UK surname
A surname derived from the Middle English word 'pye', referring to someone who lived near a baker's shop or bakery.
In the 1881 census there were 50 people recorded with the Pie surname, ranking it #26,587 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 13, ranked #37,278, down from #26,587 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Sutton and Stoneferry, Liverpool and Glasgow. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pie is 108 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 74.0%.
1881 census count
50
Ranked #26,587
Modern count
13
2016, ranked #37,278
Peak year
1851
108 bearers
Map years
1
1851 to 1851
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Pie surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Pie surname density by area, 1851 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 | 108 | #16,308 |
| 1881 | historical | 50 | #26,587 |
| 1891 | historical | 4 | #34,098 |
| 1901 | historical | 22 | #31,562 |
| 1997 | modern | 4 | #38,094 |
| 1998 | modern | 5 | #37,861 |
| 1999 | modern | 4 | #38,100 |
| 2000 | modern | 5 | #37,823 |
| 2001 | modern | 5 | #37,652 |
| 2002 | modern | 8 | #37,206 |
| 2003 | modern | 6 | #37,586 |
| 2004 | modern | 6 | #37,655 |
| 2005 | modern | 10 | #37,180 |
| 2006 | modern | 8 | #37,481 |
| 2007 | modern | 8 | #37,572 |
| 2008 | modern | 10 | #37,371 |
| 2009 | modern | 13 | #37,140 |
| 2010 | modern | 17 | #36,862 |
| 2011 | modern | 18 | #36,739 |
| 2012 | modern | 13 | #37,169 |
| 2013 | modern | 16 | #36,955 |
| 2014 | modern | 15 | #37,070 |
| 2015 | modern | 15 | #37,070 |
| 2016 | modern | 13 | #37,278 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Sutton and Stoneferry, Liverpool, Glasgow, Sheffield and Cheadle. 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 | Sutton and Stoneferry | Yorkshire, East Riding |
| 2 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| 3 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| 4 | Sheffield | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 5 | Cheadle | Cheshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Pie 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 Pie, 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 Pie surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Pie 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, Pie 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 Pie is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Pie, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname PIE is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It likely derived from the Old English word "pie," which referred to a type of pastry or dish made with a crust filled with a savory or sweet filling. The name may have been initially used as a descriptive surname for someone who made or sold pies.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname PIE can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where it appears as "Richard le Pye." This spelling variation suggests that the name was originally pronounced with a long "i" sound.
In the 14th century, the surname PIE was documented in various records, such as the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1379, which mention a "John Pye." During this time, the name was also spelled as "Pye" and "Pye."
The PIE surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest recorded figures was Sir Walter Pye (c. 1355 - c. 1430), an English knight who served under King Henry IV and was appointed to various military and administrative positions.
Another significant bearer of the PIE surname was Sir Robert Pye (1585 - 1662), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament and was a prominent figure during the English Civil War. He was a staunch supporter of the Parliamentarian cause and played a crucial role in the establishment of the Commonwealth of England.
In the 18th century, Henry James Pye (1745 - 1813) was an English poet and laureate who served as the Poet Laureate of England from 1790 until his death. He published numerous works, including translations of classical literature and original poetry.
The PIE surname has also been associated with notable figures in the arts and sciences. John Pye (1782 - 1874) was an English engraver and painter known for his landscape paintings and engravings of architectural subjects.
In the field of science, John Pye Smith (1774 - 1851) was a renowned English theologian and geologist who made significant contributions to the study of geology and its relationship with biblical teachings.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pie 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. Lancashire leads with 11 Pies recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.94x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 11 | 1.94x |
| Norfolk | 10 | 13.61x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 1.26x |
| Staffordshire | 4 | 2.48x |
| Essex | 3 | 3.18x |
| Northumberland | 3 | 4.22x |
| Shropshire | 3 | 7.27x |
| Surrey | 2 | 0.86x |
| Cornwall | 1 | 1.85x |
| Dorset | 1 | 3.19x |
| Fife | 1 | 3.53x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 1.20x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 3.04x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.61x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.21x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. New Houghton in Norfolk leads with 8 Pies recorded in 1881 and an index of 26666.67x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| New Houghton | 8 | 26666.67x |
| Coppenhall Dunston | 4 | 6666.67x |
| Chirton | 3 | 186.34x |
| Eyton Upon Wild Moors | 3 | 4285.71x |
| Tarleton | 3 | 967.74x |
| Bethnal Green London | 2 | 9.63x |
| Colkirk | 2 | 2857.14x |
| Openshaw | 2 | 75.19x |
| Southwark St George Martyr | 2 | 20.79x |
| Ashton Under Lyne | 1 | 8.07x |
| Auchtermuchty | 1 | 263.16x |
| Bootle Cum Linacre | 1 | 22.22x |
| Bradford | 1 | 8.72x |
| Colchester St Botolph | 1 | 125.00x |
| Dagenham | 1 | 178.57x |
| Deptford St Paul | 1 | 7.95x |
| East Lulworth | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Everton | 1 | 5.53x |
| Gelligaer | 1 | 52.63x |
| Islington London | 1 | 2.16x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 3.76x |
| Leyton Low | 1 | 52.08x |
| Madron Penzance | 1 | 50.76x |
| Mearley | 1 | 0.00x |
| Much Woolton | 1 | 129.87x |
| Northaw | 1 | 1000.00x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 3.92x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 2.60x |
| Turton | 1 | 107.53x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Pie 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 Pie 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 Pie households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 5 |
| Boot Maker | 2 |
| Shepherd | 2 |
| A B Seaman | 1 |
| Ag Labourer | 1 |
| Agl Labourer | 1 |
| Barmaid | 1 |
| Boatman | 1 |
| Boatmans wife | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Farm Labr | 1 |
| Farm Servant | 1 |
| Firewood Cutter | 1 |
| General Servant Domestic | 1 |
| General Servt Domestic | 1 |
| Groom | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Housemaid Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Ironer | 1 |
| Labourer At Docks | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Maltmaker | 1 |
| Mariner | 1 |
| Mariners Wife | 1 |
| Police Constable | 1 |
| Railway Serv | 1 |
| Roadman (Coal Mine) | 1 |
| Serv | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Servant Domestic | 1 |
| Soldier | 1 |
| Weaver | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 50 people were recorded with the Pie surname. That placed it at #26,587 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 13 in 2016. That gives Pie a modern rank of #37,278.
A surname derived from the Middle English word 'pye', referring to someone who lived near a baker's shop or bakery.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Pie 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.