NameCensus.

UK surname

Bakewell

An English locational surname referring to someone from the town of Bakewell in Derbyshire.

In the 1881 census there were 851 people recorded with the Bakewell surname, ranking it #4,444 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,368, ranked #4,402, up from #4,444 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Burton-on-Trent, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and Alfreton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leicester, Nuneaton and Bedworth and Malvern Hills.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bakewell is 1,405 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 60.8%.

1881 census count

851

Ranked #4,444

Modern count

1,368

2016, ranked #4,402

Peak year

2014

1,405 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bakewell had 851 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,444 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,368 in 2016, ranked #4,402.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,213 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Bakewell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bakewell surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Bakewell 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 558 #4,543
1861 historical 618 #4,318
1881 historical 851 #4,444
1891 historical 981 #4,214
1901 historical 1,213 #4,061
1911 historical 1,182 #3,964
1997 modern 1,323 #4,335
1998 modern 1,400 #4,280
1999 modern 1,384 #4,347
2000 modern 1,351 #4,424
2001 modern 1,331 #4,395
2002 modern 1,358 #4,406
2003 modern 1,333 #4,389
2004 modern 1,345 #4,368
2005 modern 1,335 #4,343
2006 modern 1,354 #4,310
2007 modern 1,353 #4,347
2008 modern 1,350 #4,372
2009 modern 1,360 #4,427
2010 modern 1,379 #4,459
2011 modern 1,403 #4,353
2012 modern 1,382 #4,344
2013 modern 1,402 #4,366
2014 modern 1,405 #4,383
2015 modern 1,398 #4,355
2016 modern 1,368 #4,402

Geography

Back to top

Where Bakewells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Burton-on-Trent, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Alfreton, Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars and Walsall. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Leicester, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Malvern Hills and North West Leicestershire. 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 Burton-on-Trent Staffordshire
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 Alfreton Derbyshire
4 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire
5 Walsall Staffordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Leicester 026 Leicester
2 Nuneaton and Bedworth 013 Nuneaton and Bedworth
3 Leicester 028 Leicester
4 Malvern Hills 003 Malvern Hills
5 North West Leicestershire 013 North West Leicestershire

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Bakewell

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Bakewell

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bakewell, 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 Bakewell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Bakewell 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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Bakewell is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bakewell is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bakewell falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bakewell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Bakewell

The surname Bakewell has its origins in England, deriving from the town of Bakewell in Derbyshire. The name likely emerged in the 13th century, stemming from the Old English words "bacan" meaning "bacon" and "well" signifying a spring or stream, suggesting a settlement near a stream where bacon was produced or traded.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Bakewell can be traced back to the 14th century. In the Hundred Rolls of Derbyshire from 1273, there is a reference to a William de Bauquell, which is believed to be an early spelling variation of the surname.

The Bakewell surname is also mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Derbyshire from 1327, where a John de Bakwell is listed as a taxpayer. This record provides evidence of the surname's use during the medieval period.

In the 16th century, notable individuals with the surname Bakewell include Richard Bakewell (c. 1510 - c. 1580), an English Catholic priest and martyr who was executed for his faith during the reign of Elizabeth I. Another prominent figure was Sir Robert Bakewell (1548 - 1619), a Member of Parliament and High Sheriff of Derbyshire.

During the 17th century, the surname gained prominence with the birth of Robert Bakewell (1725 - 1795), a pioneering agriculturist and farmer who significantly improved the breeding of livestock, particularly sheep. His selective breeding methods laid the foundation for modern animal husbandry practices.

In the 18th century, Thomas Bakewell (1718 - 1809) was a renowned English Methodist minister and author, known for his theological works and contributions to the Methodist movement.

Another notable figure was John Bakewell (1782 - 1869), a British geologist and mineralogist who made significant contributions to the field of mineralogy and the study of Derbyshire's geology.

The surname Bakewell has maintained its presence throughout history, with various individuals bearing the name making their mark in various fields, from religion and agriculture to science and politics.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Bakewell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bakewell 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. Staffordshire leads with 186 Bakewells recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.67x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 186 6.67x
Leicestershire 131 14.30x
Derbyshire 98 7.58x
Warwickshire 78 3.74x
Nottinghamshire 70 6.29x
Middlesex 63 0.76x
Yorkshire 51 0.62x
Lancashire 44 0.45x
Surrey 24 0.60x
Cheshire 22 1.21x
Worcestershire 13 1.20x
Suffolk 10 0.99x
Flintshire 9 4.05x
Midlothian 8 0.72x
Hertfordshire 6 1.05x
Cumberland 5 0.70x
Sussex 5 0.36x
Aberdeenshire 4 0.52x
Durham 3 0.12x
Shropshire 3 0.42x
Wiltshire 3 0.41x
Bedfordshire 2 0.47x
Lincolnshire 2 0.15x
Somerset 2 0.15x
Berkshire 1 0.16x
Devon 1 0.06x
Gloucestershire 1 0.06x
Hampshire 1 0.06x
Monmouthshire 1 0.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 55 Bakewells recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.59x.

