NameCensus.

UK surname

Barritt

An English surname transferred from a place name in Oxfordshire.

In the 1881 census there were 784 people recorded with the Barritt surname, ranking it #4,738 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 752, ranked #7,274, down from #4,738 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Walgrave, Halifax and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Pendle, Daventry and Bradford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Barritt is 1,133 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 4.1%.

1881 census count

784

Ranked #4,738

Modern count

752

2016, ranked #7,274

Peak year

1911

1,133 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Barritt had 784 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,738 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 752 in 2016, ranked #7,274.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,133 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Barritt surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Barritt surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Barritt 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 720 #3,636
1861 historical 950 #2,918
1881 historical 784 #4,738
1891 historical 1,053 #3,981
1901 historical 1,118 #4,329
1911 historical 1,133 #4,111
1997 modern 866 #6,148
1998 modern 890 #6,212
1999 modern 890 #6,257
2000 modern 891 #6,223
2001 modern 861 #6,273
2002 modern 862 #6,401
2003 modern 827 #6,471
2004 modern 856 #6,315
2005 modern 844 #6,340
2006 modern 823 #6,476
2007 modern 823 #6,540
2008 modern 809 #6,681
2009 modern 843 #6,604
2010 modern 870 #6,574
2011 modern 841 #6,670
2012 modern 804 #6,806
2013 modern 798 #6,973
2014 modern 800 #7,001
2015 modern 778 #7,096
2016 modern 752 #7,274

Geography

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Where Barritts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Walgrave, Halifax, London parishes and West Ham,Wanstead. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Pendle, Daventry, Bradford, Redcar and Cleveland and Cornwall. 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 Walgrave Northamptonshire
2 Halifax Yorkshire, West Riding
3 London parishes London 3
4 London parishes London 2
5 West Ham,Wanstead Essex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Pendle 006 Pendle
2 Daventry 005 Daventry
3 Bradford 002 Bradford
4 Redcar and Cleveland 006 Redcar and Cleveland
5 Cornwall 032 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Barritt

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Barritt

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Barritt surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Barritt household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Barritt is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Barritt 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

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

Meaning and origin of Barritt

The surname Barritt is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the medieval era, specifically in the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "bær" meaning "boar" and "hryth" or "hriþ" signifying a "clearing" or "wood." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a clearing frequented by wild boars.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Barthrid." This historical document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, served as a comprehensive survey of landholdings and taxation across England. The inclusion of the name in this record highlights its antiquity and presence in the region during the 11th century.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Barhird," "Barehird," and "Barehurst," reflecting the linguistic evolution and regional variations in spelling. These variations often stemmed from the influence of local dialects and the interpretation of scribes who recorded the names.

Notably, the name Barritt has been associated with several individuals throughout history. One prominent figure was Sir William Barritt (1554-1612), an English merchant and politician who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1612. Another notable bearer of the name was John Barritt (1734-1809), a successful industrialist and ironmaster from Staffordshire.

Other individuals with the surname Barritt include: 1. Thomas Barritt (1743-1825), an English painter known for his landscapes and portraits. 2. Sarah Barritt (1798-1880), a British author and poet, renowned for her work on children's literature. 3. William Barritt (1800-1879), a renowned English architect who designed several churches and public buildings in Liverpool. 4. Henry Barritt (1856-1932), a British politician and Member of Parliament for the constituency of Stratford-upon-Avon. 5. Marjorie Barritt (1892-1979), a British actress and playwright who performed on the London stage during the early 20th century.

While the surname Barritt has evolved over centuries, its origins and early recorded instances provide a glimpse into the rich history and heritage associated with this name, which continues to be carried by individuals worldwide.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Barritt families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Barritt 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 206 Barritts recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.72x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 206 2.72x
Lancashire 181 2.00x
Essex 67 4.44x
Northamptonshire 66 9.19x
Middlesex 61 0.80x
Surrey 48 1.29x
Suffolk 35 3.76x
Norfolk 28 2.38x
Lincolnshire 21 1.72x
Durham 15 0.66x
Staffordshire 13 0.50x
Dorset 5 1.00x
Hertfordshire 5 0.95x
Huntingdonshire 5 3.30x
Kent 5 0.19x
Leicestershire 4 0.47x
Oxfordshire 4 0.85x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.29x
Somerset 2 0.16x
Berkshire 1 0.17x
Cornwall 1 0.12x
Gloucestershire 1 0.07x
Northumberland 1 0.09x
Royal Navy 1 1.10x
Rutland 1 1.78x
Sussex 1 0.08x
Warwickshire 1 0.05x
Westmorland 1 0.60x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Walgrave in Northamptonshire leads with 37 Barritts recorded in 1881 and an index of 2341.77x.

