NameCensus.

UK surname

Opie

A surname derived from a French nickname for a shepherd or herdsman.

In the 1881 census there were 805 people recorded with the Opie surname, ranking it #4,631 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 674, ranked #7,950, down from #4,631 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Stithians, Redruth and Perran Arworthal. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Opie is 877 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 16.3%.

1881 census count

805

Ranked #4,631

Modern count

674

2016, ranked #7,950

Peak year

1901

877 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Opie had 805 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,631 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 674 in 2016, ranked #7,950.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 877 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Opie surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Opie surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Opie 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 383 #6,247
1861 historical 379 #6,739
1881 historical 805 #4,631
1891 historical 745 #5,342
1901 historical 877 #5,235
1911 historical 846 #5,244
1997 modern 683 #7,380
1998 modern 685 #7,604
1999 modern 684 #7,651
2000 modern 672 #7,730
2001 modern 651 #7,785
2002 modern 655 #7,896
2003 modern 636 #7,954
2004 modern 629 #8,041
2005 modern 625 #8,018
2006 modern 637 #7,923
2007 modern 641 #7,952
2008 modern 652 #7,902
2009 modern 665 #7,936
2010 modern 659 #8,152
2011 modern 653 #8,128
2012 modern 648 #8,096
2013 modern 679 #7,929
2014 modern 668 #8,082
2015 modern 663 #8,063
2016 modern 674 #7,950

Geography

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Where Opies are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Stithians, Redruth, Perran Arworthal, Illogan and Wendron. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall and Newcastle upon Tyne. 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 Stithians Cornwall
2 Redruth Cornwall
3 Perran Arworthal Cornwall
4 Illogan Cornwall
5 Wendron Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 046 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 051 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 049 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 050 Cornwall
5 Newcastle upon Tyne 021 Newcastle upon Tyne

Forenames

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First names often paired with Opie

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Opie

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Opie, 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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Opie surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Opie household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Opie 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

Opie is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Opie falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Opie

The surname Opie originates from England and can be traced back to the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "op" or "opp," meaning "dweller at the top" or "higher up." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to individuals who lived in elevated or hilly areas.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Opie can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Opi." This historical record, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides valuable insights into the distribution of surnames across England at that time.

During the Middle Ages, the name underwent various spelling variations, including Oppy, Oppey, and Opy. These variations were likely influenced by regional dialects and the inconsistent spelling conventions of the era.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the Opie surname was John Opie (1761-1807), a renowned English portrait painter. He was born in Cornwall and gained recognition for his artistic talents, becoming a member of the Royal Academy in 1787.

Another prominent individual with the Opie surname was Amelia Opie (1769-1853), an English author and poet. She was born in Norwich and is best known for her novel "Adeline Mowbray," which explored themes of feminism and women's rights.

In the 19th century, Robert Opie (1835-1910) made significant contributions to the field of education. Born in Somerset, he served as the headmaster of various schools and became known for his progressive teaching methods.

The Opie surname can also be associated with certain place names in England, such as Opie Hill in Dorset and Opie Street in Norwich. These place names may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time.

Throughout history, the Opie surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, authors, educators, and others who have left their mark on society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Opie families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Opie 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. Cornwall leads with 580 Opies recorded in 1881 and an index of 64.28x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 580 64.28x
Devon 78 4.70x
Lancashire 37 0.39x
Glamorgan 18 1.30x
Middlesex 13 0.16x
Surrey 12 0.31x
Durham 10 0.42x
Cheshire 7 0.40x
Northumberland 7 0.59x
Argyllshire 6 2.70x
Channel Islands 6 2.54x
Warwickshire 6 0.30x
Westmorland 6 3.43x
Essex 5 0.32x
Monmouthshire 5 0.87x
Royal Navy 5 5.26x
Yorkshire 3 0.04x
Gloucestershire 2 0.13x
Lanarkshire 2 0.08x
Somerset 2 0.16x
Berkshire 1 0.17x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.20x
Cumberland 1 0.15x
Flintshire 1 0.47x
Hampshire 1 0.06x
Lincolnshire 1 0.08x
Sussex 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Stithians in Cornwall leads with 99 Opies recorded in 1881 and an index of 1991.95x.

