NameCensus.

UK surname

Stace

A surname derived from a place name signifying someone from a town called Stace.

In the 1881 census there were 607 people recorded with the Stace surname, ranking it #5,775 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 640, ranked #8,269, down from #5,775 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, Ore and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Brighton and Hove, Melton and Suffolk Coastal.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Stace is 791 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5.4%.

1881 census count

607

Ranked #5,775

Modern count

640

2016, ranked #8,269

Peak year

1911

791 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Stace had 607 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,775 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 640 in 2016, ranked #8,269.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 791 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Stace surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Stace surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Stace 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 383 #6,247
1861 historical 412 #6,237
1881 historical 607 #5,775
1891 historical 654 #5,939
1901 historical 765 #5,848
1911 historical 791 #5,516
1997 modern 688 #7,344
1998 modern 725 #7,283
1999 modern 712 #7,422
2000 modern 694 #7,540
2001 modern 674 #7,579
2002 modern 687 #7,625
2003 modern 670 #7,656
2004 modern 645 #7,884
2005 modern 626 #8,008
2006 modern 606 #8,223
2007 modern 614 #8,218
2008 modern 590 #8,528
2009 modern 627 #8,307
2010 modern 655 #8,190
2011 modern 637 #8,290
2012 modern 611 #8,486
2013 modern 643 #8,285
2014 modern 642 #8,349
2015 modern 640 #8,290
2016 modern 640 #8,269

Geography

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Where Staces are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, Ore, London parishes, Lambeth and Winchelsea, Icklesham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Brighton and Hove, Melton, Suffolk Coastal, Hastings and Ashford. 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 Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew Sussex
2 Ore Sussex
3 London parishes London 3
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 Winchelsea, Icklesham Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Brighton and Hove 025 Brighton and Hove
2 Melton 002 Melton
3 Suffolk Coastal 002 Suffolk Coastal
4 Hastings 010 Hastings
5 Ashford 013 Ashford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Stace

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Stace

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Stace 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

Stace is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Stace falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Stace

The surname STACE has its origins in England, and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is thought to derive from the Old English word 'stæc', meaning a stake or post, and may have originally referred to someone who lived near a prominent stake or post.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1273, which mentions a John Stace. The surname is also found in various other medieval records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which lists a Robert Stace.

The name appears to have been particularly prevalent in the counties of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire during the Middle Ages. It is possible that the name may have originated as a place name, perhaps referring to a location marked by a prominent stake or post.

In the 16th century, the name was sometimes spelled as 'Stacey' or 'Stacie', but the spelling 'Stace' appears to have been the most common form. One notable bearer of the name was Walter Stace (c.1501-1572), who was a member of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths in London.

Another prominent individual with the surname was Michael Stace (c.1585-1668), who was a wealthy merchant and benefactor in the city of Southampton. He donated funds for the construction of a free school in the city, which became known as the Stace Free School.

In the 18th century, the name STACE is associated with the renowned English poet and essayist, William Stace (1714-1776). He was born in Derbyshire and is best known for his poetic works, including 'The Pleasures of Poetry' and 'The Odes of Anacreon'.

Another notable figure was Sir Walter Stace (1776-1854), who was a British naval officer and served during the Napoleonic Wars. He was knighted for his distinguished service and later became an MP for Ipswich.

During the 19th century, one of the most prominent bearers of the surname was Sir Michael Stace (1820-1892), who was a successful businessman and philanthropist in London. He founded the Stace Institute, which provided educational opportunities for underprivileged children.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Stace families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Stace 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. Sussex leads with 249 Staces recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.90x.

County Total Index
Sussex 249 24.90x
Kent 150 7.41x
Middlesex 58 0.98x
Surrey 38 1.31x
Hampshire 20 1.65x
Essex 19 1.62x
Durham 13 0.74x
Yorkshire 11 0.19x
Berkshire 5 1.12x
Leicestershire 5 0.76x
Suffolk 5 0.69x
Warwickshire 5 0.33x
Norfolk 4 0.44x
Northamptonshire 4 0.72x
Northumberland 4 0.45x
Somerset 4 0.42x
Cambridgeshire 3 0.80x
Devon 3 0.24x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.56x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.25x
Oxfordshire 2 0.55x
Monmouthshire 1 0.23x
Royal Navy 1 1.41x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brighton in Sussex leads with 61 Staces recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.24x.

