NameCensus.

UK surname

Turay

A surname of West African origin, likely referring to a noble or ruling family.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Southwark and Lewisham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Turay is 471 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

467

2016, ranked #10,522

Peak year

2014

471 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 467 in 2016, ranked #10,522.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 13 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Turay surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Turay surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Turay 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 1 #33,412
1861 historical 13 #32,208
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1911 historical 2 #34,020
1997 modern 163 #20,038
1998 modern 185 #18,973
1999 modern 183 #19,248
2000 modern 201 #18,152
2001 modern 212 #17,324
2002 modern 247 #15,941
2003 modern 266 #14,987
2004 modern 297 #13,971
2005 modern 337 #12,738
2006 modern 365 #12,076
2007 modern 387 #11,652
2008 modern 383 #11,876
2009 modern 416 #11,364
2010 modern 452 #10,880
2011 modern 425 #11,285
2012 modern 432 #11,015
2013 modern 456 #10,722
2014 modern 471 #10,541
2015 modern 471 #10,467
2016 modern 467 #10,522

Geography

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Where Turays 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 Southwark and Lewisham. 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 Southwark 021 Southwark
2 Southwark 015 Southwark
3 Southwark 022 Southwark
4 Lewisham 039 Lewisham
5 Southwark 023 Southwark

Forenames

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First names often paired with Turay

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Turay

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Turay surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Turay 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 includes many younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Turay 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

Turay is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Turay falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Turay 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
Black - African

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

Meaning and origin of Turay

The surname Turay has its origins in West Africa, specifically in the country of Sierra Leone. It is believed to have derived from the Temne language, which is one of the major ethnic groups in Sierra Leone. The name is thought to be a variation of the word "Turay," which means "hunter" or "warrior" in the Temne language.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Turay can be found in the chronicles of the Temne people, which date back to the 16th century. These chronicles mention several individuals with the surname Turay, who were renowned hunters and warriors in their respective communities.

In the 18th century, the surname Turay gained prominence in the region of Port Loko, a town located in the northern part of Sierra Leone. During this period, several families bearing the Turay surname were prominent landowners and traders in the area.

One notable individual with the surname Turay was Bai Bureh Turay, a Temne chief who led a resistance movement against British colonial rule in Sierra Leone in the late 19th century. Bai Bureh Turay, born around 1845, was a skilled military strategist and a fierce defender of his people's rights. His uprising, known as the Hut Tax War, lasted from 1898 to 1899 and was a significant event in the history of Sierra Leone's struggle for independence.

Another prominent figure with the surname Turay was Ishmael Turay, a Sierra Leonean diplomat and politician who served as the country's ambassador to the United Nations from 1971 to 1977. Ishmael Turay, born in 1924, played a crucial role in promoting Sierra Leone's interests on the international stage during his tenure as ambassador.

In the 20th century, the Turay surname also gained recognition in the field of sports. Ibrahim Turay, born in 1962, was a Sierra Leonean football player who represented his country at the international level and played for several clubs in Europe, including Anderlecht in Belgium and AS Monaco in France.

Alhaji Turay, born in 1945, was a Sierra Leonean diplomat and politician who served as the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1986 to 1992. He played a crucial role in Sierra Leone's foreign policy during a period of political turmoil and civil unrest.

While the surname Turay has its roots in Sierra Leone, it has also been adopted by individuals in other parts of West Africa, particularly in neighboring countries like Guinea and Liberia, where the Temne people have historical connections.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Turay surname: questions and answers

How common is the Turay surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 467 in 2016. That gives Turay a modern rank of #10,522.

What does the Turay surname mean?

A surname of West African origin, likely referring to a noble or ruling family.

What does the Turay map show?

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