NameCensus.

UK surname

Barness

A surname derived from a geographical location, likely referring to a place with an exposed or bare landscape.

In the 1881 census there were 19 people recorded with the Barness surname, ranking it #30,872 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 48, ranked #35,004, down from #30,872 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Gateshead, Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner and Southampton St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lewisham, Neath Port Talbot and Thurrock.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Barness is 223 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 152.6%.

1881 census count

19

Ranked #30,872

Modern count

48

2016, ranked #35,004

Peak year

1861

223 bearers

Map years

3

1861 to 1911

Key insights

  • Barness had 19 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,872 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 48 in 2016, ranked #35,004.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 223 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Barness surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Barness surname density by area, 1911 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Barness 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 64 #21,914
1861 historical 223 #10,942
1881 historical 19 #30,872
1891 historical 177 #16,330
1901 historical 64 #27,010
1911 historical 142 #18,487
1997 modern 109 #25,650
1998 modern 92 #28,680
1999 modern 83 #29,823
2000 modern 70 #31,180
2001 modern 61 #31,891
2002 modern 55 #32,831
2003 modern 50 #33,362
2004 modern 48 #33,742
2005 modern 45 #34,160
2006 modern 46 #34,415
2007 modern 50 #34,347
2008 modern 50 #34,521
2009 modern 46 #34,918
2010 modern 49 #34,886
2011 modern 45 #35,112
2012 modern 43 #35,224
2013 modern 45 #35,167
2014 modern 48 #35,041
2015 modern 50 #34,886
2016 modern 48 #35,004

Geography

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Where Barness' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Gateshead, Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner, Southampton St Mary, Egremont and Braunton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Lewisham, Neath Port Talbot, Thurrock and Swansea. 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 Gateshead Durham
2 Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner Hampshire
3 Southampton St Mary Hampshire
4 Egremont Cumberland
5 Braunton Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Lewisham 012 Lewisham
2 Neath Port Talbot 013 Neath Port Talbot
3 Thurrock 012 Thurrock
4 Thurrock 016 Thurrock
5 Swansea 012 Swansea

Forenames

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First names often paired with Barness

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Barness

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Central and City

Within London, Barness is most associated with areas classed as Central and City, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 high density central neighbourhoods are characterised by high levels of residential turnover. Few children are in evidence. Few individuals experience live with disability, with many in full-time employment or study. Levels of separation or divorce are low relative to the Supergroup average. The workforce is well-educated but not in the top flight of managerial occupations. Levels of affiliation to non-Christian religions are high.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Barness is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Barness falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Barness

The surname Barness finds its origins primarily in England, with early appearances dating back to the medieval period. This surname likely emerged during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, around the time of the Domesday Book, which was completed in 1086. The regions where the name Barness initially appeared include counties such as Yorkshire and Lancashire, areas known for their historical significance and dense population during medieval times.

The surname Barness derives from older English words and terms. It seems to be a variant of the surname Barnes, which means "from the barns" or relates to someone who worked on or lived near a barn. The old English term "bern" or the Middle English "bern" signifies a barn, and adding the suffix "-ess" could indicate a possessive form, denoting "of the barn." There are similar spellings like Barnis, Berness, and Barneis found in ancient manuscripts and legal documents.

Historical references to the surname Barness appear in various records and charters. One of the earliest recorded instances is from the 13th century, where a John de Barness is mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire in 1279. This suggests the name was already established by then, ensuring its presence in medieval society. Another early reference includes William Barness, who appears in the Poll Tax Records of Yorkshire in 1379.

Several individuals bearing the surname Barness have made notable contributions to history. William Barness, born around 1485, was an early English settler contributing to the colonization efforts in the New World during the 16th century. Jane Barness, born circa 1572 and known to have lived in Lancashire, was a notable figure due to her association with local land disputes documented in court records.

In the artistic realm, Thomas Barness, born in 1670 and deceased in 1735, was a celebrated English painter known for his contributions to the Baroque artistic movement. His works are documented in numerous art history texts and are revered for their distinctive style and technique that embodied the essence of the period.

In the realm of politics and governance, Sir Edward Barness, born in 1785 and passed away in 1852, was a prominent British parliamentary figure known for his advocacy for civil liberties and reforms in the early 19th century. His efforts and legislative contributions were pivotal during the Reform Act of 1832, which sought to make the parliamentary system more representative.

Through its evolution, the surname Barness reflects a fascinating interplay of language, culture, and history. Its bearers have contributed to various facets of society, making the name a significant marker of historical relevance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Barness families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Barness 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 5 Barness' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.72x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 5 2.72x
Derbyshire 3 10.34x
Devon 3 7.78x
Surrey 3 3.32x
Lancashire 2 0.91x
Huntingdonshire 1 27.17x
Kent 1 1.58x
Middlesex 1 0.54x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Eyam in Derbyshire leads with 3 Barness' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3750.00x.

Place Total Index
Eyam 3 3750.00x
Barnstaple 2 327.87x
Great Crosby 2 333.33x
Sculcoates 2 68.73x
Southcoates 2 196.08x
Bermondsey 1 18.15x
Deptford St Paul 1 20.53x
Huddersfield 1 37.45x
Lambeth 1 6.19x
Ramsey 1 344.83x
Richmond 1 79.37x
St Marylebone London 1 10.11x
Withycombe Rawleigh 1 500.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Maria 2
Anne 1
Caroline 1
Eliz. 1
Elizabeth 1
Hannah 1
Mary 1
Rebecca 1
Rose 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 2
Augustus 1
Edward 1
George 1
Henry 1
James 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 Barness households.

FAQ

Barness surname: questions and answers

How common was the Barness surname in 1881?

In 1881, 19 people were recorded with the Barness surname. That placed it at #30,872 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Barness surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 48 in 2016. That gives Barness a modern rank of #35,004.

What does the Barness surname mean?

A surname derived from a geographical location, likely referring to a place with an exposed or bare landscape.

What does the Barness map show?

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