NameCensus.

UK surname

Parry

An English and Welsh surname derived from the given name Harry or Henry, or from the Welsh ap Harry, meaning "son of Harry."

In the 1881 census there were 22,775 people recorded with the Parry surname, ranking it #150 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 28,235, ranked #195, down from #150 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Llanbeblig and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Gwynedd and Isle of Anglesey.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Parry is 28,971 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 24.0%.

1881 census count

22,775

Ranked #150

Modern count

28,235

2016, ranked #195

Peak year

2010

28,971 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Parry had 22,775 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #150 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 28,235 in 2016, ranked #195.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 28,263 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Parry surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Parry surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Parry 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 16,679 #127
1861 historical 15,260 #147
1881 historical 22,775 #150
1891 historical 22,638 #167
1901 historical 26,230 #170
1911 historical 28,263 #138
1997 modern 27,570 #195
1998 modern 28,657 #196
1999 modern 28,939 #197
2000 modern 28,847 #195
2001 modern 28,071 #195
2002 modern 28,576 #195
2003 modern 27,824 #195
2004 modern 27,882 #195
2005 modern 27,601 #194
2006 modern 27,595 #192
2007 modern 27,699 #194
2008 modern 27,804 #195
2009 modern 28,464 #194
2010 modern 28,971 #194
2011 modern 28,444 #195
2012 modern 27,989 #194
2013 modern 28,639 #193
2014 modern 28,714 #194
2015 modern 28,442 #193
2016 modern 28,235 #195

Geography

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Where Parrys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Llanbeblig, London parishes, Toxteth Park and Bedwelty. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Gwynedd and Isle of Anglesey. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Llanbeblig Carnarvonshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Toxteth Park Lancashire
5 Bedwelty Monmouthshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Gwynedd 006 Gwynedd
2 Isle of Anglesey 001 Isle of Anglesey
3 Isle of Anglesey 005 Isle of Anglesey
4 Isle of Anglesey 006 Isle of Anglesey
5 Gwynedd 012 Gwynedd

Forenames

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First names often paired with Parry

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Parry

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Parry 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

Parry is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Parry 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 Parry 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 Parry, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Parry

The surname Parry originated in Wales, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Welsh word "parry," which means "to go through" or "to pass." This suggests that the name may have initially been given to someone who lived near a pass or traveled frequently through mountain passes.

The name Parry is found in various historical records, including the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Pari." This early spelling variation highlights the name's Welsh roots and its evolution over time.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Parry was Rhys ap Harry, a Welsh landowner who lived in the 13th century. Another notable figure was Sir Thomas Parry (c. 1515-1560), a Welsh diplomat and member of the Privy Council of Queen Elizabeth I.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Parry family established themselves as prominent landowners and gentry in several counties of Wales, including Flintshire, Denbighshire, and Montgomeryshire. The name was also associated with several place names in Wales, such as Parry's Court in Monmouthshire.

One of the most famous individuals with the surname Parry was Sir William Edward Parry (1790-1855), a renowned British naval officer and Arctic explorer. He led several expeditions to the Arctic regions in the early 19th century and made significant contributions to the mapping of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.

Another notable figure was Joseph Parry (1841-1903), a Welsh composer and musician who is best known for his choral works and operas. He played a significant role in the revival of Welsh music and culture during the late 19th century.

Other individuals with the surname Parry who left their mark on history include Charles Hubert Hastings Parry (1848-1918), an English composer and teacher who was influential in the renaissance of English music; Caleb Hillier Parry (1755-1822), a Welsh physician and writer; and John Parry (c. 1776-1851), a Welsh-born American explorer and trader who played a crucial role in the early fur trade in the Rocky Mountains.

