NameCensus.

UK surname

Pyrah

A locational surname denoting someone from Pyrah, a township in Yorkshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 539 people recorded with the Pyrah surname, ranking it #6,395 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 447, ranked #10,857, down from #6,395 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Halifax, Birstall and Batley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lancaster, Bradford and Kirklees.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pyrah is 604 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 17.1%.

1881 census count

539

Ranked #6,395

Modern count

447

2016, ranked #10,857

Peak year

1901

604 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pyrah had 539 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,395 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 447 in 2016, ranked #10,857.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 604 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Pyrah surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pyrah surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pyrah 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 311 #7,413
1861 historical 357 #7,155
1881 historical 539 #6,395
1891 historical 549 #6,892
1901 historical 604 #7,038
1911 historical 591 #6,921
1997 modern 453 #10,015
1998 modern 478 #9,940
1999 modern 482 #9,950
2000 modern 473 #10,049
2001 modern 464 #10,002
2002 modern 464 #10,181
2003 modern 458 #10,136
2004 modern 445 #10,418
2005 modern 437 #10,437
2006 modern 434 #10,543
2007 modern 427 #10,782
2008 modern 425 #10,934
2009 modern 429 #11,094
2010 modern 442 #11,066
2011 modern 446 #10,863
2012 modern 459 #10,513
2013 modern 444 #10,946
2014 modern 458 #10,749
2015 modern 453 #10,769
2016 modern 447 #10,857

Geography

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Where Pyrahs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Halifax, Birstall, Batley, Bradford and Dewsbury. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Lancaster, Bradford, Kirklees and Rossendale. 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 Halifax Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Birstall Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Batley Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Dewsbury Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Lancaster 009 Lancaster
2 Bradford 016 Bradford
3 Kirklees 003 Kirklees
4 Kirklees 012 Kirklees
5 Rossendale 002 Rossendale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pyrah

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Pyrah

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Pyrah, 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 Pyrah surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Pyrah 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, Pyrah 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

Pyrah is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Pyrah 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 Pyrah is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Pyrah

The surname Pyrah originated in England, with its earliest known recorded use dating back to the late 13th century. The name is believed to be derived from the Old French word "pirer," meaning "to turn" or "to wheel," suggesting a possible occupational origin related to a turner or wheelwright. Alternatively, it may stem from a place name, potentially referring to someone who lived near a pear tree or an area abundant with pear trees.

In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a tax record from the reign of Edward I, the name appears as "Pirro" in the county of Lincolnshire. This early spelling variation highlights the potential evolution of the name over time. Unfortunately, no further details about the individual or family are provided in this historical document.

The Pyrah surname is also found in the Subsidy Rolls of 1332 for the county of Yorkshire, indicating the presence of the name in different regions of England during the 14th century. This record lists a "Johannes Pyray," suggesting another spelling variation.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Pyrah was John Pyrah, who lived in the village of Hartshead in Yorkshire during the late 16th century. Records indicate that he was born around 1570 and worked as a weaver, a common occupation in the area at that time.

In the 17th century, a notable figure bearing the Pyrah name was William Pyrah (c. 1610-1678), a wealthy merchant and landowner from the town of Wakefield in West Yorkshire. He played a significant role in the local community and was a benefactor to several charitable causes.

During the 18th century, the Pyrah family had a presence in the village of Batley, also in West Yorkshire. Records from 1743 mention a Joseph Pyrah, who worked as a wool comber, a trade integral to the region's thriving textile industry.

In the 19th century, the name Pyrah gained recognition with the accomplishments of James Pyrah (1821-1897), a prominent industrialist and entrepreneur from Bradford, Yorkshire. He founded the successful textile firm Pyrah & Sons, which played a vital role in the city's industrial development.

Another noteworthy individual was John Pyrah (1835-1914), a respected clergyman who served as the vicar of Eccleshill in Bradford for over 40 years. He was known for his dedication to his parish and his efforts in promoting education and social welfare.

While the surname Pyrah has its roots in England, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and genealogical connections. The name's historical evolution and variations showcase its rich heritage and potential occupational or geographical origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Pyrah families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pyrah 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. Yorkshire leads with 524 Pyrahs recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.06x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 524 10.06x
Lancashire 13 0.21x
Middlesex 1 0.02x
Surrey 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. North Bierley in Yorkshire leads with 97 Pyrahs recorded in 1881 and an index of 344.83x.

Place Total Index
North Bierley 97 344.83x
Batley 35 70.68x
Dewsbury 31 58.01x
Gomersal 30 123.36x
Wyke In Bradford 25 268.24x
Leeds 24 8.16x
Wortley In Bramley 23 55.73x
Bradford 20 15.86x
Normanton 19 121.33x
Bowling 17 32.94x
Cleckheaton 14 72.95x
Methley 14 190.74x
Morley 14 51.68x
Holy Trinity 13 10.37x
Manningham 10 15.58x
Heaton 9 160.71x
Heckmondwike 9 53.70x
Hipperholme Cum 9 39.32x
Horton In Bradford 9 11.06x
Newington 9 62.72x
Tong 8 79.52x
Cartworth 7 162.41x
Farnley In Bramley 7 107.69x
Ossett Cum Gawthorpe 7 37.61x
Pudsey 7 25.13x
East Ardsley 6 133.04x
Halifax 6 7.84x
Huddersfield 6 7.90x
Soothill 6 31.88x
Thornhill 6 39.47x
Heaton Norris 5 14.08x
Hunslet 5 6.15x
Mirfield 5 17.48x
Alverthorpe Cum Thornes 4 21.14x
Selby 4 36.73x
Openshaw 3 10.27x
Poulton Barre 3 42.25x
Southcoates 3 10.37x
Headingley Cum Burley 2 5.96x
Whitwood 2 27.03x
Barrow In Furness 1 1.18x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 1 5.61x
Camberwell 1 0.30x
Hampton London 1 11.57x
Oldham 1 0.50x
Shelley 1 32.79x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 23
John 22
Thomas 17
James 15
Joseph 12
Walter 10
Arthur 9
Albert 8
George 6
Harry 6
Alfred 5
Charles 4
David 4
Edwin 4
Henry 4
Jesse 4
Samuel 4
Benjamin 3
Edward 3
Ernest 3
Joshua 3
Luke 3
Oliver 3
Tom 3
Ben 2
Dan 2
Edgar 2
Festus 2
Frank 2
Fred 2
Joah 2
Lawrence 2
Thos. 2
Allan 1
Amos 1
Anthony 1
Asa 1
Augustus 1
Christopher 1
Ethelbert 1
Francis 1
Harrison 1
Jazal 1
Jere 1
Jeremiah 1
Jno. 1
Joe 1
Joeph. 1
Johua 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Pyrah surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pyrah surname in 1881?

In 1881, 539 people were recorded with the Pyrah surname. That placed it at #6,395 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pyrah surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 447 in 2016. That gives Pyrah a modern rank of #10,857.

What does the Pyrah surname mean?

A locational surname denoting someone from Pyrah, a township in Yorkshire, England.

What does the Pyrah map show?

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