UK surname
A surname derived from the Old English word "nest," likely given to someone living near a bird's nest.
In the 1881 census there were 86 people recorded with the Nest surname, ranking it #21,449 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 24, ranked #36,392, down from #21,449 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, Portsmouth, Portsea and All Saints Poplar. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nest is 154 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 72.1%.
1881 census count
86
Ranked #21,449
Modern count
24
2016, ranked #36,392
Peak year
1891
154 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Nest surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Nest surname density by area, 1891 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 | 74 | #20,443 |
| 1861 | historical | 150 | #15,296 |
| 1881 | historical | 86 | #21,449 |
| 1891 | historical | 154 | #18,004 |
| 1901 | historical | 56 | #27,952 |
| 1911 | historical | 61 | #26,724 |
| 1997 | modern | 28 | #34,904 |
| 1998 | modern | 21 | #35,788 |
| 1999 | modern | 25 | #35,413 |
| 2000 | modern | 21 | #35,799 |
| 2001 | modern | 21 | #35,646 |
| 2002 | modern | 19 | #35,991 |
| 2003 | modern | 17 | #36,198 |
| 2004 | modern | 17 | #36,342 |
| 2005 | modern | 16 | #36,530 |
| 2006 | modern | 18 | #36,412 |
| 2007 | modern | 18 | #36,537 |
| 2008 | modern | 17 | #36,699 |
| 2009 | modern | 17 | #36,753 |
| 2010 | modern | 19 | #36,687 |
| 2011 | modern | 21 | #36,502 |
| 2012 | modern | 23 | #36,366 |
| 2013 | modern | 22 | #36,477 |
| 2014 | modern | 22 | #36,496 |
| 2015 | modern | 22 | #36,493 |
| 2016 | modern | 24 | #36,392 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, Portsmouth, Portsea, All Saints Poplar, St Mary Islington and Gloucester City: Holy Trinity. 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 | Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet, | Gloucestershire |
| 2 | Portsmouth, Portsea | Hampshire |
| 3 | All Saints Poplar | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | St Mary Islington | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Gloucester City: Holy Trinity | Gloucestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Nest 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 Nest, 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 Nest surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Nest 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, Nest 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 Nest is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Nest, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Nest originated in England during the late medieval period, with the earliest recorded uses dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "nest," meaning a bird's nest or dwelling place. This name was likely given as a descriptive nickname to someone who lived near a prominent nest or was known for their skill in finding or collecting bird's nests.
In the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and population in England commissioned by William the Conqueror, there are no recorded instances of the surname Nest. However, it is worth noting that surnames were not commonly used or recorded at that time, and many families adopted surnames in the following centuries.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Nest was John Nest, who was mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1260. Another early record is that of William atte Neste, found in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327. The prefix "atte" was a common addition to surnames in medieval England, meaning "at the," further suggesting that the name referred to a dwelling or location.
In the 15th century, the surname appeared in various spellings, such as Neste, Neast, and Neaste, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling common in that era. One notable individual from this period was Thomas Nest, a merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol, who lived from around 1440 to 1515.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname Nest continued to be found in various regions of England, including Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Gloucestershire. In 1592, a John Nest was listed as a freeman of the city of York, indicating his right to trade and participate in civic affairs.
In the 18th century, the name Nest was associated with several notable figures, including Richard Nest (1691-1768), a British Anglican clergyman who served as the Archdeacon of Raphoe in Ireland, and John Nest (1728-1817), a British politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Winchelsea.
As the surname spread across England and into other parts of the British Isles, it also appeared in various place names, such as Nest Farm in Gloucestershire and Nest House in Lancashire, further reinforcing its connection to dwellings or locations.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Nest 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. Gloucestershire leads with 16 Nests recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.73x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Gloucestershire | 16 | 9.73x |
| Middlesex | 15 | 1.79x |
| Hampshire | 8 | 4.65x |
| Durham | 7 | 2.81x |
| Lancashire | 7 | 0.70x |
| Norfolk | 7 | 5.43x |
| Surrey | 7 | 1.71x |
| Kent | 4 | 1.40x |
| Warwickshire | 4 | 1.89x |
| Lanarkshire | 3 | 1.11x |
| Northamptonshire | 3 | 3.80x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.36x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 1.59x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.71x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Gloucester Barton St Mary in Gloucestershire leads with 7 Nests recorded in 1881 and an index of 232.56x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Gloucester Barton St Mary | 7 | 232.56x |
| Lakenham | 7 | 382.51x |
| Islington London | 6 | 7.38x |
| Washington | 6 | 571.43x |
| Widley | 6 | 1935.48x |
| Bootle Cum Linacre | 5 | 63.29x |
| Cranbrook | 4 | 330.58x |
| Edgbaston | 4 | 60.98x |
| Gloucester St Mary Grace | 4 | 8000.00x |
| Gloucester Holy Trinity | 3 | 2142.86x |
| Paddington London | 3 | 9.73x |
| Silverstone | 3 | 909.09x |
| South Dalton | 3 | 3750.00x |
| Walton On Thames | 3 | 159.57x |
| Cheltenham | 2 | 15.76x |
| Govan | 2 | 2.98x |
| Lambeth | 2 | 2.73x |
| Liverpool | 2 | 3.31x |
| St Marylebone London | 2 | 4.47x |
| Westminster St John | 2 | 19.59x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 1.87x |
| Carisbrooke | 1 | 41.84x |
| Glasgow | 1 | 2.08x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 7.66x |
| New Windsor | 1 | 47.17x |
| Newington | 1 | 3.23x |
| Patcham | 1 | 400.00x |
| Southwick | 1 | 42.37x |
| St George Hanover | 1 | 9.13x |
| Yaverland | 1 | 2500.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Nest 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 Nest 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 Nest households.
FAQ
In 1881, 86 people were recorded with the Nest surname. That placed it at #21,449 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 24 in 2016. That gives Nest a modern rank of #36,392.
A surname derived from the Old English word "nest," likely given to someone living near a bird's nest.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Nest 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.