NameCensus.

UK surname

Syrett

A variant spelling of the English surname derived from a location name.

In the 1881 census there were 373 people recorded with the Syrett surname, ranking it #8,380 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 768, ranked #7,143, up from #8,380 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Mendlesham and St John Hackney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Norfolk, Hastings and Southend-on-Sea.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Syrett is 838 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 105.9%.

1881 census count

373

Ranked #8,380

Modern count

768

2016, ranked #7,143

Peak year

2010

838 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Syrett had 373 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,380 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 768 in 2016, ranked #7,143.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 637 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Syrett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Syrett surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Syrett 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 255 #8,652
1861 historical 227 #10,749
1881 historical 373 #8,380
1891 historical 443 #8,164
1901 historical 594 #7,127
1911 historical 637 #6,541
1997 modern 798 #6,553
1998 modern 832 #6,548
1999 modern 834 #6,580
2000 modern 831 #6,575
2001 modern 807 #6,606
2002 modern 832 #6,570
2003 modern 816 #6,548
2004 modern 823 #6,516
2005 modern 803 #6,599
2006 modern 808 #6,575
2007 modern 806 #6,637
2008 modern 797 #6,768
2009 modern 807 #6,837
2010 modern 838 #6,767
2011 modern 809 #6,865
2012 modern 772 #7,066
2013 modern 791 #7,032
2014 modern 790 #7,078
2015 modern 784 #7,054
2016 modern 768 #7,143

Geography

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Where Syretts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Mendlesham, St John Hackney 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 North Norfolk, Hastings, Southend-on-Sea, Braintree and East Riding of Yorkshire. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Mendlesham Suffolk
4 St John Hackney London (North Districts)
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Norfolk 007 North Norfolk
2 Hastings 004 Hastings
3 Southend-on-Sea 001 Southend-on-Sea
4 Braintree 018 Braintree
5 East Riding of Yorkshire 019 East Riding of Yorkshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Syrett

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Syrett

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Syrett is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Syrett is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Syrett falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Syrett

The surname Syrett is believed to have originated in England during the 12th century. It is likely derived from a French locational name, 'Cirett', which referred to a person from the town of Cirey in Lorraine, France.

Historically, the surname Syrett was first recorded in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, where it appeared as 'Syred'. This early spelling variation suggests that the name may have evolved from an Old French nickname, 'Ciret', meaning 'a siren' or 'a mermaid'.

In the 13th century, the name was also found in the Sussex Subsidy Rolls, where it was spelled 'Syret'. This record provides evidence that the Syrett family had established roots in southern England by that time.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Syrett was William Syret, who was mentioned in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1348. This document suggests that the family may have held land or property in Essex during the 14th century.

Another notable individual with the surname Syrett was John Syrett, who was born in Warwickshire in 1525. He was a well-known merchant and trader during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

In the 17th century, the Syrett family was prominent in the county of Hertfordshire. Thomas Syrett, born in 1612, was a respected landowner and magistrate in the town of Ware.

During the 18th century, the Syrett name was found in various parts of England, including Yorkshire and Lancashire. John Syrett (1723-1798) was a successful businessman and entrepreneur from Yorkshire, who established a successful textile trade.

In the 19th century, the Syrett family continued to make their mark in various fields. Sir George Syrett (1824-1901) was a renowned naval officer and explorer who served in the Royal Navy and made important contributions to maritime navigation.

Throughout history, the surname Syrett has been recorded with various spelling variations, including Siret, Sirett, Sirret, and Syrret, reflecting the evolution of the name over time and across different regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Syrett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Syrett 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. Middlesex leads with 124 Syretts recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.41x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 124 3.41x
Suffolk 77 17.37x
Surrey 35 1.97x
Essex 34 4.73x
Kent 18 1.45x
Buckinghamshire 13 5.91x
Yorkshire 13 0.36x
Sussex 11 1.79x
Durham 8 0.74x
Monmouthshire 8 3.04x
Norfolk 8 1.43x
Bedfordshire 7 3.72x
Oxfordshire 7 3.12x
Hampshire 5 0.67x
Hertfordshire 4 1.59x
Devon 1 0.13x

