NameCensus.

UK surname

Razey

Of German origin, possibly referring to a person from the town of Raza.

In the 1881 census there were 89 people recorded with the Razey surname, ranking it #21,091 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 131, ranked #26,004, down from #21,091 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, South Stoneham and Wilcot, North Newton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rhondda Cynon Taf, Elmbridge and West Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Razey is 159 in 1997. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 47.2%.

1881 census count

89

Ranked #21,091

Modern count

131

2016, ranked #26,004

Peak year

1997

159 bearers

Map years

6

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Razey had 89 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #21,091 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 131 in 2016, ranked #26,004.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 157 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Razey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Razey surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Razey 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 94 #17,837
1861 historical 47 #28,023
1881 historical 89 #21,091
1891 historical 126 #20,604
1901 historical 140 #18,795
1911 historical 157 #17,348
1997 modern 159 #20,339
1998 modern 153 #21,387
1999 modern 148 #22,020
2000 modern 159 #20,975
2001 modern 150 #21,482
2002 modern 156 #21,348
2003 modern 147 #21,977
2004 modern 139 #22,891
2005 modern 136 #23,205
2006 modern 135 #23,486
2007 modern 133 #24,059
2008 modern 128 #24,901
2009 modern 133 #24,817
2010 modern 129 #25,900
2011 modern 132 #25,303
2012 modern 132 #25,289
2013 modern 131 #25,932
2014 modern 131 #26,089
2015 modern 127 #26,494
2016 modern 131 #26,004

Geography

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Where Razeys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, South Stoneham, Wilcot, North Newton, Box, Ditteridge and Huish. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rhondda Cynon Taf, Elmbridge, West Devon, Cardiff and Hounslow. 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 South Stoneham Hampshire
3 Wilcot, North Newton Wiltshire
4 Box, Ditteridge Wiltshire
5 Huish Wiltshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rhondda Cynon Taf 009 Rhondda Cynon Taf
2 Elmbridge 014 Elmbridge
3 West Devon 007 West Devon
4 Cardiff 039 Cardiff
5 Hounslow 015 Hounslow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Razey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Razey

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Razey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Razey household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Razey 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

Razey is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Razey falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Razey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Razey

The surname Razey has its origins in France, with its earliest known roots dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "rasier," meaning "to shave" or "to cut close." This suggests that the name may have initially been an occupational name for a barber or a hairdresser.

In medieval France, surnames were often adopted based on a person's trade or occupation, and the name Razey could have been given to someone who worked as a barber or hairdresser, particularly during a time when these professions were highly respected and valued.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Razey can be found in the Rolls of the Parliament of Paris, dated 1301, where a certain "Jehan Razey" is mentioned. This document provides valuable insight into the historical presence of the name in the region.

Another notable mention of the name Razey is found in the records of the Duchy of Burgundy, where a "Guillaume Razey" is listed as a resident of the town of Dijon in 1412. This suggests that the name had spread beyond its initial origins and had become established in other parts of France.

Over time, the spelling of the name evolved, with variations such as "Rasay," "Razay," and "Raisay" appearing in various historical records and documents. These variations likely emerged due to regional dialects and the inconsistencies in spelling conventions during the medieval period.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Jean Razey, a prominent merchant and landowner who lived in the town of Rouen, Normandy, during the late 14th century. His descendants continued to use the surname, and some of them went on to achieve notable positions in the local community.

Another notable figure was Philippe Razey, a French military officer who served in the Hundred Years' War and participated in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. His bravery and leadership on the battlefield earned him recognition and respect among his contemporaries.

In the 16th century, a family of Razeys settled in the region of Champagne, where they established a successful vintnery. One member of this family, Antoine Razey (1540-1612), became renowned for his exceptional winemaking skills and contributed significantly to the region's reputation for producing high-quality wines.

As the centuries passed, the Razey name continued to spread across France and even beyond its borders. Notable individuals bearing this surname include Jacques Razey (1675-1738), a renowned architect who designed several churches and public buildings in Paris, and Marie Razey (1824-1895), a pioneering educator who founded one of the first schools for girls in the city of Lyon.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Razey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Razey 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. Wiltshire leads with 53 Razeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 69.05x.

County Total Index
Wiltshire 53 69.05x
Middlesex 15 1.73x
Hampshire 13 7.31x
Gloucestershire 5 2.94x
Monmouthshire 1 1.59x
Somerset 1 0.72x
Surrey 1 0.24x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wilcott in Wiltshire leads with 11 Razeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 6470.59x.

Place Total Index
Wilcott 11 6470.59x
Manningford Bohun 10 14285.71x
South Stoneham 9 233.16x
Box 8 1230.77x
Baydon 7 7777.78x
West Cholderton 7 14000.00x
Fulham London 6 47.66x
Mile End Old Town 6 43.80x
North Newnton 5 4545.45x
Kimpton 4 5000.00x
Bristol St Paul In 3 66.23x
Bristol St James St Paul 2 35.21x
Alton Barnes 1 2000.00x
Alton Priors 1 1666.67x
Caldicot 1 238.10x
Calne 1 63.29x
Hammersmith London 1 4.68x
Huish 1 2500.00x
Kensington London 1 2.07x
Kingston On Thames 1 9.84x
Pewsey 1 178.57x
Tottenham 1 7.24x
Walcot 1 13.44x

Top female names

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

FAQ

Razey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Razey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 89 people were recorded with the Razey surname. That placed it at #21,091 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Razey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 131 in 2016. That gives Razey a modern rank of #26,004.

What does the Razey surname mean?

Of German origin, possibly referring to a person from the town of Raza.

What does the Razey map show?

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