NameCensus.

UK surname

Scarr

An English surname derived from the Old Norse word "skor" meaning a wooded area or forest.

In the 1881 census there were 566 people recorded with the Scarr surname, ranking it #6,126 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 814, ranked #6,810, down from #6,126 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Rochdale and Darlington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Richmondshire, South Lakeland and County Durham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Scarr is 983 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 43.8%.

1881 census count

566

Ranked #6,126

Modern count

814

2016, ranked #6,810

Peak year

1999

983 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Scarr had 566 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,126 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 814 in 2016, ranked #6,810.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 863 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Scarr surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Scarr surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Scarr 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 370 #6,426
1861 historical 269 #9,244
1881 historical 566 #6,126
1891 historical 702 #5,586
1901 historical 812 #5,565
1911 historical 863 #5,145
1997 modern 903 #5,947
1998 modern 960 #5,857
1999 modern 983 #5,791
2000 modern 937 #5,999
2001 modern 903 #6,068
2002 modern 912 #6,139
2003 modern 857 #6,311
2004 modern 869 #6,251
2005 modern 837 #6,373
2006 modern 840 #6,374
2007 modern 851 #6,370
2008 modern 842 #6,476
2009 modern 851 #6,561
2010 modern 874 #6,549
2011 modern 854 #6,587
2012 modern 819 #6,706
2013 modern 817 #6,818
2014 modern 816 #6,870
2015 modern 812 #6,843
2016 modern 814 #6,810

Geography

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Where Scarrs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Rochdale, Darlington, Shelford, Great and Cambridge: St Andrew the Less, St Andrew the Great, Holy Trinity, St Benedict. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Richmondshire, South Lakeland, County Durham, Sunderland and East Riding of Yorkshire. 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 Rochdale Lancashire
3 Darlington Durham
4 Shelford, Great Cambridgeshire
5 Cambridge: St Andrew the Less, St Andrew the Great, Holy Trinity, St Benedict Cambridgeshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Richmondshire 005 Richmondshire
2 South Lakeland 009 South Lakeland
3 County Durham 039 County Durham
4 Sunderland 009 Sunderland
5 East Riding of Yorkshire 041 East Riding of Yorkshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Scarr

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Scarr

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

Scarr is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Scarr falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Scarr

The surname "SCARR" is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, deriving from the Old English word "scar" or "scær," meaning a cliff, rocky outcrop, or precipitous bank. This suggests that the name may have been initially borne by someone who lived near or was associated with such a geographical feature.

One of the earliest known records of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Scarre" and "Scarra," referring to individuals residing in various counties of England, such as Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. This indicates that the name was already well-established in certain regions by the late 11th century.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, including "Scarre," "Skarr," and "Scar," reflecting the regional variations in spelling and pronunciation. One notable bearer of the name during this period was William de Scar, who was recorded in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire in 1273.

As the name spread across England, it also became associated with certain place names, such as Scarborough in North Yorkshire, which derives its name from the Old English "Scar-burg," meaning "the fortified place on the rock or cliff." This connection suggests that some individuals may have adopted the surname based on their place of origin or residence.

Among the notable historical figures bearing the surname "SCARR" is Sir John Scarr, a prominent English merchant and politician who lived in the 16th century (c. 1520 - 1594). He served as the Lord Mayor of London and was a member of the Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Another individual of note is Thomas Scarr (1603 - 1684), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Master of Christ's College, Cambridge, in the mid-17th century. He played a significant role in the college's administration and contributed to its intellectual life.

In the 18th century, the name was borne by the English poet and playwright Samuel Scarr (1722 - 1796), who was known for his satirical works and collaborations with prominent literary figures of the time, such as Samuel Johnson and Oliver Goldsmith.

Moving into the 19th century, we find Edward Scarr (1810 - 1879), an English architect and surveyor who was involved in numerous building projects in London and the surrounding areas. He designed several notable structures, including churches and public buildings.

Lastly, one cannot overlook the contribution of Henry Scarr (1865 - 1941), a British engineer and inventor who played a crucial role in the development of early aviation. He worked on various aircraft designs and held patents for several innovative aviation technologies.

While the surname "SCARR" may have evolved over time and taken on different spellings, its origins can be traced back to the rugged landscapes of medieval England, where it served as a identifier for those living in or near rocky outcrops and cliff-lined areas.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Scarr families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Scarr 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 214 Scarrs recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.90x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 214 3.90x
Durham 108 6.56x
Cambridgeshire 91 25.98x
Lancashire 75 1.14x
Kent 21 1.11x
Middlesex 12 0.22x
Norfolk 9 1.06x
Surrey 9 0.33x
Nottinghamshire 6 0.80x
Huntingdonshire 5 4.55x
Hampshire 4 0.35x
Hertfordshire 4 1.05x
Northamptonshire 2 0.38x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.30x
Cheshire 1 0.08x
Lanarkshire 1 0.06x
Lincolnshire 1 0.11x
Royal Navy 1 1.52x
Suffolk 1 0.15x
Westmorland 1 0.82x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Great Shelford in Cambridgeshire leads with 28 Scarrs recorded in 1881 and an index of 1521.74x.

