NameCensus.

UK surname

Pacey

An English surname derived from the Middle English term "paci" meaning slow or gentle.

In the 1881 census there were 1,164 people recorded with the Pacey surname, ranking it #3,455 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,627, ranked #3,826, down from #3,455 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Woolsthorpe, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Fenland, Melton and South Kesteven.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pacey is 1,777 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 39.8%.

1881 census count

1,164

Ranked #3,455

Modern count

1,627

2016, ranked #3,826

Peak year

1911

1,777 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pacey had 1,164 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,455 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,627 in 2016, ranked #3,826.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,777 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Pacey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pacey surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pacey 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 738 #3,569
1861 historical 793 #3,473
1881 historical 1,164 #3,455
1891 historical 1,339 #3,253
1901 historical 1,577 #3,270
1911 historical 1,777 #2,754
1997 modern 1,652 #3,593
1998 modern 1,714 #3,612
1999 modern 1,749 #3,571
2000 modern 1,736 #3,579
2001 modern 1,681 #3,613
2002 modern 1,695 #3,661
2003 modern 1,648 #3,671
2004 modern 1,645 #3,680
2005 modern 1,600 #3,735
2006 modern 1,592 #3,754
2007 modern 1,606 #3,756
2008 modern 1,640 #3,719
2009 modern 1,657 #3,769
2010 modern 1,681 #3,796
2011 modern 1,658 #3,803
2012 modern 1,621 #3,800
2013 modern 1,664 #3,774
2014 modern 1,665 #3,798
2015 modern 1,645 #3,794
2016 modern 1,627 #3,826

Geography

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Where Paceys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Woolsthorpe, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes, Newark-on-Trent, East Stoke (East Stoke), Park Leys, Rolleston (Fiskerton), Morton and Nottingham St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Fenland, Melton, South Kesteven and West Lindsey. 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 Woolsthorpe Lincolnshire
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Newark-on-Trent, East Stoke (East Stoke), Park Leys, Rolleston (Fiskerton), Morton Nottinghamshire
5 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Fenland 006 Fenland
2 Melton 001 Melton
3 South Kesteven 002 South Kesteven
4 South Kesteven 009 South Kesteven
5 West Lindsey 011 West Lindsey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pacey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Pacey

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Pacey is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Pacey is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Pacey falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Pacey

The surname Pacey is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "paece," meaning a small bundle or package. It is believed to have originated in the 12th century as an occupational surname for a packer or porter, someone who carried goods or packages.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Pacey can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1273, where it appears as "Pacey." This suggests that the name was already established in England by the late 13th century.

In the 14th century, the surname is found in various historical records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, where it is recorded as "Pacey." This indicates that the name had spread to different regions of England by this time.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname Pacey was John Pacey, who was mentioned in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire in 1379. This record provides valuable insight into the geographical distribution of the name during the late Middle Ages.

The Pacey surname can also be traced back to place names in England, such as Pacey in Gloucestershire and Pacey's Green in Buckinghamshire. These place names may have contributed to the development and spread of the surname in their respective regions.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Pacey. One such person was Sir Ralph Pacey (1572-1644), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire in the early 17th century.

Another notable Pacey was William Pacey (1675-1738), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works, including "The Christian's Compleat Armour" and "The Christian's Safety in the Last Times."

In the 19th century, Thomas Pacey (1818-1887) was a prominent English architect known for designing several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Albert Hall and the Church of St. Michael and All Angels in Croydon.

Edward Pacey (1878-1945) was a British artist and illustrator who gained recognition for his landscapes and illustrations for books, including works by Thomas Hardy and H.G. Wells.

More recently, Steven Pacey (born 1957) is a British actor best known for his roles in television series such as "Blake's 7" and "Chancer."

While the Pacey surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, including North America and Australia, through migration and settlement patterns over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Pacey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pacey 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. Lincolnshire leads with 327 Paceys recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.98x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 327 17.98x
Yorkshire 161 1.43x
Nottinghamshire 159 10.37x
Northamptonshire 85 7.95x
Surrey 48 0.87x
Middlesex 43 0.38x
Warwickshire 42 1.46x
Derbyshire 38 2.13x
Leicestershire 34 2.70x
Bedfordshire 30 5.09x
Lancashire 30 0.22x
Hampshire 29 1.24x
Buckinghamshire 26 3.78x
Kent 26 0.67x
Gloucestershire 16 0.72x
Sussex 15 0.78x
Oxfordshire 14 1.99x
Essex 7 0.31x
Herefordshire 7 1.50x
Staffordshire 4 0.10x
Cambridgeshire 3 0.42x
Devon 3 0.13x
Durham 3 0.09x
Shropshire 3 0.31x
Somerset 3 0.16x
Royal Navy 2 1.48x
Suffolk 2 0.14x
Worcestershire 2 0.13x
Cheshire 1 0.04x
Hertfordshire 1 0.13x
Midlothian 1 0.07x
Norfolk 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Woolsthorpe in Lincolnshire leads with 44 Paceys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1888.41x.

