UK surname
A surname derived from the French word "prise," meaning a prize or something taken.
In the 1881 census there were 87 people recorded with the Prise surname, ranking it #21,334 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 56, ranked #34,562, down from #21,334 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Sedgley and Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Prise is 422 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 35.6%.
1881 census count
87
Ranked #21,334
Modern count
56
2016, ranked #34,562
Peak year
1891
422 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Prise surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Prise surname density by area, 1891 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 | 122 | #14,966 |
| 1861 | historical | 186 | #12,751 |
| 1881 | historical | 87 | #21,334 |
| 1891 | historical | 422 | #8,483 |
| 1901 | historical | 31 | #30,616 |
| 1911 | historical | 82 | #24,635 |
| 1997 | modern | 51 | #32,545 |
| 1998 | modern | 52 | #32,732 |
| 1999 | modern | 51 | #32,940 |
| 2000 | modern | 54 | #32,710 |
| 2001 | modern | 54 | #32,583 |
| 2002 | modern | 54 | #32,927 |
| 2003 | modern | 55 | #32,895 |
| 2004 | modern | 56 | #33,067 |
| 2005 | modern | 56 | #33,264 |
| 2006 | modern | 56 | #33,587 |
| 2007 | modern | 56 | #33,875 |
| 2008 | modern | 56 | #34,084 |
| 2009 | modern | 59 | #34,072 |
| 2010 | modern | 56 | #34,480 |
| 2011 | modern | 54 | #34,563 |
| 2012 | modern | 56 | #34,510 |
| 2013 | modern | 54 | #34,666 |
| 2014 | modern | 56 | #34,601 |
| 2015 | modern | 57 | #34,519 |
| 2016 | modern | 56 | #34,562 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Sedgley, Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Stottesden, Kinlet and St Dunstan Stepney. 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 | Wolverhampton | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Sedgley | Staffordshire |
| 3 | Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) | Glamorganshire |
| 4 | Stottesden, Kinlet | Shropshire |
| 5 | St Dunstan Stepney | London (East Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Prise 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 Prise, 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 Prise surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Prise 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, Prise 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 Prise is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Prise, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname PRISE is believed to have originated in France during the medieval period. It is thought to have derived from the Old French word "prise," which means "a taking" or "to seize." This could suggest that the name was initially given to someone who seized land or property, or perhaps someone who was known for their ability to take or capture things.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the PRISE surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and population in England conducted under the order of William the Conqueror. However, the spelling in this record was "Pris," which was likely an early variation of the modern PRISE spelling.
During the 13th century, the PRISE surname appeared in various records across Normandy and other regions of northern France. It is possible that the name was associated with certain place names, such as Prise-en-Brie or Prise-la-Ville, although the exact connections are uncertain.
In the 14th century, a notable figure with the PRISE surname was Jean de Prise (1320-1388), a French knight and military leader who fought in the Hundred Years' War. He was known for his bravery and skill in battle, which may have contributed to the surname's association with valor and conquest.
Another historical figure with the PRISE surname was Robert Prise (1502-1578), an English scholar and translator who played a significant role in the Renaissance. He was responsible for translating several works from Greek and Latin into English, including writings by Plato and Plutarch.
In the 17th century, the PRISE surname gained prominence in England with the birth of Edward Prise (1633-1703), a prominent lawyer and judge who served as Chief Justice of the King's Bench. His legal expertise and reputation as a fair and impartial jurist helped establish the PRISE name as one associated with justice and the law.
During the 18th century, a notable bearer of the PRISE surname was William Prise (1718-1792), a British naval officer who rose to the rank of Admiral and played a crucial role in several major naval battles of his time, including the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1759.
As the PRISE surname spread across Europe and beyond, it continued to be associated with various professions and accomplishments, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and experiences of those who carried the name throughout history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Prise 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. Staffordshire leads with 22 Prises recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.68x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Staffordshire | 22 | 7.68x |
| Middlesex | 13 | 1.53x |
| Surrey | 8 | 1.93x |
| Glamorgan | 7 | 4.74x |
| Herefordshire | 7 | 20.11x |
| Lancashire | 6 | 0.60x |
| Worcestershire | 4 | 3.61x |
| Berkshire | 3 | 4.71x |
| Kent | 3 | 1.04x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.24x |
| Banffshire | 1 | 5.68x |
| Cardiganshire | 1 | 4.83x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.53x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 0.75x |
| Flintshire | 1 | 4.38x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.57x |
| Merionethshire | 1 | 6.44x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 0.79x |
| Shropshire | 1 | 1.36x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.73x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.70x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.47x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sedgley in Staffordshire leads with 19 Prises recorded in 1881 and an index of 178.57x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Sedgley | 19 | 178.57x |
| Clapham | 6 | 56.55x |
| Newcastle Lower | 6 | 1935.48x |
| Pembridge | 6 | 1578.95x |
| Paddington London | 5 | 16.03x |
| Islington London | 4 | 4.86x |
| Bromsgrove | 3 | 80.43x |
| Deptford St Paul | 3 | 13.43x |
| Great Bolton | 3 | 22.49x |
| St George In East | 3 | 51.99x |
| Lambeth | 2 | 2.70x |
| Penkridge | 2 | 270.27x |
| Tilehurst | 2 | 155.04x |
| Toxteth Park | 2 | 5.87x |
| Altofts | 1 | 107.53x |
| Alvah | 1 | 250.00x |
| Aston | 1 | 1.70x |
| Carisbrooke | 1 | 41.49x |
| Clungunford | 1 | 588.24x |
| Dudley | 1 | 7.42x |
| Hove | 1 | 15.92x |
| Hunslet | 1 | 7.63x |
| Llansant Ffraid | 1 | 277.78x |
| Mold | 1 | 48.31x |
| New Windsor | 1 | 46.73x |
| Newcastle On Tyne St John | 1 | 60.24x |
| Norton | 1 | 91.74x |
| Poulton Cum Seacombe | 1 | 46.51x |
| Rusholme | 1 | 37.17x |
| Sellack | 1 | 1000.00x |
| St George Hanover | 1 | 9.03x |
| Stoke Upon Trent | 1 | 3.29x |
| Towyn | 1 | 102.04x |
| Weston | 1 | 95.24x |
| Ystradyfodwg | 1 | 7.72x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Prise 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 Prise 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 Prise households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 18 |
| Bricklayer | 2 |
| Carter | 2 |
| Coal Miner | 2 |
| Domestic Servant | 2 |
| Ag Labourer | 1 |
| Ag Serv | 1 |
| Brick Maker | 1 |
| Carter Wife | 1 |
| Coachman Public | 1 |
| Coal Mine Ostler | 1 |
| Cook (Dom) | 1 |
| Cook Domestic | 1 |
| Costermonger | 1 |
| Domestic | 1 |
| Domestic Servant Unemployed | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Gardner | 1 |
| General Laborer | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Governess | 1 |
| Hawker | 1 |
| Horse Dealer | 1 |
| House Painter | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Laborer At Gas Works | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Ladysmaid | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Nail Maker | 1 |
| Needlewoman (S) | 1 |
| None | 1 |
| Retired Iron Worker | 1 |
| Retired Shopkeeper Shoemaker | 1 |
| Shoemaker | 1 |
| Soldier | 1 |
| Upholsterer | 1 |
| Warehouse Woman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 87 people were recorded with the Prise surname. That placed it at #21,334 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 56 in 2016. That gives Prise a modern rank of #34,562.
A surname derived from the French word "prise," meaning a prize or something taken.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Prise 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.