NameCensus.

UK surname

Squire

An occupational surname referring to an attendant, servant, or shield-bearer of a knight.

In the 1881 census there were 3,551 people recorded with the Squire surname, ranking it #1,274 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4,163, ranked #1,630, down from #1,274 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Torridge, West Devon and North Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Squire is 4,493 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 17.2%.

1881 census count

3,551

Ranked #1,274

Modern count

4,163

2016, ranked #1,630

Peak year

1911

4,493 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Squire had 3,551 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,274 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 4,163 in 2016, ranked #1,630.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4,493 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Squire surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Squire surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Squire 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 2,667 #1,109
1861 historical 2,603 #1,132
1881 historical 3,551 #1,274
1891 historical 3,548 #1,350
1901 historical 4,037 #1,395
1911 historical 4,493 #1,148
1997 modern 4,123 #1,572
1998 modern 4,257 #1,575
1999 modern 4,292 #1,578
2000 modern 4,183 #1,616
2001 modern 4,067 #1,630
2002 modern 4,149 #1,631
2003 modern 4,070 #1,619
2004 modern 4,073 #1,612
2005 modern 4,006 #1,623
2006 modern 3,971 #1,638
2007 modern 4,034 #1,623
2008 modern 4,059 #1,631
2009 modern 4,146 #1,636
2010 modern 4,231 #1,634
2011 modern 4,237 #1,614
2012 modern 4,138 #1,624
2013 modern 4,213 #1,622
2014 modern 4,231 #1,628
2015 modern 4,192 #1,626
2016 modern 4,163 #1,630

Geography

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Where Squires are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, London parishes, St Pancras and Barrow-on-Soar (Barrow-on-Soar, Mountsorrel, Woodhouse, Woodhouse Eaves, Maplewell), Beaumanor, Roth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Torridge, West Devon and North Devon. 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 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Pancras London (North Districts)
5 Barrow-on-Soar (Barrow-on-Soar, Mountsorrel, Woodhouse, Woodhouse Eaves, Maplewell), Beaumanor, Roth Leicestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Torridge 007 Torridge
2 West Devon 001 West Devon
3 North Devon 010 North Devon
4 North Devon 006 North Devon
5 North Devon 012 North Devon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Squire

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Squire

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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, Squire 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

Squire 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

Squire falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Squire

The surname Squire originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old French word "esquire," which meant an attendant to a knight or a young man who aspired to the rank of knighthood. The earliest recorded use of the surname Squire dates back to the 13th century.

Squire was an occupational surname given to individuals who served as esquires or attendants to knights. These individuals often came from wealthy families and were trained in the art of warfare and chivalry. The name suggests a connection to the aristocracy and the feudal system that existed in medieval England.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Squire appears in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a man named William le Squier is mentioned. The prefix "le" was commonly used in Norman French surnames to indicate a person's occupation or distinguishing characteristic.

In the 14th century, the surname Squire can be found in various historical records, such as the Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns of 1379, which lists a John Squyer. The name also appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327, where a John le Squyer is recorded.

During the 15th century, the surname Squire began to be associated with specific locations. For example, the surname Squire of Stoke Poges in Buckinghamshire can be traced back to the late 15th century. This branch of the Squire family held land and property in the area.

One notable figure bearing the surname Squire was Samuel Squire (1714-1766), an English clergyman and author who wrote "An Enquiry into the Nature of the English Constitution." Another prominent individual was Leonard Squire (1673-1742), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Middlesex.

In the 17th century, the surname Squire was also found in other parts of England. For instance, John Squire (1610-1678) was an English politician and landowner from Nottinghamshire. Additionally, the Squire family of Wiltshire can be traced back to the late 16th century, with records showing a Thomas Squire residing in the area.

Other notable individuals with the surname Squire include Sir John Squire (1610-1707), an English politician and landowner from Lincolnshire, and Edward Squire (1807-1864), a British engraver and sculptor known for his work on the Albert Memorial in London.

Throughout its history, the surname Squire has maintained its connection to nobility, land ownership, and the feudal system of medieval England. While the occupation of an esquire may have evolved over time, the surname Squire remains a testament to the influential role these individuals played in the past.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Squire families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Squire 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. Devon leads with 891 Squires recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.36x.