Place Total Index
Brighton 61 30.24x
Ore 31 416.67x
Eastbourne 20 43.47x
Lambeth 17 3.29x
Icklesham 15 852.27x
Bishopstone 14 2456.14x
Hastings St Clement 14 148.78x
Ashford 13 65.96x
Camberwell 13 3.43x
Hastings St Mary In The 13 60.95x
Biddenden 11 397.11x
Plumstead 11 16.31x
Epping 10 210.08x
Folkestone 10 25.48x
Hastings All Sts 10 106.16x
Kensington London 10 3.03x
Ealing 9 16.98x
Portsea 9 3.78x
Hammersmith London 8 5.48x
Northiam 8 326.53x
Snargate 8 2666.67x
Woolwich 8 10.70x
Paddington London 7 3.21x
Sandhurst 7 294.12x
Sunderland 7 22.46x
Willesden 7 12.52x
Bishopwearmouth 6 3.96x
Chiddingly 6 333.33x
Doncaster 6 13.97x
Hadlow 6 119.52x
Hastings St Mary 6 24.11x
Piddinghoe 6 1304.35x
West Ham 6 2.32x
Willesborough 6 110.29x
Boughton Under Blean 5 147.49x
Canterbury St Dunstan 5 143.27x
Ewhurst 5 225.23x
Freshwater 5 90.09x
Hampstead Norris 5 178.57x
Kirkley 5 82.78x
Leicester St Margaret 5 3.12x
Newhaven 5 61.58x
Ramsgate 5 15.14x
Salehurst 5 115.47x
St Lawrence 5 35.95x
Whitstable 5 50.35x
Wittersham 5 277.78x
Birmingham 4 0.80x
Blean 4 287.77x
Brackley St Peter 4 104.44x
Brede 4 190.48x
Chirton 4 20.03x
Limehouse London 4 6.14x
Minehead 4 110.80x
Seaford 4 117.65x
St Marylebone London 4 1.26x
Streatham 4 9.09x
Wapping London 4 88.30x
Watton 4 139.86x
Battersea 3 1.37x
Benenden 3 468.75x
Broadwater 3 13.08x
Deptford St Paul 3 1.92x
Loose 3 101.01x
Southampton All Sts 3 14.38x
St Andrewthe Great 3 61.73x
Tonbridge 3 4.11x
Bentley Cum Arksey 2 65.15x
Brixham 2 13.99x
Hastings St Michael 2 281.69x
Lyminge 2 114.94x
Nottingham St Mary 2 0.97x
Pulborough 2 54.50x
Sandwich St Clement 2 116.96x
St Peters 2 21.37x
Stelling 2 338.98x
Storrington 2 72.99x
Warmsworth 2 235.29x
Winchelsea St Thomas 2 161.29x
Wolverton 2 26.95x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 41
George 32
John 22
James 17
Thomas 15
Alfred 14
Charles 13
Henry 13
Frederick 11
Arthur 8
Samuel 8
Albert 7
Edward 7
Harry 7
Richard 7
Walter 7
Benjamin 4
Edwin 4
Ernest 4
Joseph 4
Robert 4
David 3
Amos 2
Edw. 2
Fredrick 2
Isaac 2
Malcolm 2
Percy 2
Saml. 2
Spencer 2
Albion 1
Betram 1
Earnest 1
Edwd. 1
Frank 1
Geo. 1
Herbert 1
Hubert 1
J. 1
Jem 1
Jessie 1
Jonas 1
Leonard 1
Oliver 1
Reuben 1
Saml 1
Sihon 1
Stephen 1
Willie 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Stace surname: questions and answers

How common was the Stace surname in 1881?

In 1881, 607 people were recorded with the Stace surname. That placed it at #5,775 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Stace surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 640 in 2016. That gives Stace a modern rank of #8,269.

What does the Stace surname mean?

A surname derived from a place name signifying someone from a town called Stace.

What does the Stace map show?

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