UK surname
A surname derived from a diminutive form of the given name Ophelia.
In the 1881 census there were 81 people recorded with the Oppy surname, ranking it #22,082 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2, ranked #38,825, down from #22,082 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Stithians, Perran Arworthal and Mabe. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Oppy is 288 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 97.5%.
1881 census count
81
Ranked #22,082
Modern count
2
2016, ranked #38,825
Peak year
1851
288 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Oppy surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Oppy surname density by area, 1861 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 | 288 | #7,884 |
| 1861 | historical | 224 | #10,882 |
| 1881 | historical | 81 | #22,082 |
| 1891 | historical | 55 | #29,744 |
| 1901 | historical | 54 | #28,178 |
| 1911 | historical | 39 | #29,025 |
| 1997 | modern | 4 | #38,094 |
| 1998 | modern | 4 | #38,082 |
| 1999 | modern | 3 | #38,318 |
| 2000 | modern | 4 | #38,004 |
| 2001 | modern | 4 | #37,862 |
| 2002 | modern | 4 | #37,921 |
| 2003 | modern | 5 | #37,750 |
| 2004 | modern | 5 | #37,830 |
| 2005 | modern | 4 | #38,078 |
| 2006 | modern | 4 | #38,130 |
| 2007 | modern | 4 | #38,169 |
| 2008 | modern | 4 | #38,216 |
| 2009 | modern | 4 | #38,287 |
| 2010 | modern | 5 | #38,186 |
| 2011 | modern | 4 | #38,338 |
| 2012 | modern | 3 | #38,530 |
| 2013 | modern | 2 | #38,761 |
| 2014 | modern | 2 | #38,791 |
| 2015 | modern | 2 | #38,793 |
| 2016 | modern | 2 | #38,825 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Stithians, Perran Arworthal, Mabe, Wendron and Gluvias. 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 | Stithians | Cornwall |
| 2 | Perran Arworthal | Cornwall |
| 3 | Mabe | Cornwall |
| 4 | Wendron | Cornwall |
| 5 | Gluvias | Cornwall |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Oppy 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 Oppy, 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 Oppy surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Oppy 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, Oppy 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 Oppy is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Oppy, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Oppy is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is likely derived from the Old English word "oppe," meaning a hillock or small hill. This surname may have been initially given as a descriptive name to someone who lived near or on a small hill.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Oppy can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. In this historical record, the name is spelled as "Oppi."
During the 13th century, variations of the surname started to appear in historical documents, such as "Ope," "Oppy," and "Oppie." These variations suggest that the name was present in various regions across England at that time.
The surname Oppy is also linked to several place names in England, such as Oppylands in Bedfordshire and Oppyhill in Gloucestershire. These place names likely influenced the spelling and distribution of the surname in different areas.
One notable bearer of the surname Oppy was Sir John Oppy (1532-1610), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Somerset during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Another prominent individual with this surname was Thomas Oppy (1638-1693), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Provost of Oriel College, Oxford, from 1681 until his death.
In the 18th century, the Oppy family had a significant presence in the county of Hampshire, where several members were involved in the local gentry and landowning classes. One such individual was William Oppy (1720-1785), a prominent landowner and magistrate in the region.
During the 19th century, the surname Oppy was particularly prevalent in the counties of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. One notable figure from this period was Robert Oppy (1812-1890), a successful industrialist and entrepreneur who established a successful textile manufacturing business in the city of Bristol.
Another individual of note was Elizabeth Oppy (1845-1921), a prominent educator and advocate for women's rights. She was instrumental in establishing several schools and educational institutions for girls in the city of Bath.
While the surname Oppy is not among the most common surnames in England today, it has a rich history and can be traced back to the medieval period, with connections to various regions and notable individuals throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Oppy 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. Cornwall leads with 78 Oppys recorded in 1881 and an index of 87.22x.
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 33 Oppys recorded in 1881 and an index of 6734.69x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Stithians | 33 | 6734.69x |
| Gwennap | 16 | 946.75x |
| Falmouth | 8 | 252.37x |
| Budock | 7 | 1044.78x |
| Mabe | 5 | 2777.78x |
| Gunwalloe | 4 | 8000.00x |
| St Gluvias Penryn | 3 | 416.67x |
| St Marylebone London | 3 | 7.11x |
| St Columb Major | 2 | 270.27x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Oppy 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 Oppy 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 Oppy households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 17 |
| Tin Miner | 5 |
| Ag Lab | 3 |
| Blacksmith | 2 |
| Powder Maker | 2 |
| Stone Mason | 2 |
| ((Son)) | 1 |
| Ag Labs Wife | 1 |
| Butcher | 1 |
| Carman | 1 |
| Carpenter (Journeyman) | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Dairymaid (Ag) (Dom Serv) | 1 |
| Dock Laborer | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Engine Driver (Mine) | 1 |
| Farmer 100 Acres | 1 |
| Farmer of 270 Acres | 1 |
| Formerly Tin Miner | 1 |
| General Serv (Dom) | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Housemaid Domestic | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Mason | 1 |
| Tin Miners Widow | 1 |
| Wool Weaver | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 81 people were recorded with the Oppy surname. That placed it at #22,082 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 2 in 2016. That gives Oppy a modern rank of #38,825.
A surname derived from a diminutive form of the given name Ophelia.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Oppy 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.