NameCensus.

UK surname

Thackray

An old English locational surname indicating someone who lived near a thicket or grove.

In the 1881 census there were 1,282 people recorded with the Thackray surname, ranking it #3,184 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,709, ranked #3,651, down from #3,184 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bradford, Sheffield and Leeds. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bradford, Ryedale and Leeds.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Thackray is 1,762 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 33.3%.

1881 census count

1,282

Ranked #3,184

Modern count

1,709

2016, ranked #3,651

Peak year

1999

1,762 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Thackray had 1,282 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,184 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,709 in 2016, ranked #3,651.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,694 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Thackray surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Thackray surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Thackray 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 900 #3,058
1861 historical 928 #2,994
1881 historical 1,282 #3,184
1891 historical 1,315 #3,302
1901 historical 1,564 #3,296
1911 historical 1,694 #2,897
1997 modern 1,717 #3,472
1998 modern 1,746 #3,552
1999 modern 1,762 #3,542
2000 modern 1,737 #3,576
2001 modern 1,710 #3,560
2002 modern 1,756 #3,550
2003 modern 1,704 #3,574
2004 modern 1,659 #3,655
2005 modern 1,666 #3,608
2006 modern 1,670 #3,599
2007 modern 1,674 #3,621
2008 modern 1,687 #3,624
2009 modern 1,721 #3,628
2010 modern 1,760 #3,630
2011 modern 1,736 #3,635
2012 modern 1,724 #3,604
2013 modern 1,760 #3,592
2014 modern 1,761 #3,604
2015 modern 1,747 #3,599
2016 modern 1,709 #3,651

Geography

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Where Thackrays are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bradford, Sheffield and Leeds. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bradford, Ryedale and Leeds. 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 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Leeds Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bradford 002 Bradford
2 Ryedale 008 Ryedale
3 Leeds 106 Leeds
4 Leeds 004 Leeds
5 Leeds 061 Leeds

Forenames

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First names often paired with Thackray

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Thackray

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Thackray is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Thackray 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

Thackray falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Thackray

The surname Thackray is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from a locational name, referring to someone who hailed from a place called Thackray or a similarly spelled variation. This place name is thought to have originated from the Old English words "thaec," meaning thatch, and "ryge," meaning ridge, potentially describing a thatched dwelling on a ridge.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Yorkshire Assize Rolls of 1297, where a certain John de Thakray is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already established in the northern counties of England during the medieval period.

The Thackray surname has also been spotted in various historical records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from 1379, which lists a Robert de Thakray. Additionally, the name appears in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire from 1379, indicating its continued presence in the region.

Among the notable individuals bearing the Thackray surname throughout history is Sir Richard Thackray (1572-1638), an English landowner and Member of Parliament for Beverley in the early 17th century. Another prominent figure was Thomas Thackray (1759-1833), a British clergyman and author who served as the Vicar of Houghton-le-Spring in County Durham.

In the realm of science, we find Edward Thackray (1781-1859), a British mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1828.

Moving into the 19th century, Gilbert Thackray (1834-1909) was an English industrialist and philanthropist from Leeds. He founded the Thackray Medical Museum, which showcases the history of medicine and healthcare.

Lastly, William Thackray (1868-1951) was a British architect known for his work in the Arts and Crafts movement. He designed several notable buildings, including the Grade II listed Thackray Medical Museum in Leeds.

These examples illustrate the historical presence of the Thackray surname across various fields and regions within England, reflecting its long-standing roots and contributions to the cultural fabric of the nation.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Thackray families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Thackray 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. Yorkshire leads with 1,110 Thackrays recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.96x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 1,110 8.96x
Huntingdonshire 38 15.30x
Lancashire 29 0.20x
Durham 25 0.67x
Middlesex 24 0.19x
Northumberland 16 0.86x
Staffordshire 7 0.17x
Norfolk 5 0.26x
Warwickshire 5 0.16x
Derbyshire 4 0.20x
Lincolnshire 4 0.20x
Cheshire 3 0.11x
Hertfordshire 3 0.35x
Essex 2 0.08x
Kent 2 0.05x
Surrey 2 0.03x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.13x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.06x
Westmorland 1 0.36x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leeds in Yorkshire leads with 139 Thackrays recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.86x.

