NameCensus.

UK surname

Penry

A locational surname derived from the Welsh place name Penry, meaning headland or promontory.

In the 1881 census there were 112 people recorded with the Penry surname, ranking it #18,501 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 113, ranked #28,691, down from #18,501 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), St Leonard Shoreditch and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Swansea, West Oxfordshire and Windsor and Maidenhead.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Penry is 176 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 0.9%.

1881 census count

112

Ranked #18,501

Modern count

113

2016, ranked #28,691

Peak year

1891

176 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Penry had 112 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,501 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 113 in 2016, ranked #28,691.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 176 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Penry surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Penry surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Penry 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 93 #17,946
1861 historical 121 #18,148
1881 historical 112 #18,501
1891 historical 176 #16,404
1901 historical 156 #17,638
1911 historical 164 #16,879
1997 modern 126 #23,461
1998 modern 136 #23,013
1999 modern 123 #24,643
2000 modern 124 #24,469
2001 modern 117 #24,974
2002 modern 119 #25,231
2003 modern 119 #25,026
2004 modern 123 #24,679
2005 modern 118 #25,301
2006 modern 117 #25,695
2007 modern 114 #26,491
2008 modern 110 #27,391
2009 modern 119 #26,637
2010 modern 117 #27,557
2011 modern 117 #27,334
2012 modern 110 #28,514
2013 modern 115 #28,176
2014 modern 116 #28,253
2015 modern 117 #27,982
2016 modern 113 #28,691

Geography

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Where Penrys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), St Leonard Shoreditch, London parishes, Lambeth and Merthyr Tydfil. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Swansea, West Oxfordshire, Windsor and Maidenhead and Lewes. 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 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
3 London parishes London 3
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 Merthyr Tydfil Glamorganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Swansea 005 Swansea
2 West Oxfordshire 004 West Oxfordshire
3 Swansea 007 Swansea
4 Windsor and Maidenhead 004 Windsor and Maidenhead
5 Lewes 011 Lewes

Forenames

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First names often paired with Penry

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Penry

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Penry surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Penry household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Penry is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Penry is most concentrated in decile 3 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Penry falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Penry

The surname Penry originates from Wales, tracing its roots back to the medieval era. It is believed to be derived from the Welsh word "pen," meaning "head" or "chief," combined with the suffix "-ry," denoting a place or location. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone residing at or near a prominent or elevated place.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Penry surname appears in the 16th century, with John Penry (c. 1559-1593), a Welsh Protestant martyr and writer. He was executed for his involvement in the Puritan movement and his criticism of the Church of England. His writings and activism played a significant role in the religious and political landscape of the time.

Another notable bearer of the Penry name was Thomas Penry (1615-1679), a Welsh Puritan clergyman and writer. He served as a chaplain in the Parliamentary army during the English Civil War and was a prominent figure in the Commonwealth period. Penry's literary works, including sermons and religious treatises, contributed to the intellectual discourse of his time.

In the 18th century, Evan Penry (1737-1818) was a Welsh Methodist minister and hymn writer. His hymns, composed in the Welsh language, were widely popular and influential in the Methodist movement in Wales. Some of his hymns are still sung in Welsh churches today.

Moving into the 19th century, John Penry (1818-1883) was a Welsh farmer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Pembrokeshire from 1868 to 1874. He was involved in various agricultural and political organizations, advocating for the interests of Welsh farmers and rural communities.

Another notable figure was Edward Penry-Jones (1824-1897), a Welsh Anglican clergyman and author. He served as the Archdeacon of Bangor and was known for his literary works, including biographies and theological writings. His publications contributed to the intellectual and religious discourse of the Victorian era.

The Penry surname has also been associated with several place names in Wales, such as Penrhyndeudraeth, a village in Gwynedd, and Penrhyn, a historic estate in Bangor. These place names may have influenced the development and spread of the Penry surname in different regions of Wales.

While the Penry surname has Welsh origins, it has also been adopted by families in other parts of the world, particularly in areas with historical Welsh migration and settlement. The name continues to carry the historical and cultural significance of its Welsh heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Penry families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Penry 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. Glamorgan leads with 27 Penrys recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.20x.

County Total Index
Glamorgan 27 14.20x
Surrey 23 4.32x
Lancashire 13 1.00x
Middlesex 13 1.19x
Pembrokeshire 11 31.69x
Herefordshire 5 11.16x
Monmouthshire 5 6.33x
Cardiganshire 4 15.02x
Yorkshire 4 0.37x
Carmarthenshire 3 6.52x
Derbyshire 2 1.17x
Suffolk 2 1.50x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Llandilo Talybont in Glamorgan leads with 14 Penrys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1400.00x.

Place Total Index
Llandilo Talybont 14 1400.00x
Dutton 11 11000.00x
Lambeth 9 9.45x
Islington London 8 7.56x
Hasguard 7 23333.33x
Southwark St George Martyr 7 31.85x
Battersea 6 14.93x
Merthyr Tydfil 6 32.82x
Llanwenarth Ultra 5 862.07x
Newton In Hereford 5 7142.86x
Aberystwith 4 174.67x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 4 39.68x
Shoreditch London 4 8.45x
Llandilo Fawr 3 146.34x
Oystermouth 3 204.08x
Steynton 3 267.86x
Ipswich St Margaret 2 44.35x
Swansea Town 2 12.83x
Widnes 2 21.39x
Wilne 2 512.82x
Cardiff St Fagan 1 555.56x
Hubberston 1 196.08x
Swansea Higher 1 50.51x
Wandsworth 1 9.51x
Westminster St John 1 7.52x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 10
Elizabeth 5
Sarah 5
Emma 3
Margaret 3
Alice 2
Eleanor 2
Ellen 2
Florence 2
Jane 2
Maria 2
Aldwyth 1
Catherine 1
Cecelia 1
Edith 1
Elizth.Jane 1
Elsie 1
Eve 1
Florance 1
Frances 1
Hetty 1
Louisa 1
Martha 1
May 1
Rose 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Penry surname: questions and answers

How common was the Penry surname in 1881?

In 1881, 112 people were recorded with the Penry surname. That placed it at #18,501 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Penry surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 113 in 2016. That gives Penry a modern rank of #28,691.

What does the Penry surname mean?

A locational surname derived from the Welsh place name Penry, meaning headland or promontory.

What does the Penry map show?

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