NameCensus.

UK surname

Spurr

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "hill spur" or "ridge".

In the 1881 census there were 1,254 people recorded with the Spurr surname, ranking it #3,242 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,512, ranked #4,092, down from #3,242 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Batley and Pontefract. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wakefield and County Durham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Spurr is 1,837 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 20.6%.

1881 census count

1,254

Ranked #3,242

Modern count

1,512

2016, ranked #4,092

Peak year

1911

1,837 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Spurr had 1,254 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,242 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,512 in 2016, ranked #4,092.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,837 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Spurr surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Spurr surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Spurr 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 807 #3,324
1861 historical 636 #4,214
1881 historical 1,254 #3,242
1891 historical 1,362 #3,189
1901 historical 1,643 #3,138
1911 historical 1,837 #2,686
1997 modern 1,645 #3,606
1998 modern 1,663 #3,704
1999 modern 1,678 #3,701
2000 modern 1,650 #3,741
2001 modern 1,636 #3,698
2002 modern 1,633 #3,771
2003 modern 1,594 #3,775
2004 modern 1,613 #3,751
2005 modern 1,582 #3,766
2006 modern 1,583 #3,763
2007 modern 1,555 #3,853
2008 modern 1,566 #3,867
2009 modern 1,615 #3,854
2010 modern 1,646 #3,863
2011 modern 1,589 #3,930
2012 modern 1,542 #3,983
2013 modern 1,556 #4,012
2014 modern 1,546 #4,065
2015 modern 1,517 #4,097
2016 modern 1,512 #4,092

Geography

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Where Spurrs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Batley, Pontefract, Wakefield and Dewsbury. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wakefield and County Durham. 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 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
2 Batley Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Pontefract Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Wakefield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Dewsbury Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wakefield 021 Wakefield
2 County Durham 017 County Durham
3 Wakefield 025 Wakefield
4 Wakefield 035 Wakefield
5 Wakefield 029 Wakefield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Spurr

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Spurr

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Spurr 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

Spurr is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Spurr falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Spurr

The surname "SPURR" is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "spor," which means "spur" or "track." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near a prominent spur or ridge.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "de Spore." This entry indicates that the name was already in use by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name was primarily concentrated in the northern counties of England, particularly Yorkshire and Lancashire. Various spellings were used, including Spore, Spour, and Spoure, reflecting the regional dialects of the time.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named William le Spure was recorded as a landowner in Yorkshire. Another early bearer of the name was John de Spure, who was mentioned in the Lancashire Assize Rolls of 1285.

During the 16th century, the spelling of the name began to standardize as "Spurr." One notable individual from this period was Sir John Spurr (1514-1588), a wealthy merchant and alderman in the City of London.

In the 17th century, the name appeared in several places across England, including Gloucestershire, where a family of Spurrs was recorded in the parish registers of Cirencester.

One of the most famous individuals with the surname "Spurr" was John Spurr (1677-1743), a renowned English mathematician and astronomer. He made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1720.

Another notable figure was James Spurr (1776-1840), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars. He was recognized for his bravery and leadership during several major battles, including the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

In the 19th century, the Spurr family had a presence in various parts of England, as well as in other parts of the British Isles. One prominent individual from this period was Thomas Spurr (1805-1878), a successful industrialist and philanthropist from Manchester.

Throughout history, the surname "Spurr" has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including merchants, academics, military officers, and industrialists. While the name has evolved in its spelling over the centuries, its origins can be traced back to the medieval period in England, reflecting the country's rich linguistic and cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Spurr families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Spurr 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 669 Spurrs recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.53x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 669 5.53x
Lincolnshire 110 5.64x
Nottinghamshire 86 5.23x
Lancashire 77 0.53x
Middlesex 60 0.49x
Devon 56 2.20x
Leicestershire 39 2.88x
Surrey 30 0.50x
Hertfordshire 29 3.45x
Cornwall 21 1.52x
Norfolk 14 0.75x
Buckinghamshire 11 1.49x
Durham 11 0.30x
Staffordshire 9 0.22x
Somerset 7 0.36x
Warwickshire 6 0.20x
Bedfordshire 4 0.63x
Rutland 3 3.35x
Derbyshire 2 0.10x
Hampshire 2 0.08x
Suffolk 2 0.13x
Cheshire 1 0.04x
Northumberland 1 0.06x
Pembrokeshire 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. Ossett Cum Gawthorpe in Yorkshire leads with 73 Spurrs recorded in 1881 and an index of 168.98x.