Place Total Index
Great Shelford 28 1521.74x
St Andrewthe Less 19 47.48x
Beverley St Nicholas 18 400.89x
Cockerton 15 284.09x
Cherry Hinton 14 848.48x
Sherburn House 13 3513.51x
Chadderton 12 37.39x
Holy Trinity 12 9.10x
Leeds 12 3.88x
Pelton 12 153.26x
Habergham Eaves 10 16.67x
Otley 10 75.13x
Downham Market 9 154.11x
Hart 9 224.44x
Low Abbotside 9 3600.00x
Sedbergh 9 445.54x
Charlton Next Woolwich 8 40.65x
Fulbourn 8 238.81x
Marton 8 183.49x
Tanfield 8 40.88x
Bradford 7 5.28x
Camberwell 7 1.98x
Ecclesall Bierlow 7 6.28x
Greenwich 7 7.95x
Methley 7 90.67x
Micklefield 7 530.30x
Tottington Lower End 7 22.44x
Ashton Under Lyne 6 4.18x
Auckland St Andrew 6 137.93x
Crook Billy Row 6 28.48x
Downham 6 161.29x
Hook 6 49.75x
Litton 6 4000.00x
Northallerton 6 85.71x
South Skirlaugh 6 1090.91x
Sutton Stoneferry 6 38.27x
Willington 6 63.09x
Witton Le Wear 6 128.48x
Beverley St Martin 5 54.64x
Bishopwearmouth 5 3.54x
Blackburn 5 2.86x
Chesterton 5 46.30x
Flaxton 5 724.64x
Ford 5 101.42x
Hawes 5 139.66x
Lenton 5 28.47x
Newchurch 5 9.31x
Ramsey 5 56.88x
Tottenham 5 5.68x
West Derby 5 2.60x
Bishop Stortford 4 31.42x
Burnley 4 7.24x
Evenwood Barony 4 71.56x
Gomersal 4 15.64x
Kirby Sigston 4 2105.26x
March 4 34.10x
Oulton Cum Woodlesford 4 89.89x
Portsea 4 1.80x
Stansfield 4 19.83x
Wistow 4 273.97x
Askrigg 3 254.24x
Bethnal Green London 3 1.25x
Beverley St Mary 3 37.50x
Blatchinworth 3 20.08x
Cottingham 3 25.40x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 3 4.21x
Kelloe 3 169.49x
Manningham 3 4.44x
Mile End Old Town 3 3.44x
Southcoates 3 9.86x
Stirton Cum Thorlby 3 1000.00x
Harston 2 134.23x
Helmington Row 2 26.11x
Keighley 2 3.42x
Ledstone 2 476.19x
Marrick 2 344.83x
Rochester St Nicholas 2 34.07x
Thorpe Mandeville 2 500.00x
Wardleworth 2 5.33x
Woolwich 2 2.87x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 54
Elizabeth 30
Sarah 17
Jane 15
Ann 12
Alice 11
Margaret 10
Emma 8
Hannah 8
Ellen 7
Isabella 7
Annie 6
Martha 6
Eleanor 4
Eliza 4
Edith 3
Gertrude 3
Louisa 3
Maria 3
Rebecca 3
Ada 2
Agnes 2
Amelia 2
Betsy 2
Charlotte 2
Emily 2
Florence 2
Harriet 2
Sophia 2
Susannah 2
Ammee 1
Amy 1
Beatrice 1
Betty 1
Catherine 1
Eliz. 1
Elizath. 1
Elizth. 1
Emaline 1
Ethel 1
Etty 1
Jamar 1
Janet 1
Janette 1
Jenny 1
Jessie 1
John 1
Kate 1
Katie 1
Winnie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 40
John 38
Thomas 26
James 24
George 18
Robert 16
Joseph 14
Charles 10
Henry 10
Arthur 8
Herbert 6
Alfred 5
Francis 5
Richard 4
Samuel 4
Frederick 3
Harry 3
Tom 3
Abram 2
David 2
Edward 2
Edwin 2
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Fred 2
Geo. 2
Leonard 2
Matthew 2
Walter 2
Wilfred 2
Wm. 2
Albert 1
Archibald 1
Bethel 1
Clement 1
Daniel 1
Fredrick 1
Hector 1
Hepburn 1
Jeffrey 1
Mathew 1
Peter 1
Reginald 1
Renforth 1
Stansfield 1
Watson 1
Willm. 1
Wilson 1
Wm.D. 1
Wm.S. 1

FAQ

Scarr surname: questions and answers

How common was the Scarr surname in 1881?

In 1881, 566 people were recorded with the Scarr surname. That placed it at #6,126 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Scarr surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 814 in 2016. That gives Scarr a modern rank of #6,810.

What does the Scarr surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Old Norse word "skor" meaning a wooded area or forest.

What does the Scarr map show?

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