Surrey

Surrey, a county situated in South East England, occupies approximately 648 sq miles (1,679 sq km). It is landlocked and has no coastline. Its geographic position is defined by its proximity to Greater London to the northeast, Kent to the east, East Sussex and West Sussex to the south, and Hampshire and Berkshire to the west.^[1]

Guildford (1999 pop. 129,200) is the county town, but the county council is in Kingston-upon-Thames (pop. 146,615), a Greater London borough no longer in Surrey. Area: 1679sq km (648sq mi). Pop. (1997) 1,078,100. Guildford emerges as the largest town within Surrey's boundaries.^[2]

The population of Surrey is 1,214,540 according to mid-2022 population figures published by the Office for National Statistics. Surrey's population growth rate between mid-2021 and mid-2022 was 0.7% per year. Surrey covers an area of 1,663 square kilometres (642 square miles) and has a population density of 731 people per square kilometre (km2), based on the latest population estimates taken in mid-2022.^[3]

According to the latest 2021 census, the population in Surrey is predominantly white (85%), with non-white minorities representing the remaining 15% of the population.^[3]

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Surrey landscape, industry, agriculture, and attractions

Despite being one of the most wooded counties in England, Surrey exhibits a remarkable diversity of land cover. This heterogeneity arises from a confluence of factors, including varied geology, landforms, and soil types. The county's landscape encompasses a range of contrasting features: the flatlands of the Thames Basin, the undulating hills of the North Downs and Wealden Greensand, expansive tracts of open heathland, enclosed wooded valleys (gills), river valleys, and significant water bodies. Additionally, intimate small-scale farmland and open meadows contribute to the intricate mosaic of Surrey's landscape. While woodland constitutes 22% of the county's land cover, heathland and chalk downland are particularly characteristic features. Farmland, including that of the Low Weald, forms another major component of the landscape. Two prominent river systems, the Wey and the Mole, traverse these diverse landscapes, flowing from south to north and ultimately joining the River Thames. Their courses are punctuated by a series of large reservoirs and water bodies located in the northwestern part of the county. Recognizing its exceptional ecological and aesthetic value, over 25% of Surrey is designated as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), encompassing the Surrey Hills and the High Weald AONB. These areas harbor extensive tracts of high biodiversity value and internationally significant habitats. Furthermore, the county boasts a number of high-quality historic parklands, further enriching its cultural and ecological significance.^[4]

Surrey exhibits a higher concentration of businesses engaged in professional, scientific, and technical activities, as well as information and communication industries, when compared to both the broader South East region and England as a whole. Notably, the professional, scientific, and technical sector constitutes the most prominent business category within Surrey, comprising 22% of all enterprises (11,450 entities). The construction sector follows, accounting for 13% (6,710 enterprises), while the information and communication industry represents 11% (5,910 enterprises).^[5]

To the south, Surrey has a decidedly rural landscape and is home to the nationally protected Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and large swathes of farmland. To the north lies more urban and peri-urban land, bordering the southwest Greater London area and encompassing parts of the Thames River. ^[6] Arable land is cultivated to provide annual crops such as wheat, sugar beet, potatoes and beans.^[7]

The Royal Horticultural Society Garden Wisley is one of the world’s great gardens, packed with horticultural inspiration. Hampton Court Palace is the magnificent former home of England’s notorious King Henry VIII and his 6 wives. The stately landmark offers visitors a glimpse into the fascinating world of the Tudor Court. Kew Gardens is the largest botanical garden in the world. It measures over 121 hectares and houses a variety of attractions, including numerous botanical glasshouses, a library, monumental buildings, and museums. Kew Palace, Britain's smallest royal palace, is part of the complex.^[8] The Sculpture Park is a magical spot hidden away in a hillside forest in Farnham and showcases over 600 sculptures crafted by 200 well-known sculptors.

Surrey history

Surrey has a rich archaeological heritage, encompassing a diverse range of significant sites. These include Paleolithic encampments, a distinctive and extensive Mesolithic microlith industry, the prominent Neolithic cursus at Stanwell and the long barrow at Badshot Lea. Furthermore, it features prominent Bronze Age centers, such as Runnymede, and an unusually high concentration of Iron Age hill forts.^[9]

The Roman arrival in Britain in 43 CE significantly impacted Surrey. Roman roads, notably Stane Street connecting London to Chichester, were constructed, facilitating trade and movement. The establishment of Roman settlements and villas throughout the county testifies to their enduring presence.^[10]

Following the Roman withdrawal in the 5th century, Anglo-Saxon tribes, primarily Saxons and Jutes, migrated to the region of Surrey. This period witnessed the emergence of distinct local identities, with the name "Surrey" itself deriving from the Old English "Suthrige," signifying its southern location.^[11]

