NameCensus.

UK surname

Bane

A nickname-derived surname referring to a person who caused harm, injury, or ruin to others.

In the 1881 census there were 377 people recorded with the Bane surname, ranking it #8,309 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 499, ranked #9,997, down from #8,309 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mid Sussex, Cornwall and South Norfolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bane is 518 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 32.4%.

1881 census count

377

Ranked #8,309

Modern count

499

2016, ranked #9,997

Peak year

1999

518 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bane had 377 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,309 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 499 in 2016, ranked #9,997.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 438 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Bane surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bane surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bane 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 412 #5,889
1861 historical 438 #5,884
1881 historical 377 #8,309
1891 historical 387 #9,122
1901 historical 415 #9,236
1911 historical 433 #8,762
1997 modern 505 #9,232
1998 modern 510 #9,448
1999 modern 518 #9,410
2000 modern 499 #9,653
2001 modern 493 #9,574
2002 modern 480 #9,940
2003 modern 470 #9,924
2004 modern 482 #9,757
2005 modern 473 #9,841
2006 modern 478 #9,806
2007 modern 474 #9,948
2008 modern 463 #10,204
2009 modern 482 #10,131
2010 modern 513 #9,853
2011 modern 504 #9,895
2012 modern 482 #10,131
2013 modern 494 #10,104
2014 modern 506 #9,991
2015 modern 500 #10,009
2016 modern 499 #9,997

Geography

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Where Banes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, St Pancras, Gateshead and Winterbourne, Westerleigh, Pucklechurch, Frampton Cotterel. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mid Sussex, Cornwall, South Norfolk, North Norfolk and North Somerset. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 1
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Gateshead Durham
5 Winterbourne, Westerleigh, Pucklechurch, Frampton Cotterel Gloucestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mid Sussex 007 Mid Sussex
2 Cornwall 042 Cornwall
3 South Norfolk 004 South Norfolk
4 North Norfolk 012 North Norfolk
5 North Somerset 012 North Somerset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bane

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bane

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

Bane is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bane falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bane 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 Bane, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Bane

The surname Bane has its origins in medieval England, emerging in the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "bana," meaning "slayer" or "destruction." This surname likely originated as a descriptive name for a fierce warrior or someone known for their bold and destructive nature.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Bane can be found in various historical records from the 13th century onwards. One notable example is the mention of a William Bane in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1203. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also list several individuals with the surname Bane, such as Adam le Bane and Roger le Bane, residing in various regions of England.

In the 14th century, the surname Bane appeared in several medieval manuscripts and chronicles. The Chancery Rolls of 1389 recorded a John Bane from Oxfordshire, while the Poll Tax Records of 1379 listed a Thomas Bane from Yorkshire. These historical documents provide valuable insights into the geographical distribution and prevalence of the surname during that era.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname Bane was Sir John Bane (1380-1445), a prominent English landowner and member of the gentry from Gloucestershire. Another prominent figure was Richard Bane (1494-1561), a respected scholar and theologian who served as the Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname Bane was associated with several notable figures. One such individual was Sir Walter Bane (1548-1623), a renowned English naval commander who played a significant role in the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. Another notable figure was William Bane (1625-1680), a successful merchant and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the city of Bristol.

In the 18th century, the surname Bane was linked to several literary figures. One notable example was John Bane (1715-1792), an English poet and playwright who gained recognition for his satirical works. Additionally, the surname was associated with the Bane family of Gloucestershire, which included several prominent landowners and members of the local gentry.

Throughout its history, the surname Bane has also been linked to various place names and locations across England. For instance, the village of Baneham in Gloucestershire was once known as "Bane's Ham," suggesting a connection to an early bearer of the surname. Similarly, the hamlet of Banehill in Berkshire was likely named after an individual or family with the surname Bane.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bane families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bane 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. Norfolk leads with 94 Banes recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.98x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 94 16.98x
Middlesex 48 1.33x
Gloucestershire 42 5.95x
Essex 21 2.96x
Somerset 14 2.42x
Wiltshire 13 4.08x
Devon 12 1.60x
Berkshire 11 4.07x
Kent 10 0.81x
Suffolk 10 2.28x
Yorkshire 10 0.28x
Sussex 9 1.48x
Durham 8 0.75x
Warwickshire 7 0.77x
Lancashire 6 0.14x
Surrey 6 0.34x
Ayrshire 5 1.86x
Lincolnshire 5 0.87x
Cheshire 4 0.50x
Hampshire 4 0.54x
Monmouthshire 4 1.54x
Angus 3 0.90x
Royal Navy 3 6.99x
Worcestershire 3 0.64x
Fife 2 0.94x
Herefordshire 2 1.36x
Lanarkshire 2 0.17x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.41x
Renfrewshire 2 0.72x
Dorset 1 0.42x
Midlothian 1 0.21x
Northumberland 1 0.19x
Ross-shire 1 1.01x
Staffordshire 1 0.08x
Stirlingshire 1 0.75x
West Lothian 1 1.84x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Southrepps in Norfolk leads with 45 Banes recorded in 1881 and an index of 4205.61x.

