NameCensus.

UK surname

Badham

A name derived from a place name, referring to someone from Badham in Somerset, England.

In the 1881 census there were 870 people recorded with the Badham surname, ranking it #4,357 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,235, ranked #4,833, down from #4,357 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet, and Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Pembrokeshire, Blaenau Gwent and Gloucester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Badham is 1,355 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 42.0%.

1881 census count

870

Ranked #4,357

Modern count

1,235

2016, ranked #4,833

Peak year

1998

1,355 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Badham had 870 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,357 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,235 in 2016, ranked #4,833.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,199 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Badham surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Badham surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Badham 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 598 #4,284
1861 historical 679 #3,954
1881 historical 870 #4,357
1891 historical 942 #4,394
1901 historical 1,136 #4,277
1911 historical 1,199 #3,920
1997 modern 1,309 #4,380
1998 modern 1,355 #4,395
1999 modern 1,352 #4,435
2000 modern 1,353 #4,421
2001 modern 1,344 #4,351
2002 modern 1,350 #4,433
2003 modern 1,318 #4,433
2004 modern 1,315 #4,442
2005 modern 1,262 #4,552
2006 modern 1,270 #4,539
2007 modern 1,260 #4,618
2008 modern 1,262 #4,630
2009 modern 1,308 #4,581
2010 modern 1,341 #4,571
2011 modern 1,304 #4,628
2012 modern 1,277 #4,648
2013 modern 1,300 #4,653
2014 modern 1,298 #4,684
2015 modern 1,258 #4,770
2016 modern 1,235 #4,833

Geography

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Where Badhams are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick, London parishes and Bedwelty. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Pembrokeshire, Blaenau Gwent and Gloucester. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet, Gloucestershire
3 Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick Worcestershire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Bedwelty Monmouthshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Pembrokeshire 011 Pembrokeshire
2 Blaenau Gwent 003 Blaenau Gwent
3 Gloucester 002 Gloucester
4 Blaenau Gwent 006 Blaenau Gwent
5 Pembrokeshire 016 Pembrokeshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Badham

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Badham

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Badham surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Badham 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Badham is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Badham is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Badham falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Badham is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Badham

The surname Badham is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the medieval era. It is believed to have originated as a locational surname, derived from a place name that incorporated the Old English elements "bæd" (meaning "bed" or "resting place") and "ham" (meaning "homestead" or "settlement").

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Badham can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Badeham." This suggests that the name may have arisen from a particular location or settlement known as "Badeham" during the time of the Norman Conquest.

In the 13th century, the surname appeared in various records with spellings such as "Baddeham" and "Badeham." These variations likely reflect the regional dialects and scribal practices of the time.

One notable person bearing the Badham surname was John Badham, a 16th-century English clergyman and academic who served as the Regius Professor of Civil Law at the University of Cambridge from 1555 to 1557.

Another historical figure with this surname was William Badham, born in 1779, who was a renowned English classical scholar and academic. He served as the headmaster of Ipswich School and later became the Regius Professor of Greek at the University of Cambridge from 1828 until his death in 1853.

In the 19th century, Charles David Badham (1806-1857) was a notable English classical scholar and editor who contributed significantly to the study of ancient Greek literature. He is best known for his critical editions of several works by Greek playwrights.

Moving into the 20th century, Mary Badham (born in 1952) is an American former actress who gained recognition for her portrayal of Scout in the 1962 film adaptation of Harper Lee's novel "To Kill a Mockingbird."

Additionally, Paul Badham (1929-2009) was a British theologian and philosopher who served as the Dean of Salisbury Cathedral from 1976 to 1992. He made significant contributions to the field of Christian ethics and social theology.

While the surname Badham is not among the most common in English-speaking countries, it has a rich history spanning several centuries and has been associated with notable individuals in various fields, including academia, literature, and religion.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Badham families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Badham 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. Herefordshire leads with 231 Badhams recorded in 1881 and an index of 66.38x.

County Total Index
Herefordshire 231 66.38x
Worcestershire 117 10.56x
Middlesex 103 1.21x
Gloucestershire 86 5.17x
Monmouthshire 58 9.45x
Surrey 52 1.26x
Warwickshire 45 2.10x
Staffordshire 38 1.33x
Pembrokeshire 30 11.12x
Glamorgan 18 1.22x
Shropshire 17 2.32x
Lincolnshire 15 1.11x
Kent 8 0.28x
Brecknockshire 7 4.12x
Nottinghamshire 6 0.52x
Lancashire 5 0.05x
Wiltshire 5 0.67x
Berkshire 4 0.63x
Merionethshire 4 2.58x
Leicestershire 3 0.32x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.39x
Carmarthenshire 2 0.56x
Derbyshire 2 0.15x
Northamptonshire 2 0.25x
Sussex 2 0.14x
Yorkshire 2 0.02x
Devon 1 0.06x
Durham 1 0.04x
Essex 1 0.06x
Perthshire 1 0.26x
Somerset 1 0.07x
Suffolk 1 0.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bedwellty in Monmouthshire leads with 32 Badhams recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.54x.

