UK surname
An English occupational surname for a steward or keeper of livestock.
In the 1881 census there were 41 people recorded with the Proper surname, ranking it #27,870 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 18, ranked #36,832, down from #27,870 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Talgarth, Llanwenarth and Merthyr Tydfil. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Proper is 606 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 56.1%.
1881 census count
41
Ranked #27,870
Modern count
18
2016, ranked #36,832
Peak year
1861
606 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Proper surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Proper surname density by area, 1861 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 | 176 | #11,489 |
| 1861 | historical | 606 | #4,376 |
| 1881 | historical | 41 | #27,870 |
| 1891 | historical | 96 | #24,559 |
| 1901 | historical | 24 | #31,365 |
| 1911 | historical | 36 | #29,370 |
| 1997 | modern | 7 | #37,533 |
| 1998 | modern | 13 | #36,679 |
| 1999 | modern | 17 | #36,261 |
| 2000 | modern | 11 | #36,879 |
| 2001 | modern | 11 | #36,727 |
| 2002 | modern | 10 | #36,902 |
| 2003 | modern | 13 | #36,620 |
| 2004 | modern | 13 | #36,742 |
| 2005 | modern | 12 | #36,936 |
| 2006 | modern | 13 | #36,902 |
| 2007 | modern | 16 | #36,714 |
| 2008 | modern | 15 | #36,843 |
| 2009 | modern | 14 | #37,041 |
| 2010 | modern | 14 | #37,124 |
| 2011 | modern | 13 | #37,191 |
| 2012 | modern | 13 | #37,169 |
| 2013 | modern | 13 | #37,224 |
| 2014 | modern | 15 | #37,070 |
| 2015 | modern | 16 | #36,978 |
| 2016 | modern | 18 | #36,832 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Talgarth, Llanwenarth, Merthyr Tydfil, Llangynider and Llangafelach. 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 | Talgarth | Brecon |
| 2 | Llanwenarth | Monmouthshire |
| 3 | Merthyr Tydfil | Glamorganshire |
| 4 | Llangynider | Brecon |
| 5 | Llangafelach | Glamorganshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Proper 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 Proper, 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 Proper surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Proper 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, Proper 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 Proper is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Proper, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Proper is of English origin, derived from the Old French word "propre," which means "one's own" or "personal." It was likely used as a descriptive nickname for someone with a distinct or unique personality or appearance.
The name can be traced back to the 13th century in England, where it first appeared in historical records. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Robert Proper, mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275.
In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Propyr, Propre, and Propour. John Proper, born around 1320 in Oxfordshire, was a notable figure who served as a Member of Parliament for Oxfordshire in 1355.
During the 15th century, the name Proper was found in various regions of England, including Yorkshire, Wiltshire, and Somerset. William Proper, born in 1445 in Somerset, was a prominent landowner and influential figure in his local community.
In the 16th century, the name Proper became more widespread across England. One notable bearer was Sir Thomas Proper, born in 1520 in Kent, who served as a Member of Parliament for Canterbury in 1558 and played a significant role in the English Reformation.
The 17th century saw the emergence of several notable Propers, including John Proper (1620-1681), a renowned scholar and author from Gloucestershire, and Elizabeth Proper (1658-1732), a philanthropist and advocate for women's education from London.
In the 18th century, the Proper family gained prominence in various fields. James Proper (1725-1799) was a successful merchant and landowner from Yorkshire, while Richard Proper (1745-1820) was a celebrated architect who designed several notable buildings in Bath.
As the Proper surname spread across England and beyond, it has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, contributing to the rich tapestry of British history and culture.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Proper 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. Herefordshire leads with 13 Propers recorded in 1881 and an index of 69.19x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Herefordshire | 13 | 69.19x |
| Glamorgan | 7 | 8.77x |
| Channel Islands | 6 | 44.18x |
| Gloucestershire | 6 | 6.67x |
| Surrey | 4 | 1.79x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.55x |
| Brecknockshire | 2 | 21.81x |
| Cornwall | 1 | 1.93x |
| Dorset | 1 | 3.32x |
| Essex | 1 | 1.11x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.22x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.87x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.22x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kington in Herefordshire leads with 6 Propers recorded in 1881 and an index of 1276.60x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kington | 6 | 1276.60x |
| Llanwonno | 6 | 209.06x |
| St Helier | 6 | 135.75x |
| Bristol St Paul In | 5 | 209.21x |
| Dorstone | 5 | 7142.86x |
| Cwmdu | 2 | 1333.33x |
| Rotherhithe | 2 | 35.34x |
| Wigan | 2 | 26.32x |
| Aston | 1 | 3.14x |
| Bow London | 1 | 17.12x |
| Bristol Christchurch | 1 | 769.23x |
| Clifford | 1 | 833.33x |
| Corringham | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Great Ayton | 1 | 357.14x |
| Hereford St Martin | 1 | 434.78x |
| Llandaff | 1 | 37.59x |
| Madron Penzance | 1 | 52.91x |
| Morden | 1 | 909.09x |
| North Meols | 1 | 18.80x |
| Weymouth | 1 | 175.44x |
| Woodmansterne | 1 | 2000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Proper 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 Proper 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 Proper households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 11 |
| ((Annuitant)) Pauper | 1 |
| (No Occ) | 1 |
| A B | 1 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Clergymans Dau | 1 |
| Clergymans Widow | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Comercial Clerk | 1 |
| Cook Dom | 1 |
| Drapers Salesman | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Furniture Packer (Cabn Mkr) | 1 |
| Gentlemans Companion (Dom) | 1 |
| Groom | 1 |
| Hardware Oil Seller | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Machinist (...) | 1 |
| Machinist Son | 1 |
| Mate | 1 |
| Pauper | 1 |
| Photographer's Assistant | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 41 people were recorded with the Proper surname. That placed it at #27,870 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 18 in 2016. That gives Proper a modern rank of #36,832.
An English occupational surname for a steward or keeper of livestock.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Proper 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.