NameCensus.

UK surname

Perez

A Spanish patronymic surname meaning "son of Pedro" or "son of Peter."

In the 1881 census there were 24 people recorded with the Perez surname, ranking it #30,215 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,261, ranked #2,873, up from #30,215 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lambeth, Islington and Westminster.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Perez is 2,261 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 9320.8%.

1881 census count

24

Ranked #30,215

Modern count

2,261

2016, ranked #2,873

Peak year

2016

2,261 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Perez had 24 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,215 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,261 in 2016, ranked #2,873.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 81 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Perez surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Perez surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Perez 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 17 #30,267
1861 historical 24 #30,922
1881 historical 24 #30,215
1891 historical 27 #32,115
1901 historical 43 #29,380
1911 historical 81 #24,719
1997 modern 1,111 #5,027
1998 modern 1,212 #4,845
1999 modern 1,276 #4,679
2000 modern 1,318 #4,511
2001 modern 1,280 #4,545
2002 modern 1,344 #4,455
2003 modern 1,348 #4,352
2004 modern 1,359 #4,332
2005 modern 1,386 #4,219
2006 modern 1,455 #4,068
2007 modern 1,483 #4,042
2008 modern 1,614 #3,768
2009 modern 1,754 #3,578
2010 modern 1,915 #3,395
2011 modern 1,942 #3,323
2012 modern 2,009 #3,185
2013 modern 2,102 #3,102
2014 modern 2,185 #3,002
2015 modern 2,204 #2,946
2016 modern 2,261 #2,873

Geography

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Where Perez' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Lambeth, Islington, Westminster, Southampton and Kensington and Chelsea. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Lambeth 005 Lambeth
2 Islington 019 Islington
3 Westminster 017 Westminster
4 Southampton 029 Southampton
5 Kensington and Chelsea 019 Kensington and Chelsea

Forenames

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First names often paired with Perez

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Perez

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Perez surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Perez 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Perez is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Perez is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Perez falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Perez is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Perez

The surname Perez originated in Spain and is derived from the Latin name Petrus, meaning "rock" or "stone". It is a patronymic surname, indicating "son of Peter".

The earliest recorded use of the surname Perez dates back to the 11th century in the regions of Castile and Aragon. It was commonly used among Spanish Jews and Moors during the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest known references to the surname Perez can be found in the 13th-century work "Primera Crónica General" by Alfonso X, the King of Castile and León. This chronicle mentions several individuals with the surname Perez.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various records and manuscripts, such as the "Libro de la Montería" (Book of the Hunt) commissioned by King Alfonso XI of Castile. This book listed several individuals with the surname Perez who were involved in hunting expeditions.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname Perez was Gonzalo Perez, a 14th-century Spanish nobleman and military leader who served under King Alfonso XI during the Reconquista.

Another notable figure with the surname Perez was Pedro Perez, a 15th-century Spanish poet and playwright who was part of the literary movement known as the "Cancionero" in Castile.

During the 16th century, the surname Perez gained prominence with individuals like Antonio Perez (1540-1611), a Spanish statesman and secretary to King Philip II. He played a significant role in the Aragonese Revolt against the Spanish monarchy.

In the 17th century, Juan Perez de Montalban (1602-1638), a Spanish novelist, poet, and playwright, became one of the most renowned figures with the surname Perez. He was a prominent figure of the Spanish Golden Age of literature.

Another notable individual was José Perez de Rubí (1760-1847), a Spanish military officer and statesman who served as the Prime Minister of Spain from 1847 to 1848.

As the surname Perez spread across the Spanish-speaking world, it became associated with various place names and older spellings, such as Perez de la Frontera and Perez de Arroyo.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Perez families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Perez 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. Middlesex leads with 12 Perez' recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.92x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 12 4.92x
Lancashire 6 2.08x
Cheshire 2 3.72x
Glamorgan 1 2.36x
Gloucestershire 1 2.09x
Royal Navy 1 34.48x
Sussex 1 2.43x
Worcestershire 1 3.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Mile End Old Town in Middlesex leads with 4 Perez' recorded in 1881 and an index of 103.90x.

Place Total Index
Mile End Old Town 4 103.90x
St Botolph Aldgate 4 1212.12x
Bootle Cum Linacre 3 130.43x
Birkenhead 2 46.62x
Aighton Bailey 1 714.29x
Battle 1 357.14x
Bristol St Augustine 1 129.87x
Cardiff St John 1 71.94x
Hackney London 1 7.32x
Kidderminster Borough 1 53.76x
Liverpool 1 5.69x
Manchester 1 7.69x
Paddington London 1 11.16x
Poplar London 1 21.74x
Royal Navy 1 40.32x
Tottenham 1 25.77x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Jane 1
Marian 1
Rosa 1
Sarah 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Jose 3
Antonio 2
David 2
Benito 1
Benjamin 1
Edward 1
Fauseano 1
Inan 1
Joseph 1
Josi 1
Juan 1
Manuel 1
Mario 1
Michael 1
Nicasio 1

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 Perez households.

FAQ

Perez surname: questions and answers

How common was the Perez surname in 1881?

In 1881, 24 people were recorded with the Perez surname. That placed it at #30,215 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Perez surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,261 in 2016. That gives Perez a modern rank of #2,873.

What does the Perez surname mean?

A Spanish patronymic surname meaning "son of Pedro" or "son of Peter."

What does the Perez map show?

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