NameCensus.

UK surname

Prouse

A surname derived from an occupational name for a furrier or skinner.

In the 1881 census there were 497 people recorded with the Prouse surname, ranking it #6,805 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 603, ranked #8,687, down from #6,805 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolfardisworthy, Bideford and Sancreed. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Torridge and Taunton Deane.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Prouse is 726 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 21.3%.

1881 census count

497

Ranked #6,805

Modern count

603

2016, ranked #8,687

Peak year

1911

726 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Prouse had 497 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,805 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 603 in 2016, ranked #8,687.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 726 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Prouse surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Prouse surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Prouse 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 396 #6,083
1861 historical 388 #6,602
1881 historical 497 #6,805
1891 historical 582 #6,560
1901 historical 562 #7,419
1911 historical 726 #5,895
1997 modern 573 #8,415
1998 modern 595 #8,445
1999 modern 613 #8,323
2000 modern 599 #8,435
2001 modern 601 #8,290
2002 modern 608 #8,381
2003 modern 582 #8,500
2004 modern 576 #8,575
2005 modern 566 #8,621
2006 modern 551 #8,799
2007 modern 536 #9,068
2008 modern 544 #9,041
2009 modern 544 #9,247
2010 modern 540 #9,491
2011 modern 563 #9,102
2012 modern 589 #8,726
2013 modern 602 #8,728
2014 modern 606 #8,743
2015 modern 597 #8,772
2016 modern 603 #8,687

Geography

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Where Prouses are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolfardisworthy, Bideford, Sancreed, Hartland and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Torridge and Taunton Deane. 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 Wolfardisworthy Devon
2 Bideford Devon
3 Sancreed Cornwall
4 Hartland Devon
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Torridge 008 Torridge
2 Torridge 004 Torridge
3 Torridge 005 Torridge
4 Taunton Deane 012 Taunton Deane
5 Torridge 002 Torridge

Forenames

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First names often paired with Prouse

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Prouse

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Prouse is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Prouse is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Prouse falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Prouse

The surname Prouse originated in England in the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "prous" or "preux", meaning brave, valiant, or gallant. This name was likely given as a nickname to someone who exhibited these qualities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Prouse can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the year 1166, where a person named Godric Prous is mentioned. These rolls were financial records kept by the English Exchequer.

In the 13th century, the surname appeared in various forms, such as Prous, Pruse, and Prowse, in various regions of England, including Yorkshire, Cornwall, and Devon. It is possible that the name may have originated independently in different areas.

The Prouse surname is also associated with several place names in England, such as Prowse Point in Cornwall and Prowse Farm in Devon. These places may have been named after individuals bearing the surname or vice versa.

One notable bearer of the Prouse surname was Sir John Prouse (1508-1591), a Member of Parliament for Devon and a wealthy landowner. He was known for his involvement in the Prayer Book Rebellion, a uprising against the imposition of the Book of Common Prayer in the county.

Another historically significant individual was Richard Prouse (1667-1737), an English clergyman and author who served as the Archdeacon of Barnstaple and wrote several theological works.

In the 18th century, John Prouse (1746-1825) was a prominent artist and engraver from Cornwall, known for his intricate engravings of architectural subjects and landscapes.

William Prouse (1835-1885) was a notable English architect who designed several notable buildings in Cornwall, including the Truro Cathedral and the Royal Cornwall Infirmary.

The surname Prouse has also been carried by individuals in other fields, such as Robert Prouse (1700-1768), a British naval officer who served during the War of the Austrian Succession, and William Prouse (1807-1869), a British politician and Member of Parliament for Somerset.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Prouse families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Prouse 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. Devon leads with 221 Prouses recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.72x.

County Total Index
Devon 221 21.72x
Middlesex 41 0.84x
Cornwall 36 6.51x
Surrey 36 1.51x
Lancashire 29 0.50x
Yorkshire 18 0.37x
Warwickshire 15 1.22x
Gloucestershire 12 1.25x
Monmouthshire 12 3.40x
Somerset 12 1.53x
Staffordshire 9 0.55x
Worcestershire 9 1.41x
Leicestershire 8 1.48x
Sussex 7 0.85x
Buckinghamshire 5 1.69x
Essex 5 0.52x
Kent 5 0.30x
Glamorgan 4 0.47x
Cheshire 3 0.28x
Hampshire 3 0.30x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.46x
Channel Islands 2 1.38x
Dorset 2 0.62x
Wiltshire 2 0.46x
Hertfordshire 1 0.30x
Royal Navy 1 1.72x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hartland in Devon leads with 57 Prouses recorded in 1881 and an index of 1798.11x.

