NameCensus.

UK surname

Baran

A Polish or Jewish surname derived from the word "baran," meaning "ram" or "battering ram."

In the 1881 census there were 9 people recorded with the Baran surname, ranking it #32,416 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 787, ranked #7,014, up from #32,416 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bournemouth, Kensington and Chelsea and Rochdale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Baran is 787 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 8644.4%.

1881 census count

9

Ranked #32,416

Modern count

787

2016, ranked #7,014

Peak year

2016

787 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Baran had 9 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,416 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 787 in 2016, ranked #7,014.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 58 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Baran surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Baran surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Baran 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 50 #24,274
1861 historical 58 #26,585
1881 historical 9 #32,416
1891 historical 17 #32,787
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1911 historical 10 #32,609
1997 modern 218 #16,704
1998 modern 234 #16,404
1999 modern 239 #16,268
2000 modern 246 #15,914
2001 modern 241 #15,870
2002 modern 250 #15,819
2003 modern 249 #15,653
2004 modern 282 #14,451
2005 modern 316 #13,351
2006 modern 379 #11,688
2007 modern 432 #10,682
2008 modern 496 #9,694
2009 modern 547 #9,215
2010 modern 606 #8,723
2011 modern 604 #8,647
2012 modern 680 #7,794
2013 modern 721 #7,570
2014 modern 763 #7,263
2015 modern 776 #7,111
2016 modern 787 #7,014

Geography

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Where Barans 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 Bournemouth, Kensington and Chelsea, Rochdale, Cherwell and Shropshire. 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 Bournemouth 021 Bournemouth
2 Kensington and Chelsea 007 Kensington and Chelsea
3 Rochdale 016 Rochdale
4 Cherwell 004 Cherwell
5 Shropshire 003 Shropshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Baran

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Baran

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Baran surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Baran household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Baran is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Baran 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

Baran 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 Baran 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Baran

The surname Baran originated in Poland and has its roots in the Slavic languages. It is derived from the word "baran," which means "ram" or "male sheep." The name is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century, and was likely initially used as a descriptive surname for someone who worked with sheep or had a physical resemblance to a ram.

In its early history, the name Baran was commonly found in regions of Poland, such as Lesser Poland, Silesia, and the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. It also spread to neighboring countries like Belarus, Ukraine, and Lithuania, where it took on slightly different spellings like Baran or Baranas.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Baran can be found in the Liber Beneficiorum, a 14th-century manuscript compiled by Jan Długosz, a Polish priest and historian. This document was a comprehensive record of church properties and their beneficiaries, including individuals with the surname Baran.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Baran. One example is Wincenty Baran (1889-1946), a Polish military officer and politician who served as the Minister of Public Security in the Polish government-in-exile during World War II. Another prominent figure is Stanisław Baran (1940-2014), a Polish writer and journalist known for his works on history and politics.

In the realm of sports, Władysław Baran (1910-1981) was a Polish footballer who played as a midfielder for several clubs, including Cracovia and Wisła Kraków, and represented the Polish national team in the 1930s. Mieczysław Baran (1901-1993) was a Polish athlete who competed in the long jump and triple jump events at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Moving to the arts, Stanisław Baran (1933-2014) was a Polish sculptor and academic, best known for his monumental public sculptures and works in bronze and stone. His sculptures can be found in various cities throughout Poland and other countries.

While the surname Baran has its roots in Poland and the Slavic languages, it has also been adopted by individuals of other nationalities and ethnicities over time, further contributing to its diverse history and global presence.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Baran families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Baran 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. Lancashire leads with 5 Barans recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.33x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 5 4.33x
Gloucestershire 1 5.24x
Roxburghshire 1 56.82x
Royal Navy 1 86.21x
Surrey 1 2.11x
Yorkshire 1 1.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Accrington in Lancashire leads with 5 Barans recorded in 1881 and an index of 476.19x.

Place Total Index
Accrington 5 476.19x
Charlton Kings 1 769.23x
Holy Trinity 1 43.10x
Lambeth 1 11.79x
Lilliesleaf 1 5000.00x
Royal Navy 1 101.01x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 2
Ann 1
Elizabeth 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 2
Robert 1
Spindicus 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Baran households.

FAQ

Baran surname: questions and answers

How common was the Baran surname in 1881?

In 1881, 9 people were recorded with the Baran surname. That placed it at #32,416 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Baran surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 787 in 2016. That gives Baran a modern rank of #7,014.

What does the Baran surname mean?

A Polish or Jewish surname derived from the word "baran," meaning "ram" or "battering ram."

What does the Baran map show?

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