Place Total Index
Leeds 139 19.86x
Hunslet 66 34.15x
Sheffield 44 11.15x
Headingley Cum Burley 32 40.12x
Ecclesall Bierlow 31 12.30x
Nether Hallam 27 16.10x
Morley 25 38.80x
Bradford 24 8.00x
Wortley In Bramley 24 24.45x
Burley In Wharfdale 22 201.10x
Grewelthorpe 22 995.48x
Ilkley 22 108.64x
Horsforth 21 77.29x
Scotton In 20 1600.00x
Addingham 18 194.38x
Armley 16 29.27x
Gildersome 16 107.38x
Guiseley 16 100.82x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 16 27.79x
Manningham 15 9.83x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 14 33.03x
Bramley In Bramley 14 29.51x
Roundhay 14 402.30x
Clayton 12 39.56x
Godmanchester 12 127.80x
Gomersal 12 20.75x
Huntingdon St John 12 166.67x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 12 10.80x
Pocklington 12 102.56x
Tanshelf 12 121.21x
Wakefield 12 12.61x
Holbeck 11 13.40x
Knaresborough 11 56.53x
Brightside Bierlow 10 4.11x
Kensington London 10 1.44x
Barnsley 9 7.04x
Horton In Bradford 9 4.65x
Pontefract 9 33.71x
Sculcoates 9 4.58x
Stockton On Tees 9 5.02x
Warmfield Cum Heath 9 214.80x
Huddersfield 8 4.43x
Menston 8 282.69x
Middleton On Wolds 8 294.12x
Otley 8 26.59x
South Milford 8 176.99x
Beeston 7 55.87x
Escomb 7 40.94x
Lockwood 7 15.70x
Normanton 7 18.80x
North Meols 7 4.82x
Shipley 7 10.88x
Stoke Upon Trent 7 1.56x
Borrowby In 6 434.78x
Carlton Miniott 6 368.10x
Collingham 6 419.58x
Eavestone 6 3750.00x
Fen Stanton 6 131.29x
Flockton 6 118.58x
Fulstone 6 66.15x
Heworth 6 186.34x
Holy Trinity 6 2.01x
Long Marston 6 384.62x
Pannal 6 50.46x
Rastrick 6 17.43x
Wyton 6 576.92x
Bishop Monkton 5 241.55x
Bishopwearmouth 5 1.57x
Bowling 5 4.07x
Brompton In Scarborough 5 169.49x
Cottingham 5 18.72x
Drighlington 5 27.70x
Edgbaston 5 5.11x
Halifax 5 2.75x
Hartwith Cum Winsley 5 110.13x
Hulme 5 1.61x
Oldham 5 1.04x
Pudsey 5 7.55x
Stutton Cum Hazelwood 5 335.57x
York St Giles In 5 42.81x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 98
Sarah 61
Elizabeth 48
Ann 37
Jane 33
Annie 31
Eliza 30
Hannah 20
Martha 20
Alice 15
Emma 14
Harriet 12
Maria 10
Ada 9
Clara 8
Florence 8
Margaret 8
Charlotte 7
Edith 7
Emily 7
Ellen 6
Grace 6
Isabella 6
Louisa 6
Anne 5
Kate 5
Ruth 5
Caroline 4
Eleanor 4
Esther 4
Ethel 4
Fanny 4
Susannah 4
Catherine 3
Frances 3
Harriett 3
Lilly 3
Lucy 3
Rebecca 3
Rose 3
Rosetta 3
Susan 3
Amy 2
Elizh. 2
Gertrude 2
Helen 2
Marth 2
Matilda 2
Mercy 2
Phoebe 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 72
John 67
George 48
James 48
Joseph 42
Thomas 30
Charles 28
Henry 16
Alfred 14
Richard 14
Robert 14
Wm. 13
Edward 12
Samuel 11
Arthur 10
Albert 9
Fred 7
Harry 7
Herbert 7
Frederick 6
Walter 6
Francis 5
Jno. 5
Benjamin 4
David 4
Edwin 4
Ernest 4
Tom 4
Edgar 3
Edmund 3
Saml. 3
Amos 2
Andrew 2
Christopher 2
Eli 2
Geo. 2
Horace 2
Jonathan 2
Robt. 2
Thos. 2
Alfrad 1
Benjn. 1
Benn 1
Blanch 1
Cyrus 1
Earnest 1
Easau 1
Edwards 1
Gerald 1
Henery 1

FAQ

Thackray surname: questions and answers

How common was the Thackray surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,282 people were recorded with the Thackray surname. That placed it at #3,184 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Thackray surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,709 in 2016. That gives Thackray a modern rank of #3,651.

What does the Thackray surname mean?

An old English locational surname indicating someone who lived near a thicket or grove.

What does the Thackray map show?

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