NameCensus.

UK surname

Poore

An English occupational surname referring to a poor person or someone who lived in poverty.

In the 1881 census there were 538 people recorded with the Poore surname, ranking it #6,406 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 777, ranked #7,093, down from #6,406 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst, London parishes and Portsmouth, Portsea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Blaenau Gwent and Huntingdonshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Poore is 924 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 44.4%.

1881 census count

538

Ranked #6,406

Modern count

777

2016, ranked #7,093

Peak year

1911

924 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Poore had 538 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,406 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 777 in 2016, ranked #7,093.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 924 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Poore surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Poore surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Poore 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 414 #5,863
1861 historical 358 #7,132
1881 historical 538 #6,406
1891 historical 673 #5,795
1901 historical 821 #5,503
1911 historical 924 #4,849
1997 modern 872 #6,113
1998 modern 903 #6,146
1999 modern 890 #6,257
2000 modern 906 #6,150
2001 modern 880 #6,175
2002 modern 855 #6,433
2003 modern 831 #6,451
2004 modern 810 #6,606
2005 modern 808 #6,568
2006 modern 783 #6,743
2007 modern 793 #6,741
2008 modern 803 #6,725
2009 modern 818 #6,752
2010 modern 821 #6,871
2011 modern 794 #6,998
2012 modern 788 #6,929
2013 modern 799 #6,961
2014 modern 800 #7,001
2015 modern 796 #6,960
2016 modern 777 #7,093

Geography

Back to top

Where Poores are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst, London parishes, Portsmouth, Portsea, Brighton and St Matthew Bethnal Green. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Blaenau Gwent, Huntingdonshire, East Dorset and Eastleigh. 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 Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst Sussex
2 London parishes London 3
3 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
4 Brighton Sussex
5 St Matthew Bethnal Green London (East Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 048 Cornwall
2 Blaenau Gwent 008 Blaenau Gwent
3 Huntingdonshire 011 Huntingdonshire
4 East Dorset 001 East Dorset
5 Eastleigh 012 Eastleigh

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Poore

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Poore

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

Poore is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Poore falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Poore

The surname Poore is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and it is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. The name is thought to be derived from the Old English word "poer," meaning poor or humble, suggesting that the first bearers of this surname may have been individuals of modest means or humble status.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Poore can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation carried out by order of William the Conqueror. The name appears as "le Poure," indicating its presence in England shortly after the Norman Conquest.

During the 13th century, the surname Poore was particularly prevalent in the counties of Wiltshire and Hampshire, where it is associated with several notable individuals. One such figure was Richard Poore (c. 1190-1237), who served as Bishop of Salisbury from 1217 to 1228 and played a significant role in the construction of Salisbury Cathedral.

In the 14th century, the name Poore appeared in various forms, including "le Pouere," "le Poor," and "le Pore." This variation in spelling was common during this period, reflecting the inconsistencies in record-keeping and the lack of standardized orthography.

During the Tudor period, the surname Poore gained further prominence with the rise of Sir Thomas Poore (c. 1505-1558), a prominent English landowner and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Wiltshire. His descendants continued to play influential roles in the county's affairs over the following centuries.

Another notable figure bearing the surname Poore was Edward Poore (1590-1674), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Coleshill in Warwickshire. His published works, including sermons and theological treatises, contributed to the intellectual discourse of his time.

As the centuries progressed, the Poore surname spread across various regions of England and even to other parts of the British Isles. Some notable individuals with this surname include Sir John Poore (1793-1876), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars, and William Poore (1861-1935), an English cricketer who played for Warwickshire County Cricket Club.

While the surname Poore may have originated from humble beginnings, its bearers have left their mark on various aspects of British history, including religion, politics, literature, and military service. This name serves as a testament to the diverse backgrounds and contributions of individuals who have shaped the cultural fabric of the nation over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Poore families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Poore 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 131 Poores recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.42x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 131 2.42x
Hampshire 118 10.65x
Dorset 103 29.04x
Surrey 54 2.05x
Wiltshire 28 5.86x
Sussex 25 2.74x
Kent 21 1.14x
Cheshire 16 1.34x
Channel Islands 13 8.12x
Lancashire 8 0.12x
Essex 7 0.66x
Somerset 6 0.69x
Devon 4 0.36x
Gloucestershire 4 0.38x
Durham 3 0.19x
Royal Navy 3 4.66x
Berkshire 2 0.49x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.61x
Hertfordshire 2 0.54x
Warwickshire 2 0.15x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.84x
Midlothian 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wimborne in Dorset leads with 46 Poores recorded in 1881 and an index of 1072.26x.