Place Total Index
Hartland 57 1798.11x
Woolfardisworthy 19 1292.52x
Stoke Damerel 17 23.88x
Battersea 14 7.79x
Bideford 14 128.44x
Aston 13 3.83x
Buckland Brewer 11 887.10x
Christchurch 11 100.64x
Calstock 9 82.95x
Everton 9 4.87x
Northfield 9 74.32x
St Just In Penwith 9 83.88x
Barrow In Furness 8 10.14x
Horton In Bradford 8 10.58x
Morwenstow 8 588.24x
Stanton Drew 8 1038.96x
Dolton 7 560.00x
Ilsington 7 393.26x
St Giles On The Heath 7 1521.74x
Bitton 6 71.94x
Bristol St Augustine 6 38.78x
Clovelly 6 451.13x
Cullompton 6 135.14x
Hammersmith London 6 4.98x
Horsted Keynes 6 312.50x
Islington London 6 1.27x
Lambeth 6 1.41x
Marske In Guisbrough 6 69.77x
Stoke Golding 6 652.17x
Widdecombeinthe Moor 6 441.18x
Bow London 5 8.04x
Burslem 5 10.58x
Liverpool 5 1.42x
Plymtree 5 684.93x
Streatham 5 13.79x
Virginstow 5 2500.00x
Winkleigh 5 245.10x
Bovey Tracey 4 112.36x
Boyton 4 3076.92x
Halifax 4 5.63x
Holy Trinity 4 187.79x
Littleham 4 53.76x
Sancreed 4 254.78x
St George Hanover 4 6.27x
St Pancras London 4 1.02x
Tormoham 4 9.29x
Toxteth Park 4 2.04x
West Ham 4 1.88x
Bridgerule East 3 1111.11x
Greasley 3 20.19x
Newington 3 1.66x
Southwark St Saviour 3 11.94x
St George Bloomsbury 3 10.70x
Tavistock 3 25.88x
Tranmere 3 7.57x
Westminster St James 3 5.97x
Wolstanton 3 5.99x
Ashburton 2 41.15x
Bedminster 2 2.71x
Burrington 2 155.04x
Cardiff St Mary 2 4.27x
Croxton Keyrial 2 217.39x
Fordington 2 28.94x
Hampstead London 2 2.63x
Hoggeston 2 689.66x
Kingston On Thames 2 3.50x
Kingswear 2 243.90x
Lewisham 2 2.25x
Madron Penzance 2 9.94x
Salford 2 1.17x
Soulbury 2 253.16x
South Pool 2 303.03x
St Lawrence 2 50.63x
Wear Gifford 2 266.67x
Westminster St John 2 3.36x
Whimple 2 178.57x
Wroughton 2 53.48x
Ashprington 1 133.33x
Ewell 1 19.88x
Shoreditch London 1 0.47x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 37
Elizabeth 16
Ann 14
Sarah 13
Jane 12
Emma 10
Emily 9
Ellen 8
Alice 7
Eliza 7
Annie 6
Fanny 6
Louisa 5
Martha 5
Anne 4
Hannah 4
Kate 4
Ada 3
Catherine 3
Frances 3
Georgina 3
Grace 3
Margaret 3
Anna 2
Bessie 2
Edith 2
Eva 2
Jessie 2
Laura 2
Matilda 2
Prudence 2
Rebecca 2
Susan 2
Albert 1
Alme 1
Beatrice 1
Eda 1
Elezabeth 1
Eliz. 1
Elizbth. 1
Elizebeth 1
Elizth. 1
Hariot 1
Harriat 1
Henrietta 1
Isabella 1
Joanna 1
John 1
Judeth 1
Susanna 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 41
John 33
Robert 17
James 15
Charles 14
George 12
Thomas 12
Henry 9
Richard 9
Frederick 8
Arthur 7
Joseph 6
Samuel 6
Albert 5
Harry 4
Herbert 4
Walter 4
Alfred 3
Edwin 3
Edward 2
Francis 2
Fred 2
Wm. 2
Alexr.F. 1
Alexr.H. 1
Alfd.Geo. 1
Andrew 1
Archibald 1
Earnest 1
Ernest 1
Frederic 1
Fredrick 1
Geo.Hy. 1
Isaac 1
Jacob 1
Job 1
Matthew 1
Oswald 1
Philip 1
Phillip 1
Purcey 1
Robt. 1
Sam 1
Sidney 1
Thos. 1
Valentine 1
W. 1
Wm.Hy. 1
Wm.Robt. 1

FAQ

Prouse surname: questions and answers

How common was the Prouse surname in 1881?

In 1881, 497 people were recorded with the Prouse surname. That placed it at #6,805 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Prouse surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 603 in 2016. That gives Prouse a modern rank of #8,687.

What does the Prouse surname mean?

A surname derived from an occupational name for a furrier or skinner.

What does the Prouse map show?

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