UK surname
A variant spelling of the German surname Baren, meaning "bears" or "bearers".
In the 1881 census there were 32 people recorded with the Baren surname, ranking it #29,082 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 50, ranked #34,889, down from #29,082 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Escrick, Hampsthwaite and Skipwith. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Baren is 125 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 56.3%.
1881 census count
32
Ranked #29,082
Modern count
50
2016, ranked #34,889
Peak year
1861
125 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Baren surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Baren surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 49 | #24,448 |
| 1861 | historical | 125 | #17,678 |
| 1881 | historical | 32 | #29,082 |
| 1891 | historical | 62 | #28,991 |
| 1901 | historical | 51 | #28,492 |
| 1911 | historical | 52 | #27,620 |
| 1997 | modern | 45 | #33,168 |
| 1998 | modern | 47 | #33,197 |
| 1999 | modern | 50 | #33,041 |
| 2000 | modern | 50 | #33,087 |
| 2001 | modern | 48 | #33,129 |
| 2002 | modern | 50 | #33,282 |
| 2003 | modern | 47 | #33,619 |
| 2004 | modern | 48 | #33,742 |
| 2005 | modern | 50 | #33,784 |
| 2006 | modern | 56 | #33,587 |
| 2007 | modern | 56 | #33,875 |
| 2008 | modern | 51 | #34,439 |
| 2009 | modern | 54 | #34,431 |
| 2010 | modern | 57 | #34,421 |
| 2011 | modern | 56 | #34,450 |
| 2012 | modern | 56 | #34,510 |
| 2013 | modern | 52 | #34,780 |
| 2014 | modern | 53 | #34,753 |
| 2015 | modern | 49 | #34,946 |
| 2016 | modern | 50 | #34,889 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Escrick, Hampsthwaite, Skipwith, St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles and Selby, Hemingborough (Barlby). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Escrick | Yorkshire, East Riding |
| 2 | Hampsthwaite | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 3 | Skipwith | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 4 | St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles | Yorkshire, East Riding |
| 5 | Selby, Hemingborough (Barlby) | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Baren surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Baren, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Baren surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Baren household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Baren is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Baren is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Baren, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname BAREN is believed to have originated in Germany, likely during the medieval period. It is derived from the German word "bär," meaning "bear," and may have initially referred to someone who worked with bears or had some association with these animals. Alternatively, it could have been a descriptive nickname for someone who possessed bear-like characteristics or lived in an area populated by bears.
The earliest recorded instances of the name BAREN can be traced back to the 13th century in various regions of Germany. It is possible that the name appears in the Codex Diplomatus, a collection of historical documents from the region. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Hans BAREN, a merchant born in Nuremberg in 1425.
During the 16th century, the name BAREN gained prominence in the city of Cologne, where several notable individuals bore this surname. One such person was Gerhard BAREN (1520-1589), a respected lawyer and legal scholar who served as a judge in the city's courts.
In the 17th century, the BAREN family established themselves in the town of Göttingen, where they were involved in the local textile trade. Johann BAREN (1637-1712) was a successful merchant and entrepreneur who played a significant role in the town's economic development.
The 18th century saw the rise of a prominent BAREN family in the city of Hamburg. Friedrich BAREN (1725-1789) was a respected banker and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the city's cultural life. His son, Wilhelm BAREN (1760-1822), followed in his footsteps and became a successful merchant and philanthropist in his own right.
In the 19th century, the BAREN name spread to other parts of Germany and beyond. One notable figure was Karl BAREN (1812-1876), a German-born explorer and naturalist who made significant contributions to the study of flora and fauna in South America.
Throughout history, the BAREN surname has been associated with various professions, including law, commerce, banking, and academia. While the name may have originated as a descriptive nickname, it has evolved into a respected surname that carries a rich heritage and cultural significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Baren surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Yorkshire leads with 26 Barens recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.41x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 26 | 8.41x |
| Nottinghamshire | 2 | 4.76x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 4.65x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.94x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.99x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.27x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Skipwith in Yorkshire leads with 9 Barens recorded in 1881 and an index of 30000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Skipwith | 9 | 30000.00x |
| Spofforth | 5 | 12500.00x |
| Huntington | 4 | 6666.67x |
| York St Sampson | 4 | 5714.29x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 2 | 18.38x |
| Tollerton | 2 | 4000.00x |
| Ardwick | 1 | 29.94x |
| Barony | 1 | 3.92x |
| Bishop Stortford | 1 | 138.89x |
| Greenwich | 1 | 20.12x |
| Spofforth Cum Stockeld | 1 | 2000.00x |
| York St Giles In | 1 | 344.83x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Baren surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Baren surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Baren households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 6 |
| Farmers Daur | 3 |
| Farm Labourer | 2 |
| Farmers Son | 2 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Costermonger | 1 |
| Eating House Keeper | 1 |
| Farmer 197 Emp 2 Men | 1 |
| Farmer Of 30 A (1 Boy) | 1 |
| Groom (N D) | 1 |
| Milkman And Farmer 42 Acres | 1 |
| Servant Domestic | 1 |
| Weaver (C) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 32 people were recorded with the Baren surname. That placed it at #29,082 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 50 in 2016. That gives Baren a modern rank of #34,889.
A variant spelling of the German surname Baren, meaning "bears" or "bearers".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Baren bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.