NameCensus.

UK surname

Stansbury

A habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "stone fortification" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 174 people recorded with the Stansbury surname, ranking it #14,042 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 292, ranked #15,022, down from #14,042 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Whitwell, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bolsover, West Devon and Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Stansbury is 314 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 67.8%.

1881 census count

174

Ranked #14,042

Modern count

292

2016, ranked #15,022

Peak year

1999

314 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Stansbury had 174 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,042 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 292 in 2016, ranked #15,022.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 229 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Stansbury surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Stansbury surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Stansbury 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 81 #19,457
1861 historical 83 #23,189
1881 historical 174 #14,042
1891 historical 148 #18,506
1901 historical 206 #14,845
1911 historical 229 #13,712
1997 modern 303 #13,433
1998 modern 313 #13,504
1999 modern 314 #13,556
2000 modern 310 #13,618
2001 modern 299 #13,758
2002 modern 312 #13,639
2003 modern 292 #14,065
2004 modern 288 #14,254
2005 modern 269 #14,869
2006 modern 278 #14,623
2007 modern 265 #15,295
2008 modern 271 #15,182
2009 modern 280 #15,141
2010 modern 293 #14,974
2011 modern 288 #15,009
2012 modern 279 #15,289
2013 modern 289 #15,142
2014 modern 288 #15,285
2015 modern 286 #15,270
2016 modern 292 #15,022

Geography

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Where Stansburys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Whitwell, London parishes, St Pancras, Hope-under-Dinsmore and Lytham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bolsover, West Devon, Cornwall, Reading and Salford. 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 Whitwell Nottinghamshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Hope-under-Dinsmore Herefordshire
5 Lytham Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bolsover 002 Bolsover
2 West Devon 007 West Devon
3 Cornwall 034 Cornwall
4 Reading 001 Reading
5 Salford 007 Salford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Stansbury

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Stansbury

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

Stansbury is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Stansbury falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Stansbury is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Stansbury, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Stansbury

The surname Stansbury is of English origin, with roots tracing back to the medieval era. It derives from the Old English words "stan" meaning stone and "burg" meaning fort or stronghold, suggesting that the name may have originated from a place name referring to a stone fortification or settlement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Stanesburc." This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides a comprehensive survey of landholdings across England, indicating that the name was already established in the region by the late 11th century.

During the 13th century, various spellings of the name emerged, such as "Stanisburi" and "Stanbury." These variations likely reflect local dialects and scribal interpretations of the name's pronunciation. Notably, the name shares similarities with several place names in England, including Stansbury in Kent and Stanbury in Yorkshire.

One of the earliest known individuals bearing the Stansbury surname was Sir John Stansbury, a prominent English knight who lived during the 14th century. He served under Edward III and participated in the Hundred Years' War against France. Another notable figure was William Stansbury, a 15th-century merchant from Bristol, England, who was involved in the lucrative wool trade with the Netherlands.

In the 16th century, the Stansbury family gained prominence in Gloucestershire, with several members holding positions of influence in local government and church affairs. One such individual was Richard Stansbury, who served as the Mayor of Gloucester in 1591.

During the 17th century, the Stansbury name spread across England, with families settling in various regions. Thomas Stansbury, born in 1620, was an early settler in the American colonies, establishing roots in Maryland. His descendants played a role in the development of the region.

Another noteworthy individual was John Stansbury, a 19th-century British explorer and naturalist. Born in 1781, he led several expeditions to the American West and contributed significantly to the study of the region's flora and fauna.

Throughout history, the Stansbury surname has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including scholars, military leaders, and public servants. While the name's precise origins remain uncertain, its connection to ancient place names and its enduring presence across centuries underscore its deep-rooted English heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Stansbury families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Stansbury 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 39 Stansburys recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.27x.

