NameCensus.

UK surname

Odey

Of English origin, a locational surname indicating someone from a place called Odey.

In the 1881 census there were 136 people recorded with the Odey surname, ranking it #16,433 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 163, ranked #22,407, down from #16,433 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Swindon, Lyddington and Upton with Chalvey. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Caerphilly, South Gloucestershire and Breckland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Odey is 188 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 19.9%.

1881 census count

136

Ranked #16,433

Modern count

163

2016, ranked #22,407

Peak year

2002

188 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Odey had 136 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,433 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 186 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Odey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Odey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Odey 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 32 #27,570
1861 historical 103 #20,650
1881 historical 136 #16,433
1891 historical 130 #20,173
1901 historical 173 #16,579
1911 historical 186 #15,643
1997 modern 182 #18,693
1998 modern 182 #19,162
1999 modern 187 #18,999
2000 modern 187 #18,990
2001 modern 170 #19,838
2002 modern 188 #19,012
2003 modern 177 #19,549
2004 modern 179 #19,523
2005 modern 185 #19,051
2006 modern 188 #19,023
2007 modern 177 #19,965
2008 modern 170 #20,672
2009 modern 172 #20,950
2010 modern 182 #20,662
2011 modern 181 #20,579
2012 modern 176 #20,915
2013 modern 179 #21,028
2014 modern 177 #21,340
2015 modern 168 #21,971
2016 modern 163 #22,407

Geography

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Where Odeys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Swindon, Lyddington, Upton with Chalvey, Wilcot, North Newton and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Caerphilly, South Gloucestershire, Breckland and Adur. 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 Swindon, Lyddington Wiltshire
3 Upton with Chalvey Buckinghamshire
4 Wilcot, North Newton Wiltshire
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Caerphilly 019 Caerphilly
2 South Gloucestershire 027 South Gloucestershire
3 Breckland 016 Breckland
4 Adur 001 Adur
5 South Gloucestershire 030 South Gloucestershire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Odey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Odey

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Odey is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Odey is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Odey falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Odey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Odey

The surname ODEY originates from England, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "od" or "ode," meaning wealth or prosperity, possibly indicating that the original bearer of this name was a prosperous individual.

One of the earliest documented references to the ODEY surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a census-like record compiled during the reign of King Edward I. The name appeared as "Ode" in this document, suggesting that the modern spelling evolved over time.

In the 14th century, the surname ODEY appeared in various forms, such as "Odey," "Odye," and "Ody," in several historical records, including the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 and the Poll Tax Returns of 1379. These records provide insights into the geographic distribution of the name during that period, indicating that it was prevalent in counties like Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Wiltshire.

One notable individual bearing the ODEY surname was Sir William Odey, a wealthy merchant and landowner who lived in the 15th century. He was born in 1425 in Oxfordshire and is mentioned in several historical documents related to land transactions and trade activities.

In the 16th century, the ODEY surname gained further recognition with the birth of Thomas Odey (1505-1568), a prominent clergyman and scholar who served as the Archdeacon of Berkshire. His writings and sermons contributed to the intellectual discourse of the time.

Another notable figure was John Odey (1620-1692), a successful businessman and philanthropist from Wiltshire. He is remembered for his charitable contributions to various educational institutions and religious organizations in his local community.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the ODEY surname was often associated with place names, such as Odey Manor in Oxfordshire and Odey Farm in Berkshire. These place names further solidified the connection between the surname and its geographical origins.

One of the more recent individuals of note with the ODEY surname was Sir Richard Odey (1858-1936), a renowned British industrialist and philanthropist. He made significant contributions to the development of the steel industry and was actively involved in various charitable endeavors.

Throughout its history, the ODEY surname has maintained a strong presence in parts of southern England, particularly in the counties of Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Wiltshire, where it first emerged and gained prominence.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Odey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Odey 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. Wiltshire leads with 34 Odeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.77x.

County Total Index
Wiltshire 34 28.77x
Gloucestershire 15 5.72x
Northamptonshire 10 7.96x
Somerset 9 4.18x
Warwickshire 9 2.67x
Buckinghamshire 7 8.66x
Staffordshire 7 1.55x
Surrey 7 1.08x
Leicestershire 6 4.05x
Hampshire 5 1.83x
Kent 5 1.10x
Lancashire 5 0.32x
Middlesex 5 0.37x
Hertfordshire 4 4.34x
Worcestershire 3 1.72x
Berkshire 2 1.99x
Durham 1 0.25x
Midlothian 1 0.56x
Renfrewshire 1 0.97x
Yorkshire 1 0.08x

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 Paul In in Gloucestershire leads with 8 Odeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 114.61x.

Place Total Index
Bristol St Paul In 8 114.61x
Preshute 8 1095.89x
Iver 7 673.08x
Lambeth 7 6.01x
Devizes St James 6 382.17x
Milton Lilborne 6 2142.86x
Swindon 6 65.43x
Warkworth 6 530.97x
Wick Abson 6 1500.00x
Bedminster 5 24.74x
Manchester 5 7.01x
Peatling Magna 5 5555.56x
Gillingham 4 42.55x
Hemel Hempstead 4 96.39x
Kilsby 4 1481.48x
Portsea 4 7.45x
Clifton On Dunsmore 3 1111.11x
Darlaston 3 48.15x
Hillmorton 3 500.00x
Horninglow 3 141.51x
Lyncombe Widcombe 3 53.29x
Manningford Bohun 3 2727.27x
Pewsey 3 344.83x
St George Hanover 2 11.47x
Warwick St Nicholas 2 80.97x
Wilcott 2 769.23x
Barton Under Needwood 1 121.95x
Chatham 1 7.97x
Claines 1 20.88x
Cookham 1 31.95x
Easenhall 1 833.33x
Hackney London 1 1.33x
Houghton Le Spring 1 36.36x
Kensington London 1 1.35x
Keynsham 1 64.94x
Leicester St Mary 1 8.35x
Mangotsfield 1 38.31x
North Leith 1 12.08x
Portsmouth 1 15.85x
Sculcoates 1 4.76x
Tilehurst 1 49.26x
West Greenock 1 5.38x
Westminster St 1 20.28x
Worcester All Sts 1 99.01x
Worcester St Martin 1 42.55x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Alice 7
Mary 5
Sarah 5
Eliza 4
Elizabeth 4
Jane 4
Emily 3
Florence 3
Hannah 3
Kate 3
Louisa 3
Ann 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Matilda 2
Susanna 2
Annie 1
Clara 1
Edith 1
Ellen 1
Emma 1
Eva 1
Harriet 1
Kitty 1
Lillie 1
Margarett 1
Margrate 1
May 1
Minnie 1
Victoria 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 11
Thomas 8
Henry 7
John 7
James 6
William 6
Charles 3
Edward 3
Alfred 2
Job 2
Richard 2
Benjamin 1
Daniel 1
Edmund 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Jessie 1
Jonathan 1
Tom 1
Wm.Henry 1

FAQ

Odey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Odey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 136 people were recorded with the Odey surname. That placed it at #16,433 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Odey surname today?

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

What does the Odey surname mean?

Of English origin, a locational surname indicating someone from a place called Odey.

What does the Odey map show?

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