NameCensus.

UK surname

Priday

A surname deriving from an old English place name meaning "pear tree meadow".

In the 1881 census there were 196 people recorded with the Priday surname, ranking it #13,006 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 395, ranked #11,991, up from #13,006 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet, and Horfield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rhondda Cynon Taf, Herefordshire and Gloucester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Priday is 429 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 101.5%.

1881 census count

196

Ranked #13,006

Modern count

395

2016, ranked #11,991

Peak year

1998

429 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Priday had 196 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,006 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 395 in 2016, ranked #11,991.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 362 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Priday surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Priday surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Priday 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 119 #15,247
1861 historical 99 #21,294
1881 historical 196 #13,006
1891 historical 268 #12,087
1901 historical 280 #12,193
1911 historical 362 #10,020
1997 modern 407 #10,869
1998 modern 429 #10,795
1999 modern 417 #11,091
2000 modern 413 #11,142
2001 modern 390 #11,420
2002 modern 398 #11,478
2003 modern 408 #11,115
2004 modern 398 #11,321
2005 modern 387 #11,463
2006 modern 390 #11,459
2007 modern 385 #11,698
2008 modern 385 #11,828
2009 modern 396 #11,815
2010 modern 418 #11,582
2011 modern 426 #11,267
2012 modern 418 #11,318
2013 modern 400 #11,915
2014 modern 409 #11,808
2015 modern 402 #11,861
2016 modern 395 #11,991

Geography

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Where Pridays are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, Horfield, Redmarley d'Abitot and Swansea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rhondda Cynon Taf, Herefordshire, Gloucester and Stroud. 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 Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet, Gloucestershire
3 Horfield Gloucestershire
4 Redmarley d'Abitot Gloucestershire
5 Swansea Glamorganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rhondda Cynon Taf 023 Rhondda Cynon Taf
2 Herefordshire 001 Herefordshire, County of
3 Herefordshire 004 Herefordshire, County of
4 Gloucester 009 Gloucester
5 Stroud 012 Stroud

Forenames

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First names often paired with Priday

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Priday

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Priday surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Priday 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Priday is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Priday is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Priday falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Priday

The surname Priday is of English origin, first appearing in records during the late 16th century. It is thought to have originated from the Old English words "prid" meaning pride, and "day" referring to a specific day or celebration. This suggests the name may have initially referred to someone proud or joyful on a particular festive day.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the parish records of Hartland, Devon, where a John Priday was listed in 1599. Similar spellings such as Priddey and Priddy also appeared in Devon and Somerset around this time, likely derived from the same root words.

The Priday surname is believed to have strong ties to the southwestern English counties of Devon and Somerset, with many early records concentrated in these areas. This could indicate the name originated from a specific location or estate, though no definitive place name has been identified.

In the 17th century, the name began appearing in other parts of England, suggesting migration from the southwest. Notable early bearers include Thomas Priday, born in 1623 in Gloucestershire, and William Priday, baptized in 1639 in Wiltshire.

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the Priday surname continued to spread across England, with individuals appearing in various historical records and documents. One notable figure was John Priday (1704-1782), a renowned clockmaker from Somerset who crafted numerous clocks and longcase timepieces that are now highly valued antiques.

Other notable individuals with the surname Priday include William Priday (1809-1879), a British architect responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in London, and Robert Priday (1856-1934), a English cricketer who played first-class cricket for Somerset County Cricket Club in the late 19th century.

While the Priday surname is relatively uncommon, it has a rich history and strong roots in southwestern England, with early records dating back to the late 16th century. Its origins are thought to be linked to Old English words related to pride and festive days, though the exact derivation remains uncertain.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Priday families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Priday 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. Gloucestershire leads with 109 Pridays recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.37x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 109 29.37x
Middlesex 13 0.69x
Glamorgan 10 3.04x
Hampshire 10 2.58x
Kent 10 1.55x
Herefordshire 9 11.60x
Warwickshire 8 1.68x
Staffordshire 4 0.63x
Surrey 4 0.43x
Sussex 4 1.25x
Worcestershire 4 1.62x
Wiltshire 3 1.79x
Yorkshire 3 0.16x
Durham 1 0.18x
Monmouthshire 1 0.73x
Somerset 1 0.33x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Horfield in Gloucestershire leads with 15 Pridays recorded in 1881 and an index of 402.14x.

Place Total Index
Horfield 15 402.14x
Haresfield 12 3243.24x
Hempstead 12 2666.67x
Portsea 10 13.16x
Quedgley 10 3225.81x
Standish 9 2812.50x
Swansea St Thomas 9 271.90x
Birmingham 8 5.03x
Brockworth 7 2413.79x
Deptford St Paul 7 14.06x
Weobley 7 1228.07x
Lassington 5 1923.08x
St Pancras London 5 3.28x
Brighton 4 6.22x
Camberwell 4 3.31x
Frampton On Severn 4 634.92x
Handsworth 4 25.41x
Islington London 4 2.18x
Painswick 4 152.67x
Redmarley 4 615.38x
South Hamlet 4 173.91x
Westbury On Severn 4 272.11x
Wheatenhurst 4 1666.67x
Bromham 3 400.00x
Darfield 3 175.44x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 3 44.18x
Gloucester St Nicholas 3 174.42x
Lewisham 3 8.71x
Foy 2 952.38x
Gloucester Longford St 2 400.00x
Littleworth 2 555.56x
Moreton Valence 2 909.09x
Taynton 2 540.54x
Deerhurst 1 185.19x
Finchley 1 13.79x
Gloucester St Michael 1 117.65x
Hardwicke 1 238.10x
Kensington London 1 0.95x
Loughor 1 57.14x
St Andrew Holborn 1 15.60x
St Mary Le Bow London 1 1111.11x
Thornbury 1 39.37x
Trevethin 1 7.74x
Tudhoe 1 20.28x
Weston 1 42.74x
Wotton St Mary 1 52.08x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 9
Mary 8
Sarah 4
Alice 3
Ann 3
Eliza 3
Ellen 3
Emily 3
Florence 3
Margaret 3
Agnes 2
Caroline 2
Catherine 2
Emma 2
Frances 2
Jane 2
Kate 2
Lydia 2
Mabel 2
May 2
Amelia 1
Amy 1
Annella 1
Bertha 1
Blanch 1
Blanche 1
Clara 1
Cressea 1
Edith 1
Eliz. 1
Ethel 1
Fanny 1
Flora 1
Hannah 1
Hellen 1
Ida 1
Isabel 1
Lewesa 1
Louisa 1
Margret 1
Maria 1
Matilda 1
Maud 1
Pamela 1
Phoebe 1
Sibble 1
Sophia 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 11
William 11
Charles 9
Frederick 9
John 7
Joseph 6
George 5
Arthur 4
James 4
Samuel 4
Ernest 3
Richard 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Harry 2
Ann 1
Cyril 1
David 1
Edward 1
Fred 1
Geo. 1
Gustavus 1
Henry 1
Herbert 1
Hubert 1
Leslie 1
Lewis 1
Louis 1
Nathanel 1
Nathaniel 1
Robert 1
Saml. 1
Sidney 1
Sydney 1
Tom 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Priday surname: questions and answers

How common was the Priday surname in 1881?

In 1881, 196 people were recorded with the Priday surname. That placed it at #13,006 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Priday surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 395 in 2016. That gives Priday a modern rank of #11,991.

What does the Priday surname mean?

A surname deriving from an old English place name meaning "pear tree meadow".

What does the Priday map show?

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