The Tudor era in the 16th century brought notable changes. Henry VIII's establishment of Nonsuch Palace, a magnificent hunting lodge, exemplifies royal patronage. This period also witnessed a gradual increase in agricultural and commercial activities within the county.^[12] Surrey's towns grew during this period, with shops, markets, and many houses. Some of these buildings can still be seen today in Guildford, Reigate and Dorking. Important industries grew up brewing, leathermaking, pottery and iron working gave work to many people in the county.^[13]

The 17th century was marked by the upheaval of the English Civil Wars. Surrey experienced conflict between Royalist and Parliamentarian forces, reflecting the national divisions of the era. Simultaneously, the county played a crucial role in the development of the Royal Navy.^[14]

The 18th century witnessed a flourishing of Georgian architecture and a notable increase in the county's wealth. Epsom Downs gained prominence as a premier horse racing venue. Furthermore, the development of canals and improved road networks significantly enhanced transportation and connectivity.^[15]

The Industrial Revolution in the 19th century profoundly transformed Surrey. The arrival of railways revolutionized transportation, leading to increased urbanization and the emergence of new towns and suburbs, including Woking and Guildford.^[16]

The 20th century continued the trend of urbanization and suburban growth. The development of major airports, such as Heathrow and Gatwick, significantly impacted the county's connectivity and economic landscape. The impact of World War II was keenly felt, with significant wartime activity occurring within Surrey.^[17]

Surrey parishes and unparished areas

Surrey has 87 civil parishes and the whole districts of Woking, Epsom, Ewell, Spelthorne, and Runnymede are unparished.^[18] ^[19] ^[20] The administrative county of Surrey encompasses eleven districts: Mole Valley, Tandridge, and the boroughs of Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Guildford, Reigate and Banstead, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley, and Woking. It is important to note that the administrative county occupies a significantly smaller geographical area than its historical counterpart. The northeastern portion of the historical county is now integrated into Greater London. This historical evolution explains the location of the county's administrative center in the London Borough of Kingston upon Thames. Furthermore, a minor portion of the historic county, including Gatwick Airport and its immediate vicinity, falls within the borough of Crawley in the administrative county of West Sussex. While some areas within other administrative units belong to the historical county of Surrey, the borough of Spelthorne, despite its inclusion in the administrative county of Surrey, is historically part of Middlesex.^[20]

Surrey geography

Surrey is characterized by a lowland area traversed by two prominent east-west ridges. These include the chalk hills of the North Downs, located just south of the Thames Valley, and further to the south, a band of lower greensand rocks, which encompasses the highest point in the county, Leith Hill, at an elevation of 965 feet (294 meters). The interplay of these two ridges, along with the intervening vale and the river gaps created by waterways such as the Mole and the Wey, endows the county with a diverse array of landscapes. In recognition of its natural beauty, approximately 160 square miles (415 square kilometers) of southern Surrey were officially designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1958. Additionally, this region includes suburban areas that are economically integrated with neighboring London.^[20]

Researching family history in Surrey

The Surrey History Centre in Woking collects and preserves the records of Surrey's past and present, documenting the story of the county and its people from the 12th century to the 21st century. Felbridge & District History Group was founded in 1998 to exchange history and information and make a permanent record of Felbridge and the surrounding district. The East Surrey Family History Society has a collection of records relating to the East Surrey region held in the library at Lingfield Research Centre, Lingfield & Dormansland Community Centre. There is an extensive list of Surrey Local History Societies on the British Association for Local History website.

Ethnicities in Surrey

The demographic distribution of the Surrey population is as follows:^[3]

According to the latest 2021 census, the population in Surrey is predominantly white (85.5%), with non-white minorities representing the remaining 14.5% of the population. Asian people were the largest minority group in Surrey accounting for 7.7% of the population. 20,834 or 2% of the Surrey population are black according to the latest 2021 census. In England more broadly the portion of the population that is white is 81%. 10% are Asian and 4% are Black. The East Surrey Family History Society

Population by race in Surrey, 2021 census

White - 1,028,636 people or 85.5%
Asian - 92,911 people or 7.7%
Mixed - 40,483 people or 3.4%
Black - 20,834 people or 1.7%
Other - 20,241 people or 1.7%

Surnames in Surrey

The demographic distribution of Surrey surnames is as follows:^[21]

Surname	Incidence	Frequency
Smith	11,946	1:98
Jones	7,717	1:152
Taylor	5,890	1:199
Williams	5,754	1:204
Brown	5,665	1:207
White	3,683	1:318
Davies	3,623	1:323
Evans	3,464	1:338
Wilson	3,448	1:340
King	3,290	1:356

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