Place Total Index
Southrepps 45 4205.61x
Bristol St George 29 88.82x
St Pancras London 11 3.80x
Kensington London 10 5.00x
Northrepps 9 1267.61x
Winkfield 9 200.89x
Hales 8 2424.24x
Swindon 8 32.40x
Aylsham 7 212.77x
Backwell 7 588.24x
Ballingdon Cum Brundon 7 777.78x
Plumstead 7 17.10x
Warwick St Mary 7 88.83x
Clapham 6 13.33x
Pucklechurch 6 377.36x
St George In East London 6 17.72x
Sudbury St Peter 6 250.00x
Ashen 5 1785.71x
Barnsley 5 13.59x
Exeter St Thomas The 5 65.45x
Hammersmith London 5 5.64x
Ingham 5 892.86x
Leyton Low 5 34.63x
Liverpool 5 1.93x
Sutton St Mary 5 91.91x
West Herrington 5 133.33x
Aberystruth 4 17.44x
Bethnal Green London 4 2.56x
Dukinfield 4 10.89x
Exeter St Stephen 4 1025.64x
Hastings St Mary In The 4 30.89x
Kilwinning 4 45.98x
Marlborough St Peter St 4 243.90x
Marshfield 4 211.64x
Stambourne 4 754.72x
Dundee 3 2.41x
Gorleston 3 26.93x
Happisburgh 3 434.78x
Hastings St Andrew 3 138.25x
Horning 3 555.56x
Southampton St Mary 3 6.47x
St Marylebone London 3 1.56x
Beckenham 2 12.46x
Elston 2 357.14x
Hartlepool 2 13.14x
Hereford St Owen 2 41.07x
Hunslet 2 3.60x
Knaresborough 2 35.71x
Norwich St Clement 2 31.15x
Paddington London 2 1.51x
Pilton 2 144.93x
Royal Navy 2 5.46x
Stoke Under Hambdon 2 105.26x
Tormoham 2 6.31x
Trimingham 2 833.33x
Tunstead 2 384.62x
Balfron 1 60.98x
Bradfield 1 357.14x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.06x
Dudley 1 1.75x
Everton 1 0.73x
Exeter St Sidwell 1 5.83x
Hamilton 1 3.08x
Hastings St Clement 1 17.51x
Kincardine 1 54.95x
Kirkliston 1 31.65x
Loddon 1 70.42x
Lyncombe Widcombe 1 6.59x
Old Windsor 1 31.95x
Paisley Middle Church 1 6.16x
Poplar London 1 1.47x
St George Hanover Square 1 1.58x
St Martin In Fields 1 4.64x
Stevenston 1 14.25x
Stowmarket 1 19.72x
Upton On Severn 1 32.47x
Winterborne Came 1 555.56x
Winterbourne 1 25.64x
Wraxall 1 90.09x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 19
Elizabeth 17
Sarah 13
Ellen 8
Louisa 7
Alice 6
Annie 6
Emily 6
Lucy 6
Ann 5
Eliza 5
Harriet 5
Susan 5
Ada 4
Hannah 4
Caroline 3
Florence 3
Harriett 3
Julia 3
Margaret 3
Martha 3
Charlotte 2
Edith 2
Emma 2
Jane 2
Susannah 2
Agnes 1
Amelia 1
Blanche 1
Bridget 1
Catherine 1
Cicely 1
Daisy 1
Ellener 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Florance 1
Georgiana 1
Jessie 1
Kate 1
Lavinia 1
Leah 1
Levinia 1
Lilian 1
Lilin.R. 1
Lilla 1
Louise 1
Lydia 1
Mabel 1
Virtue 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 20
John 18
William 18
James 11
Robert 11
Thomas 10
Charles 7
Albert 4
Alfred 4
Edward 4
Frederick 4
Henry 4
Joseph 4
Richard 4
Harry 3
Arthur 2
David 2
Ernest 2
Gilbert 2
Herbert 2
J. 2
Patrick 2
Walter 2
Will 2
Abraham 1
B.J. 1
Banjiman 1
Benjamin 1
Dick 1
Edgar 1
Fred 1
Fredrick 1
G.A. 1
Geo.M. 1
Jeremiah 1
Llewellin 1
Mark 1
Orchard 1
Richd. 1
Robt 1
Robt. 1
Roland 1
Samuel 1
Stacy 1
Stanley 1
Worthy 1

FAQ

Bane surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bane surname in 1881?

In 1881, 377 people were recorded with the Bane surname. That placed it at #8,309 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bane surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 499 in 2016. That gives Bane a modern rank of #9,997.

What does the Bane surname mean?

A nickname-derived surname referring to a person who caused harm, injury, or ruin to others.

What does the Bane map show?

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