UK surname
A surname derived from "shire reeve", referring to an administrative officer in medieval England.
In the 1881 census there were 18 people recorded with the Shrieve surname, ranking it #31,019 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 27, ranked #36,189, down from #31,019 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Hemsby, Rollesby and Burgh St Margaret. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shrieve is 203 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 50.0%.
1881 census count
18
Ranked #31,019
Modern count
27
2016, ranked #36,189
Peak year
1851
203 bearers
Map years
1
1851 to 1851
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Shrieve surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Shrieve surname density by area, 1851 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 203 | #10,291 |
| 1861 | historical | 43 | #28,562 |
| 1881 | historical | 18 | #31,019 |
| 1891 | historical | 54 | #29,849 |
| 1901 | historical | 37 | #30,009 |
| 1911 | historical | 28 | #30,296 |
| 1997 | modern | 28 | #34,904 |
| 1998 | modern | 29 | #34,948 |
| 1999 | modern | 29 | #35,031 |
| 2000 | modern | 26 | #35,295 |
| 2001 | modern | 26 | #35,152 |
| 2002 | modern | 29 | #35,030 |
| 2003 | modern | 29 | #35,129 |
| 2004 | modern | 30 | #35,186 |
| 2005 | modern | 30 | #35,347 |
| 2006 | modern | 30 | #35,526 |
| 2007 | modern | 34 | #35,410 |
| 2008 | modern | 33 | #35,556 |
| 2009 | modern | 35 | #35,545 |
| 2010 | modern | 34 | #35,730 |
| 2011 | modern | 34 | #35,705 |
| 2012 | modern | 28 | #36,048 |
| 2013 | modern | 28 | #36,096 |
| 2014 | modern | 28 | #36,107 |
| 2015 | modern | 28 | #36,106 |
| 2016 | modern | 27 | #36,189 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Hemsby, Rollesby, Burgh St Margaret, St Marylebone and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hemsby | Norfolk |
| 2 | Rollesby | Norfolk |
| 3 | Burgh St Margaret | Norfolk |
| 4 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | St Mary Islington | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Shrieve surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Shrieve, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Shrieve surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Shrieve household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Shrieve is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Shrieve is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Shrieve, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Shrieve originated in England during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word 'scirgerefa,' meaning 'shire-reeve' or 'sheriff.' The name was initially given as an occupational surname to individuals who held the position of a shire-reeve or sheriff, responsible for maintaining law and order in a particular county or shire.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shrieve can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as 'Scirgerefa.' This historical document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides valuable insights into the landholdings and population of England during the 11th century.
In the 13th century, the name Shrieve appeared in various forms, such as 'Shireve,' 'Shryve,' and 'Shrive.' These variations likely arose due to regional dialects and the evolving nature of the English language over time.
Notable individuals bearing the surname Shrieve include John Shrieve, a prominent merchant from London who lived in the 15th century. His name is mentioned in several historical records related to trade and commerce during that era.
Another notable figure was William Shrieve, born in 1612 in Gloucestershire, England. He was a respected scholar and clergyman who served as a vicar in several parishes throughout his lifetime.
In the 18th century, Samuel Shrieve (1738-1808) gained recognition as a skilled architect and builder. He was responsible for the construction of several notable buildings in London, including several churches and residential properties.
Moving into the 19th century, Mary Shrieve (1819-1896) was a prominent author and poet from Yorkshire, England. Her works often explored themes of nature, love, and the human experience, earning her critical acclaim during her lifetime.
Another notable figure was Charles Shrieve (1857-1932), a British explorer and naturalist who traveled extensively throughout Africa and South America. His detailed accounts of his expeditions and discoveries contributed significantly to the fields of geography and natural history.
While the surname Shrieve is not as common today as it was in the past, it continues to hold historical significance, tracing its roots back to the medieval period and the important role of the shire-reeve in English society.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Shrieve surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Norfolk leads with 5 Shrieves recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.63x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Norfolk | 5 | 19.63x |
| Derbyshire | 4 | 15.43x |
| Durham | 3 | 6.09x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 1.81x |
| Warwickshire | 2 | 4.79x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Derby St Peter in Derbyshire leads with 4 Shrieves recorded in 1881 and an index of 481.93x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Derby St Peter | 4 | 481.93x |
| Rollesby | 4 | 13333.33x |
| Hartlepool | 3 | 428.57x |
| Ipsley | 2 | 2500.00x |
| Blofield | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 10.86x |
| St Martin In Fields | 1 | 101.01x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 11.31x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Shrieve surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Shrieve surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Shrieve households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Ag Lab | 2 |
| Scholar | 2 |
| Ag Lab Wife | 1 |
| Cooking (D D S) | 1 |
| Domestic Servant Nurse | 1 |
| Fitter (E&M) | 1 |
| General Domestic | 1 |
| Needle Burnisher | 1 |
| Pauper | 1 |
| Sailors Wife | 1 |
| Shoemaker | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 18 people were recorded with the Shrieve surname. That placed it at #31,019 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 27 in 2016. That gives Shrieve a modern rank of #36,189.
A surname derived from "shire reeve", referring to an administrative officer in medieval England.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Shrieve bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.