NameCensus.

UK surname

Pryce

A Welsh toponymic surname derived from the word "pres," meaning brushwood or shrubland.

In the 1881 census there were 1,440 people recorded with the Pryce surname, ranking it #2,894 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,237, ranked #2,101, up from #2,894 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes and Welshpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Powys.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pryce is 3,350 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 124.8%.

1881 census count

1,440

Ranked #2,894

Modern count

3,237

2016, ranked #2,101

Peak year

2010

3,350 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pryce had 1,440 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,894 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,237 in 2016, ranked #2,101.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,067 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Pryce surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pryce surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pryce 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 1,112 #2,532
1861 historical 957 #2,898
1881 historical 1,440 #2,894
1891 historical 1,370 #3,168
1901 historical 1,878 #2,804
1911 historical 2,067 #2,417
1997 modern 3,111 #2,059
1998 modern 3,194 #2,103
1999 modern 3,217 #2,095
2000 modern 3,215 #2,093
2001 modern 3,145 #2,093
2002 modern 3,206 #2,096
2003 modern 3,052 #2,149
2004 modern 3,113 #2,106
2005 modern 3,082 #2,096
2006 modern 3,035 #2,138
2007 modern 3,101 #2,109
2008 modern 3,159 #2,088
2009 modern 3,234 #2,096
2010 modern 3,350 #2,079
2011 modern 3,256 #2,103
2012 modern 3,195 #2,108
2013 modern 3,242 #2,115
2014 modern 3,264 #2,113
2015 modern 3,237 #2,113
2016 modern 3,237 #2,101

Geography

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Where Pryces are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes, Welshpool, Llanllwchaiarn and Kerry. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Powys. 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 London parishes London 3
3 Welshpool Montgomeryshire
4 Llanllwchaiarn Montgomeryshire
5 Kerry Montgomeryshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Powys 007 Powys
2 Powys 003 Powys
3 Powys 005 Powys
4 Powys 010 Powys
5 Powys 001 Powys

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pryce

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Pryce

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Pryce is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Pryce is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Pryce falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Pryce

The surname Pryce originates from Wales, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Welsh word "ap Rhys," meaning "son of Rhys," with Rhys being a common Welsh personal name. This patronymic naming system was widely used in Wales before the adoption of fixed surnames.

The name Pryce can be traced back to various regions in Wales, particularly in areas like Montgomeryshire, Radnorshire, and Breconshire. Its earliest recorded spellings include "ap Rees," "ap Res," and "ap Ryce," which eventually evolved into the modern form of "Pryce."

Historical references to the name Pryce can be found in various medieval Welsh records and manuscripts. One notable example is the appearance of the name in the Llyfr Baglan, a 15th-century Welsh manuscript containing poetry and historical information.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Pryce was Rhys ap Gruffydd (c. 1132-1197), a Welsh prince and leader who played a significant role in the conflicts between the Welsh and the Norman invaders. Another notable figure was Sir John Pryce (c. 1505-1573), a Welsh landowner and member of the Council of Wales during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Other prominent individuals with the surname Pryce include:

1. Samuel Pryce (1628-1704), a Welsh clergyman and writer known for his work on the history of Radnorshire. 2. William Pryce (1700-1772), a Welsh naturalist and author of the book "Mineralogia Cornubiensis," which explored the minerals of Cornwall. 3. Thomas Pryce (1801-1878), a Welsh artist and engraver known for his landscapes and architectural drawings. 4. John Pryce-Jones (1835-1899), a Welsh businessman and politician who served as a Member of Parliament. 5. Hilda Pryce (1892-1975), a Welsh artist and illustrator renowned for her work in children's literature.

Throughout history, the surname Pryce has been associated with various place names and locations in Wales, such as Pryce's Castle in Montgomeryshire and Pryce's Farm in Radnorshire. These place names often reflect the presence and influence of individuals bearing the Pryce surname in those areas.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Pryce families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pryce 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. Montgomeryshire leads with 669 Pryces recorded in 1881 and an index of 209.00x.

County Total Index
Montgomeryshire 669 209.00x
Shropshire 240 19.89x
Middlesex 80 0.57x
Lancashire 55 0.33x
Glamorgan 44 1.81x
Staffordshire 44 0.93x
Cheshire 40 1.30x
Radnorshire 33 29.28x
Lanarkshire 28 0.62x
Surrey 18 0.26x
Denbighshire 15 2.84x
Worcestershire 15 0.82x
Kent 13 0.27x
Warwickshire 11 0.31x
Sussex 10 0.42x
Carmarthenshire 9 1.53x
Devon 9 0.31x
Flintshire 8 2.13x
Hampshire 7 0.24x
Herefordshire 7 1.22x
Midlothian 7 0.37x
Nairnshire 7 16.42x
Cardiganshire 6 1.76x
Dunbartonshire 6 1.60x
Monmouthshire 6 0.59x
Anglesey 5 2.02x
Essex 5 0.18x
Merionethshire 5 1.96x
Yorkshire 5 0.04x
Cornwall 4 0.25x
Fife 4 0.48x
West Lothian 4 1.90x
Gloucestershire 3 0.11x
Norfolk 3 0.14x
Northumberland 3 0.14x
Berkshire 1 0.10x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.12x
Dorset 1 0.11x
Leicestershire 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Pool in Montgomeryshire leads with 73 Pryces recorded in 1881 and an index of 302.40x.

