NameCensus.

UK surname

Barter

An occupational surname referring to a trader or exchanger of goods and services without using money.

In the 1881 census there were 1,630 people recorded with the Barter surname, ranking it #2,624 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,847, ranked #3,435, down from #2,624 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Holwell and Backshaw, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Doncaster, Portsmouth and Wiltshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Barter is 2,909 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 13.3%.

1881 census count

1,630

Ranked #2,624

Modern count

1,847

2016, ranked #3,435

Peak year

1861

2,909 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Barter had 1,630 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,624 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,847 in 2016, ranked #3,435.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,909 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Barter surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Barter surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Barter 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 1,471 #1,952
1861 historical 2,909 #990
1881 historical 1,630 #2,624
1891 historical 2,666 #1,786
1901 historical 2,002 #2,662
1911 historical 2,497 #2,060
1997 modern 1,969 #3,093
1998 modern 2,011 #3,145
1999 modern 2,002 #3,175
2000 modern 1,968 #3,205
2001 modern 1,924 #3,207
2002 modern 2,005 #3,165
2003 modern 1,934 #3,200
2004 modern 1,938 #3,196
2005 modern 1,862 #3,267
2006 modern 1,844 #3,303
2007 modern 1,841 #3,332
2008 modern 1,840 #3,368
2009 modern 1,860 #3,413
2010 modern 1,887 #3,441
2011 modern 1,872 #3,420
2012 modern 1,857 #3,393
2013 modern 1,880 #3,404
2014 modern 1,877 #3,436
2015 modern 1,867 #3,415
2016 modern 1,847 #3,435

Geography

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Where Barters are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Holwell and Backshaw, London parishes, St Pancras, Portsmouth, Portsea and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Doncaster, Portsmouth, Wiltshire, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Caerphilly. 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 Holwell and Backshaw Dorset
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Doncaster 002 Doncaster
2 Portsmouth 023 Portsmouth
3 Wiltshire 062 Wiltshire
4 Rhondda Cynon Taf 008 Rhondda Cynon Taf
5 Caerphilly 001 Caerphilly

Forenames

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First names often paired with Barter

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Barter

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Barter is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Barter is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Barter

The surname BARTER is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "bāter," which means "one who barters or trades." This suggests that the name was likely given to someone who worked as a trader or merchant.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname BARTER can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of Norfolk, dated around 1273. This document mentions a person named Roger Barter, indicating that the name was already in use by the 13th century.

In the 14th century, the surname BARTER appeared in various records, including the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire, where a William Barter was mentioned in 1332. Additionally, the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire listed a John Barter in 1379.

During the 16th century, the surname BARTER was found in various parish records across England. Notable examples include Thomas Barter, who was christened in Kirby Cane, Norfolk, in 1550, and John Barter, who married Margery Wilkinson in Stratton, Norfolk, in 1576.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname BARTER was Sir John Barter (c. 1550-1622), an English merchant and Member of Parliament. He was born in Bristol and became a prominent figure in the city's trade with Spain and Portugal.

Another notable person with the surname BARTER was Richard Barter (1760-1841), an English naval officer and explorer. He served in the Royal Navy and was involved in the exploration of the Pacific Ocean, including the discovery of several islands.

In the 18th century, the surname BARTER was also found in various parts of the United States. One example is Ezekiel Barter (1761-1836), a merchant and landowner from Massachusetts who served as a representative in the state legislature.

Another prominent bearer of the surname BARTER was John Russell Barter (1804-1870), an English-born Australian pastoralist and explorer. He played a significant role in the exploration and settlement of the Riverina region in New South Wales.

In the 19th century, the surname BARTER was also found in other parts of the world, such as Canada and New Zealand. One example is William Barter (1837-1906), a New Zealand farmer and politician who served as a member of the New Zealand Legislative Council.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Barter families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Barter 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. Middlesex leads with 269 Barters recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.68x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 269 1.68x
Hampshire 202 6.15x
Dorset 188 17.88x
Devon 185 5.55x
Somerset 150 5.82x
Wiltshire 145 10.24x
Surrey 87 1.11x
Gloucestershire 59 1.88x
Glamorgan 39 1.40x
Kent 38 0.70x
Sussex 33 1.22x
Lancashire 27 0.14x
Yorkshire 26 0.16x
Monmouthshire 20 1.73x
Essex 19 0.60x
Staffordshire 19 0.35x
Worcestershire 17 0.81x
Herefordshire 12 1.83x
Oxfordshire 11 1.11x
Berkshire 9 0.75x
Derbyshire 9 0.36x
Suffolk 8 0.41x
Bedfordshire 7 0.84x
Channel Islands 7 1.47x
Durham 7 0.15x
Cheshire 5 0.14x
Norfolk 5 0.20x
Cornwall 4 0.22x
Lincolnshire 4 0.16x
Northamptonshire 4 0.27x
Royal Navy 4 2.10x
Buckinghamshire 3 0.31x
Cambridgeshire 3 0.30x
Cardiganshire 3 0.77x
Pembrokeshire 3 0.59x
Warwickshire 3 0.07x
Hertfordshire 2 0.18x
Shropshire 2 0.14x
Stirlingshire 2 0.34x
Inverness-shire 1 0.21x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Pancras London in Middlesex leads with 53 Barters recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.11x.

