UK surname
An occupational surname derived from the Middle Low German word "berten" meaning to clean or separate grain.
In the 1881 census there were 98 people recorded with the Barten surname, ranking it #19,999 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 73, ranked #33,502, down from #19,999 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Witchling, Otterden, Lenham and Tunbridge, Bidborough. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Barten is 350 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 25.5%.
1881 census count
98
Ranked #19,999
Modern count
73
2016, ranked #33,502
Peak year
1861
350 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Barten surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Barten surname density by area, 1911 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 | 110 | #16,093 |
| 1861 | historical | 350 | #7,295 |
| 1881 | historical | 98 | #19,999 |
| 1891 | historical | 215 | #14,155 |
| 1901 | historical | 86 | #24,508 |
| 1911 | historical | 139 | #18,745 |
| 1997 | modern | 60 | #31,629 |
| 1998 | modern | 64 | #31,562 |
| 1999 | modern | 63 | #31,798 |
| 2000 | modern | 70 | #31,180 |
| 2001 | modern | 70 | #31,016 |
| 2002 | modern | 64 | #32,007 |
| 2003 | modern | 68 | #31,689 |
| 2004 | modern | 62 | #32,478 |
| 2005 | modern | 62 | #32,708 |
| 2006 | modern | 55 | #33,688 |
| 2007 | modern | 56 | #33,875 |
| 2008 | modern | 55 | #34,165 |
| 2009 | modern | 54 | #34,431 |
| 2010 | modern | 61 | #34,143 |
| 2011 | modern | 62 | #34,045 |
| 2012 | modern | 69 | #33,695 |
| 2013 | modern | 70 | #33,753 |
| 2014 | modern | 75 | #33,473 |
| 2015 | modern | 76 | #33,351 |
| 2016 | modern | 73 | #33,502 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Witchling, Otterden, Lenham, Tunbridge, Bidborough, St Pancras and Ashford. 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 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | Witchling, Otterden, Lenham | Kent |
| 3 | Tunbridge, Bidborough | Kent |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Ashford | Kent |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Barten 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 Barten, 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 Barten surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Barten 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, Barten 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 Barten is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Barten, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Barten is of German origin, with its roots traced back to the Middle Ages in the 14th century. It is believed to have derived from the German word "Bart," meaning "beard," suggesting that the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname for someone with a prominent beard.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Barten can be found in the records of the city of Hamburg, Germany, where a Johannes Barten was mentioned in a document dated 1420. This document served as evidence of the name's existence during that period.
In the 16th century, the name Barten appeared in various regions of Germany, including Bavaria and Saxony. During this time, the name was occasionally spelled with variations such as "Bartten" or "Barthen," reflecting the fluidity of spelling in those days.
One notable figure bearing the surname Barten was Hans Barten (1540-1623), a German painter and engraver from Nuremberg. His works were highly regarded during the Renaissance period, and several of his engravings can still be found in museums today.
Another historical figure with the surname Barten was Jakob Barten (1675-1743), a German theologian and philosopher from Leipzig. He made significant contributions to the field of ethics and was widely respected for his scholarly works.
In the 18th century, the surname Barten gained a foothold in other parts of Europe, including the Netherlands and Denmark. One notable bearer of the name during this period was Willem Barten (1720-1789), a Dutch merchant and trader who played a pivotal role in establishing trade routes between the Netherlands and the East Indies.
As the name spread across Europe, it also found its way to other parts of the world through migration and exploration. One notable example is John Barten (1810-1882), an English explorer and naturalist who traveled extensively in Africa and made significant contributions to the study of the continent's flora and fauna.
Another prominent figure with the surname Barten was Heinrich Barten (1855-1928), a German architect known for his work in the neo-Renaissance style. He designed several notable buildings in Berlin and other German cities, leaving a lasting imprint on the architectural landscape.
Throughout its history, the surname Barten has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, scholars, merchants, and explorers. While the name's origins can be traced back to medieval Germany, it has since spread across borders and continents, carrying with it a rich tapestry of cultural and historical significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Barten 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. Kent leads with 44 Bartens recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.36x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kent | 44 | 13.36x |
| Hampshire | 11 | 5.56x |
| Middlesex | 9 | 0.93x |
| Cheshire | 6 | 2.82x |
| Lancashire | 6 | 0.52x |
| Northumberland | 6 | 4.18x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 0.52x |
| Surrey | 4 | 0.85x |
| Essex | 2 | 1.05x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 1.38x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 1.20x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.50x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 0.77x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 8.69x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.61x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kingsnorth in Kent leads with 10 Bartens recorded in 1881 and an index of 5000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kingsnorth | 10 | 5000.00x |
| Plumstead | 7 | 63.75x |
| Holdenhurst | 6 | 115.61x |
| Newcastle On Tyne All Sts | 6 | 69.93x |
| Ruckinge | 6 | 4615.38x |
| Woodchurch | 6 | 1463.41x |
| Accrington | 5 | 47.98x |
| Cheadle | 5 | 122.85x |
| Southampton St Mary | 5 | 40.19x |
| Tonbridge | 5 | 42.09x |
| Lenham | 4 | 606.06x |
| Silkstone | 4 | 851.06x |
| St Pancras London | 3 | 3.86x |
| West Malling | 3 | 405.41x |
| Merton | 2 | 243.90x |
| Abingdon St Helen | 1 | 47.17x |
| Ardingly | 1 | 192.31x |
| Ashford | 1 | 31.15x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 1.62x |
| Congleton | 1 | 27.17x |
| Dean | 1 | 370.37x |
| East Stonehouse | 1 | 25.25x |
| Enfield | 1 | 15.77x |
| Islington London | 1 | 1.07x |
| Leeds | 1 | 1.85x |
| Lewisham | 1 | 5.69x |
| Mile End Old Town London | 1 | 4.87x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 1 | 2.97x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 2.82x |
| Preston | 1 | 3.26x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 10.16x |
| Speldhurst | 1 | 59.52x |
| St Martin In Fields | 1 | 17.30x |
| West Ham | 1 | 2.38x |
| Westminster St James | 1 | 10.07x |
| Wimbledon | 1 | 18.94x |
| Woodford | 1 | 46.30x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Barten surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 8 |
| Elizabeth | 4 |
| Sarah | 3 |
| Alice | 2 |
| Annie | 2 |
| Catherine | 2 |
| Kate | 2 |
| Ada | 1 |
| Agnes | 1 |
| Anne | 1 |
| Catharine | 1 |
| Clara | 1 |
| Dorothy | 1 |
| Eleanor | 1 |
| Eliza | 1 |
| Emma | 1 |
| Ester | 1 |
| Fanny | 1 |
| Frances | 1 |
| Hannah | 1 |
| Harriet | 1 |
| Harriett | 1 |
| Helen | 1 |
| Hester | 1 |
| Jane | 1 |
| Julia | 1 |
| Lousia | 1 |
| Lydia | 1 |
| Margaret | 1 |
| Matilda | 1 |
| Minnie | 1 |
| Nellie | 1 |
| Rebecca | 1 |
| Rhoda | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Barten 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 Barten households.
FAQ
In 1881, 98 people were recorded with the Barten surname. That placed it at #19,999 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 73 in 2016. That gives Barten a modern rank of #33,502.
An occupational surname derived from the Middle Low German word "berten" meaning to clean or separate grain.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Barten 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.