NameCensus.

UK surname

Puzey

A variant spelling of the French surname Puisay indicating origin from the town of Puisay.

In the 1881 census there were 210 people recorded with the Puzey surname, ranking it #12,440 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 262, ranked #16,256, down from #12,440 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Leonard Shoreditch and Ealing, Chiswick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Berkshire, West Dorset and Purbeck.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Puzey is 288 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 24.8%.

1881 census count

210

Ranked #12,440

Modern count

262

2016, ranked #16,256

Peak year

2010

288 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Puzey had 210 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,440 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 262 in 2016, ranked #16,256.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 263 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Puzey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Puzey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Puzey 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 163 #12,156
1861 historical 92 #22,112
1881 historical 210 #12,440
1891 historical 185 #15,803
1901 historical 248 #13,204
1911 historical 263 #12,473
1997 modern 274 #14,374
1998 modern 284 #14,402
1999 modern 274 #14,826
2000 modern 270 #14,943
2001 modern 267 #14,839
2002 modern 262 #15,327
2003 modern 266 #14,987
2004 modern 269 #14,955
2005 modern 260 #15,250
2006 modern 255 #15,521
2007 modern 256 #15,647
2008 modern 263 #15,505
2009 modern 276 #15,300
2010 modern 288 #15,162
2011 modern 270 #15,754
2012 modern 253 #16,377
2013 modern 266 #16,098
2014 modern 275 #15,831
2015 modern 269 #15,955
2016 modern 262 #16,256

Geography

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Where Puzeys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Leonard Shoreditch, Ealing, Chiswick and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to West Berkshire, West Dorset, Purbeck, Northampton and Derby. 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 London parishes London 1
2 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
3 London parishes London 3
4 Ealing, Chiswick Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 West Berkshire 002 West Berkshire
2 West Dorset 003 West Dorset
3 Purbeck 003 Purbeck
4 Northampton 011 Northampton
5 Derby 003 Derby

Forenames

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First names often paired with Puzey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Puzey

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Puzey is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Puzey 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

Puzey 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 Puzey 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 Puzey, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Puzey

The surname PUZEY is believed to have originated in England during the late medieval period, primarily found in the counties of Warwickshire and Worcestershire. It is thought to have derived from the Old English words "puze" or "puzze," which referred to a small creek or stream, implying that the earliest bearers of this name likely resided near such a water feature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the PUZEY surname can be found in the Warwickshire Feet of Fines from 1395, which mentions a certain "Richard Puzey." This suggests that the name had already been established in the region by the late 14th century.

The PUZEY surname is also documented in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, where it appears as "Pussey." This alternative spelling provides insight into the name's evolution over time and the variations that emerged in different regions.

In the 16th century, the PUZEY name appears in the records of the Court of the Marches, a legal institution that governed the Welsh borders. This indicates that the name had spread beyond its initial heartland and was present in other parts of England during this period.

One notable individual bearing the PUZEY surname was John Puzey, a prominent landowner and member of the gentry class in Warwickshire during the 17th century. He was born in 1612 and died in 1684, leaving behind a sizable estate and several descendants who carried on the family name.

Another figure of historical significance was Sir William Puzey (1677-1745), a successful merchant and philanthropist from London. He amassed a considerable fortune through his trading activities and was known for his generous support of various charitable causes, including the founding of a school for underprivileged children.

In the realm of literature, the PUZEY surname is associated with Mary Puzey (1804-1858), an English writer and poet who published several collections of verse and was highly regarded in literary circles of her time.

During the 18th century, the PUZEY name was also found in the records of the Church of England, with several individuals serving as clergymen. One notable example is Reverend Thomas Puzey (1738-1812), who served as the vicar of St. Mary's Church in Warwickshire for over four decades.

While the PUZEY surname originated in England, it eventually spread to other parts of the world through migration and exploration. One prominent figure in this regard was Captain James Puzey (1792-1867), a British naval officer who played a significant role in the exploration and mapping of the Pacific Ocean during the early 19th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Puzey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Puzey 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 75 Puzeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.66x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 75 3.66x
Essex 24 5.94x
Hampshire 18 4.29x
Wiltshire 18 9.94x
Berkshire 15 9.76x
Surrey 14 1.40x
Oxfordshire 9 7.11x
Buckinghamshire 7 5.65x
Kent 7 1.00x
Yorkshire 7 0.34x
Lancashire 6 0.25x
Sussex 5 1.45x
Devon 1 0.23x
Gloucestershire 1 0.25x
Hertfordshire 1 0.71x
Northamptonshire 1 0.52x
Somerset 1 0.30x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 15 Puzeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.55x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 15 7.55x
Chiswick 11 98.30x
Liddiard Millicent 11 1774.19x
Chigwell 9 235.60x
Shoreditch London 9 10.14x
West Ham 9 10.08x
Little Faringdon 8 8888.89x
Stanford In Vale 8 1311.48x
Clerkenwell London 7 14.48x
Ham Kingston On Thames 7 1590.91x
Highworth 7 301.72x
Portsea 7 8.51x
Scampston 7 4117.65x
Leyton Low 6 72.99x
Maidstone 6 28.82x
Croydon 5 9.02x
Hampstead London 5 15.67x
Toxteth Park 5 6.07x
Ardington 4 1481.48x
East Tisted 4 3076.92x
Harmondsworth 4 314.96x
Hillingdon 4 61.26x
Poplar London 4 10.35x
St Marylebone London 4 3.66x
Wraysbury 4 869.57x
Brighton 3 4.31x
Farringdon 3 731.71x
St George In East 3 21.54x
Hastings St Mary 2 23.26x
Horton 2 333.33x
Kensington London 2 1.76x
Newington 2 2.64x
Paddington London 2 2.66x
Remenham 2 465.12x
Shadwell London 2 34.90x
Southampton St Mary 2 7.58x
Acton 1 8.33x
Alton 1 31.65x
Bucklebury 1 125.00x
Caversham 1 39.53x
Cheddar 1 60.24x
Daventry 1 36.63x
Hertford St John 1 47.62x
Holy Trinity Less 1 227.27x
Kempsford 1 172.41x
Liverpool 1 0.68x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 3.04x
Romsey Extra 1 40.00x
Speldhurst 1 28.09x
Upton Cum Chalvey 1 20.24x
Westminster St James 1 4.75x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 10
Mary 8
Sarah 7
Emily 6
Ann 5
Fanny 5
Jane 5
Charlotte 4
Eliza 4
Ellen 4
Ada 3
Martha 3
Annie 2
Bessie 2
Edith 2
Helen 2
Julia 2
Nellie 2
Sophia 2
Alice 1
Amelia 1
Anne 1
Beatrice 1
Clara 1
Elizth 1
Elizth. 1
Elizth.Henrietta 1
Emiline 1
Emma 1
Ester 1
Flora 1
Frances 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Harriett 1
Isabella 1
Jessie 1
Kate 1
Letitia 1
Lizzie 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
Lydia 1
M. 1
Margan 1
Margaret 1
Mercy 1
Rose 1
Susannah 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Puzey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Puzey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 210 people were recorded with the Puzey surname. That placed it at #12,440 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Puzey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 262 in 2016. That gives Puzey a modern rank of #16,256.

What does the Puzey surname mean?

A variant spelling of the French surname Puisay indicating origin from the town of Puisay.

What does the Puzey map show?

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