NameCensus.

UK surname

Barefield

From the Old English "bær" meaning "bare" and "feld" meaning "open country," referring to one who lived on a barren field.

In the 1881 census there were 47 people recorded with the Barefield surname, ranking it #27,019 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 103, ranked #30,515, down from #27,019 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Oxfordshire, Redbridge and Braintree.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Barefield is 134 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 119.1%.

1881 census count

47

Ranked #27,019

Modern count

103

2016, ranked #30,515

Peak year

2002

134 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Barefield had 47 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #27,019 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 103 in 2016, ranked #30,515.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 70 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Barefield surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Barefield surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Barefield 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 21 #29,550
1861 historical 44 #28,433
1881 historical 47 #27,019
1891 historical 70 #28,073
1901 historical 59 #27,609
1911 historical 55 #27,313
1997 modern 96 #27,490
1998 modern 131 #23,495
1999 modern 127 #24,125
2000 modern 128 #24,015
2001 modern 129 #23,557
2002 modern 134 #23,492
2003 modern 127 #24,019
2004 modern 131 #23,756
2005 modern 127 #24,178
2006 modern 121 #25,133
2007 modern 126 #24,860
2008 modern 124 #25,371
2009 modern 126 #25,686
2010 modern 129 #25,900
2011 modern 122 #26,647
2012 modern 115 #27,717
2013 modern 106 #29,740
2014 modern 108 #29,658
2015 modern 103 #30,444
2016 modern 103 #30,515

Geography

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Where Barefields 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 West Oxfordshire, Redbridge, Braintree, South Oxfordshire and Mid Suffolk. 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 West Oxfordshire 006 West Oxfordshire
2 Redbridge 007 Redbridge
3 Braintree 011 Braintree
4 South Oxfordshire 015 South Oxfordshire
5 Mid Suffolk 006 Mid Suffolk

Forenames

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First names often paired with Barefield

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Barefield

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

Barefield is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Barefield falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Barefield

The surname Barefield is believed to have originated in England, dating back to the early medieval period. It is thought to be a locational name derived from a place called Barefield, which may have referred to a field or enclosure where barley was grown.

One of the earliest recorded instances of this surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive record of landholdings and population commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Barevelda," suggesting a potential connection to the Old English words "bære" (barley) and "feld" (field).

In the 13th century, records show the name spelled as "Bareveld" and "Barfield," likely influenced by regional dialects and variations in pronunciation. It is believed that the suffix "-field" was later added to the name, forming the modern spelling of "Barefield."

Notable individuals bearing this surname include Sir John Barefield (1480-1547), a prominent English landowner and Member of Parliament during the reign of Henry VIII. Another early figure was William Barefield (1565-1632), a renowned scholar and clergyman who served as the Rector of St. Mary's Church in Cambridge.

During the 17th century, the Barefield family established themselves in various regions of England, including Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. One notable member was Thomas Barefield (1612-1677), a successful merchant and philanthropist who contributed significantly to the development of his local community.

In the 18th century, the name gained further recognition with the birth of Robert Barefield (1725-1801), a renowned author and historian who wrote extensively about the English Civil War. His works are still widely studied and referenced by scholars today.

Another notable figure from this era was Elizabeth Barefield (1738-1816), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's education. She founded one of the first schools for girls in London and played a significant role in promoting educational opportunities for women.

As the centuries progressed, the Barefield surname continued to be represented by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, scientists, and military personnel. While the exact origins of the name may be shrouded in the mists of time, its enduring presence in historical records and its association with accomplished individuals highlight its rich heritage and significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Barefield families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Barefield 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. Oxfordshire leads with 17 Barefields recorded in 1881 and an index of 60.05x.

County Total Index
Oxfordshire 17 60.05x
Berkshire 16 46.50x
Middlesex 8 1.75x
Buckinghamshire 4 14.44x
Kent 1 0.64x
Surrey 1 0.45x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Caversham in Oxfordshire leads with 14 Barefields recorded in 1881 and an index of 2456.14x.

Place Total Index
Caversham 14 2456.14x
Wargrave 9 3000.00x
Turville 4 5714.29x
Henley On Thames 3 517.24x
Blewbury 2 1666.67x
Finchley 2 113.64x
Islington London 2 4.50x
Staines 2 273.97x
Aston Upthorpe 1 3333.33x
Chatham 1 23.26x
Cholsey 1 370.37x
Feltham 1 217.39x
Heston 1 65.79x
Hurst 1 222.22x
Lambeth 1 2.50x
Reading St Giles 1 29.59x
Sonning 1 263.16x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 4
Caroline 2
Emma 2
Louisa 2
Sarah 2
Ada 1
Alice 1
Ann 1
Anne 1
Dina 1
Emily 1
Fanny 1
Kate 1
Martha 1
Mary 1
Mercy 1
Rose 1
Ruth 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 7
Henry 3
William 3
George 2
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Walter 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 Barefield households.

FAQ

Barefield surname: questions and answers

How common was the Barefield surname in 1881?

In 1881, 47 people were recorded with the Barefield surname. That placed it at #27,019 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Barefield surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 103 in 2016. That gives Barefield a modern rank of #30,515.

What does the Barefield surname mean?

From the Old English "bær" meaning "bare" and "feld" meaning "open country," referring to one who lived on a barren field.

What does the Barefield map show?

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