Place Total Index
St Pancras London 53 4.11x
Plymouth St Andrew 47 18.30x
Islington London 39 2.51x
Holwell 27 1179.04x
Battersea 26 4.41x
Frome 18 29.19x
Camberwell 17 1.66x
Broad Chalk 16 398.01x
Milborne Port 16 155.04x
Beaminster 15 128.42x
Chelsea London 15 3.11x
Kensington London 15 1.68x
Plymouth Charles The 15 10.21x
Stoke Newington London 15 12.02x
Sutton Veney 15 376.88x
Paddington London 14 2.38x
Tormoham 14 9.92x
Crawley 13 522.09x
Hatch Beauchamp 13 653.27x
Bishopstone 12 177.78x
Canford Magna 12 197.69x
Hackney London 12 1.34x
Lambeth 12 0.86x
Ross 12 45.92x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 11 3.72x
Brixham 11 28.48x
Dewlish 11 434.78x
Fordingbridge 11 61.62x
Fulham London 11 4.74x
Great Wishford 11 561.22x
Northwood 11 23.53x
Portsmouth 11 14.55x
Tottenham 11 4.31x
Twerton 11 41.37x
Bramshaw 10 240.38x
Donhead St Mary 10 138.89x
Downton 10 53.94x
Fordington 10 44.17x
Holdenhurst 10 11.61x
Lyncombe Widcombe 10 14.81x
Maidstone 10 6.14x
Swansea Town 10 4.37x
Worcester St John 10 40.03x
Buckfastleigh 9 58.48x
Christchurch 9 12.64x
East Tilbury 9 405.41x
Halifax 9 3.86x
Heanor 9 24.00x
Icklesham 9 189.47x
Melbury Abbas 9 497.24x
Midsomer Norton 9 37.05x
Northam 9 37.04x
Poplar London 9 2.98x
Warblington 9 69.12x
Westbury On Trym 9 8.46x
Winterbourne 9 51.84x
Alverstoke 8 6.73x
Bickenhall 8 816.33x
Exeter St Sidwell 8 10.48x
Farnworth 8 7.02x
Liverpool 8 0.69x
Monmouth 8 26.06x
Rotherhithe 8 4.04x
Shrewton 8 215.63x
Sotherton 8 808.08x
South Hayling 8 136.99x
St Mary Extra 8 30.28x
St Marylebone London 8 0.94x
Wandsworth 8 5.19x
Abbotts Ann 7 189.19x
Broadway 7 167.87x
Chideock 7 189.19x
Combe St Nicholas 7 112.36x
Fazeley 7 71.21x
Gillingham 7 6.21x
Handsworth 7 5.25x
Kingswear 7 261.19x
Llanwonno 7 6.99x
Stroud 7 11.45x
Sway 7 159.45x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 109
Elizabeth 64
Sarah 56
Jane 28
Alice 26
Emma 25
Eliza 24
Ann 23
Annie 21
Louisa 19
Martha 17
Florence 16
Lucy 16
Ellen 15
Emily 15
Susan 11
Amelia 10
Caroline 10
Maria 10
Ada 9
Charlotte 9
Frances 9
Hannah 9
Clara 8
Edith 8
Fanny 8
Jessie 8
Margaret 8
Bessie 7
Harriett 7
Matilda 7
Agnes 6
Rose 6
Beatrice 5
Esther 5
Kate 5
Sophia 5
Amy 4
Anna 4
Anne 4
Elizth. 4
Eva 4
H. 4
Laura 4
Minnie 4
Rosina 4
Catherine 3
Henrietta 3
Isabella 3
Marian 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 92
John 81
George 63
Thomas 49
James 43
Charles 38
Henry 36
Joseph 28
Alfred 21
Samuel 19
Edward 18
Arthur 16
Frank 16
Robert 16
Albert 14
Edwin 13
Frederick 13
Harry 13
Herbert 12
Walter 12
Benjamin 7
Ernest 7
Richard 7
Elias 6
Francis 6
Andrew 5
Chas. 5
Fred 4
Fredrick 4
Sidney 4
Sydney 4
Frederic 3
Job 3
Wm. 3
Edgar 2
Foster 2
Fredk. 2
Geo. 2
Gilbert 2
Israel 2
Jas. 2
Lewis 2
Luke 2
Mark 2
Oliver 2
Stephen 2
Thos. 2
Beugoiane 1
Edw.G. 1
Wm.S. 1

FAQ

Barter surname: questions and answers

How common was the Barter surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,630 people were recorded with the Barter surname. That placed it at #2,624 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Barter surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,847 in 2016. That gives Barter a modern rank of #3,435.

What does the Barter surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a trader or exchanger of goods and services without using money.

What does the Barter map show?

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