NameCensus.

UK surname

Purple

A French surname derived from an old term for a dyer of purple fabrics.

In the 1881 census there were 42 people recorded with the Purple surname, ranking it #27,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 112, ranked #28,844, down from #27,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Breckland, Selby and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Purple is 124 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 166.7%.

1881 census count

42

Ranked #27,721

Modern count

112

2016, ranked #28,844

Peak year

1999

124 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Purple had 42 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #27,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 112 in 2016, ranked #28,844.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 81 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Purple surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Purple surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Purple 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 7 #32,070
1861 historical 27 #30,543
1881 historical 42 #27,721
1891 historical 44 #30,838
1901 historical 53 #28,271
1911 historical 81 #24,719
1997 modern 112 #25,244
1998 modern 122 #24,556
1999 modern 124 #24,508
2000 modern 122 #24,698
2001 modern 123 #24,242
2002 modern 120 #25,110
2003 modern 119 #25,026
2004 modern 116 #25,580
2005 modern 112 #26,114
2006 modern 116 #25,813
2007 modern 117 #26,066
2008 modern 115 #26,635
2009 modern 113 #27,520
2010 modern 118 #27,404
2011 modern 116 #27,477
2012 modern 117 #27,394
2013 modern 111 #28,856
2014 modern 116 #28,253
2015 modern 113 #28,645
2016 modern 112 #28,844

Geography

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Where Purples are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Breckland, Selby, Newcastle upon Tyne, North West Leicestershire and Dacorum. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Breckland 007 Breckland
2 Selby 008 Selby
3 Newcastle upon Tyne 003 Newcastle upon Tyne
4 North West Leicestershire 011 North West Leicestershire
5 Dacorum 006 Dacorum

Forenames

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First names often paired with Purple

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Purple

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

Purple 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

Purple falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Purple

The surname "PURPLE" is a rare and intriguing name that has its roots in the English language. It is believed to have originated from the word "purpure," which is a heraldic term for the color purple. The name likely emerged during the Middle Ages, a period when surnames were becoming more widespread in England.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "PURPLE" can be traced back to the 13th century. In the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1275, a certain Richard Purpure is mentioned. This suggests that the name may have originated in the region of Worcestershire or its surrounding areas.

During the medieval period, the color purple held significant symbolic meaning. It was associated with royalty, wealth, and power due to the high cost and rarity of the dye required to produce the hue. As a result, individuals may have adopted the surname "PURPLE" as a way to signify their status or association with the upper echelons of society.

In the 14th century, the surname "PURPLE" appeared in various historical records, such as the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1346, where a John Purpure was listed. The name was also present in the Court Rolls of Berkshire in 1379, mentioning a certain Thomas Purpure.

Notable individuals who bore the surname "PURPLE" throughout history include:

1. William PURPLE (c. 1520 - 1589), an English merchant and alderman from the city of Bristol. He was a prominent figure in the city's trade and civic affairs during the Tudor period.

2. Elizabeth PURPLE (c. 1630 - 1690), an English midwife and healer who practiced in the village of Chilham, Kent. She gained a reputation for her expertise in herbal remedies and was sought after by many in the local community.

3. John PURPLE (1712 - 1768), a British soldier who served in the Royal Artillery during the Seven Years' War. He participated in several notable battles, including the Siege of Louisburg in 1758.

4. Mary PURPLE (1785 - 1862), an English philanthropist and campaigner for the rights of women and children. She established several charitable organizations in London and advocated for improved education and working conditions for the underprivileged.

5. George PURPLE (1878 - 1943), a British architect renowned for his work in the Arts and Crafts movement. He designed numerous residential and public buildings, many of which can still be found in various parts of England.

While the surname "PURPLE" may not be as common as some other English surnames, it has a rich history that spans centuries and reflects the cultural and social significance of the color purple throughout various periods of English history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Purple families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Purple 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. Norfolk leads with 37 Purples recorded in 1881 and an index of 58.75x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 37 58.75x
Surrey 3 1.50x
Lancashire 1 0.21x
Warwickshire 1 0.97x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Longham in Norfolk leads with 16 Purples recorded in 1881 and an index of 32000.00x.

Place Total Index
Longham 16 32000.00x
Gressenhall 7 5833.33x
Bawdeswell 5 8333.33x
Great Fransham 3 6000.00x
Lambeth 3 8.40x
East Dereham 2 250.00x
Little Dunham 2 5000.00x
Bintree 1 1666.67x
Edgbaston 1 31.25x
Litcham 1 909.09x
Newton 1 26.67x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 2
Henry 2
James 2
John 2
Edgar 1
Edward 1
Frederic 1
Hall 1
Harry 1
Matthias 1
Percy 1
Reuben 1
Robert 1
Thomas 1
Walter 1
William 1
Winter 1

Top occupations

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 Purple households.

FAQ

Purple surname: questions and answers

How common was the Purple surname in 1881?

In 1881, 42 people were recorded with the Purple surname. That placed it at #27,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Purple surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 112 in 2016. That gives Purple a modern rank of #28,844.

What does the Purple surname mean?

A French surname derived from an old term for a dyer of purple fabrics.

What does the Purple map show?

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