NameCensus.

UK surname

Searby

A locational surname originating from a place called Searby or Serby.

In the 1881 census there were 253 people recorded with the Searby surname, ranking it #10,980 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 350, ranked #13,152, down from #10,980 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hull Holy Trinity, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kirklees, Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Searby is 409 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 38.3%.

1881 census count

253

Ranked #10,980

Modern count

350

2016, ranked #13,152

Peak year

2000

409 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Searby had 253 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,980 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 350 in 2016, ranked #13,152.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 370 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Searby surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Searby surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Searby 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 196 #10,573
1861 historical 224 #10,882
1881 historical 253 #10,980
1891 historical 340 #10,062
1901 historical 327 #10,966
1911 historical 370 #9,852
1997 modern 382 #11,377
1998 modern 401 #11,319
1999 modern 401 #11,422
2000 modern 409 #11,221
2001 modern 400 #11,229
2002 modern 394 #11,561
2003 modern 380 #11,689
2004 modern 375 #11,820
2005 modern 365 #11,985
2006 modern 359 #12,216
2007 modern 357 #12,413
2008 modern 350 #12,694
2009 modern 361 #12,663
2010 modern 369 #12,726
2011 modern 355 #12,963
2012 modern 349 #12,993
2013 modern 356 #13,016
2014 modern 363 #12,908
2015 modern 360 #12,880
2016 modern 350 #13,152

Geography

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Where Searbys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hull Holy Trinity, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes, Alford and Spilsby, West Keal, Stickford, Lusby (incl. Lusby allotments). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kirklees, Great Yarmouth, Waveney and North Kesteven. 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 Hull Holy Trinity Yorkshire, East Riding
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Alford Lincolnshire
5 Spilsby, West Keal, Stickford, Lusby (incl. Lusby allotments) Lincolnshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kirklees 028 Kirklees
2 Great Yarmouth 012 Great Yarmouth
3 Waveney 001 Waveney
4 North Kesteven 005 North Kesteven
5 Kirklees 046 Kirklees

Forenames

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First names often paired with Searby

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Searby

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

Searby 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

Searby falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Searby

The surname Searby has its origins in England, with records indicating its presence as early as the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "sær," meaning sorrowful or grievous, and the suffix "-by," which denotes a town or village. This suggests that the name may have originated from a place name referring to a settlement associated with sorrow or hardship.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "Sereby." This suggests that the name was likely in use among English families during the Middle Ages. Over time, the spelling evolved to its current form, Searby.

In the 16th century, the surname appears in the parish records of Lincolnshire, a county in the East Midlands region of England. This area is believed to be the ancestral home of many Searby families, with the name particularly concentrated in the villages and towns around Lincoln.

Notable individuals bearing the Searby surname include John Searby (1616-1680), an English clergyman who served as the rector of St. Peter's Church in Wolverhampton during the 17th century. Another figure of historical significance was William Searby (1784-1856), a British author and poet from Yorkshire, who published several works on poetry and literature.

In the 19th century, the name gained prominence with the birth of Sir Mark Searby (1837-1919), a British businessman and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for the Conservative Party. He played a significant role in the development of the coal industry in Yorkshire and was knighted for his contributions to public service.

Moving into the 20th century, one of the most prominent figures with the Searby surname was Sir Charles Searby (1904-1986), a British diplomat and civil servant. He served as the British Ambassador to several countries, including Spain and Brazil, and was awarded the Order of St. Michael and St. George for his distinguished diplomatic career.

Throughout its history, the surname Searby has been found in various spellings, including Sereby, Searbie, and Serby, reflecting the evolution of language and regional variations. While the name has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and family connections.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Searby families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Searby 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. Lincolnshire leads with 115 Searbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.14x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 115 29.14x
Yorkshire 86 3.52x
Middlesex 14 0.57x
Surrey 13 1.08x
Nottinghamshire 12 3.61x
Essex 5 1.03x
Northumberland 4 1.09x
Kent 1 0.12x
Monmouthshire 1 0.56x
Norfolk 1 0.26x
Royal Navy 1 3.40x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Holy Trinity in Yorkshire leads with 23 Searbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 39.10x.

Place Total Index
Holy Trinity 23 39.10x
Market Rasen 15 678.73x
Croft 11 1718.75x
Camberwell 10 6.34x
Kirton 10 632.91x
Drypool 9 240.64x
Rotherham 9 65.26x
Wainfleet All Sts 9 782.61x
Edlington 8 4444.44x
Garrison Side 8 5714.29x
Luddington 7 1400.00x
Snenton 7 53.56x
Heeley 6 80.75x
Huddersfield 6 16.84x
Spilsby 6 480.00x
Strubby 6 2500.00x
Nottingham St Nicholas 5 110.38x
Willesden 5 21.50x
Binbrooke 4 408.16x
Brampton Bierlow 4 127.80x
Halton Holegate 4 952.38x
Newcastle On Tyne St 4 21.02x
Thorpe St Peter 4 833.33x
Alford 3 122.45x
Bermondsey 3 4.08x
Blacktoft 3 1071.43x
Boston 3 25.06x
Clapham Cum Newby 3 526.32x
Cottingham 3 56.93x
East Ham 3 33.19x
Huttoft 3 588.24x
Middlesbrough 3 9.42x
Newington 3 44.58x
Sculcoates 3 7.74x
St Martin Vintry London 3 10000.00x
Chelsea London 2 2.69x
Firsby 2 1000.00x
Grantham 2 38.91x
Great Coates 2 952.38x
Romford 2 25.97x
St Maryle Wigford 2 65.15x
Wragby 2 465.12x
Burgh In Marsh 1 104.17x
Caldicot 1 84.75x
East Hardwick 1 526.32x
Fiskerton 1 270.27x
Frithville 1 1111.11x
Hampstead London 1 2.60x
Horncastle 1 24.57x
Kirkby Cum Osgodby 1 312.50x
Kirton Simon Weir 1 250.00x
Lewisham 1 2.23x
Paddington London 1 1.10x
Royal Navy 1 3.98x
Sixhills 1 666.67x
Spalding 1 12.77x
St Edmond King London 1 1111.11x
St Luke London 1 2.53x
St Swithin Lincoln 1 16.13x
Strumpshaw 1 294.12x
Tealby 1 181.82x
Thearne 1 1250.00x
Thorne 1 33.00x
West Rasen 1 476.19x
Wyberton 1 181.82x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 23
William 14
Robert 10
George 9
Charles 8
James 6
Henry 4
Thomas 4
Arthur 3
Benjamin 3
Frank 3
Herbert 3
Walter 3
Albert 2
David 2
Edward 2
Enderby 2
Fred 2
Frederick 2
Harry 2
Joseph 2
Samuel 2
Alfred 1
Edwd. 1
Emily 1
Fredk 1
Fredk. 1
Harrey 1
Luke 1
Mathew 1
Robt. 1
Stephen 1
Thos. 1
Thos.E. 1
Tom 1
Wright 1

FAQ

Searby surname: questions and answers

How common was the Searby surname in 1881?

In 1881, 253 people were recorded with the Searby surname. That placed it at #10,980 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Searby surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 350 in 2016. That gives Searby a modern rank of #13,152.

What does the Searby surname mean?

A locational surname originating from a place called Searby or Serby.

What does the Searby map show?

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