UK surname
A variant spelling of the French word "payer", referring to someone who pays or collects money.
In the 1881 census there were 52 people recorded with the Paye surname, ranking it #26,281 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 61, ranked #34,287, down from #26,281 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Pancras, St Marylebone and All Saints Poplar. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Paye is 359 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 17.3%.
1881 census count
52
Ranked #26,281
Modern count
61
2016, ranked #34,287
Peak year
1861
359 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Paye surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Paye surname density by area, 1911 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 | 124 | #14,792 |
| 1861 | historical | 359 | #7,113 |
| 1881 | historical | 52 | #26,281 |
| 1891 | historical | 349 | #9,857 |
| 1901 | historical | 92 | #23,800 |
| 1911 | historical | 117 | #20,757 |
| 1997 | modern | 81 | #29,436 |
| 1998 | modern | 82 | #29,754 |
| 1999 | modern | 82 | #29,933 |
| 2000 | modern | 76 | #30,578 |
| 2001 | modern | 71 | #30,907 |
| 2002 | modern | 82 | #30,181 |
| 2003 | modern | 76 | #30,883 |
| 2004 | modern | 80 | #30,679 |
| 2005 | modern | 76 | #31,267 |
| 2006 | modern | 75 | #31,733 |
| 2007 | modern | 77 | #31,856 |
| 2008 | modern | 77 | #32,181 |
| 2009 | modern | 81 | #32,172 |
| 2010 | modern | 82 | #32,492 |
| 2011 | modern | 69 | #33,532 |
| 2012 | modern | 67 | #33,840 |
| 2013 | modern | 66 | #34,003 |
| 2014 | modern | 67 | #33,959 |
| 2015 | modern | 59 | #34,407 |
| 2016 | modern | 61 | #34,287 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Pancras, St Marylebone, All Saints Poplar, Great Amwell, Broxbourne (Hoddesdon) and Enfield. 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 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 2 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| 3 | All Saints Poplar | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | Great Amwell, Broxbourne (Hoddesdon) | Hertfordshire |
| 5 | Enfield | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Paye 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 Paye, 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 Paye surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Paye 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, Paye 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 Paye is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Paye, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname PAYE is believed to have originated from the Old French word "paye" or "paie," which means "payment" or "wage." This surname first appeared in France during the Middle Ages, specifically in the northern regions of the country.
The earliest recorded instances of the PAYE surname date back to the 12th century, where it was often associated with individuals involved in financial or administrative roles related to the collection of taxes or payments. One notable early record is from the year 1189, when a certain Renaud Paye was mentioned in the records of the Abbey of Saint-Denis near Paris.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the PAYE surname began to spread across various regions of France, with several notable individuals bearing this name. One such person was Guillaume Paye, born around 1270 in Rouen, who served as a royal tax collector during the reign of King Philip IV.
In the 15th century, the PAYE surname found its way into England, likely brought over by Norman settlers. One of the earliest recorded English bearers of this name was John Paye, born in 1421 in Wiltshire, who was a prominent merchant and landowner.
Throughout the centuries, the PAYE surname has undergone various spellings, such as Paye, Payee, Paie, and Paiee. These variations reflect the regional dialects and linguistic influences of the areas where the name was present.
Several notable individuals with the PAYE surname have left their mark in history. One such figure was Jean-Baptiste Paye (1779-1858), a French mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics and the calculation of planetary orbits.
Another remarkable person was Marie-Anne Paye (1811-1892), a French philanthropist and social reformer who dedicated her life to improving the living conditions of the poor and advocating for women's rights.
In the field of literature, the PAYE surname is represented by Gabrielle Paye (1864-1937), a French novelist and playwright whose works explored themes of love, family, and societal issues.
Additionally, there was Louis Paye (1896-1972), a French architect and urban planner who played a significant role in the reconstruction efforts after World War II, designing and rebuilding numerous buildings and public spaces in various cities across France.
While the PAYE surname may not be among the most common or widely recognized, it has a rich history and has been borne by individuals who have made notable contributions in various fields throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Paye 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. Middlesex leads with 12 Payes recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.32x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 12 | 2.32x |
| Surrey | 7 | 2.78x |
| Hertfordshire | 6 | 16.84x |
| Lancashire | 6 | 0.98x |
| Shropshire | 6 | 13.44x |
| Fife | 4 | 13.08x |
| Kent | 4 | 2.27x |
| Oxfordshire | 3 | 9.40x |
| Essex | 2 | 1.96x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.39x |
| Channel Islands | 1 | 6.53x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Broxbourne in Hertfordshire leads with 6 Payes recorded in 1881 and an index of 845.07x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Broxbourne | 6 | 845.07x |
| Diddlebury | 6 | 4000.00x |
| Tottenham | 5 | 60.75x |
| Blackley | 4 | 370.37x |
| Camberwell | 4 | 12.12x |
| Dysart | 4 | 194.17x |
| Charlton | 3 | 256.41x |
| Eye Dunsden | 3 | 2000.00x |
| Grays Thurrock | 2 | 210.53x |
| Parr | 2 | 91.32x |
| St Marylebone London | 2 | 7.25x |
| Bow London | 1 | 15.20x |
| Cheam | 1 | 370.37x |
| Croydon | 1 | 7.15x |
| Horton In Bradford | 1 | 12.50x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 3.48x |
| Maidstone | 1 | 19.05x |
| Newington | 1 | 5.24x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 5.26x |
| St George Hanover | 1 | 14.81x |
| St Helier | 1 | 20.04x |
| Stoke Newington London | 1 | 24.81x |
| Wadworth | 1 | 1000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Paye 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 Paye 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 Paye households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 7 |
| Carman To Contractor | 3 |
| Annuitant | 2 |
| Grocer | 2 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Ag Labourer | 1 |
| Brickmaker | 1 |
| Builder | 1 |
| Carman & Contractor Employing 8 Hands | 1 |
| Chemical Lab | 1 |
| Chemists Assistant | 1 |
| Cook Dom Serv | 1 |
| Dom Servant | 1 |
| Drapers Assistant | 1 |
| Dyers Labourer (C) | 1 |
| Farmer & Miller | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| House Keeper | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Housemaid Dom Serv | 1 |
| Income Derived From House Property | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Mantle Maker | 1 |
| Midwife | 1 |
| Needlewomen | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Silk Bobbin Carrier | 1 |
| Silk Weaver | 1 |
| Smallware Presser | 1 |
| Traveller | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 52 people were recorded with the Paye surname. That placed it at #26,281 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 61 in 2016. That gives Paye a modern rank of #34,287.
A variant spelling of the French word "payer", referring to someone who pays or collects money.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Paye 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.