NameCensus.

UK surname

Barnby

From a place name meaning a barn village or a farmstead settlement.

In the 1881 census there were 272 people recorded with the Barnby surname, ranking it #10,409 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 214, ranked #18,740, down from #10,409 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hull Holy Trinity, Nafferton and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Torfaen, Thurrock and Isle of Wight.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Barnby is 272 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 21.3%.

1881 census count

272

Ranked #10,409

Modern count

214

2016, ranked #18,740

Peak year

1881

272 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Barnby had 272 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,409 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 214 in 2016, ranked #18,740.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 272 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Barnby surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Barnby surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Barnby 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 171 #11,730
1861 historical 226 #10,797
1881 historical 272 #10,409
1891 historical 257 #12,476
1901 historical 270 #12,492
1911 historical 253 #12,776
1997 modern 233 #15,975
1998 modern 244 #15,947
1999 modern 266 #15,150
2000 modern 269 #14,983
2001 modern 268 #14,812
2002 modern 265 #15,197
2003 modern 257 #15,341
2004 modern 262 #15,233
2005 modern 256 #15,407
2006 modern 240 #16,177
2007 modern 239 #16,449
2008 modern 242 #16,432
2009 modern 245 #16,646
2010 modern 248 #16,886
2011 modern 237 #17,235
2012 modern 232 #17,401
2013 modern 228 #17,864
2014 modern 219 #18,523
2015 modern 211 #18,906
2016 modern 214 #18,740

Geography

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Where Barnbys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hull Holy Trinity, Nafferton, London parishes, St Anne Limehouse and Llanfihangel Llantarnam. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Torfaen, Thurrock, Isle of Wight and Kirklees. 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 Hull Holy Trinity Yorkshire, East Riding
2 Nafferton Yorkshire, East Riding
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Anne Limehouse London (East Districts)
5 Llanfihangel Llantarnam Monmouthshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Torfaen 009 Torfaen
2 Thurrock 018 Thurrock
3 Isle of Wight 012 Isle of Wight
4 Torfaen 007 Torfaen
5 Kirklees 035 Kirklees

Forenames

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First names often paired with Barnby

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Barnby

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Barnby surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Barnby household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Barnby 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

Barnby is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Barnby 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 Barnby 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Barnby

The surname Barnby is of English origin, derived from the Old English words "beam" meaning barn and "by" meaning a settlement or town. This indicates that the name likely originated from a place named Barnby, referring to a settlement or village with a prominent barn or granary.

The earliest recorded instances of the Barnby surname can be traced back to the 12th century in various regions of England, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire. It appeared in documents such as the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1166 and the Feet of Fines for Yorkshire in 1208, indicating its presence among the landed gentry and property owners of the time.

One of the earliest known bearers of the Barnby name was Roger de Barnby, who was mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire in 1246. The Barnby surname can also be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a survey of landowners in England, further solidifying its connection to landed estates and villages bearing the name Barnby.

In the 14th century, the Barnby surname appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1301, indicating its presence among taxpayers of the region. One notable figure from this time was John de Barnby, a clergyman who served as the Rector of Holton in Lincolnshire in the early 1300s.

During the 16th century, the Barnby surname gained prominence with the birth of Godfrey Barnby (1530-1609), an English composer and organist who served at the Chapel Royal under Queen Elizabeth I. His son, John Barnby (1563-1624), followed in his footsteps as a renowned composer and organist.

The 17th century saw the birth of another notable figure, Benjamin Barnby (1638-1718), a prominent Puritan minister and author who served as the Rector of Waddington in Lincolnshire. His works, including "The Faithful Shepherd" and "The Penitent Pardoned," were widely circulated during his lifetime.

In the 19th century, Sir Joseph Barnby (1838-1896) was a distinguished English composer, conductor, and music educator. He served as the precentor and director of music at Eton College and later became the principal of the Guildhall School of Music in London.

