UK surname
An English surname derived from the adjective "weary," originally referring to someone exhibiting a tired or fatigued disposition.
In the 1881 census there were 68 people recorded with the Weary surname, ranking it #23,950 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 17, ranked #36,904, down from #23,950 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bodmin, St Leonard Shoreditch and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Weary is 107 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 75.0%.
1881 census count
68
Ranked #23,950
Modern count
17
2016, ranked #36,904
Peak year
1861
107 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Weary surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Weary surname density by area, 1861 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 | 84 | #19,067 |
| 1861 | historical | 107 | #20,008 |
| 1881 | historical | 68 | #23,950 |
| 1891 | historical | 77 | #27,169 |
| 1901 | historical | 76 | #25,734 |
| 1911 | historical | 81 | #24,719 |
| 1997 | modern | 13 | #36,672 |
| 1998 | modern | 11 | #36,908 |
| 1999 | modern | 12 | #36,806 |
| 2000 | modern | 15 | #36,425 |
| 2001 | modern | 13 | #36,483 |
| 2002 | modern | 13 | #36,570 |
| 2003 | modern | 13 | #36,620 |
| 2004 | modern | 14 | #36,648 |
| 2005 | modern | 16 | #36,530 |
| 2006 | modern | 14 | #36,801 |
| 2007 | modern | 14 | #36,886 |
| 2008 | modern | 16 | #36,766 |
| 2009 | modern | 15 | #36,942 |
| 2010 | modern | 13 | #37,215 |
| 2011 | modern | 11 | #37,397 |
| 2012 | modern | 12 | #37,292 |
| 2013 | modern | 13 | #37,224 |
| 2014 | modern | 16 | #36,974 |
| 2015 | modern | 17 | #36,887 |
| 2016 | modern | 17 | #36,904 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bodmin, St Leonard Shoreditch, London parishes, Warleggon and Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841). 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 | Bodmin | Cornwall |
| 2 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Warleggon | Cornwall |
| 5 | Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) | Devon |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Weary 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 Weary, 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 Weary surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Weary 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, Weary 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 Weary is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Weary, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "WEARY" is of English origin, first appearing in the late 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "weri," meaning tired or fatigued. The name likely originated as a nickname for someone who had a weary or exhausted disposition.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Wiltshire from 1194, which mention a "Radulfus Weri." The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also include references to a "William le Wery" and a "John le Wery" in Oxfordshire.
In the 13th century, the name was sometimes spelled as "Werie" or "Werye," reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling common during that time period. By the 14th century, the spelling had largely settled on "Weary" or "Wery."
The surname is also associated with various place names in England, such as Weary Hill in Derbyshire and Weary Bank in Lancashire. These locations may have influenced the adoption of the surname by those living in or near these areas.
Notable historical figures with the surname "WEARY" include:
1. Sir Thomas Weary (c. 1500 - 1572), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Westbury during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
2. John Weary (c. 1580 - 1641), an English clergyman and author of several religious treatises, including "The Pilgrim's Progress" (1628).
3. William Weary (1654 - 1721), an English merchant and one of the founders of the Virginia colony in North America. He established the town of Weary's Landing, which later became Richmond, Virginia.
4. Elizabeth Weary (1690 - 1768), an English poet and playwright whose works include "The Virtuous Wife" (1726) and "The Tragedy of Lucretia" (1732).
5. James Weary (1789 - 1863), a Scottish-born engineer and inventor who pioneered the use of steam power in textile mills and is credited with significant contributions to the Industrial Revolution.
While the surname "WEARY" may have initially carried connotations of fatigue or exhaustion, over time it has become a respected English surname with a rich history spanning several centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Weary 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. Devon leads with 27 Wearys recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.50x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Devon | 27 | 17.50x |
| Cornwall | 26 | 30.99x |
| Middlesex | 12 | 1.62x |
| Channel Islands | 8 | 36.43x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.45x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.68x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.11x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bodmin in Cornwall leads with 16 Wearys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1151.08x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bodmin | 16 | 1151.08x |
| Shoreditch London | 12 | 37.35x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 9 | 75.76x |
| Stoke Damerel | 9 | 83.33x |
| St Budeaux | 8 | 1666.67x |
| St Brelade | 6 | 1071.43x |
| Warleggan | 5 | 8333.33x |
| Roche | 2 | 465.12x |
| Calstock | 1 | 60.61x |
| Cardinham | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Crook Billy Row | 1 | 35.46x |
| Plymouth Charles The | 1 | 14.71x |
| Prittlewell | 1 | 49.26x |
| St Helier | 1 | 13.99x |
| St Neot | 1 | 303.03x |
| St Peter | 1 | 158.73x |
| Turton | 1 | 69.44x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Weary 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 Weary 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 Weary households.
FAQ
In 1881, 68 people were recorded with the Weary surname. That placed it at #23,950 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 17 in 2016. That gives Weary a modern rank of #36,904.
An English surname derived from the adjective "weary," originally referring to someone exhibiting a tired or fatigued disposition.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Weary 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.