NameCensus.

UK surname

Pardy

A surname derived from the French word "pardieu" meaning "by God", possibly referring to someone with a tendency to swear or blaspheme.

In the 1881 census there were 255 people recorded with the Pardy surname, ranking it #10,924 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 335, ranked #13,611, down from #10,924 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Chilton Canteloe, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Bedminster. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Christchurch, Bristol and Rotherham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pardy is 367 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 31.4%.

1881 census count

255

Ranked #10,924

Modern count

335

2016, ranked #13,611

Peak year

1998

367 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pardy had 255 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,924 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 335 in 2016, ranked #13,611.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 352 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Pardy surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pardy surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Pardy 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 273 #8,212
1861 historical 243 #10,116
1881 historical 255 #10,924
1891 historical 340 #10,062
1901 historical 352 #10,394
1911 historical 341 #10,468
1997 modern 355 #12,040
1998 modern 367 #12,121
1999 modern 354 #12,497
2000 modern 352 #12,510
2001 modern 342 #12,566
2002 modern 351 #12,583
2003 modern 346 #12,511
2004 modern 340 #12,707
2005 modern 326 #13,045
2006 modern 334 #12,912
2007 modern 338 #12,925
2008 modern 343 #12,899
2009 modern 345 #13,107
2010 modern 350 #13,251
2011 modern 350 #13,086
2012 modern 343 #13,158
2013 modern 327 #13,868
2014 modern 331 #13,851
2015 modern 333 #13,676
2016 modern 335 #13,611

Geography

Back to top

Where Pardys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Chilton Canteloe, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Bedminster, New Forest (Lady Cross Walk, Whitley Ridge Walk, Rhinefield Walk, Wilverley Walk, Holmesley Walk, Br and Aberdeen and Old Machar. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Christchurch, Bristol and Rotherham. 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 Chilton Canteloe Somerset
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Bedminster Somerset
4 New Forest (Lady Cross Walk, Whitley Ridge Walk, Rhinefield Walk, Wilverley Walk, Holmesley Walk, Br Hampshire
5 Aberdeen and Old Machar Aberdeen

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Christchurch 006 Christchurch
2 Christchurch 002 Christchurch
3 Christchurch 003 Christchurch
4 Bristol 001 Bristol, City of
5 Rotherham 014 Rotherham

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Pardy

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Pardy

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Pardy surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Pardy household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Pardy 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

Pardy is most concentrated in decile 4 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Pardy falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Pardy is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Pardy

The surname Pardy originated in England, with the earliest known records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "pardieu," which means "by God" or "truly." This suggests that the name may have been initially given as a nickname to someone known for frequently using this exclamation.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1199, where a William Pardy is mentioned. The name also appears in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1273, with a reference to a John Pardy.

During the 13th century, the Pardy family was known to have resided in the village of Harewood, Yorkshire. This connection is evident in the mention of a Geoffrey de Pardy de Harewod in the Yorkshire Inquisitions of 1284.

In the 14th century, the Pardys were prominent landowners in the county of Somerset. Records from this period include a Richard Pardy, who was a witness to a deed in Taunton, Somerset, in 1327.

One notable figure in the history of the Pardy surname was Sir John Pardy, who lived in the late 15th century. He served as a Member of Parliament for Somerset in 1472 and was knighted by King Edward IV for his services during the Wars of the Roses.

Another significant individual was Robert Pardy, born in 1586 in Gloucestershire. He was a respected scholar and author who wrote several works on theology and philosophy, including "A Treatise on the Soul" and "Meditations on the Lord's Prayer."

In the 17th century, the Pardy family had a strong presence in the county of Devon. One notable member was John Pardy, born in 1632, who was a successful merchant and landowner in the town of Exeter.

The Pardy surname has also been associated with the village of Pardy, located in the county of Somerset. While the origins of the place name are uncertain, it is possible that it may have been derived from the same root as the surname, further reinforcing the connection between the two.