Place Total Index
Walgrave 37 2341.77x
Foulridge 26 1125.54x
Stansfield 25 89.77x
Habergham Eaves 21 25.35x
Burnley 19 24.89x
Colne 18 66.67x
Langfield 17 128.40x
Heptonstall 16 150.66x
Kildwick 16 232.22x
St Pancras London 14 2.28x
Sutton In Keighley 13 303.03x
Scriven Cum Tentergate 11 391.46x
Stebbing 11 376.71x
Cheetham 9 13.31x
Farnworth 9 16.57x
Haughley 9 387.93x
Hilgay 9 203.62x
Islington London 9 1.22x
Southcoates 9 21.42x
Southwark St John 9 38.53x
Ardwick 8 9.79x
Clapham 8 8.38x
Glusburn 8 187.35x
Great Baddow 8 149.25x
Louth 8 28.58x
Lynesack Softley 8 130.29x
Northampton Priory St 8 18.56x
Stoke Upon Trent 8 2.93x
Todmorden Walsden 8 32.95x
Trawden 8 141.09x
Accrington 7 8.50x
Bingley 7 14.52x
Bradford 7 3.82x
Burley In Wharfdale 7 104.79x
Bury 7 6.76x
Croydon 7 3.39x
Kingsthorpe 7 87.72x
Woodford 7 175.44x
Bawdeswell 6 512.82x
Clerkenwell London 6 3.33x
Cononley 6 276.50x
Fring 6 1333.33x
Ipswich St Margaret 6 19.01x
Kensington London 6 1.41x
Middlesbrough 6 6.09x
Otley 6 32.64x
Pendleton In Salford 6 5.56x
Salford 6 2.25x
Stamford All Sts 6 87.72x
Stamford St George 6 109.29x
Tottington Higher End 6 58.14x
Wadsworth 6 48.70x
Ashwell 5 121.07x
Bermondsey 5 2.20x
Bethnal Green London 5 1.51x
Camberwell 5 1.02x
Carlton Colville 5 146.63x
Copford 5 289.02x
Debenham 5 161.81x
East Donyland 5 137.74x
Gillingham 5 58.07x
Greenstead 5 227.27x
Guisbrough 5 30.23x
Holy Trinity 5 2.75x
Horninglow 5 41.19x
Lambeth 5 0.75x
Layer Marney 5 675.68x
Manchester 5 1.23x
Ringstead 5 200.00x
St Neots 5 60.68x
Barlestone 4 216.22x
Chilworth 4 2000.00x
Dover St James 4 35.03x
Gorleston 4 16.92x
Great Little Marsden 4 9.63x
Hackney London 4 0.93x
Northowram 4 7.54x
Poplar London 4 2.77x
Ryhope 4 25.35x
Woodbridge 4 33.64x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 56
Elizabeth 34
Sarah 34
Ann 21
Emma 17
Jane 16
Alice 14
Annie 12
Hannah 11
Ellen 10
Emily 7
Charlotte 6
Ada 5
Grace 5
Lucy 5
Martha 5
Sophia 5
Betty 4
Edith 4
Ethel 4
Harriet 4
Isabella 4
Lydia 4
Margaret 4
Rebecca 4
Selina 4
Anne 3
Beatrice 3
Caroline 3
Clara 3
Lily 3
Maria 3
Blanche 2
Constance 2
Dora 2
Eliza 2
Esther 2
Eva 2
Fanny 2
Florence 2
Harriett 2
Helena 2
Louisa 2
Matilda 2
Olive 2
Priscilla 2
Rose 2
Brettaes 1
Elizth. 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 49
John 47
James 23
George 18
Thomas 16
Arthur 15
Joseph 15
Alfred 14
Charles 13
Richard 11
Robert 10
Edward 8
Frederick 8
Henry 8
Samuel 8
Walter 6
Benjamin 5
David 5
Fred 4
Harry 4
Hartley 4
Herbert 4
Stephen 4
Christopher 3
Francis 3
Frank 3
Isaac 3
Thos. 3
Daniel 2
Edgar 2
Edwin 2
Eli 2
Ernest 2
Jno. 2
Michael 2
Wm. 2
Albert 1
Anthony 1
Cornelious 1
Ephraim 1
Esan 1
Eusebius 1
Ezekiel 1
Ezra 1
Fortune 1
Haworth 1
Hezekiah 1
Howorth 1
Jas. 1
Woolston 1

FAQ

Barritt surname: questions and answers

How common was the Barritt surname in 1881?

In 1881, 784 people were recorded with the Barritt surname. That placed it at #4,738 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Barritt surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 752 in 2016. That gives Barritt a modern rank of #7,274.

What does the Barritt surname mean?

An English surname transferred from a place name in Oxfordshire.

What does the Barritt map show?

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