These examples demonstrate the long-standing presence of the Barnby surname in various regions of England, with connections to landed estates, the clergy, and the arts. The name's origins can be traced back to the Old English words that reflect the historical significance of barns and settlements in the early development of English society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Barnby families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Barnby 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. Yorkshire leads with 140 Barnbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.32x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 140 5.32x
Middlesex 41 1.55x
Norfolk 17 4.17x
Lancashire 13 0.41x
Durham 11 1.39x
Sussex 10 2.24x
Buckinghamshire 8 4.99x
Warwickshire 7 1.05x
Berkshire 5 2.51x
Lincolnshire 4 0.94x
Monmouthshire 4 2.09x
Cheshire 3 0.51x
Kent 3 0.33x
Surrey 3 0.23x
Northumberland 2 0.51x
Denbighshire 1 1.00x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sculcoates in Yorkshire leads with 25 Barnbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 59.98x.

Place Total Index
Sculcoates 25 59.98x
Holy Trinity 17 26.88x
Islington London 17 6.61x
Wansford 16 8421.05x
Great Yarmouth 15 44.39x
Limehouse London 13 44.63x
Stockton On Tees 11 28.91x
Cottingham 10 176.37x
Eastdean 10 3846.15x
Holy Trinity St Mary 9 225.00x
Fraisthorpe 8 8888.89x
York Marygate St Olave 8 792.08x
Birmingham 7 3.14x
Bradford 7 11.00x
Bradfield 5 476.19x
Everton 5 4.98x
Preston 5 5.94x
Clerkenwell London 4 6.39x
Eton 4 109.89x
Market Weighton Arras 4 233.92x
Monmouth 4 78.59x
Upton Cum Chalvey 4 62.60x
Bridlington 3 49.83x
Cheadle 3 26.81x
Leeds 3 2.02x
Lewisham 3 6.22x
North Bierley 3 21.13x
Southcoates 3 20.55x
St George Hanover Square 3 6.42x
St Pancras London 3 1.40x
Beverley St Mary 2 52.08x
Folkton 2 1428.57x
Hexham West Quarter 2 1000.00x
Pannal 2 79.37x
Sheffield 2 2.39x
Soothill 2 21.05x
St Peterin Eastgate 2 152.67x
Wyke In Bradford 2 42.55x
York St Maurice 2 40.40x
Barrow In Furness 1 2.34x
Bintree 1 238.10x
Camberwell 1 0.59x
Carnaby 1 625.00x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 2.00x
Godalming 1 12.29x
Hackney London 1 0.67x
Hunslet 1 2.44x
Hunsworth 1 72.46x
Lakenham 1 17.24x
Metheringham 1 59.17x
Millington W Little 1 588.24x
Poulton Barre 1 27.93x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 1.87x
St Swithin Lincoln 1 14.99x
Stokesley 1 60.98x
Sutton Stoneferry 1 13.30x
Walkington 1 112.36x
Watton 1 344.83x
Wrexham Regis 1 13.44x
York Mint Yard St 1 434.78x
York St Mary Castlegate 1 129.87x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 14
Jane 9
Martha 8
Elizabeth 7
Sarah 6
Ada 5
Annie 5
Edith 4
Hannah 4
Maria 4
Alice 3
Ann 3
Emma 3
Harriet 3
Rebecca 3
Rose 3
Agnes 2
Anne 2
Charlotte 2
Ellen 2
Jessie 2
Margaret 2
Catherine 1
Cecily 1
Clara 1
Dinah 1
Elina 1
Eliza 1
Elizth. 1
Emily 1
Ester 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Evvid 1
Fanny 1
Frederica 1
Henrietta 1
Hilda 1
Isabella 1
Jemina 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Lettie 1
Louis 1
Louisa 1
Lucey 1
Lucy 1
Maretta 1
Margarett 1
Selina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 17
Thomas 17
William 11
Henry 10
Charles 8
James 8
George 6
Frederick 5
Herbert 4
Robert 4
Edward 3
Arthur 2
Chesman 2
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Harold 2
Harry 2
Joseph 2
Percy 2
Richard 2
Timothy 2
Albert 1
Alfred 1
David 1
Edger 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Fredk.W. 1
Fredrick 1
Johnathan 1
Laurence 1
Louis 1
Michael 1
Reginal 1
Samuel 1
Stephen 1
Sydney 1
Tom 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Barnby surname: questions and answers

How common was the Barnby surname in 1881?

In 1881, 272 people were recorded with the Barnby surname. That placed it at #10,409 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Barnby surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 214 in 2016. That gives Barnby a modern rank of #18,740.

What does the Barnby surname mean?

From a place name meaning a barn village or a farmstead settlement.

What does the Barnby map show?

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