NameCensus.

UK surname

Seary

A surname derived from an Old French word meaning "dry" or "barren."

In the 1881 census there were 160 people recorded with the Seary surname, ranking it #14,860 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 208, ranked #19,062, down from #14,860 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Cowley, Iffley (Nuneham Courtney, Berkshire, including Littlemoor Liberty), St Clement and Wigan. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Melton and Knowsley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Seary is 276 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 30.0%.

1881 census count

160

Ranked #14,860

Modern count

208

2016, ranked #19,062

Peak year

1861

276 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Seary had 160 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,860 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 208 in 2016, ranked #19,062.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 276 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Seary surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Seary surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Seary 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 136 #13,892
1861 historical 276 #9,052
1881 historical 160 #14,860
1891 historical 255 #12,552
1901 historical 193 #15,469
1911 historical 243 #13,163
1997 modern 230 #16,109
1998 modern 244 #15,947
1999 modern 235 #16,458
2000 modern 224 #16,934
2001 modern 214 #17,211
2002 modern 217 #17,388
2003 modern 206 #17,799
2004 modern 202 #18,110
2005 modern 212 #17,473
2006 modern 221 #17,149
2007 modern 217 #17,520
2008 modern 218 #17,638
2009 modern 222 #17,797
2010 modern 227 #17,895
2011 modern 223 #17,940
2012 modern 209 #18,659
2013 modern 222 #18,198
2014 modern 220 #18,471
2015 modern 216 #18,600
2016 modern 208 #19,062

Geography

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Where Searys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Cowley, Iffley (Nuneham Courtney, Berkshire, including Littlemoor Liberty), St Clement, Wigan, Bray, Maidenhead, Cookham and St Marylebone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Melton and Knowsley. 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 3
2 Cowley, Iffley (Nuneham Courtney, Berkshire, including Littlemoor Liberty), St Clement Oxfordshire
3 Wigan Lancashire
4 Bray, Maidenhead, Cookham Berkshire
5 St Marylebone London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Melton 006 Melton
2 Knowsley 003 Knowsley
3 Knowsley 001 Knowsley
4 Knowsley 002 Knowsley
5 Knowsley 005 Knowsley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Seary

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Seary

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Seary surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Seary household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Seary is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Seary is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Seary 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 Seary 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 Seary, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Seary

The surname SEARY is an English occupational name derived from the Old English word "særi", meaning a maker or seller of serge, a type of woollen fabric. It is believed to have originated in the county of Somerset, England, during the medieval period.

The earliest recorded instance of the name SEARY can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Serge" in the county of Devon. This suggests that the name may have had its roots in the West Country of England, particularly in the areas known for their wool and textile industries.

During the 13th century, the name evolved into various spellings, such as "Serger", "Sergere", and "Serjour", reflecting the changing pronunciation and spelling conventions of the time. These variations can be found in medieval records and documents across various regions of England.

One notable individual with the surname SEARY was John Seary (c. 1480-1550), a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol, England. He was known for his involvement in the local wool trade and his philanthropic efforts in supporting the city's infrastructure and charitable institutions.

Another historical figure bearing the name SEARY was William Seary (1590-1662), a clergyman and author who served as the rector of Martock in Somerset. He published several theological works and was respected for his scholarly pursuits.

In the 18th century, the surname SEARY gained recognition through the accomplishments of Thomas Seary (1720-1790), an English naval officer who participated in several significant battles during the Seven Years' War and the American Revolutionary War. His bravery and leadership earned him promotions and commendations.

A notable literary figure with the surname SEARY was Mary Seary (1797-1884), an English poet and author who wrote several volumes of poetry and religious works. Her poems often celebrated nature and explored themes of faith and spirituality.

Another individual of note was Sir John Seary (1835-1912), a British industrialist and philanthropist. He made his fortune in the textile industry and used his wealth to support various charitable causes, including the establishment of educational institutions and hospitals in his hometown of Bradford, Yorkshire.

