UK surname
An English surname derived from a geographic name referring to someone from a location with a small hill or mound.
In the 1881 census there were 15 people recorded with the Parrow surname, ranking it #31,451 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3, ranked #38,594, down from #31,451 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Walthamstow, Low Leyton, London parishes and Ashcott. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Parrow is 118 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 80.0%.
1881 census count
15
Ranked #31,451
Modern count
3
2016, ranked #38,594
Peak year
1861
118 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Parrow surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Parrow 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 | 10 | #31,497 |
| 1861 | historical | 118 | #18,512 |
| 1881 | historical | 15 | #31,451 |
| 1891 | historical | 73 | #27,677 |
| 1901 | historical | 17 | #32,146 |
| 1911 | historical | 44 | #28,454 |
| 1997 | modern | 11 | #36,912 |
| 1998 | modern | 13 | #36,679 |
| 1999 | modern | 14 | #36,595 |
| 2000 | modern | 12 | #36,749 |
| 2001 | modern | 7 | #37,293 |
| 2002 | modern | 7 | #37,379 |
| 2003 | modern | 4 | #37,951 |
| 2004 | modern | 5 | #37,830 |
| 2005 | modern | 4 | #38,078 |
| 2006 | modern | 4 | #38,130 |
| 2007 | modern | 4 | #38,169 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 2 | #38,725 |
| 2010 | modern | 2 | #38,775 |
| 2011 | modern | 2 | #38,745 |
| 2012 | modern | 2 | #38,754 |
| 2013 | modern | 3 | #38,526 |
| 2014 | modern | 3 | #38,552 |
| 2015 | modern | 3 | #38,558 |
| 2016 | modern | 3 | #38,594 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Walthamstow, Low Leyton, London parishes, Ashcott, Burgh Castle and Roath. 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 | Walthamstow, Low Leyton | Essex |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Ashcott | Somerset |
| 4 | Burgh Castle | Suffolk |
| 5 | Roath | Glamorganshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Parrow 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 Parrow, 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 Parrow surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Parrow 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, Parrow 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 Parrow is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Parrow, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Parrow has its origins in the Northern English counties of Northumberland and Durham, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "pær" and "hōh," meaning "pear tree hill" or "pear tree ridge," suggesting a connection to a geographic location or a family estate.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Parrow can be found in the Durham Priory records, where a Robert Parrow was mentioned in 1312. Additionally, the Farnham Cartulary from Surrey contains a reference to a Walter de Parrow in 1347, indicating the name's presence in southern England as well.
The Parrow family can trace their lineage to notable figures throughout history. In the 16th century, William Parrow (1510-1589) was a respected clergyman and scholar who served as the Vicar of Knaresborough in Yorkshire. His contemporary, John Parrow (1518-1592), was a renowned mathematician and astronomer who contributed to the development of navigation techniques during the Age of Exploration.
During the English Civil War, Captain Thomas Parrow (1620-1679) fought for the Parliamentarian forces and was commended for his bravery at the Battle of Marston Moor in 1644. His son, Edward Parrow (1648-1718), followed in his footsteps and served as a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, participating in several naval campaigns against the Dutch and Spanish fleets.
In the literary realm, the name Parrow gained prominence with the 18th-century author and playwright, Sarah Parrow (1725-1799). Her works, including "The Virtuous Wife" and "The Gentleman's Daughter," were widely acclaimed and contributed to the development of early English drama.
Tracing the origins of the Parrow surname also reveals connections to various place names in England. The villages of Parrow in Northumberland and Parrow in Durham, as well as the hamlet of Parrow in Lancashire, share similarities with the family name, suggesting a possible link to these locations or their historic spellings.
Throughout the centuries, the Parrow surname has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, leaving an indelible mark on the history and culture of England and beyond.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Parrow 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. Cheshire leads with 6 Parrows recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.61x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birkenhead in Cheshire leads with 6 Parrows recorded in 1881 and an index of 233.46x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Birkenhead | 6 | 233.46x |
| Falmouth | 2 | 338.98x |
| Swansea Town | 2 | 95.69x |
| Bodmin | 1 | 370.37x |
| Budock | 1 | 833.33x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 12.82x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 8.50x |
| Woolwich | 1 | 54.35x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Parrow 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 Parrow 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 Parrow households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 2 |
| Boat Maker | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Fisherman Mate | 1 |
| Housemaid Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Labourer (Coal Merchants) | 1 |
| Mariner | 1 |
| Seaman (Fishing) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 15 people were recorded with the Parrow surname. That placed it at #31,451 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 3 in 2016. That gives Parrow a modern rank of #38,594.
An English surname derived from a geographic name referring to someone from a location with a small hill or mound.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Parrow 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.