NameCensus.

UK surname

Purdey

A locational surname derived from a place name in England.

In the 1881 census there were 150 people recorded with the Purdey surname, ranking it #15,489 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 170, ranked #21,801, down from #15,489 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Richmond and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Spelthorne, Richmond upon Thames and Kirklees.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Purdey is 199 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 13.3%.

1881 census count

150

Ranked #15,489

Modern count

170

2016, ranked #21,801

Peak year

1911

199 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Purdey had 150 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,489 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 170 in 2016, ranked #21,801.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 199 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Purdey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Purdey surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Purdey 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 124 #14,792
1861 historical 125 #17,678
1881 historical 150 #15,489
1891 historical 163 #17,300
1901 historical 183 #15,996
1911 historical 199 #15,016
1997 modern 158 #20,422
1998 modern 163 #20,582
1999 modern 170 #20,153
2000 modern 167 #20,332
2001 modern 169 #19,912
2002 modern 172 #20,108
2003 modern 166 #20,320
2004 modern 160 #20,926
2005 modern 158 #21,052
2006 modern 156 #21,399
2007 modern 154 #21,804
2008 modern 164 #21,137
2009 modern 172 #20,950
2010 modern 184 #20,521
2011 modern 183 #20,425
2012 modern 160 #22,260
2013 modern 167 #21,984
2014 modern 173 #21,639
2015 modern 170 #21,800
2016 modern 170 #21,801

Geography

Back to top

Where Purdeys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Richmond, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes and Hanworth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Spelthorne, Richmond upon Thames, Kirklees and Rushmoor. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 Richmond Surrey
3 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Hanworth Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Spelthorne 005 Spelthorne
2 Richmond upon Thames 017 Richmond upon Thames
3 Kirklees 059 Kirklees
4 Rushmoor 007 Rushmoor
5 Richmond upon Thames 003 Richmond upon Thames

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Purdey

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Purdey

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Purdey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Purdey household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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, Purdey 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

Purdey is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Purdey falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Purdey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Purdey, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Purdey

The surname Purdey is believed to have its origins in England. The earliest recorded instances of the name trace back to the medieval period, specifically around the 12th century. It is thought to be derived from the old English word "purde" or "purdy," which means "clearing in a wood" or "enclosure." This suggests that the name originally referred to someone who lived near or in a forest clearing.

One of the earliest mentions of the name is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a manuscript record of the "Great Survey" of England completed by order of King William the Conqueror. Though the exact spelling "Purdey" does not appear, variations like "Purde" or "Purda" might be found, as the name underwent several transformations over the centuries.

The name Purdey appears in historical records from various regions, notably in Sussex and Hampshire. Historical documents from the 14th century mention a John Purdey, who held land in Hampshire in 1376. This indicates that the Purdey family were landowners and were established in this region by this time.

Daniel Purdey, another notable bearer of the surname, was born in 1680 in London and became well-known in the early 18th century. He is recorded as having been a successful merchant and landowner, expanding the influence and wealth of the Purdey family within the city of London.

The most famous Purdey is undoubtedly James Purdey, born in 1784 and died in 1863, who founded the iconic Purdey gunmaking firm in 1814. Purdey & Sons became renowned for crafting high-quality firearms and greatly contributed to the recognition of the Purdey name on a global scale. James Purdey's craftsmanship earned him a prestigious clientele, which included royalty and nobility.

Records from the 19th century show Henry Purdey, born in 1826, who was an influential figure in the thriving industrial landscape of Victorian England. He played a significant role in the development of manufacturing techniques in the Midlands and contributed to the region's economic growth.

Another significant historical figure with this surname is Sir George Purdey, born in 1852 and a distinguished British naval officer. His military service and leadership were widely recognized during the latter part of the 19th century, and he was knighted for his contributions to the Royal Navy.

The Purdey surname has a long and storied history, with its roots deeply embedded in the English landscape and society. It has evolved from a simple habitation name to one associated with prominence and distinction across various fields, from landownership and commerce to craftsmanship and military service.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Purdey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Purdey 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. Middlesex leads with 34 Purdeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.22x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 34 2.22x
Durham 19 4.17x
Surrey 19 2.55x
Kent 17 3.25x
Lancashire 11 0.61x
Devon 10 3.14x
Hampshire 10 3.19x
Yorkshire 9 0.59x
Channel Islands 7 15.43x
Berkshire 6 5.22x
Nottinghamshire 3 1.45x
Essex 2 0.66x
Somerset 2 0.81x
Warwickshire 2 0.52x
Wiltshire 2 1.48x
Worcestershire 2 1.00x
Gloucestershire 1 0.33x
Sussex 1 0.39x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Richmond in Surrey leads with 13 Purdeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 124.28x.

Place Total Index
Richmond 13 124.28x
Hanworth 10 1851.85x
Folkestone 9 88.85x
Whickham 8 190.93x
Basingstoke 7 193.91x
St Peter Port 7 83.43x
Thornley 7 424.24x
Speldhurst 6 225.56x
Clewer 5 106.16x
East Stonehouse 5 79.62x
Enfield 5 49.75x
Salford 5 9.36x
Sculcoates 5 20.78x
Kensington London 4 4.70x
Plymouth Charles The 4 28.49x
Sheffield 4 8.28x
St Marylebone London 4 4.89x
Bethnal Green London 3 4.51x
Camberwell 3 3.07x
Everton 3 5.18x
Kirkby In Ashfield 3 135.75x
Toxteth Park 3 4.88x
Birmingham 2 1.55x
East Meon 2 243.90x
Kidderminster Borough 2 17.09x
Marlborough St Mary Virgin 2 210.53x
Stockton On Tees 2 9.11x
Walcot 2 15.23x
West Ham 2 3.00x
Aldershot 1 9.51x
Barnes 1 31.65x
Battersea 1 1.77x
Bermondsey 1 2.19x
Binfield 1 113.64x
Cheltenham 1 4.32x
Cornforth 1 74.63x
Fulham London 1 4.50x
Hackney London 1 1.16x
Hammersmith London 1 2.65x
Hornsey 1 5.16x
Kirdford 1 111.11x
Lewisham 1 3.59x
Limehouse London 1 5.95x
Paddington London 1 1.78x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 4.07x
Sevenoaks 1 23.58x
St Pancras London 1 0.81x
Staines 1 41.32x
Winlaton 1 22.88x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 14
Emily 5
Elizabeth 4
Sarah 4
Ann 3
Harriet 3
Caroline 2
Catherine 2
Constance 2
Ellen 2
Isabella 2
Lydia 2
Ada 1
Adelaide 1
Alice 1
Amelia 1
Annie 1
Bertha 1
Blanch 1
Dora 1
Dorthy 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Eliza 1
Elizth. 1
Emma 1
Fanny 1
Flora 1
Jane 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Laura 1
Lavinia 1
Lilley 1
Lily 1
Louisa 1
Margeret 1
Maryann 1
Maude 1
Minnie 1
Sophia 1
Sylvia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 11
William 11
James 9
George 8
Robert 6
Thomas 4
Frederick 3
Henry 3
Charles 2
Edward 2
Isaac 2
Joseph 2
Lawrence 2
Thos. 2
Alfred 1
Athol 1
Cecil 1
Dan 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Fredric 1
H. 1
Henery 1
Major 1
Mathew 1
Richard 1
Stephen 1
Talford 1
W. 1

FAQ

Purdey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Purdey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 150 people were recorded with the Purdey surname. That placed it at #15,489 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Purdey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 170 in 2016. That gives Purdey a modern rank of #21,801.

What does the Purdey surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name in England.

What does the Purdey map show?

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