Place Total Index
Wimborne 46 1072.26x
Bermondsey 24 14.92x
Bethnal Green London 23 9.80x
Portsea 21 9.67x
Southampton St Mary 18 25.84x
Oxton 16 237.04x
Islington London 14 2.67x
St Helier 13 24.94x
Tarrant Monckton 13 3333.33x
Acton 12 37.88x
Brighton 12 6.53x
Plumstead 12 19.52x
Alton 11 131.74x
Bere Regis 11 462.18x
South Stoneham 10 41.61x
St George Hanover 10 14.18x
Hackney London 8 2.64x
Lambeth 8 1.70x
Millbrook 8 28.67x
Shoreditch London 8 3.42x
Tottenham 8 9.29x
Fonthill Gifford 7 795.45x
Rainhill 7 170.32x
Vernham Dean 7 630.63x
Andover 6 57.36x
Bishopstoke 6 211.27x
Downton 6 96.00x
Mile End Old Town 6 7.03x
Newington 6 3.01x
Steeple 6 1090.91x
Canford Magna 5 243.90x
Gillingham 5 13.15x
Hillingdon 5 29.02x
Spitalfields London 5 12.30x
St Pancras London 5 1.15x
Tarrant Gunville 5 757.58x
West Ham 5 2.12x
Alverstoke 4 9.98x
Bow London 4 5.81x
Clifton 4 7.47x
Enfield 4 11.28x
Fontmell Magna 4 296.30x
Greatham 4 754.72x
New Shoreham 4 73.26x
Puddletrenthide 4 289.86x
Salisbury St Edmund 4 52.15x
Salisbury The Close 4 341.88x
St George In East 4 10.88x
St Giles In Fields 4 21.46x
St Mary Bourne 4 199.01x
St Marylebone London 4 1.39x
Winterborne Whitechurch 4 512.82x
Croydon 3 2.05x
Devizes St John 3 83.57x
Donnington 3 476.19x
Elsted 3 789.47x
Fareham 3 22.54x
Frome 3 14.42x
Martin 3 315.79x
Royal Navy 3 5.45x
Stockton On Tees 3 3.87x
Appleshaw 2 408.16x
Brill 2 83.33x
Clapham 2 2.96x
East Barnet 2 27.06x
East Ham 2 10.10x
Exeter St Thomas The 2 17.44x
Godalming 2 12.06x
Greenham 2 99.01x
Hammersmith London 2 1.50x
Holdenhurst 2 6.88x
Kensington London 2 0.67x
Kings Worthy 2 243.90x
Penge 2 5.79x
Rugby 2 10.85x
St Mary Extra 2 22.45x
St Peters 2 23.45x
Tormoham 2 4.20x
Cheam 1 35.46x
Wimborne Minster 1 17.42x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 35
George 25
Charles 17
Henry 16
Thomas 16
James 15
John 15
Edward 11
Alfred 10
Arthur 8
Albert 7
Frederick 6
Walter 6
Joseph 5
Robert 5
Richard 4
Edwin 3
Eli 3
Fred 3
Herbert 3
Samuel 3
Daniel 2
Edmund 2
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Jessie 2
Ph.H. 2
Philip 2
Sydney 2
Timothy 2
Chas. 1
Edwd.W. 1
Frederic 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Grayson 1
Harold 1
Harry 1
Horatio 1
Jas. 1
Jesse 1
Jobe 1
Lorance 1
Moses 1
Ned 1
Percy 1
Ralph 1
Sidney 1
Stanley 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Poore surname: questions and answers

How common was the Poore surname in 1881?

In 1881, 538 people were recorded with the Poore surname. That placed it at #6,406 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Poore surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 777 in 2016. That gives Poore a modern rank of #7,093.

What does the Poore surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to a poor person or someone who lived in poverty.

What does the Poore map show?

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