NameCensus.

UK surname

Balman

A habitational surname derived from a placename, likely of Turkish origin.

In the 1881 census there were 117 people recorded with the Balman surname, ranking it #18,026 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 180, ranked #21,022, down from #18,026 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to North Molton, Highbray, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside and Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Devon, West Devon and Pembrokeshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Balman is 194 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 53.8%.

1881 census count

117

Ranked #18,026

Modern count

180

2016, ranked #21,022

Peak year

2014

194 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Balman had 117 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,026 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 180 in 2016, ranked #21,022.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 185 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Balman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Balman surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Balman 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 91 #18,187
1861 historical 177 #13,265
1881 historical 117 #18,026
1891 historical 183 #15,918
1901 historical 142 #18,633
1911 historical 185 #15,686
1997 modern 178 #18,958
1998 modern 187 #18,857
1999 modern 189 #18,862
2000 modern 182 #19,300
2001 modern 180 #19,161
2002 modern 188 #19,012
2003 modern 181 #19,277
2004 modern 184 #19,183
2005 modern 182 #19,259
2006 modern 176 #19,787
2007 modern 173 #20,243
2008 modern 172 #20,523
2009 modern 178 #20,486
2010 modern 182 #20,662
2011 modern 176 #20,957
2012 modern 192 #19,730
2013 modern 191 #20,124
2014 modern 194 #20,097
2015 modern 184 #20,719
2016 modern 180 #21,022

Geography

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Where Balmans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around North Molton, Highbray, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton, London parishes and Down, East. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Devon, West Devon, Pembrokeshire and Dunblane East. 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 North Molton, Highbray Devon
2 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
3 Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton Devon
4 London parishes London 3
5 Down, East Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Devon 006 North Devon
2 West Devon 001 West Devon
3 Pembrokeshire 001 Pembrokeshire
4 North Devon 007 North Devon
5 Dunblane East Stirling

Forenames

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First names often paired with Balman

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Balman

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Balman is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Balman is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

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

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Balman 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 Balman 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 Balman, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Balman

The surname Balman has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old English words "bæl" meaning "blazing fire" and "mann" meaning "man," potentially referring to a person who worked as a charcoal burner or a blacksmith.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Balman can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex, England, in 1296, where a person named John Baleman is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already well-established in that region by the late 13th century.

In the 14th century, the Balman surname appeared in various records, including the Hundred Rolls of Norfolk in 1275, where a person named Roger Baleman is listed. The Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327 also mention a William Baleman.

The name Balman has undergone several spelling variations over the centuries, including Balmain, Balmayne, and Baulman, reflecting regional dialects and scribal interpretations.

Historically, the Balman surname has been associated with a few notable individuals. One example is Sir William Balman, a prominent knight who lived in the 15th century and was known for his military service during the War of the Roses.

Another notable figure is John Balman, a merchant and alderman of London in the 16th century, who played a significant role in the city's trade and governance during the reign of Elizabeth I.

In the 17th century, the Balman family established themselves in various parts of England, with records showing individuals bearing the name in counties such as Somerset, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire.

One interesting figure from this period is Edward Balman, born in 1645, who was a renowned clockmaker and inventor based in London. He is credited with several innovations in timekeeping and is widely regarded as a pioneer in the field of horology.

During the 18th century, the Balman surname continued to spread across England, with some members of the family migrating to other parts of the British Isles and eventually to the American colonies.

A notable Balman from this era was Thomas Balman, born in 1712, who was a prominent landowner and magistrate in Gloucestershire. He was known for his involvement in local politics and his advocacy for agricultural reforms.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Balman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Balman 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. Devon leads with 41 Balmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.26x.

County Total Index
Devon 41 17.26x
Middlesex 22 1.93x
Somerset 20 10.89x
Yorkshire 8 0.71x
Wiltshire 5 4.95x
Lincolnshire 4 2.19x
Renfrewshire 4 4.52x
Derbyshire 3 1.68x
Westmorland 3 11.96x
Lancashire 2 0.15x
Durham 1 0.29x
Gloucestershire 1 0.45x
Hampshire 1 0.43x
Oxfordshire 1 1.42x
Surrey 1 0.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wiveliscombe in Somerset leads with 16 Balmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 1568.63x.

Place Total Index
Wiveliscombe 16 1568.63x
Mile End Old Town London 14 57.64x
Sedbergh 8 1904.76x
St Giles In The Wood 8 2285.71x
Chittlehampton 7 1186.44x
Swimbridge 5 1041.67x
Fisherton Anger 4 213.90x
Paisley High Church 4 56.82x
Scothern 4 2105.26x
Silverton 4 816.33x
Wilton 4 833.33x
Bow London 3 20.65x
Broadwood Kelly 3 2727.27x
Exeter St Edmund 3 588.24x
Hammersmith London 3 10.67x
Thrushelton 3 1764.71x
Waitby 3 10000.00x
Washfield 3 1875.00x
Hatherleigh 2 338.98x
Litchurch 2 27.82x
Toxteth Park 2 4.36x
Bampton 1 136.99x
Barnstaple 1 26.81x
Croydon 1 3.24x
Hackney London 1 1.56x
Melksham 1 57.14x
Northwood 1 30.03x
Pelton 1 61.73x
Sandford 1 526.32x
Sawley 1 185.19x
South Molton 1 76.92x
St Gabriel Fenchurch 1 2500.00x
Westbury On Trym 1 13.19x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 7
Hannah 4
Sarah 4
Ann 3
Elizabeth 3
Emily 3
Harriett 3
Annie 2
Bessie 2
Caroline 2
Florence 2
Ruth 2
Alice 1
Allice 1
Anna 1
Bessey 1
Charlotte 1
Christina 1
Edith 1
Elizth. 1
Ellen 1
Ethel 1
Florance 1
Frances 1
Helena 1
Jane 1
Laura 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
Margeret 1
Marriam 1
Maud 1
Norah 1
Precillia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 12
William 6
Walter 5
Edward 3
George 3
Henry 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Edwin 2
Richard 2
Thomas 2
Andrew 1
Anthony 1
Benjamin 1
Clifford 1
Edmund 1
Frank 1
Gowin 1
Michael 1
Reginald 1
Thos. 1
Willm. 1
Wm.A. 1

FAQ

Balman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Balman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 117 people were recorded with the Balman surname. That placed it at #18,026 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Balman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 180 in 2016. That gives Balman a modern rank of #21,022.

What does the Balman surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from a placename, likely of Turkish origin.

What does the Balman map show?

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