Place Total Index
St Stithians 99 1991.95x
Gwennap 60 352.53x
Wendron 58 462.89x
Perranarworthal 51 1694.35x
Redruth 42 164.58x
Illogan 40 167.43x
Mabe 32 1729.73x
Plymouth St Andrew 29 22.69x
Camborne 24 64.55x
St Austell 22 71.34x
Bere Ferrers 19 695.97x
St Gluvias 17 336.63x
Dalton In Furness 15 41.10x
Budock 12 176.73x
St Blazey 12 151.52x
St Gluvias Penryn 12 165.98x
St Cleer 11 140.67x
Lambeth 10 1.44x
Plymouth Charles The 10 13.68x
Feock 9 159.29x
Newton 9 12.35x
Duloe 8 301.89x
Liskeard 8 52.98x
Stockton On Tees 8 7.00x
Cramlington 7 44.67x
Llantrisant 7 20.01x
Madron Penzance 7 21.34x
Monks Coppenhall 7 10.55x
St John Near Swansea 7 40.79x
Aston 6 1.08x
Kilarrow 6 253.16x
Mylor 6 99.17x
Shap 6 155.44x
St Agnes 6 47.47x
St Peter Port 6 13.73x
Crowan 5 69.93x
Moreton Hampstead 5 116.55x
Royal Navy 5 6.16x
St Neot 5 140.85x
Stoke 5 74.40x
Toxteth Park 5 1.56x
Wanstead 5 18.15x
Compton Gifford 4 76.92x
Falmouth 4 12.52x
Hackney London 4 0.90x
Islington London 4 0.52x
Kenwyn 4 16.96x
Linkinhorne 4 63.59x
St Woollos 4 6.22x
Castleton 3 3.18x
Mevagissey 3 50.00x
Shoreditch London 3 0.87x
St Breock 3 61.60x
Tiverton 3 10.50x
Bodmin 2 13.40x
Bristol St George 2 2.77x
Broughton In Salford 2 2.31x
Gateshead 2 1.13x
Govan 2 0.31x
Liverpool 2 0.35x
Ruan Minor 2 250.00x
Saltash 2 28.57x
St Michaels Mount 2 869.57x
St Wenn 2 135.14x
Stoke Damerel 2 1.72x
Swansea Town 2 1.76x
Battersea 1 0.34x
Bedminster 1 0.83x
Cardiff St Mary 1 1.31x
Denton 1 67.11x
Mold 1 5.15x
Reading St Giles 1 1.70x
Shipley 1 2.44x
Southampton St Mary 1 0.97x
St Clement 1 10.62x
St Erth 1 18.28x
St George Hanover 1 0.96x
Stoke 1 5.46x
Tregoney St James 1 59.88x
Trevethin 1 1.84x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 63
John 53
James 43
Thomas 36
Charles 18
Joseph 15
Richard 15
Alfred 12
Henry 10
Edward 8
Albert 7
Francis 7
Bennet 4
Bennett 4
Edwin 4
Ernest 4
Frederick 4
Nicholas 4
Peter 4
Robert 4
Abraham 3
George 3
Arthur 2
Benjamin 2
David 2
Edgar 2
Fredrick 2
Harry 2
Isaac 2
Thos. 2
Walter 2
Wilfred 2
Wm. 2
Cooper 1
Earnest 1
Elijah 1
Everett 1
Frances 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Harold 1
Josiah 1
Louis 1
Philip 1
Reid 1
Richd. 1
Samuel 1
Solomon 1
Stephen 1
Wm.J. 1

FAQ

Opie surname: questions and answers

How common was the Opie surname in 1881?

In 1881, 805 people were recorded with the Opie surname. That placed it at #4,631 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Opie surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 674 in 2016. That gives Opie a modern rank of #7,950.

What does the Opie surname mean?

A surname derived from a French nickname for a shepherd or herdsman.

What does the Opie map show?

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