nay (1788-1859), a British botanist and explorer known for his expeditions to the Cape of Good Hope and his contributions to the study of South African flora.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Nay families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Nay 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. Middlesex leads with 66 Nays recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.01x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 66 5.01x
Lanarkshire 11 2.58x
Wigtownshire 7 40.05x
Hampshire 6 2.22x
Angus 5 4.10x
Cornwall 5 3.35x
Lancashire 5 0.32x
Cheshire 4 1.38x
Essex 4 1.54x
Midlothian 4 2.27x
Buckinghamshire 2 2.51x
Kirkcudbrightshire 2 10.49x
Lincolnshire 2 0.95x
Staffordshire 2 0.45x
Yorkshire 2 0.15x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.82x
Ayrshire 1 1.01x
Devon 1 0.36x
Northumberland 1 0.51x
Roxburghshire 1 4.19x
Suffolk 1 0.62x
Surrey 1 0.16x
Warwickshire 1 0.30x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bethnal Green London in Middlesex leads with 28 Nays recorded in 1881 and an index of 48.95x.

Place Total Index
Bethnal Green London 28 48.95x
Hackney London 11 14.90x
Bromley London 10 34.52x
Shoreditch London 7 12.26x
Wigtown 7 700.00x
Dalserf 6 141.18x
Mile End Old Town 6 28.87x
Portsea 6 11.34x
Dundee 5 10.98x
Towednack 5 1724.14x
Barony 4 3.71x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 4 5.64x
Amersham 2 176.99x
Balmaghie 2 476.19x
Castleton 2 12.82x
Ruswarp 2 137.93x
St Martin Lincoln 2 102.56x
Tranmere 2 18.73x
Wanstead 2 43.96x
West Ham 2 3.49x
Auchterless 1 103.09x
Birkenhead 1 4.32x
Birmingham 1 0.90x
Crumpsall 1 27.17x
Didsbury 1 48.31x
Dutton 1 500.00x
East Budleigh 1 77.52x
Feltham 1 76.34x
Framlingham 1 87.72x
Govan 1 0.95x
Harborne 1 7.02x
Hawick 1 18.73x
Kingston On Thames 1 6.49x
Muirkirk 1 43.29x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 1 8.55x
Paddington London 1 2.07x
St George Hanover 1 5.82x
St Marylebone London 1 1.42x
Toxteth Park 1 1.89x
Wolverhampton 1 2.93x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 7
Elizabeth 6
Sarah 4
Clara 3
Hannah 3
Martha 3
Alice 2
Ann 2
Ellen 2
Emma 2
Margaret 2
Rachel 2
Sophia 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Agness 1
Anne 1
Caroline 1
Eleanor 1
Emily 1
Harriet 1
Harriett 1
Jane 1
Lilian 1
Lily 1
Lydia 1
Matilda 1
Polly 1
Susan 1
Susannah 1
Wilmot 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 9
John 5
Thomas 5
James 4
Albert 3
Arthur 2
Francis 2
George 2
Wm. 2
Alfred 1
Chas. 1
Cornelius 1
Edward 1
Hary 1
Henry 1
Joseph 1
Louis 1
Robert 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Nay surname: questions and answers

How common was the Nay surname in 1881?

In 1881, 106 people were recorded with the Nay surname. That placed it at #19,083 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Nay surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 163 in 2016. That gives Nay a modern rank of #22,407.

What does the Nay surname mean?

A surname of Scottish origin derived from a place name meaning "at the island" in Gaelic.

What does the Nay map show?

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