Place Total Index
Pool 73 302.40x
Kerry 56 581.52x
Berriew 49 554.93x
Guilsfield 47 403.78x
Llanidloes 44 185.42x
Llandinam 35 472.97x
Newtown 33 161.21x
Chirbury 30 421.94x
Llandyssil 29 843.02x
Llanllwchaiarn 28 201.87x
Llanwnog 28 418.54x
Meifod 28 368.42x
Worthen 25 195.01x
Montgomery 24 420.32x
Llanbadarnfynydd 22 766.55x
Oswestry Town 20 51.76x
Bettws 19 722.43x
Churchstoke 19 314.57x
Islington London 17 1.26x
Carno 16 381.86x
Barony 15 1.31x
Bettws 15 547.45x
Llandysilio 15 511.95x
Oswestry Rural 15 81.12x
Kings Norton 14 8.56x
Llangadfan 14 313.20x
Castle Caereinion 13 452.96x
Llandrinio 13 337.66x
Church Stretton 12 148.15x
Fulham London 12 5.92x
Pontesbury 12 81.74x
Shrewsbury Holy Cross 12 90.02x
Bootle Cum Linacre 11 8.36x
Llanymynech 11 466.10x
Birkenhead 10 4.07x
Condover 10 117.65x
Llandyfodwg 10 72.52x
Shrewsbury St Chad 10 23.61x
Trewern 10 584.80x
Acton 9 10.99x
Clerkenwell London 9 2.73x
Everton 9 1.70x
Great Crosby 9 19.92x
Wolverhampton 9 2.48x
Ystradyfodwg 9 4.22x
Aston 8 0.82x
Govan 8 0.72x
Kerry Garthilin 8 2000.00x
Llangunnor 8 152.96x
Llanrhaiadr Ym Mochnant 8 77.52x
Llanwonno 8 9.15x
Moughtrey 8 329.22x
Shrewsbury St Julian 8 26.79x
Astley 7 619.47x
Gwaenysgor 7 534.35x
Lamerton 7 126.58x
Llanbister 7 179.49x
Llanfair Caereinion 7 64.04x
Llanmerewig 7 460.53x
Nairn 7 27.06x
Bettws Yn Rhos 6 170.45x
Broughton In Salford 6 3.96x
Cardross 6 13.31x
Chester St John Baptist 6 10.83x
Croydon 6 1.59x
Selattyn 6 109.69x
Shenstone 6 50.04x
St George Hanover 6 3.29x
Bradley 5 210.97x
Camberwell 5 0.56x
Downton 5 581.40x
Duddingston 5 13.31x
Knutsford Nether 5 26.82x
Llanerfyl 5 132.98x
St Pancras London 5 0.44x
Trefdraeth 5 117.10x
Tregynon 5 147.49x
Wilton In Guisbrough 5 80.78x
Withyam 5 49.60x
Wombourn Woodford 5 602.41x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 121
Elizabeth 65
Sarah 64
Jane 46
Margaret 39
Ann 35
Emma 16
Ellen 15
Martha 15
Eliza 14
Emily 13
Alice 11
Anne 11
Annie 11
Catherine 11
Charlotte 8
Caroline 6
Eleanor 6
Frances 6
Lucy 6
Amelia 5
Elizth. 5
Louisa 5
Maria 5
Matilda 5
Susannah 5
Agnes 4
Ethel 4
Cathrine 3
Clara 3
Edith 3
Esther 3
Fanny 3
Harriet 3
Kate 3
Laura 3
Susan 3
Amy 2
Clarissa 2
Dinah 2
Dora 2
Florence 2
Hannah 2
Harriett 2
Jessie 2
Julia 2
Katherine 2
Lizzie 2
Luina 2
Rebecca 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 96
Thomas 83
William 76
Edward 50
Richard 50
David 36
George 28
James 26
Charles 25
Robert 19
Evan 17
Henry 17
Edwin 10
Samuel 10
Alfred 7
Joseph 7
Lewis 7
Walter 7
Albert 6
Frederick 6
Matthew 6
Thos. 6
Arthur 5
Daniel 5
Richd. 5
Harry 3
Isaac 3
Maurice 3
Chas. 2
Cornelus 2
Elijah 2
Geo. 2
Harold 2
Hugh 2
Jeremiah 2
Owen 2
Saml. 2
Stephen 2
Alex 1
Andrew 1
Corbet 1
Eli 1
Enoch 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Frederic 1
Jesse 1
Jonah 1
Jonathon 1
Wm.Henry 1

FAQ

Pryce surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pryce surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,440 people were recorded with the Pryce surname. That placed it at #2,894 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pryce surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,237 in 2016. That gives Pryce a modern rank of #2,101.

What does the Pryce surname mean?

A Welsh toponymic surname derived from the word "pres," meaning brushwood or shrubland.

What does the Pryce map show?

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