County Total Index
Devon 39 10.27x
Herefordshire 22 29.41x
Surrey 19 2.14x
Gloucestershire 15 4.19x
Channel Islands 12 22.20x
Middlesex 12 0.66x
Yorkshire 11 0.61x
Cornwall 10 4.84x
Northamptonshire 9 5.25x
Lanarkshire 8 1.36x
Nottinghamshire 8 3.25x
Hampshire 5 1.34x
Durham 4 0.74x
Lancashire 3 0.14x
Kent 2 0.32x
Worcestershire 2 0.84x
Ayrshire 1 0.73x
Glamorgan 1 0.31x
Huntingdonshire 1 2.76x
Pembrokeshire 1 1.73x
Royal Navy 1 4.60x
Warwickshire 1 0.22x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hope Under Dinmore in Herefordshire leads with 15 Stansburys recorded in 1881 and an index of 4838.71x.

Place Total Index
Hope Under Dinmore 15 4838.71x
St Helier 12 68.18x
Bere Ferrers 10 1587.30x
Bingley 10 86.88x
Feock 10 775.19x
St Pancras London 10 6.81x
Benefield 9 3103.45x
Lambeth 8 5.03x
Nottingham St Mary 8 12.58x
Old Monkland 8 34.17x
Plymouth St Andrew 8 27.35x
Bristol St James St Paul 7 58.68x
Humber 7 4375.00x
Putney 7 84.24x
Plymouth Charles The 6 35.86x
Lidford 5 292.40x
Portsea 5 6.82x
Westbury On Trym 5 41.25x
Bishopwearmouth 4 8.59x
Compton Gifford 4 336.13x
Wandsworth 4 22.78x
Dalton In Furness 3 35.89x
East Stonehouse 3 40.11x
Speldhurst 2 63.09x
Stoke Damerel 2 7.53x
Ardrossan 1 21.14x
Avening 1 79.37x
Birmingham 1 0.65x
Bromsgrove 1 12.47x
Buckland Monachorum 1 123.46x
Cardiff St John 1 9.64x
Cheltenham 1 3.62x
Clifton 1 5.53x
Elton 1 196.08x
Mile End Old Town 1 3.47x
Royal Navy 1 5.38x
St Marylebone London 1 1.03x
Steeton Cum Eastburn 1 161.29x
Steynton 1 53.48x
Whistones 1 58.14x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Elizabeth 5
Eliza 4
Ellen 4
Florence 4
Ann 3
Clara 3
Sarah 3
Susan 3
Agnes 2
Alice 2
Edith 2
Emily 2
Lucy 2
Sidney 2
Adam 1
Amy 1
Annie 1
Beatrice 1
Bessie 1
Caroline 1
Carrie 1
Catherine 1
Constance 1
Dora 1
Eleanor 1
Elizh. 1
Elizth. 1
Elsia 1
Ethel 1
Florance 1
Frances 1
Hannah 1
Harriat 1
Harriet 1
Harriett 1
Helen 1
Isabell 1
Jane 1
Jessie 1
Lizzie 1
Louisee 1
Lydia 1
Margaret 1
Melinda 1
Nancy 1
Sophia 1
Thirza 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 12
John 8
Thomas 6
George 5
James 5
Richard 4
Alfred 3
Charles 3
Henry 3
Albert 2
Edgar 2
Frederick 2
Joseph 2
Samuel 2
Thos. 2
Adolphus 1
Alexr.J. 1
Artha 1
Arthur 1
Berkly 1
Bertram 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Eustice 1
Francies 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Fredrick 1
Geo.C. 1
Harold 1
Hubert 1
Leonard 1
Norman 1
Octavius 1
Peter 1
Philip 1
Robert 1
Rupert 1
Walter 1
Wilfrid 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Stansbury surname: questions and answers

How common was the Stansbury surname in 1881?

In 1881, 174 people were recorded with the Stansbury surname. That placed it at #14,042 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Stansbury surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 292 in 2016. That gives Stansbury a modern rank of #15,022.

What does the Stansbury surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "stone fortification" in Old English.

What does the Stansbury map show?

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