NameCensus.

UK surname

Trusty

A surname derived from a nickname for a trustworthy or reliable person.

In the 1881 census there were 52 people recorded with the Trusty surname, ranking it #26,281 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 117, ranked #28,033, down from #26,281 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Waverley, Sunderland and Bexley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Trusty is 145 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 125.0%.

1881 census count

52

Ranked #26,281

Modern count

117

2016, ranked #28,033

Peak year

2010

145 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Trusty had 52 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #26,281 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 117 in 2016, ranked #28,033.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 66 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Trusty surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Trusty surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Trusty 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 29 #28,082
1861 historical 39 #29,099
1881 historical 52 #26,281
1891 historical 61 #29,103
1901 historical 47 #28,929
1911 historical 66 #26,249
1997 modern 120 #24,158
1998 modern 126 #24,094
1999 modern 133 #23,487
2000 modern 130 #23,785
2001 modern 124 #24,114
2002 modern 135 #23,398
2003 modern 131 #23,553
2004 modern 133 #23,528
2005 modern 140 #22,774
2006 modern 138 #23,156
2007 modern 138 #23,478
2008 modern 133 #24,350
2009 modern 136 #24,485
2010 modern 145 #24,031
2011 modern 138 #24,615
2012 modern 129 #25,705
2013 modern 125 #26,695
2014 modern 126 #26,781
2015 modern 123 #27,088
2016 modern 117 #28,033

Geography

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Where Trustys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Waverley, Sunderland, Bexley, Thanet and Croydon. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Waverley 008 Waverley
2 Sunderland 004 Sunderland
3 Bexley 008 Bexley
4 Thanet 011 Thanet
5 Croydon 014 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Trusty

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Trusty

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Trusty, 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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Trusty surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Trusty household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Trusty is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Trusty is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Trusty falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Trusty is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Trusty

The surname Trusty is believed to have originated in England during the late medieval period, likely deriving from the Old English word "trēowe," which means "true" or "faithful." It was likely a descriptive nickname given to someone who was deemed trustworthy or reliable.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Trusty surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire, a census-like record from 1273, which lists a William le Trew. This spelling variation suggests the name's connection to the Old English word for "true."

In the 14th century, the Trusty surname appeared in various records across different counties in England. For instance, the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1327 mention a John Trewe, while the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire from 1379 list a Thomas Trewe.

The surname's evolution can also be traced through its appearance in historical documents and records. In the 15th century, the Trusty surname was recorded as "Trustye" in the Paston Letters, a collection of correspondences from the prominent Paston family of Norfolk.

One notable historical figure with the Trusty surname was Sir Roger Trusty (c. 1485-1556), a Welsh soldier and landowner who served as the High Sheriff of Anglesey. He played a role in suppressing the Pilgrimage of Grace, a major uprising against the English government in the reign of Henry VIII.

Another individual worth mentioning is John Trusty (c. 1600-1680), an English clergyman who served as the Rector of Piddle Trenthide in Dorset. He was known for his religious writings and sermons.

The Trusty surname also has connections to various place names in England. For example, the village of Trusthorpe in Lincolnshire is believed to have derived its name from the Old English words "treow" (tree) and "thorpe" (village), suggesting a connection to the Trusty surname's origins.

Other notable individuals with the Trusty surname include William Trusty (1784-1853), an English engraver and painter, and Francis Trusty (1793-1865), an English architect who designed several notable buildings in London.

Throughout history, the Trusty surname has been found in various spellings, including Trewe, Trew, Trusti, and Trustye, reflecting the linguistic evolution and regional variations in different areas of England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Trusty families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Trusty 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. Durham leads with 20 Trustys recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.26x.

County Total Index
Durham 20 13.26x
Middlesex 18 3.55x
Kent 6 3.47x
Surrey 6 2.43x
Hertfordshire 1 2.86x
Somerset 1 1.22x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kensington London in Middlesex leads with 8 Trustys recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.37x.

Place Total Index
Kensington London 8 28.37x
Chelsea London 7 45.81x
Ryhope 7 666.67x
Benfieldside 5 505.05x
Monkwearmouth Shore 5 169.49x
Bermondsey 4 26.49x
Halling 3 1304.35x
Monkwearmouth 3 208.33x
Ash Next Ridley 2 1818.18x
St Botolph Bishopsgate 2 277.78x
Bedminster 1 13.04x
Islington London 1 2.03x
Minster In Sheppey 1 34.84x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 9.79x
Southwark St Olave 1 256.41x
Watford 1 36.90x

Top female names

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

Name Count
George 7
Edward 3
John 3
Robert 3
William 3
James 2
Charles 1
Harry 1
Henry 1
Robbert 1
Samuel 1

Top occupations

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 Trusty households.

FAQ

Trusty surname: questions and answers

How common was the Trusty surname in 1881?

In 1881, 52 people were recorded with the Trusty surname. That placed it at #26,281 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Trusty surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 117 in 2016. That gives Trusty a modern rank of #28,033.

What does the Trusty surname mean?

A surname derived from a nickname for a trustworthy or reliable person.

What does the Trusty map show?

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