Place Total Index
Woolsthorpe 44 1888.41x
Nottingham St Mary 32 8.07x
Blisworth 31 750.61x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 27 25.71x
Newark Upon Trent 20 36.30x
Fenny Stratford 19 291.86x
Lenton 18 49.85x
Brightside Bierlow 15 6.79x
South Clifton 14 1333.33x
Battersea 13 3.11x
Hemswell 13 896.55x
Camberwell 12 1.65x
Donington 12 183.77x
Kingston On Thames 12 9.01x
Elston 11 617.98x
Newbold Upon Avon 11 404.41x
Northampton Priory St 11 17.14x
Peterborough 11 14.20x
Bisley 10 49.48x
Branston 10 179.53x
Halifax 10 6.04x
Heanor 10 37.55x
Kirdford 10 150.15x
Aston 9 1.14x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 9 23.35x
Doncaster 9 10.93x
Helpringham 9 245.90x
Leicester St Margaret 9 2.93x
Northampton St Giles 9 22.09x
Ruskington 9 193.97x
Scopwick 9 576.92x
Sharnbrook 9 276.07x
Southampton St Mary 9 6.14x
Worksop 9 19.79x
Bardney 8 147.60x
Bedford St Peter 8 52.29x
East Worldham 8 776.70x
Edenham 8 365.30x
Fiskerton 8 727.27x
Leverton 8 346.32x
Neithrop 8 33.88x
Paddington London 8 1.91x
Ridgmont 8 275.86x
Southcoates 8 12.79x
Tickhill 8 111.27x
Winshill 8 70.48x
Clowne 7 98.87x
Cottingham 7 28.82x
Forcett With Carkin 7 318.18x
Great Coates 7 736.84x
Kensington London 7 1.11x
Louth 7 16.79x
Nortonwith 7 304.35x
Pinchbeck 7 60.03x
Stapleford 7 56.22x
Stony Stratford West 7 147.99x
Tonbridge 7 5.00x
Wigtoft 7 266.16x
Chislehurst 6 28.83x
Ecclesall Bierlow 6 2.62x
Great Bolton 6 3.36x
Great Ponton 6 322.58x
Marston 6 500.00x
Miningsby In Boston 6 645.16x
Oulton Cum Woodlesford 6 65.57x
Oxford St Thomas 6 18.30x
Pitsford 6 275.23x
Rowston 6 681.82x
Rugby 6 15.46x
Spalding 6 16.63x
Wentworth 6 85.96x
Birmingham 5 0.52x
Clapham 5 3.52x
East Cottingwith 5 495.05x
Garthorpe 5 1063.83x
Longparish 5 190.11x
Newton In Guisbrough 5 1111.11x
Romford 5 14.09x
St Nicholas Lincoln 5 28.77x
Toxteth Park 5 1.09x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 91
John 67
George 59
Thomas 41
Robert 31
Henry 25
James 23
Arthur 15
Charles 15
Alfred 14
Joseph 14
Benjamin 10
Edward 9
Frank 8
Frederick 8
Herbert 8
Richard 6
Samuel 6
Walter 6
Albert 5
Daniel 5
Francis 5
Harry 5
Peter 5
Edwin 4
Ernest 4
Tom 4
Fred 3
Frederic 3
Moses 3
Philip 3
Willie 3
Aaron 2
Elijah 2
Fredric 2
Fredrick 2
Isaac 2
Jno. 2
Josiah 2
Archie 1
Bertie 1
Charley 1
Cornelius 1
Ezra 1
Fanny 1
Ferdinand 1
J. 1
J.W. 1
Jacob 1
Wm.Robert 1

FAQ

Pacey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pacey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,164 people were recorded with the Pacey surname. That placed it at #3,455 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pacey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,627 in 2016. That gives Pacey a modern rank of #3,826.

What does the Pacey surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Middle English term "paci" meaning slow or gentle.

What does the Pacey map show?

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