NameCensus.

UK surname

Noy

A locational surname derived from a place name in France or Spain.

In the 1881 census there were 267 people recorded with the Noy surname, ranking it #10,573 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 326, ranked #13,896, down from #10,573 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a, Ufford and Madron. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Hertfordshire, Bassetlaw and Suffolk Coastal.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Noy is 353 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 22.1%.

1881 census count

267

Ranked #10,573

Modern count

326

2016, ranked #13,896

Peak year

2000

353 bearers

Map years

6

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Noy had 267 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,573 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 326 in 2016, ranked #13,896.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 326 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Noy surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Noy surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Noy 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 241 #9,037
1881 historical 267 #10,573
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1901 historical 326 #10,990
1997 modern 333 #12,615
1998 modern 344 #12,679
1999 modern 340 #12,870
2000 modern 353 #12,480
2001 modern 344 #12,526
2002 modern 348 #12,674
2003 modern 343 #12,607
2004 modern 331 #12,973
2005 modern 320 #13,243
2006 modern 320 #13,289
2007 modern 324 #13,322
2008 modern 330 #13,257
2009 modern 329 #13,548
2010 modern 330 #13,786
2011 modern 320 #13,976
2012 modern 333 #13,468
2013 modern 331 #13,748
2014 modern 328 #13,951
2015 modern 327 #13,871
2016 modern 326 #13,896

Geography

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Where Noys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a, Ufford, Madron, Gulval and Cratfield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Hertfordshire, Bassetlaw, Suffolk Coastal, Wyre Forest and Colchester. 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 Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a Essex
2 Ufford Suffolk
3 Madron Cornwall
4 Gulval Cornwall
5 Cratfield Suffolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Hertfordshire 001 East Hertfordshire
2 Bassetlaw 001 Bassetlaw
3 Suffolk Coastal 004 Suffolk Coastal
4 Wyre Forest 004 Wyre Forest
5 Colchester 021 Colchester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Noy

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Noy

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Noy is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Noy is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Noy falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Noy

The surname Noy originated in England and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old French word 'noye', meaning 'a drowned person'. This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived near a body of water or had a connection to the sea or rivers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire, dated 1170, where it appears as 'de Noy'. This indicates that the name was likely initially a locational surname, referring to someone from a place called Noy. However, no such place has been definitively identified.

In the 13th century, the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire mention a 'Hugh de Noy', further cementing the name's presence in medieval England. The variant spelling 'Noye' also appears in various records from this period.

During the 14th century, the name Noy gained prominence when it was borne by Robert Noy (c.1335-1420), a prominent English lawyer and judge who served as Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas from 1396 to 1420. This early association with the legal profession may have influenced the name's perception and status.

Another notable figure with this surname was William Noy (1577-1634), an English lawyer and legal writer who played a significant role in the ship money case, which contributed to the outbreak of the English Civil War. He was also involved in the prosecution of Sir Walter Raleigh.

In the realm of literature, one of the most renowned figures with the surname Noy was William Noy (1726-1805), an English poet and writer who is best known for his work 'A Journey from London to the Isle of Wight'.

The name Noy also has a connection to the exploration of the New World. John Noy (c.1615-1660) was an English explorer and navigator who participated in several expeditions to the Americas and the West Indies in the mid-17th century.

Finally, in the 19th century, James Noy (1811-1886) was a prominent English architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Albert Hall and the Brompton Oratory.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Noy families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Noy 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. Suffolk leads with 125 Noys recorded in 1881 and an index of 39.85x.

County Total Index
Suffolk 125 39.85x
Cornwall 61 20.92x
Middlesex 20 0.78x
Essex 14 2.75x
Norfolk 14 3.54x
Cambridgeshire 10 6.13x
Surrey 7 0.56x
Kent 5 0.57x
Hampshire 3 0.57x
Yorkshire 2 0.08x
Lanarkshire 1 0.12x
Lancashire 1 0.03x
Sussex 1 0.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Westleton in Suffolk leads with 25 Noys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3378.38x.