The surname Parry has a rich history and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including landowners, explorers, composers, and diplomats, reflecting the diverse contributions of those who carried this Welsh name through the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Parry families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Parry 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. Lancashire leads with 3,361 Parrys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.27x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 3,361 1.27x
Caernarfonshire 3,134 34.86x
Flintshire 1,784 29.85x
Denbighshire 1,708 20.34x
Anglesey 1,600 40.61x
Glamorgan 1,066 2.75x
Middlesex 954 0.43x
Monmouthshire 936 5.82x
Cheshire 898 1.83x
Merionethshire 722 17.75x
Shropshire 628 3.27x
Herefordshire 532 5.84x
Brecknockshire 526 11.83x
Staffordshire 503 0.67x
Gloucestershire 502 1.15x
Montgomeryshire 471 9.24x
Warwickshire 450 0.80x
Cardiganshire 427 7.87x
Worcestershire 371 1.28x
Surrey 366 0.34x
Yorkshire 306 0.14x
Kent 193 0.25x
Carmarthenshire 179 1.91x
Pembrokeshire 155 2.19x
Durham 130 0.20x
Essex 108 0.25x
Derbyshire 64 0.18x
Hampshire 62 0.14x
Sussex 52 0.14x
Somerset 51 0.14x
Radnorshire 44 2.45x
Nottinghamshire 42 0.14x
Devon 38 0.08x
Lanarkshire 34 0.05x
Lincolnshire 32 0.09x
Suffolk 31 0.11x
Norfolk 27 0.08x
Berkshire 26 0.16x
Leicestershire 26 0.11x
Wiltshire 24 0.12x
Northumberland 21 0.06x
Buckinghamshire 20 0.15x
Dorset 19 0.13x
Hertfordshire 18 0.12x
Northamptonshire 15 0.07x
Midlothian 14 0.05x
Bedfordshire 13 0.11x
Cumberland 13 0.07x
Cambridgeshire 12 0.09x
Channel Islands 11 0.17x
Cornwall 9 0.04x
Oxfordshire 9 0.07x
Isle of Man 8 0.19x
Ayrshire 7 0.04x
Royal Navy 7 0.26x
Westmorland 7 0.14x
Huntingdonshire 6 0.14x
Fife 5 0.04x
Angus 4 0.02x
Rutland 3 0.18x
Argyllshire 2 0.03x
Kirkcudbrightshire 2 0.06x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.02x
Inverness-shire 1 0.02x
Renfrewshire 1 0.01x
Stirlingshire 1 0.01x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 468 Parrys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.92x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 468 2.92x
Everton 398 4.73x
Toxteth Park 375 4.20x
Llanbeblig 362 39.68x
West Derby 343 4.44x
Llanllechid 339 53.63x
Holywell 266 35.45x
Holyhead 262 35.66x
Llanddeiniolen 261 49.66x
Llanllyfni 220 51.85x
Bangor 218 25.14x
Ruabon 210 18.18x
Kirkdale 206 4.64x
Birmingham 195 1.04x
Festiniog 195 22.72x
Llanasa 190 91.65x
Aston 177 1.15x
Merthyr Tydfil 171 4.60x
Llandegai 165 59.96x
Mold 153 28.22x
Ystradyfodwg 146 4.30x
Birkenhead 143 3.66x
Llandwrog 141 44.76x
Bedwellty 138 4.86x
Whitford 133 42.94x
Broughton 130 39.38x
Amlwch 124 33.43x
Llanberis 121 52.28x
Aberdare 120 4.52x
Wrexham Regis 116 18.60x
Llanrug 110 46.72x
Salford 110 1.42x
Hulme 108 1.96x
Rhuddlan 108 20.53x
Aberystruth 106 7.48x
Flint 104 30.65x
Ynyscynhaiarn 104 24.85x
Bootle Cum Linacre 97 4.63x
Stoke Upon Trent 97 1.22x
Trevethin 92 6.06x
Lambeth 86 0.44x
Nevin 83 54.39x
Llanover 81 14.76x
Islington London 79 0.37x
Manchester 78 0.66x
Camberwell 76 0.54x
Hawarden 76 16.19x
Llanrwst 76 26.14x
Tranmere 73 4.05x
Chester St Oswald 72 8.10x
Hackney London 72 0.58x
Oswestry Town 72 11.71x
St Pancras London 72 0.40x
Kensington London 69 0.56x
Abergele 68 28.15x
Bromsgrove 66 6.75x
Brymbo 65 22.22x
Conway 65 37.35x
Chester St John Baptist 64 7.26x
Llanarmon 61 47.65x
Bersham 59 16.47x
Pool 59 15.35x
West Dean 59 8.33x
Caerwys 56 91.40x
Gelligaer 56 6.33x
Llanidan 55 52.41x
Newtown 55 16.88x
Clase 53 3.68x
Denbigh 53 15.72x
Dolgelley 53 17.51x
Llanfair Is Gaer 53 42.72x
St Marylebone London 53 0.45x
Llanengan 52 48.12x
Walton On Hill 51 3.57x
Chelsea London 50 0.75x
Clynnog 50 40.65x
Henllan 50 23.32x
Llandudno 50 15.60x
Llanfair Mathafarn 50 96.62x
Northop 50 23.62x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 1,780
Elizabeth 1,143
Jane 807
Margaret 721
Sarah 684
Ann 632
Ellen 462
Catherine 347
Anne 283
Eliza 226
Annie 196
Hannah 191
Alice 168
Emma 154
Martha 146
Emily 142
Maria 100
Edith 99
Harriet 94
Louisa 92
Grace 81
Charlotte 73
Cathrine 72
Kate 64
Laura 61
Ada 58
Caroline 58
Elizth. 58
Esther 58
Margret 57
Fanny 53
Frances 52
Florence 51
Eleanor 50
Margt. 47
Agnes 45
Lucy 40
Rachel 38
Amelia 37
Susan 37
Clara 36
Susannah 36
Gwen 34
Ellin 31
Harriett 31
Isabella 30
Lydia 30
Maggie 30
Rebecca 28
Sophia 27

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 1,729
William 1,477
Thomas 1,088
Robert 541
Edward 531
Henry 531
Richard 414
David 376
James 364
George 333
Joseph 280
Hugh 260
Charles 212
Owen 209
Evan 154
Samuel 133
Alfred 110
Griffith 107
Arthur 96
Frederick 90
Edwin 84
Walter 75
Wm. 74
Thos. 71
Albert 68
Peter 68
Benjamin 60
Lewis 60
Daniel 57
Herbert 45
Isaac 42
Frank 41
Morris 33
Ernest 32
Ellis 29
Francis 29
Harry 29
Moses 28
Richd. 28
Robt. 27
Chas. 20
Morgan 20
Jno. 19
Stephen 19
Edmund 18
Elias 16
Humphrey 15
Jonathan 15
Philip 15
Edwd. 13

Top occupations

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 Parry households.

FAQ

Parry surname: questions and answers

How common was the Parry surname in 1881?

In 1881, 22,775 people were recorded with the Parry surname. That placed it at #150 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Parry surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 28,235 in 2016. That gives Parry a modern rank of #195.

What does the Parry surname mean?

An English and Welsh surname derived from the given name Harry or Henry, or from the Welsh ap Harry, meaning "son of Harry."

What does the Parry map show?

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