NameCensus.

UK surname

Barnish

An English habitational surname possibly derived from a place name meaning 'barn-shaped hill'.

In the 1881 census there were 126 people recorded with the Barnish surname, ranking it #17,245 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 176, ranked #21,298, down from #17,245 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Kirkham and Wolstanton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bassetlaw, Chorley and Wyre.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Barnish is 204 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 39.7%.

1881 census count

126

Ranked #17,245

Modern count

176

2016, ranked #21,298

Peak year

1891

204 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Barnish had 126 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #17,245 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 176 in 2016, ranked #21,298.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 204 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Barnish surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Barnish surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Barnish 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 125 #14,700
1861 historical 142 #15,982
1881 historical 126 #17,245
1891 historical 204 #14,702
1901 historical 202 #15,010
1911 historical 200 #14,960
1997 modern 176 #19,091
1998 modern 196 #18,342
1999 modern 200 #18,237
2000 modern 199 #18,278
2001 modern 198 #18,047
2002 modern 203 #18,115
2003 modern 196 #18,358
2004 modern 197 #18,368
2005 modern 190 #18,753
2006 modern 189 #18,961
2007 modern 188 #19,204
2008 modern 184 #19,666
2009 modern 181 #20,277
2010 modern 183 #20,586
2011 modern 187 #20,132
2012 modern 170 #21,379
2013 modern 173 #21,486
2014 modern 174 #21,561
2015 modern 175 #21,372
2016 modern 176 #21,298

Geography

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Where Barnishs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Kirkham, Wolstanton, Burslem and Leigh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bassetlaw, Chorley, Wyre and Newcastle-under-Lyme. 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 Rochdale Lancashire
2 Kirkham Lancashire
3 Wolstanton Staffordshire
4 Burslem Staffordshire
5 Leigh Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bassetlaw 016 Bassetlaw
2 Bassetlaw 004 Bassetlaw
3 Chorley 003 Chorley
4 Wyre 009 Wyre
5 Newcastle-under-Lyme 013 Newcastle-under-Lyme

Forenames

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First names often paired with Barnish

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Barnish

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Barnish, 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 Barnish surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Barnish 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Barnish is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Barnish is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Barnish 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 Barnish 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 Barnish, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Barnish

The surname Barnish has its origins in England, where it first appeared in the late 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "byrne," which means "a stream or brook," and the suffix "-ish," indicating a place of origin. This suggests that the name was initially used to refer to individuals who resided near a stream or brook.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Barnish can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire from 1197, which mention a person named William Barnish. In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, including Barnisshe, Barnyssh, and Bernish, reflecting the variations in spelling that were common during that time.

The Barnish surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. In the 15th century, records mention a John Barnish, a merchant from Bristol, who was involved in the wool trade. Later, in the 17th century, a Richard Barnish (1620-1692) was a prominent Puritan minister in Staffordshire, known for his religious writings and sermons.

During the 18th century, the name Barnish was found in various parts of England, including Yorkshire, Gloucestershire, and Devon. One notable figure from this period was Thomas Barnish (1736-1818), a successful businessman and landowner from Gloucestershire, who left a substantial estate upon his death.

In the 19th century, the Barnish surname continued to spread throughout England and beyond. One prominent individual was William Barnish (1825-1892), a British naval officer who served in the Crimean War and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery during the Battle of Sebastopol in 1855.

While the surname Barnish has its roots in England, it has since been carried to various parts of the world through migration and exploration. Today, people bearing this name can be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, among others.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Barnish families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Barnish 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 92 Barnishs recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.36x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 92 6.36x
Staffordshire 24 5.83x
Cheshire 3 1.11x
Devon 3 1.18x
Derbyshire 2 1.05x
Yorkshire 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Spotland in Lancashire leads with 34 Barnishs recorded in 1881 and an index of 211.44x.

Place Total Index
Spotland 34 211.44x
Wardleworth 11 133.01x
Atherton 9 170.78x
Bury 8 48.43x
Newcastle Under Lyme 8 109.89x
Castleton 7 48.44x
Medlar With Wesham 7 1627.91x
Wolstanton 7 56.00x
Accrington 5 38.02x
Wigan 5 24.73x
Caverswall 3 140.19x
Elton 3 60.00x
Stoke Upon Trent 3 6.87x
Wolstanton Knutton 3 119.52x
Newton Abbot St Mary 2 93.90x
Newton In Ashton Under 2 75.19x
Childwall 1 1250.00x
Greasbrough 1 62.50x
Heap 1 13.04x
Kingskerswell 1 238.10x
Knowsley 1 192.31x
Mark Eaton 1 344.83x
Monks Coppenhall 1 9.85x
Whittington 1 37.88x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 18
Mary 10
Elizabeth 8
Alice 5
Ellen 4
Ann 3
Jane 3
Betty 2
Fanny 2
Hannah 2
Ada 1
Betsy 1
Clar 1
Clara 1
Dorothy 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Emma 1
James 1
John 1
Louise 1
Malial 1
Maria 1
Prudence 1
Sarahann 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Barnish surname: questions and answers

How common was the Barnish surname in 1881?

In 1881, 126 people were recorded with the Barnish surname. That placed it at #17,245 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Barnish surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 176 in 2016. That gives Barnish a modern rank of #21,298.

What does the Barnish surname mean?

An English habitational surname possibly derived from a place name meaning 'barn-shaped hill'.

What does the Barnish map show?

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