UK surname
An English surname derived from a topographic name referring to someone living near a terraced or raised land.
In the 1881 census there were 118 people recorded with the Terrace surname, ranking it #17,935 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 62, ranked #34,227, down from #17,935 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Cupar, Markinch and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Terrace is 139 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 47.5%.
1881 census count
118
Ranked #17,935
Modern count
62
2016, ranked #34,227
Peak year
1861
139 bearers
Map years
4
1861 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Terrace surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Terrace surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 63 | #22,069 |
| 1861 | historical | 139 | #16,263 |
| 1881 | historical | 118 | #17,935 |
| 1891 | historical | 133 | #19,870 |
| 1901 | historical | 132 | #19,469 |
| 1911 | historical | 41 | #28,802 |
| 1997 | modern | 56 | #32,004 |
| 1998 | modern | 55 | #32,399 |
| 1999 | modern | 58 | #32,268 |
| 2000 | modern | 60 | #32,124 |
| 2001 | modern | 59 | #32,080 |
| 2002 | modern | 58 | #32,564 |
| 2003 | modern | 56 | #32,797 |
| 2004 | modern | 54 | #33,248 |
| 2005 | modern | 54 | #33,433 |
| 2006 | modern | 56 | #33,587 |
| 2007 | modern | 56 | #33,875 |
| 2008 | modern | 52 | #34,381 |
| 2009 | modern | 56 | #34,278 |
| 2010 | modern | 59 | #34,273 |
| 2011 | modern | 58 | #34,330 |
| 2012 | modern | 54 | #34,608 |
| 2013 | modern | 53 | #34,715 |
| 2014 | modern | 58 | #34,500 |
| 2015 | modern | 59 | #34,407 |
| 2016 | modern | 62 | #34,227 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Cupar, Markinch, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Sheffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupar | Fife |
| 2 | Markinch | Fife |
| 3 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 4 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| 5 | Sheffield | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Terrace surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Terrace, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Terrace surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Terrace household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Terrace is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Terrace is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Terrace, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "Terrace" is of English origin and dates back to the late medieval period. It is derived from the Old French word "terrasse," which means "a raised level piece of ground" or "a flat roof." The name was likely given to those who lived near or worked on a terrace or terraced land.
In the 13th century, the name was recorded as "de la Terrace" or "atte Terrace" in various English records and documents. This indicates that the name was originally a descriptive byname referring to someone's place of residence or occupation.
One of the earliest known instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1268, which mentions a "John de la Terrace." The Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1279 also lists a "William atte Terrace."
In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Terras," "Terrasse," and "Terrys." A notable example is John Terrys, a member of the Guild of Cordwainers (shoemakers) in London, who was recorded in the city's records in 1376.
During the Tudor period, the name was found in several historical documents, including the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1524, which listed a "Richard Terrace." In the same century, a notable figure with this surname was William Terrace (c. 1520-1587), a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol.
In the 17th century, the name gained prominence with individuals like Thomas Terrace (1621-1678), a respected clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Stockton-on-Tees. Another notable figure was John Terrace (1655-1715), a successful lawyer and judge who served as the Recorder of Derby.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Terrace surname continued to be recorded in various parts of England. Some notable bearers of the name include Sir Thomas Terrace (1749-1825), a British naval officer and Member of Parliament, and James Terrace (1789-1856), a renowned architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in London.
Throughout its history, the surname "Terrace" has been associated with various occupations and professions, reflecting its origins as a descriptive byname related to the landscape or living conditions of its earliest bearers.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Terrace surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Fife leads with 35 Terraces recorded in 1881 and an index of 50.94x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Fife | 35 | 50.94x |
| Lanarkshire | 35 | 9.32x |
| Midlothian | 20 | 12.86x |
| Yorkshire | 14 | 1.22x |
| Angus | 5 | 4.65x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.29x |
| Surrey | 2 | 0.35x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.29x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.42x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.09x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 7.23x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dysart in Fife leads with 15 Terraces recorded in 1881 and an index of 323.97x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Dysart | 15 | 323.97x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 13 | 20.78x |
| Glasgow | 11 | 16.50x |
| Attercliffe Cum Darnall | 7 | 65.36x |
| Barony | 7 | 7.37x |
| Kennoway | 7 | 1129.03x |
| Govan | 6 | 6.46x |
| Maryhill | 6 | 81.63x |
| Bothwell | 5 | 49.12x |
| South Leith | 5 | 28.57x |
| Everton | 4 | 9.11x |
| Hunslet | 4 | 22.31x |
| Burntisland | 3 | 156.25x |
| Cupar | 3 | 100.33x |
| Dundee | 3 | 7.47x |
| Dunfermline | 3 | 28.38x |
| Battersea | 2 | 4.68x |
| Ceres | 2 | 240.96x |
| Holy Trinity | 2 | 7.23x |
| Liff Benvie | 2 | 12.25x |
| Anstruther Easter | 1 | 200.00x |
| Edinburgh St Marys | 1 | 33.11x |
| Esh | 1 | 39.84x |
| Hornsea | 1 | 136.99x |
| Hornsey | 1 | 6.81x |
| Kirkcaldy | 1 | 29.33x |
| Mid Calder | 1 | 149.25x |
| Portsmouth | 1 | 18.25x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Terrace surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Terrace surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Terrace households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 3 |
| 2nd Engineer | 1 |
| Assistant (Provision Shop) | 1 |
| Boiler Maker | 1 |
| Coal Miner Wife | 1 |
| Grocers & Provision Asst | 1 |
| Housemaid Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Insurance Agent | 1 |
| Joiner (Iron Works) | 1 |
| Lab In Iron Works | 1 |
| Plumber | 1 |
| Plumber Wife | 1 |
| Rod & Wire Roller | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 118 people were recorded with the Terrace surname. That placed it at #17,935 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 62 in 2016. That gives Terrace a modern rank of #34,227.
An English surname derived from a topographic name referring to someone living near a terraced or raised land.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Terrace bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.