NameCensus.

UK surname

Scruby

A topographic surname referring to one who lived in a scrubby or shrubby area.

In the 1881 census there were 235 people recorded with the Scruby surname, ranking it #11,573 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 225, ranked #18,105, down from #11,573 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Heston, Epping and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Stratford-on-Avon, Mid Suffolk and Darlington.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Scruby is 299 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 4.3%.

1881 census count

235

Ranked #11,573

Modern count

225

2016, ranked #18,105

Peak year

1911

299 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Scruby had 235 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,573 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 225 in 2016, ranked #18,105.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 299 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Scruby surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Scruby surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Scruby 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 153 #12,721
1861 historical 120 #18,255
1881 historical 235 #11,573
1891 historical 246 #12,912
1901 historical 295 #11,783
1911 historical 299 #11,475
1997 modern 270 #14,515
1998 modern 285 #14,351
1999 modern 286 #14,412
2000 modern 294 #14,105
2001 modern 293 #13,933
2002 modern 285 #14,483
2003 modern 288 #14,192
2004 modern 272 #14,843
2005 modern 264 #15,085
2006 modern 261 #15,289
2007 modern 255 #15,687
2008 modern 249 #16,111
2009 modern 250 #16,421
2010 modern 253 #16,652
2011 modern 248 #16,735
2012 modern 233 #17,339
2013 modern 229 #17,816
2014 modern 232 #17,761
2015 modern 231 #17,733
2016 modern 225 #18,105

Geography

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Where Scrubys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Heston, Epping, London parishes, Pampisford and St John Hackney. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Stratford-on-Avon, Mid Suffolk, Darlington and Bracknell Forest. 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 Heston Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
2 Epping Essex
3 London parishes London 3
4 Pampisford Cambridgeshire
5 St John Hackney London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Stratford-on-Avon 011 Stratford-on-Avon
2 Mid Suffolk 005 Mid Suffolk
3 Stratford-on-Avon 010 Stratford-on-Avon
4 Darlington 002 Darlington
5 Bracknell Forest 002 Bracknell Forest

Forenames

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First names often paired with Scruby

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Scruby

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Scruby surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Scruby household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Scruby is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Scruby is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Scruby falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Scruby

The surname SCRUBY has its origins rooted in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. The name is believed to be derived from the Old English word "scrubb," which referred to a type of shrub or bush found in the English countryside. This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive surname, given to individuals who lived near or were associated with areas abundant in these shrubs.

One of the earliest known references to the name SCRUBY can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Lincolnshire, a census-like record compiled in 1273. This document mentions a John Scruby, who was likely a landowner or tenant in the county of Lincolnshire during that time period.

In the 14th century, the surname SCRUBY appeared in various forms, such as Scrubby, Scrubbie, and Scrubbey, reflecting the evolving spelling conventions of the time. One notable individual was William Scruby, born in 1312 in the village of Stowe, Shropshire. He was a prominent landowner and is mentioned in the Stowe Manor Court Rolls of 1346.

During the 16th century, the surname SCRUBY gained wider recognition with the rise of a family of that name in the county of Gloucestershire. John Scruby (1512-1587) was a respected merchant and alderman in the city of Gloucester, and his descendants played influential roles in local politics and governance.

In the 17th century, the SCRUBY surname was also found in Scotland, with records indicating a family of that name residing in the Scottish Borders region. One notable individual was Robert Scruby (1635-1699), a successful farmer and landowner in the village of Duns, Berwickshire.

Another significant figure in the history of the SCRUBY surname was Sir Thomas Scruby (1702-1778), a wealthy English merchant and member of Parliament who represented the borough of Cricklade in Wiltshire. He was known for his involvement in various philanthropic endeavors and left a lasting impact on the local community.

As the centuries progressed, the SCRUBY surname continued to be found across various regions of England and Scotland, with individuals from this family making contributions in various fields, including agriculture, commerce, and public service.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Scruby families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Scruby 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 49 Scrubys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.14x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 49 2.14x
Essex 38 8.40x
Suffolk 32 11.46x
Cambridgeshire 31 21.35x
Warwickshire 18 3.11x
Hertfordshire 13 8.23x
Kent 10 1.28x
Oxfordshire 10 7.06x
Surrey 10 0.90x
Yorkshire 6 0.26x
Bedfordshire 4 3.37x
Gloucestershire 4 0.89x
Lancashire 2 0.07x
Somerset 2 0.54x
Wiltshire 2 0.99x
Herefordshire 1 1.06x
Stirlingshire 1 1.18x
Sussex 1 0.26x
Worcestershire 1 0.33x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Mile End Old Town in Middlesex leads with 13 Scrubys recorded in 1881 and an index of 35.92x.