Throughout its history, the surname SEARY has maintained a strong connection to its occupational roots in the textile and wool industries, particularly in the counties of Somerset and Devon. While the name has spread to other regions and countries over time, its origins can be traced back to the skilled craftsmen and merchants who played a pivotal role in the English wool trade during the medieval and early modern periods.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Seary families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Seary 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. Berkshire leads with 27 Searys recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.34x.

County Total Index
Berkshire 27 23.34x
Middlesex 27 1.75x
Oxfordshire 24 25.22x
Lancashire 22 1.20x
Durham 17 3.71x
Surrey 16 2.13x
Yorkshire 9 0.59x
Kent 4 0.76x
Gloucestershire 3 0.99x
Hampshire 3 0.95x
Nottinghamshire 3 1.44x
Lincolnshire 1 0.41x
Norfolk 1 0.42x
Warwickshire 1 0.26x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 9 Searys recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.10x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 9 8.10x
Everton 7 12.01x
Linthorpe 7 76.84x
Newbottle 7 280.00x
Oxford St Martin 7 4375.00x
Reading St Mary 7 75.51x
Bray 6 176.47x
Buckland 6 1578.95x
Clerkenwell London 6 16.50x
Combe 6 2068.97x
St Marylebone London 6 7.29x
Sunderland 5 61.73x
Willington 5 188.68x
Witney 5 314.47x
Abingdon St Helen 4 118.34x
Bury 4 19.15x
Gillingham 4 36.90x
Newington 4 7.03x
Croydon 3 7.20x
Lambeth 3 2.23x
Oxford St Thomas 3 67.57x
Paddington London 3 5.29x
Reading St Lawrence 3 121.46x
Snenton 3 36.76x
St George Bloomsbury 3 33.94x
Barton Upon Irwell 2 14.52x
Battersea 2 3.53x
Camberwell 2 2.03x
Holy Trinity 2 5.45x
St Pancras London 2 1.61x
Aldershot 1 9.45x
Bibury 1 277.78x
Birmingham 1 0.77x
Bisley 1 294.12x
Byfleet 1 149.25x
Cheltenham 1 4.29x
Coln Rogers 1 1666.67x
Ducklington 1 434.78x
Great Faringdon 1 60.24x
Hampstead London 1 4.17x
Holton 1 769.23x
Kensington London 1 1.17x
Norwich St Giles 1 131.58x
Owslebury 1 222.22x
Shoreditch London 1 1.50x
St Giles In Fields 1 18.80x
St Helen Bishopsgate 1 666.67x
St Peterat Arches 1 357.14x
Stoke Newington London 1 8.33x
Teddington London 1 28.65x
Ventnor 1 33.33x
Wheatley 1 185.19x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 10
Sarah 7
Catherine 5
Annie 4
Emily 4
Elizabeth 3
Emma 3
Margaret 3
Alice 2
Amelia 2
Ann 2
Anne 2
Bridget 2
Eliza 2
Esther 2
Jane 2
Jessie 2
Julia 2
A. 1
Agnes 1
Barbara 1
Caroline 1
E. 1
Ellen 1
Fanny 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Harriett 1
Helen 1
Katherine 1
Leah 1
Lousa 1
Margarit 1
Maria 1
Rachel 1
Rose 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 13
William 10
James 7
Thomas 7
Frederick 3
Nicholas 3
Arthur 2
Edward 2
Francis 2
George 2
Michael 2
Ralph 2
Richard 2
Richd. 2
Robert 2
Alfred 1
Andrew 1
Bernard 1
Charles 1
Eneas 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
J. 1
Jeremiah 1
Jessie 1
Joseph 1
Laurence 1
Patrick 1
Percy 1
Philip 1
Roland 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Seary surname: questions and answers

How common was the Seary surname in 1881?

In 1881, 160 people were recorded with the Seary surname. That placed it at #14,860 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Seary surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 208 in 2016. That gives Seary a modern rank of #19,062.

What does the Seary surname mean?

A surname derived from an Old French word meaning "dry" or "barren."

What does the Seary map show?

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