Place Total Index
Westleton 25 3378.38x
St Just In Penwith 18 318.02x
Middleton 17 3863.64x
Gulval 15 797.87x
Leiston 11 511.63x
Wisbech St Peter 10 122.25x
Colchester St Giles 9 179.28x
Great Yarmouth 9 27.44x
Sudbury St Gregory 9 358.57x
Madron Penzance 8 75.47x
Framlingham 7 313.90x
Ipswich St Clement 6 75.28x
Ipswich St Mary Key 6 740.74x
Ufford 6 1224.49x
Cratfield 5 1136.36x
Lanivet 5 549.45x
Aldringham 4 888.89x
Blythburgh 4 547.95x
Bramfield 4 727.27x
Camberwell 4 2.43x
Darsham 4 1052.63x
Kensington London 4 2.79x
Shotley 4 727.27x
St Keverne 4 248.45x
Walton Le Soken 4 330.58x
Chiswick 3 21.32x
Ealing 3 13.04x
Falmouth 3 29.07x
Melton 3 243.90x
Ormesby St Margaret W 3 303.03x
St Ives 3 52.54x
Bury St Edmunds St James 2 23.87x
Croydon 2 2.87x
Ecclesall Bierlow 2 3.85x
Islington London 2 0.80x
Kirton 2 357.14x
Lewisham 2 4.27x
Madron 2 84.75x
Poplar London 2 4.12x
Portsea 2 1.93x
St Marylebone London 2 1.45x
Battersea 1 1.06x
Brighton 1 1.14x
Buxton 1 204.08x
Chelmsford 1 11.47x
Chorley 1 5.83x
Constantine 1 58.82x
Dartford 1 11.14x
Eltham 1 19.42x
Gorleston 1 12.55x
Hayes 1 38.02x
Kelsale 1 114.94x
Knodishall 1 256.41x
Mile End Old Town 1 2.46x
Morvah 1 625.00x
Old Monkland 1 3.03x
Paddington London 1 1.06x
Portsmouth 1 8.23x
Scoulton 1 344.83x
St Just In Roseland 1 78.13x
St Luke London 1 2.42x
St Mary Cray 1 59.52x
Stutton 1 212.77x
Theberton 1 188.68x
Woodbridge 1 24.94x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Eliza 12
Mary 12
Elizabeth 11
Alice 7
Sarah 7
Ellen 5
Jane 5
Annie 4
Ann 3
Bessie 3
Christiana 3
Louisa 3
Margaret 3
Ada 2
Caroline 2
Grace 2
Hannah 2
Laura 2
Maria 2
Minnie 2
Rebecca 2
Sophia 2
Anna 1
Betsey 1
Catherine 1
Edith 1
Elvina 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Esther 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Harriet 1
Janes 1
Janet 1
Jimima 1
Kate 1
Lavinia 1
Mahale 1
Margret 1
Marinne 1
Martha 1
Maryann 1
Matilda 1
Milinda 1
Milly 1
Naomi 1
Olive 1
Patience 1
Tilley 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 19
James 11
John 10
Edward 8
George 7
Isaac 7
Frederick 5
Thomas 5
Harry 4
Joseph 4
Albert 3
Alfred 3
Arthur 3
Richard 3
Benammi 2
Ernest 2
Henry 2
Robert 2
Walter 2
Aaron 1
Alexander 1
Archy 1
Bezin 1
Boaz 1
Charlie 1
Duncan 1
Edgar 1
Ephraim 1
Ezra 1
Frank 1
Gilbert 1
Harold 1
Herbert 1
Moses 1
Nathan 1
Neriah 1
Percy 1
Reuben 1
Samuel 1
Sydney 1
Willie 1
Willy 1
Wm.T. 1

FAQ

Noy surname: questions and answers

How common was the Noy surname in 1881?

In 1881, 267 people were recorded with the Noy surname. That placed it at #10,573 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Noy surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 326 in 2016. That gives Noy a modern rank of #13,896.

What does the Noy surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name in France or Spain.

What does the Noy map show?

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