Place Total Index
Bedwellty 32 29.54x
Worcester St John 29 219.03x
St Pancras London 22 3.22x
Islington London 21 2.55x
Dymock 20 503.78x
Aston 19 3.22x
Barnes 19 108.63x
Begelly 17 1049.38x
Bethnal Green London 17 4.61x
Birmingham 17 2.38x
West Bromwich 17 10.37x
Abergavenny 13 56.57x
Southwark St Saviour 13 29.80x
Harborne 12 13.07x
Mordiford 12 722.89x
Whitton 12 2181.82x
Bosbury 11 383.28x
Kings Norton 11 11.07x
Bromyard 10 218.34x
Dilwyn 10 327.87x
Shoreditch London 10 2.72x
Cradley 9 176.82x
Garway 9 580.65x
Gloucester Barton St 9 92.31x
Great Malvern 9 38.93x
Hawn 9 432.69x
Much Cowarne 9 620.69x
Battersea 8 2.56x
Hereford St Owen 8 69.63x
Peterstow 8 747.66x
St Anne Soho London 8 16.51x
St Issells 8 140.35x
Tredunnock 8 1777.78x
Abbey Dore 7 448.72x
Greenwich 7 5.18x
Hay 7 111.11x
Ledbury 7 58.58x
Leominster 7 48.61x
Lugwardine 7 318.18x
Paddington London 7 2.24x
Shrawley 7 522.39x
Stretton Grandison 7 2058.82x
Tarrington 7 482.76x
Walford 7 202.31x
Burrington 6 1034.48x
Cainham 6 176.47x
Claines 6 19.72x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 6 19.70x
Kingstone 6 465.12x
Linby 6 645.16x
Llanwonno 6 11.30x
Much Marcle 6 239.04x
Tewkesbury 6 40.40x
Wandsworth 6 7.34x
Wednesbury 6 8.38x
Westbury On Trym 6 10.64x
Westhide 6 1250.00x
Castlemorton 5 230.41x
Chipping Campden 5 92.25x
Eastham 5 510.20x
Holmer 5 79.74x
Ludlow St Lawrence 5 34.27x
St Weonards 5 485.44x
Stanford Bishop 5 1000.00x
Tupsley 5 169.49x
Worcester Blockhouse 5 82.10x
Ystradyfodwg 5 3.86x
Burghill 4 101.27x
Evesham St Lawrence 4 67.91x
Fownhope 4 131.58x
Gloucester Kingsholm St 4 64.41x
Gloucester St John Baptist 4 37.21x
Leamington 4 28.21x
Mathon 4 123.08x
Merthyr Tydfil 4 2.82x
Orcop 4 248.45x
Rodborough 4 49.75x
Towyn 4 40.94x
Vowchurch 4 425.53x
Worcester All Sts 4 62.31x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 61
Sarah 34
Elizabeth 28
Eliza 17
Alice 15
Ann 14
Annie 13
Emily 12
Emma 12
Harriet 12
Caroline 10
Jane 10
Fanny 9
Catherine 8
Edith 8
Hannah 7
Martha 7
Ada 6
Anne 6
Charlotte 6
Ellen 6
Louisa 6
Maria 6
Margaret 5
Clara 4
Florence 4
Kate 4
Rose 4
Susan 4
Frances 3
Julia 3
Laura 3
Agnes 2
Cecelia 2
Eda 2
Elizth. 2
Esther 2
Ethel 2
Gertrude 2
Grace 2
Harriett 2
Isabella 2
Jessie 2
Lizzie 2
Mabel 2
Margret 2
Matilda 2
Olive 2
Rosa 2
Selina 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 59
John 52
George 41
Thomas 27
James 23
Charles 20
Henry 19
Richard 13
Francis 11
Albert 10
Alfred 10
Walter 10
Edward 7
Harry 7
Joseph 7
Arthur 6
Benjamin 6
Ernest 6
Wm. 6
Herbert 5
Daniel 4
Frank 4
Thos. 4
Edwin 3
Frederick 3
Isaac 3
Lewis 3
Robert 3
Samuel 3
Abraham 2
Cornelius 2
Geo. 2
Jas. 2
Oliver 2
Philip 2
Stephen 2
Aurthur 1
Charlie 1
Chas. 1
Chas.F.F. 1
Christopher 1
Enoch 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.Jas. 1
Fredrick 1
Geo 1
Lenard 1
Leonard 1
Owen 1
Zoden 1

FAQ

Badham surname: questions and answers

How common was the Badham surname in 1881?

In 1881, 870 people were recorded with the Badham surname. That placed it at #4,357 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Badham surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,235 in 2016. That gives Badham a modern rank of #4,833.

What does the Badham surname mean?

A name derived from a place name, referring to someone from Badham in Somerset, England.

What does the Badham map show?

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