Place Total Index
Aston 55 9.59x
Leicester St Margaret 25 11.19x
Alfreton 23 58.52x
Stoke Upon Trent 22 7.44x
Whitwick 19 163.09x
Barton Under Needwood 17 335.31x
Radford 16 28.28x
Burton Upon Trent 15 22.99x
Hampstead London 15 11.66x
Melton Mowbray 15 91.07x
Stockport 15 15.98x
Pelsall 14 168.88x
Shoreditch London 13 3.63x
St Luke London 13 9.81x
Birmingham 12 1.73x
Horninglow 12 91.32x
Nottingham St Mary 12 4.17x
Lichfield St Michael 11 125.71x
Tutbury 11 161.76x
Cannock 10 20.55x
Derby St Alkmund 9 23.21x
Dronfield 9 54.28x
Guildford Friary 9 714.29x
Hucknall Torkard 9 31.87x
Royton 9 30.01x
Walsall Foreign 9 6.25x
Whitford 9 78.19x
Draycott In Clay 8 625.00x
Hathern 8 215.63x
Hugglescote 8 59.35x
Radcliffe On Trent 8 506.33x
South Leith 8 6.42x
Derby St Michael 7 257.35x
Ipswich St Mary Stoke 7 74.95x
Lambeth 7 0.97x
Leeds 7 1.51x
Rotherby 7 1521.74x
West Bromwich 7 4.38x
Belper 6 23.92x
Breedon On The Hill 6 217.39x
Broughton In Salford 6 6.69x
Castleton 6 6.13x
Derby St Peter 6 14.56x
Great Amwell 6 105.08x
Headingley Cum Burley 6 11.39x
Horsley 6 77.12x
Humberstone 6 79.68x
Loughborough 6 14.43x
Rufford 6 638.30x
St Marylebone London 6 1.36x
Trentham 6 25.30x
Wolverhampton 6 2.80x
Brightside Bierlow 5 3.11x
Everton 5 1.60x
Keswick 5 55.01x
Kimberworth 5 11.00x
Kingswinford 5 4.94x
Leicester St Mary 5 6.76x
Leicester St Nicholas 5 96.34x
Lenton 5 19.06x
Litchurch 5 9.60x
Manchester 5 1.13x
Winshill 5 60.61x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 4 2.79x
Congleton 4 12.69x
Greasbrough 4 37.00x
Heanor 4 20.68x
Lichfield St Mary 4 49.75x
Oldbury 4 7.53x
Petworth 4 48.08x
Preston 4 1.53x
Ratcliffe Upon Trent 4 143.37x
Rugeley 4 19.99x
Snenton 4 9.14x
St Pancras London 4 0.60x
Woodhouse 4 109.89x
Wymeswold 4 150.94x
Ecclesall Bierlow 3 1.80x
Salford 3 1.04x
Warwick St Nicholas 3 19.63x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 67
John 60
James 36
Thomas 35
George 26
Charles 17
Henry 17
Joseph 17
Robert 11
Alfred 9
Edward 9
Frederick 9
Arthur 8
Walter 8
Samuel 7
Albert 4
Herbert 4
Richard 4
Daniel 3
Harry 3
Isaac 3
Antony 2
Christopher 2
Fredrick 2
Leonard 2
Maurice 2
Oswald 2
Thos. 2
Archibald 1
Ardolph 1
Chs. 1
Ebenezier 1
Edmund 1
Enock 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Geo. 1
Hedley 1
Horace 1
Jess 1
Job 1
Jonathan 1
Joshua 1
Lewis 1
Mathew 1
Remus 1
Roland 1
Sampson 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Bakewell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bakewell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 851 people were recorded with the Bakewell surname. That placed it at #4,444 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bakewell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,368 in 2016. That gives Bakewell a modern rank of #4,402.

What does the Bakewell surname mean?

An English locational surname referring to someone from the town of Bakewell in Derbyshire.

What does the Bakewell map show?

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