Throughout its history, the Pardy surname has undergone various spelling variations, including Pardey, Pardye, and Pardie, reflecting the evolving nature of English orthography over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Pardy families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pardy 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. Hampshire leads with 71 Pardys recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.50x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 71 13.50x
Somerset 53 12.84x
Dorset 24 14.26x
Middlesex 22 0.86x
Surrey 15 1.20x
Devon 14 2.62x
Aberdeenshire 10 4.21x
Derbyshire 9 2.24x
Kent 9 1.03x
Yorkshire 9 0.35x
Berkshire 7 3.64x
Channel Islands 6 7.89x
Warwickshire 5 0.77x
Buckinghamshire 2 1.29x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.92x
Gloucestershire 1 0.20x
Lancashire 1 0.03x
Monmouthshire 1 0.54x
Norfolk 1 0.25x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.29x
Royal Navy 1 3.27x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Christchurch in Hampshire leads with 27 Pardys recorded in 1881 and an index of 236.84x.

Place Total Index
Christchurch 27 236.84x
Bedminster 16 41.24x
Milford 13 844.16x
Holdenhurst 11 79.77x
Tormoham 10 44.27x
Odcombe 9 1636.36x
Whittington 9 161.87x
Yeovil 8 95.35x
Cantelo 7 10000.00x
Hackney London 7 4.87x
Southampton St Mary 7 21.17x
Cookham 6 100.00x
Minster In Sheppey 6 41.38x
Rotherham 6 41.87x
St Peter Port 6 42.67x
Wimborne St Giles 6 1500.00x
Aberdeen Old Machar 5 10.08x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 5 11.25x
Birmingham 5 2.32x
Clapham 5 15.59x
Corfe Mullen 5 819.67x
Ringwood 5 148.81x
Southwark Christchurch 5 41.60x
Cranborne 4 196.08x
Ilchester 4 666.67x
Rimpton 4 1739.13x
Southwark St Saviour 4 30.35x
Mile End Old Town 3 7.41x
St Marylebone London 3 2.19x
West Teignmouth 3 73.53x
Whitwood 3 83.10x
Willesden 3 12.41x
Bothenhampton 2 425.53x
Chilton Cantelo 2 5000.00x
Fulmer 2 526.32x
Hampreston 2 163.93x
Southampton All Sts 2 22.17x
Wimborne 2 98.04x
Blackley 1 18.73x
Bradpole 1 72.46x
Carisbrooke 1 13.70x
Chilthorne Domer 1 555.56x
Clewer 1 12.67x
Dorchester Holy Trinity 1 73.53x
East Teignmouth 1 45.87x
Eltham 1 19.49x
Farringdon 1 196.08x
Heigham 1 4.72x
Hursley 1 81.97x
Kensington London 1 0.70x
Kingston On Thames 1 3.33x
Lewisham 1 2.14x
Limehouse London 1 3.55x
Llanelly 1 4.11x
Marston Magna 1 370.37x
Melcombe Regis 1 14.33x
Mereworth 1 142.86x
Paddington London 1 1.06x
Petersfield 1 68.97x
Royal Navy 1 3.83x
Southampton St Michael 1 57.80x
St Giles In Fields 1 11.30x
St Martin In Fields 1 6.51x
St Woollos 1 4.83x
Stapleton 1 10.48x
Styrrup 1 196.08x
Up Nately 1 1000.00x
Westminster St 1 10.57x
Weston Super Mare 1 9.59x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 19
John 15
Charles 8
George 8
James 7
Thomas 6
Alfred 5
Henry 5
Edward 4
Frederick 4
Harry 4
Walter 4
Fred 3
Isaac 3
Fredk. 2
Albert 1
Alexander 1
Arthur 1
Chas. 1
Elias 1
Ernest 1
Fred. 1
Herbert 1
Joseph 1
Levi 1
Louis 1
Percy 1
Philip 1
Phillip 1
Ptolemy 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
Stanly 1
Wilbert 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Pardy surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pardy surname in 1881?

In 1881, 255 people were recorded with the Pardy surname. That placed it at #10,924 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pardy surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 335 in 2016. That gives Pardy a modern rank of #13,611.

What does the Pardy surname mean?

A surname derived from the French word "pardieu" meaning "by God", possibly referring to someone with a tendency to swear or blaspheme.

What does the Pardy map show?

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