NameCensus.

UK surname

Bar

An occupational surname referring to one who operated or worked in a bar or tavern.

In the 1881 census there were 76 people recorded with the Bar surname, ranking it #22,745 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 196, ranked #19,848, up from #22,745 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Fenland, Barnet and Allerdale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bar is 196 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 157.9%.

1881 census count

76

Ranked #22,745

Modern count

196

2016, ranked #19,848

Peak year

2016

196 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bar had 76 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #22,745 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 196 in 2016, ranked #19,848.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 90 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Bar surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bar surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bar 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 90 #18,317
1881 historical 76 #22,745
1891 historical 13 #33,099
1901 historical 43 #29,380
1997 modern 56 #32,004
1998 modern 54 #32,518
1999 modern 56 #32,461
2000 modern 56 #32,514
2001 modern 51 #32,850
2002 modern 57 #32,661
2003 modern 63 #32,152
2004 modern 71 #31,578
2005 modern 72 #31,730
2006 modern 80 #31,149
2007 modern 89 #30,383
2008 modern 99 #29,181
2009 modern 111 #27,846
2010 modern 121 #27,005
2011 modern 119 #27,063
2012 modern 153 #22,963
2013 modern 158 #22,817
2014 modern 177 #21,340
2015 modern 183 #20,786
2016 modern 196 #19,848

Geography

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Where Bars are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Fenland, Barnet, Allerdale, Uttlesford and Newham. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Fenland 011 Fenland
2 Barnet 019 Barnet
3 Allerdale 003 Allerdale
4 Uttlesford 005 Uttlesford
5 Newham 016 Newham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bar

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bar

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Bar surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Bar 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Bar is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Bar is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bar falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bar is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Bar

The surname "Bar" is believed to have originated in Germany and England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old German word "bero," which means "bear." This word was likely used as a nickname for someone who was considered strong or brave, like a bear. In England, the name may have been derived from the Old English word "bær," which also means "bear."

In the Domesday Book, a census record compiled in 1086 for William the Conqueror, there are listings for individuals with the name "Barre" and "Barra." These spellings suggest that the name was already in use in England by the 11th century.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname "Bar" was Reginald Bar, a Norman knight who accompanied William the Conqueror during the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

In the 13th century, there are records of a family named Bar residing in the village of Barton, located in the county of Staffordshire, England. The name "Barton" is derived from the Old English words "bær" (bear) and "tun" (enclosure or farm), suggesting a connection between the surname and the place name.

A notable individual with the surname "Bar" was Sir Ralph Bar, a 14th-century English knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War against France. He was born in 1337 and died in 1395.

Another prominent figure was William Bar, a 15th-century English scholar and philosopher who lived from 1420 to 1492. He was known for his work in the field of logic and was a fellow of New College, Oxford.

In the 16th century, there was a German artist named Hans Bar, who was born in 1541 and died in 1622. He was known for his intricate woodcarvings and sculpture work.

During the 17th century, a French military officer named Jean Bar gained recognition for his service in the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648). He was born in 1602 and died in 1678.

In the 18th century, a Scottish politician named Alexander Bar served as a member of the British Parliament from 1765 to 1784. He was born in 1725 and died in 1795.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bar families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bar 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. Middlesex leads with 15 Bars recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.37x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 15 2.37x
Essex 10 7.99x
Hampshire 9 6.93x
Devon 4 3.03x
Dorset 4 9.61x
Lanarkshire 4 1.95x
Dunbartonshire 3 17.61x
Lancashire 3 0.40x
Lincolnshire 3 2.96x
Ayrshire 1 2.11x
Berkshire 1 2.10x
Channel Islands 1 5.32x
Derbyshire 1 1.01x
Inverness-shire 1 5.28x
Kent 1 0.46x
Leicestershire 1 1.42x
Staffordshire 1 0.47x
Sussex 1 0.94x
Yorkshire 1 0.16x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aldershot in Hampshire leads with 9 Bars recorded in 1881 and an index of 206.90x.

Place Total Index
Aldershot 9 206.90x
Shoreditch London 7 25.47x
Woodford St Mary 6 4285.71x
Chardstock 4 1379.31x
Old Kilpatrick 3 149.25x
Cambusnethan 2 43.96x
Frodingham 2 555.56x
Lambourne 2 1052.63x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 19.67x
Ashford 1 200.00x
Barony 1 1.93x
Breightmet 1 303.03x
Clerkenwell London 1 6.68x
East Grinstead 1 66.23x
East Ilsley 1 769.23x
Everton 1 4.17x
Exeter St Olave 1 588.24x
Glasgow 1 2.75x
Great Glenn 1 526.32x
Hackney London 1 2.81x
Horkstow 1 1666.67x
Inverness 1 21.01x
Islington London 1 1.63x
Kensington London 1 2.84x
Liverpool 1 2.19x
Marske Near Richmond 1 1666.67x
Mickleover 1 322.58x
Paddington London 1 4.29x
Plymouth Charles The 1 17.21x
Shellow Bowells 1 5000.00x
St Peter Port 1 28.74x
Stevenston 1 80.65x
Upper Penn 1 185.19x
West Ham 1 3.62x
Westminster St James 1 15.34x
Westminster St John 1 12.95x
Wilmington 1 333.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Annie 2
Lucy 2
Mary 2
Susan 2
Ada 1
Amelia 1
Ann 1
Basina 1
Edith 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Florence 1
Helena 1
Ida 1
Isa 1
Isabella 1
Julia 1
Louisa 1
M. 1
Maria 1
Sarah 1
Walter 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 6
William 6
Walter 3
George 2
Alfread 1
Alfred 1
Allexandre 1
Charles 1
Fredk.W. 1
Henery 1
Horace 1
Mark 1
Matthew 1
Prospera 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Thomas 1

FAQ

Bar surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bar surname in 1881?

In 1881, 76 people were recorded with the Bar surname. That placed it at #22,745 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bar surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 196 in 2016. That gives Bar a modern rank of #19,848.

What does the Bar surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to one who operated or worked in a bar or tavern.

What does the Bar map show?

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