County Total Index
Devon 891 12.36x
Middlesex 586 1.69x
Yorkshire 326 0.95x
Somerset 190 3.41x
Surrey 180 1.07x
Lancashire 161 0.39x
Staffordshire 149 1.27x
Leicestershire 104 2.71x
Kent 100 0.85x
Glamorgan 76 1.26x
Nottinghamshire 61 1.31x
Dorset 60 2.64x
Cornwall 58 1.48x
Hampshire 47 0.66x
Suffolk 46 1.09x
Bedfordshire 40 2.23x
Essex 39 0.57x
Hertfordshire 39 1.63x
Lincolnshire 38 0.69x
Durham 28 0.27x
Sussex 27 0.46x
Northumberland 25 0.49x
Shropshire 25 0.84x
Berkshire 24 0.92x
Derbyshire 23 0.42x
Angus 22 0.69x
Norfolk 22 0.41x
Warwickshire 19 0.22x
Midlothian 16 0.34x
Gloucestershire 13 0.19x
Huntingdonshire 12 1.74x
Perthshire 12 0.77x
Westmorland 12 1.58x
Wiltshire 12 0.39x
Cheshire 10 0.13x
Cambridgeshire 8 0.36x
Denbighshire 7 0.54x
Northamptonshire 7 0.21x
Pembrokeshire 5 0.45x
Royal Navy 5 1.21x
Worcestershire 5 0.11x
Oxfordshire 4 0.19x
Channel Islands 2 0.19x
Fife 2 0.10x
Herefordshire 2 0.14x
Lanarkshire 2 0.02x
Renfrewshire 2 0.07x
Brecknockshire 1 0.14x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.07x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.07x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.13x
Flintshire 1 0.11x
Inverness-shire 1 0.10x
Monmouthshire 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 102 Squires recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.04x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 102 3.04x
Willenhall 94 42.92x
Woodhouse 60 392.93x
St Pancras London 47 1.69x
Kensington London 46 2.39x
Cleckheaton 44 34.80x
Hackney London 44 2.27x
Barnstaple 38 33.57x
Plymouth St Andrew 36 6.48x
Lambeth 35 1.16x
Lynton 34 236.44x
Paddington London 34 2.67x
St Marylebone London 33 1.78x
Bethnal Green London 32 2.13x
Bideford 31 40.13x
High Bickington 30 367.20x
Nottingham St Mary 28 2.32x
Rastrick 28 29.37x
Buckland Brewer 25 285.06x
Northam 25 47.57x
Swansea Town 25 5.06x
Hammersmith London 23 2.70x
Bridgewater 22 14.53x
Long Sutton 22 211.74x
Newington 22 1.72x
St Giles In The Wood 22 204.84x
Hampstead London 21 3.89x
Combmartin 20 127.80x
Exeter St Sidwell 20 12.11x
Shoreditch London 20 1.33x
Stoke Damerel 20 3.96x
Wednesfield 20 11.62x
Frithelstock 19 284.01x
Holy Trinity 19 2.30x
Liversedge 19 12.43x
Tiverton 19 15.30x
Leicester St Mary 18 5.80x
North Molton 18 128.11x
Watford 18 9.72x
Bradninch 17 83.58x
Crediton 17 24.88x
Leeds 17 0.88x
Manchester 17 0.92x
Roborough 17 356.39x
Cardiff St Mary 16 4.82x
Egg Buckland 16 129.98x
Madron Penzance 16 11.22x
Bermondsey 15 1.45x
Camberwell 15 0.68x
Hipperholme Cum 15 9.95x
Swimbridge 15 102.95x
Alverdiscott 14 433.44x
Battersea 14 1.10x
Bentley 14 350.00x
Exeter Heavitree 14 26.04x
Exeter St Thomas The 14 19.05x
Great Torrington 14 34.25x
Keinton Mandeville 14 219.78x
Mortlake 14 18.61x
Poplar London 14 2.14x
Stoke St Gregory 14 82.69x
Ashreigney 13 162.50x
Barnsley 13 3.67x
Clifton In Halifax 13 63.38x
Dawlish 13 24.17x
St Luke London 13 2.34x
Tavistock 13 15.83x
Toxteth Park 13 0.93x
Ashton Under Lyne 12 1.34x
Dundee 12 1.00x
Huish Episcopi 12 151.32x
Morden 12 124.61x
Basford 11 5.11x
Clerkenwell London 11 1.35x
Lewisham 11 1.75x
Milton 11 62.29x
Newton 11 601.09x
Ottery St Mary 11 23.26x
Pitney 11 288.71x
Plymouth Charles The 11 3.46x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 221
Elizabeth 154
Sarah 101
Ann 71
Emma 67
Jane 55
Alice 52
Ellen 52
Eliza 48
Annie 46
Emily 46
Maria 34
Louisa 29
Charlotte 26
Florence 26
Hannah 26
Fanny 25
Martha 23
Lucy 22
Margaret 22
Ada 20
Susan 20
Anne 18
Harriet 18
Caroline 17
Edith 16
Amelia 15
Amy 15
Catherine 15
Frances 15
Isabella 14
Sophia 14
Julia 13
Clara 12
Grace 12
Agnes 11
Bessie 11
Henrietta 11
Jessie 11
Kate 11
Anna 9
Ethel 9
Rebecca 9
Betsy 8
Eva 8
Francis 7
Laura 7
Gertrude 6
Rose 6
Ruth 6

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 202
John 192
Thomas 90
James 89
George 84
Henry 72
Charles 54
Alfred 45
Edward 45
Robert 44
Frederick 41
Joseph 36
Arthur 31
Richard 31
Samuel 28
Albert 26
Francis 25
Frank 25
Herbert 22
Harry 19
Walter 19
Ernest 15
Sidney 14
Benjamin 11
David 11
Edwin 11
Daniel 10
Sydney 10
Peter 9
Fred 8
Stephen 7
Wm. 7
Joshua 6
Leonard 6
Reuben 6
Thos. 6
Willie 6
Percy 5
Philip 5
Andrew 4
Caleb 4
Edgar 4
Edmund 4
Frederic 4
Fredk. 4
Fredrick 4
Jabez 4
Jno. 4
Jonas 4
Michael 4

FAQ

Squire surname: questions and answers

How common was the Squire surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3,551 people were recorded with the Squire surname. That placed it at #1,274 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Squire surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 4,163 in 2016. That gives Squire a modern rank of #1,630.

What does the Squire surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to an attendant, servant, or shield-bearer of a knight.

What does the Squire map show?

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