Place Total Index
Mile End Old Town 13 35.92x
Wetherden 13 3333.33x
Broxted 9 1636.36x
Hackney London 9 7.00x
Harleston 9 15000.00x
Haughley 9 1285.71x
Harlow 8 410.26x
Swalcliffe 8 1632.65x
Islington London 7 3.15x
Clapham 6 20.94x
Coventry Holy Trinity 6 34.76x
Erith 6 77.82x
Bassingbourn 5 234.74x
Bethnal Green London 5 5.02x
Enfield 5 33.24x
Hampton Lucy 5 1612.90x
Melbourn 5 354.61x
Southcoates 5 39.65x
St Clement Cambridge 5 833.33x
West Ham 5 5.00x
Cheltenham 4 11.53x
East Ham 4 47.62x
Eaton Socon 4 215.05x
Furneux Pelham 4 888.89x
Heston 4 52.56x
Newington 4 4.72x
Pampisford 4 1481.48x
Duxford 3 491.80x
Epping 3 163.04x
Thaxted 3 200.00x
Wasperton 3 1500.00x
Bishop Stortford 2 37.88x
Chipping Ongar 2 256.41x
Chorlton On Medlock 2 4.63x
Limehouse London 2 7.95x
Marlborough St Peter St 2 192.31x
Old Cleeve 2 151.52x
Orwell 2 317.46x
Snitterfield 2 312.50x
St Albans 2 61.73x
St Andrewthe Great 2 106.38x
St Benedict Cambridge 2 243.90x
St Lawrence 2 37.17x
The Holy Sepulchre 2 555.56x
Acton 1 7.44x
Bartestree 1 625.00x
Berkhampstead 1 28.17x
Brighton 1 1.28x
Bromley London 1 1.98x
Coventry St Michael 1 5.39x
Dudley 1 2.75x
Hinxton 1 370.37x
Holy Trinity 1 1.83x
Ramsgate 1 7.83x
Rayleigh 1 96.15x
Rodmersham 1 294.12x
Romford 1 13.99x
Royston 1 74.07x
Sandford 1 263.16x
St Albans St Stephen 1 72.46x
St Marylebone London 1 0.82x
Stanstead Abbots 1 104.17x
Stirling 1 9.38x
Stow Maries 1 588.24x
Stowmarket 1 30.96x
Studley 1 2500.00x
Twickenham 1 10.17x
Ware 1 22.08x
Warwick St Mary 1 19.92x
Wimbish 1 149.25x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 12
Elizabeth 7
Mary 7
Ellen 6
Ann 5
Annie 5
Martha 5
Eliza 4
Emily 4
Louisa 4
Maria 4
Rose 4
Alice 3
Florence 3
Frances 3
Matilda 3
Charlotte 2
Emma 2
Fanny 2
Francis 2
Harriet 2
Julia 2
Lilpah 2
Maud 2
Susan 2
Alexander 1
Anna 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Dorcas 1
Elen 1
Eliz. 1
Emmelina 1
Flnce. 1
Hannah 1
Henrietta 1
Isabella 1
Kate 1
Lucy 1
Nore 1
Rebekah 1
Rosina 1
Salone 1
Selina 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 14
John 13
Charles 11
George 10
William 10
Edward 6
James 5
Joseph 4
Samuel 4
Arthur 3
Albert 2
Alexander 2
Fordham 2
Henry 2
Phillip 2
Robert 2
Alexr. 1
Alfred 1
Amos 1
Basil 1
Cecil 1
David 1
Edwin 1
Elijah 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Fredric 1
Henery 1
Josh. 1
K.Willm. 1
Mary 1
Owen 1
Percy 1
Robinett 1
Theodore 1
Thos.R. 1
Tom 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Scruby surname: questions and answers

How common was the Scruby surname in 1881?

In 1881, 235 people were recorded with the Scruby surname. That placed it at #11,573 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Scruby surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 225 in 2016. That gives Scruby a modern rank of #18,105.

What does the Scruby surname mean?

A topographic surname referring to one who lived in a scrubby or shrubby area.

What does the Scruby map show?

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