Elvey
An English surname possibly derived from the Old English words "elf" and "ey" meaning elf island or island of elves.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 206 Americans carry the last name Elvey. That puts it at #99,378 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.06 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,663,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Elvey surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
206
1 in 1,663,856
Census rank
#99,378
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
182
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 182 bearers of the surname Elvey in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 99378th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Elvey, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.2%. The next largest groups are Black (7.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Elvey
The surname Elvey is of English origin and dates back to the 13th century. It is believed to have originated in the county of Oxfordshire, specifically in the village of Elvey, which was recorded in historical records as Elfei in the 13th century. The name is thought to derive from the Old English words "aelf" meaning "elf" and "ey" meaning "island," suggesting a potential connection to a location surrounded by water or marshes where elves were believed to reside.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Elvey can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1279, where a person named Roger de Elfei is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already well-established in the region by the late 13th century.
In the 14th century, the surname Elvey appeared in various spellings, including Elveye, Elvee, and Elvy, reflecting the evolving nature of the English language and regional variations in pronunciation and spelling.
During the 16th century, the surname Elvey began to appear more frequently in historical records. Notable individuals from this period include John Elvey, a prominent merchant from Bristol, who was born around 1520 and played a significant role in the city's trade with continental Europe.
In the 17th century, the Elvey surname gained further recognition with the birth of William Elvey (1625-1688), a renowned English clergyman and author who served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Southampton.
The 19th century saw the rise of a prominent Elvey family in the world of entertainment. Maurice Elvey (1887-1967) was a pioneering English film director and producer who helmed over 200 films during the silent era and the early years of sound cinema. His brother, Herbert Elvey (1890-1958), was also a successful film director and is best known for his work on the 1928 silent film adaptation of Oscar Wilde's "The Tragedy of Lady Windermere's Fan."
Another notable figure from this period was Edward Elvey (1855-1928), a renowned English cricketer who played for both Gloucestershire and Middlesex County Cricket Clubs and represented England in two Test matches against Australia in the late 19th century.
While the surname Elvey may have originated in a specific region of England, it has since spread across the country and beyond, with Elveys making significant contributions in various fields throughout history.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Elvey
Among Census respondents with the surname Elvey, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.2%. The next largest groups are Black (7.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Elvey bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Elvey surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.2%
- Black or African American7.1%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Elvey surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #99,378 | #99,378 | 0.0% |
| Count | 182 | 182 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Elvey bearers went from 182 to 182 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #99,378 to #99,378.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Elvey
FAQ
Elvey surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Elvey?
The surname Elvey holds position #99,378 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 206 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Elvey surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Elvey, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.2%. The next largest groups are Black (7.1%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.