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 21 Syretts recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.95x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 21 5.95x
Bow London 14 30.22x
Haughley 12 1090.91x
Lambeth 12 3.78x
Mendlesham 12 857.14x
Stoke Newington London 12 42.34x
Wyverstone 12 3636.36x
Newington 10 7.44x
Ramsgate 9 44.42x
Brandon Byshottles 8 59.00x
Brighton 8 6.46x
Hackney London 8 3.92x
Holy Trinity 8 9.22x
Sudbury St Gregory 8 225.35x
Hornsey 7 15.21x
Risca 7 141.13x
St George In East 7 28.28x
Weeley 7 933.33x
Paddington London 6 4.48x
Shoreditch London 6 3.80x
St Anne Soho London 6 28.87x
St Pancras London 6 2.05x
Stokenchurch 6 298.51x
Willisham 6 2400.00x
Wivenhoe 6 210.53x
Bradfield 5 490.20x
Bungay St Mary 5 227.27x
Mortlake 5 63.29x
Ramsey 5 531.91x
St Thomas Winchester 5 94.88x
Upton Cum Chalvey 5 57.01x
Billington 4 754.72x
Bromley London 4 5.00x
Colchester St Leonard 4 173.16x
Edlesborough 4 200.00x
Great Yarmouth 4 8.63x
Ipswich St Margaret 4 26.60x
St Albans 4 77.82x
Bury St Edmunds St Mary 3 36.06x
Huntingfield 3 681.82x
Ipswich St Clement 3 26.62x
Ipswich St Peter 3 50.25x
Kensington London 3 1.48x
Leighton Buzzard 3 37.04x
Lewisham 3 4.53x
Limehouse London 3 7.51x
Mitcham 3 26.76x
St Marylebone London 3 1.54x
St Paul Covent Garden 3 82.42x
Thornton In Bradford 3 25.00x
Tottenham 3 5.18x
Upper Winchendon 3 1304.35x
Bethnal Green London 2 1.27x
Brightlingsea 2 48.78x
Finningham 2 384.62x
Hampstead London 2 3.53x
Hove 2 7.43x
Ixworth 2 160.00x
Mile End Old Town 2 3.48x
Northfleet 2 18.28x
Norwich St Swithin 2 206.19x
West Mersea 2 144.93x
Woolwich 2 4.36x
Aylesbury 1 10.26x
Blythburgh 1 97.09x
Chelsea London 1 0.91x
Chipping Norton 1 19.27x
Colchester St Giles 1 14.08x
Ealing 1 3.08x
Great Clacton 1 40.98x
Greenwich 1 1.73x
Heveningham 1 256.41x
Keymer 1 23.09x
Leyton 1 8.08x
Littleham 1 18.05x
Norwich St James 1 22.78x
Shepley 1 50.25x
Spitalfields London 1 3.65x
Streatham 1 3.70x
Wimbledon 1 5.02x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 24
Thomas 15
John 14
George 13
Robert 10
Arthur 8
James 8
Charles 7
Joseph 7
Edward 6
Walter 6
Alfred 5
Harry 5
Henry 5
Ernest 4
Francis 4
Frank 3
Chas.E. 2
Fred 2
Frederick 2
Herbert 2
Moses 2
Stephen 2
Wm. 2
Alyemont 1
Barry 1
Bolt 1
Charley 1
Chas.W. 1
Clarence 1
Edwd. 1
Elijah 1
Fernando 1
Fredk. 1
Harold 1
Howard 1
Jacob 1
Laurence 1
Reginald 1
Saml. 1
Samuel 1
Shadrach 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Syrett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Syrett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 373 people were recorded with the Syrett surname. That placed it at #8,380 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Syrett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 768 in 2016. That gives Syrett a modern rank of #7,143.

What does the Syrett surname mean?

A variant spelling of the English surname derived from a location name.

What does the Syrett map show?

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