Place Total Index
Ossett Cum Gawthorpe 73 168.98x
Batley 58 50.47x
Hunslet 45 23.87x
Leeds 38 5.57x
Nottingham St Mary 36 8.46x
Pontefract 36 138.20x
Wakefield 35 37.70x
Dewsbury 31 25.00x
Hemel Hempstead 24 63.32x
Horton In Bradford 21 11.12x
Morley 20 31.81x
Nether Hallam 20 12.22x
Branston 19 317.73x
Sturton Bransby 19 703.70x
Soothill 17 38.92x
Gildersome 15 103.16x
Plymouth Charles The 15 13.40x
Walton In Wakefield 15 579.15x
Bramley In Bramley 14 30.24x
Bromley London 14 5.21x
East Retford 14 98.11x
Ecclesall Bierlow 13 5.29x
Manchester 13 2.00x
Newton 13 11.65x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 13 23.14x
Alverthorpe Cum Thornes 11 25.05x
Sampford Spiney 11 639.53x
Sheffield 11 2.86x
Bentley Cum Arksey 10 158.23x
Bradford 10 3.42x
Gomersal 10 17.72x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 10 17.75x
Kirby Bellars 10 862.07x
Newington 10 2.22x
Plympton Maurice 10 208.33x
St Peterat Gowts Lincoln 10 36.44x
Bingham 9 128.76x
Bowling 9 7.51x
Chelsea London 9 2.45x
Haslingden 9 15.01x
Lofthouse Cum Carlton 9 61.06x
Bramley In Rotherham 8 476.19x
Chalfont St Giles 8 151.52x
Gwennap 8 30.70x
Paddington London 8 1.78x
Basford 7 9.23x
Battersea 7 1.56x
Brightside Bierlow 7 2.95x
Castleford 7 15.89x
Exeter St Mary Major 7 45.72x
Gainsborough 7 15.22x
Handsworth 7 21.90x
Shipley 7 11.16x
West Coker 7 175.00x
Asfordby 6 266.67x
Bingley 6 7.79x
Carlton In Lindrick 6 137.30x
Darlaston 6 10.54x
Headingley Cum Burley 6 7.71x
Heighington 6 192.31x
Sculcoates 6 3.13x
Wymondham 6 218.18x
Anderby 5 427.35x
Barton St Mary 5 51.07x
Birmingham 5 0.49x
Bourn 5 31.73x
Falsgrave 5 28.06x
Habergham Eaves 5 3.78x
Huddersfield 5 2.84x
Kirkby In Ashfield 5 28.43x
Lewannick 5 185.87x
Morval 5 177.31x
Newington 5 15.02x
Shadforth 5 71.02x
Shadwell London 5 14.64x
St Pancras London 5 0.51x
Thornhill 5 14.17x
Thorpe Arnold 5 819.67x
West Derby 5 1.18x
York St Saviour 5 43.29x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 77
William 61
George 53
Joseph 37
Thomas 36
James 27
Henry 22
Alfred 18
Charles 18
Arthur 16
Walter 13
Robert 11
Samuel 11
Edward 9
Frederick 8
Harry 8
Wm. 8
Fred 7
Albert 6
Daniel 6
Edwin 6
Geo. 6
Francis 5
Richard 5
Eli 4
Frank 4
Jno. 4
Tom 4
Anthony 3
David 3
Matthew 3
Ben 2
Benjamin 2
Ernest 2
Frederic 2
Fredk. 2
Fredrick 2
Herbert 2
Joe 2
Joshua 2
Mark 2
Oliver 2
Reuben 2
Sam 2
Willie 2
Andrew 1
F. 1
Farrar 1
Frances 1
Wm.Henry 1

FAQ

Spurr surname: questions and answers

How common was the Spurr surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,254 people were recorded with the Spurr surname. That placed it at #3,242 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Spurr surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,512 in 2016. That gives Spurr a modern rank of #4,092.

What does the Spurr surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "hill spur" or "ridge".

What does the Spurr map show?

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