NameCensus.

UK surname

Bartlett

An English occupational surname referring to a person who kept or sold apples and other fruit.

In the 1881 census there were 13,054 people recorded with the Bartlett surname, ranking it #316 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 17,101, ranked #363, down from #316 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Dorset, West Dorset and Poole.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bartlett is 17,637 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 31.0%.

1881 census count

13,054

Ranked #316

Modern count

17,101

2016, ranked #363

Peak year

1999

17,637 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bartlett had 13,054 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #316 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 17,101 in 2016, ranked #363.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 16,449 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Bartlett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bartlett surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Bartlett 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 8,369 #326
1861 historical 7,332 #387
1881 historical 13,054 #316
1891 historical 12,603 #350
1901 historical 16,449 #307
1911 historical 16,358 #295
1997 modern 16,802 #354
1998 modern 17,598 #350
1999 modern 17,637 #355
2000 modern 17,478 #355
2001 modern 17,163 #355
2002 modern 17,577 #352
2003 modern 17,148 #351
2004 modern 17,115 #351
2005 modern 16,634 #358
2006 modern 16,617 #356
2007 modern 16,676 #359
2008 modern 16,693 #360
2009 modern 17,071 #361
2010 modern 17,347 #364
2011 modern 17,190 #362
2012 modern 16,921 #361
2013 modern 17,298 #360
2014 modern 17,391 #361
2015 modern 17,217 #363
2016 modern 17,101 #363

Geography

Back to top

Where Bartletts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Dorset, West Dorset, Poole, East Dorset and Eastleigh. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 London parishes London 1
4 London parishes London 3
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Dorset 004 North Dorset
2 West Dorset 012 West Dorset
3 Poole 015 Poole
4 East Dorset 011 East Dorset
5 Eastleigh 012 Eastleigh

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Bartlett

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Bartlett

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bartlett, 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 Bartlett surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Bartlett 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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Bartlett 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

Bartlett is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Bartlett

The surname Bartlett has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval era. It is derived from the Old English words "bere" (meaning barley) and "tun" (referring to an enclosure or farm), suggesting that the name was initially associated with individuals who lived on or worked at a barley farm or estate.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bartlett can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Berthelet" in the county of Sussex. This entry provides evidence that the name was already in use during the 11th century.

As the name spread across England, various spellings emerged, including Bartelot, Bartlott, and Bartlit, reflecting regional variations in pronunciation and scribal interpretations. Over time, the spelling standardized to Bartlett, which became the predominant form.

Historically, the name Bartlett has been associated with several notable individuals. One prominent figure was John Bartlett (c. 1820-1905), an American lexicographer and publisher best known for compiling the influential reference work, "Bartlett's Familiar Quotations."

Another noteworthy Bartlett was Josiah Bartlett (1729-1795), a physician and statesman who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, representing the state of New Hampshire.

In the realm of literature, John Bartlett (1916-1962), an English writer and critic, gained recognition for his works on English literature and his criticism of the literary establishment of the time.

The name Bartlett has also been associated with the world of science. Edwin Bartlett (1882-1964) was an American physicist and educator who made significant contributions to the field of electricity and magnetism.

Lastly, in the art world, Paul Bartlett (1865-1925) was an American sculptor known for his monumental works, including the famous equestrian statue of General Philip Sheridan in Washington, D.C.

While these examples showcase the diverse accomplishments of individuals bearing the surname Bartlett, the name's roots can be traced back to its humble beginnings as a descriptive surname denoting those who lived on or worked at a barley farm in medieval England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Bartlett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bartlett 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 1,928 Bartletts recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.51x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 1,928 1.51x
Dorset 1,267 15.09x
Surrey 1,211 1.94x
Hampshire 1,125 4.29x
Devon 1,034 3.88x
Somerset 1,025 4.98x
Gloucestershire 737 2.94x
Kent 621 1.42x
Cornwall 398 2.75x
Warwickshire 369 1.14x
Wiltshire 364 3.22x
Oxfordshire 345 4.37x
Sussex 310 1.44x
Yorkshire 230 0.18x
Glamorgan 200 0.90x
Essex 195 0.77x
Lancashire 191 0.13x
Berkshire 169 1.76x
Worcestershire 167 1.00x
Buckinghamshire 120 1.55x
Monmouthshire 118 1.28x
Staffordshire 110 0.25x
Suffolk 75 0.48x
Durham 65 0.17x
Leicestershire 64 0.45x
Aberdeenshire 60 0.51x
Hertfordshire 60 0.68x
Northamptonshire 53 0.44x
Channel Islands 49 1.29x
Norfolk 47 0.24x
Lincolnshire 41 0.20x
Derbyshire 37 0.18x
Bedfordshire 36 0.54x
Nottinghamshire 36 0.21x
Cheshire 28 0.10x
Carmarthenshire 27 0.50x
Northumberland 27 0.14x
Royal Navy 27 1.77x
Huntingdonshire 15 0.59x
Pembrokeshire 15 0.37x
Cumberland 13 0.12x
Fife 10 0.13x
Midlothian 10 0.06x
Cambridgeshire 9 0.11x
Flintshire 9 0.26x
Anglesey 8 0.35x
Herefordshire 7 0.13x
Lanarkshire 7 0.02x
Denbighshire 6 0.12x
Morayshire 6 0.30x
Shropshire 6 0.05x
Angus 5 0.04x
Renfrewshire 5 0.05x
Brecknockshire 4 0.16x
Kincardineshire 4 0.26x
Caithness 3 0.17x
Ayrshire 2 0.02x
Rutland 2 0.21x
Argyllshire 1 0.03x
Banffshire 1 0.04x
East Lothian 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Portsea in Hampshire leads with 264 Bartletts recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.14x.

Place Total Index
Portsea 264 5.14x
Lambeth 230 2.06x
St Pancras London 192 1.86x
Islington London 164 1.32x
Camberwell 141 1.73x
Battersea 136 2.89x
Hackney London 136 1.90x
Stoke Damerel 126 6.76x
Southampton St Mary 125 7.58x
Bethnal Green London 112 2.02x
Shoreditch London 112 2.02x
Kensington London 95 1.34x
Birmingham 93 0.86x
Newington 91 1.93x
St Marylebone London 84 1.23x
Chelsea London 82 2.13x
West Ham 82 1.47x
Bermondsey 81 2.13x
Aston 75 0.84x
Clerkenwell London 73 2.42x
Brighton 72 1.65x
Croydon 66 1.91x
Brixham 65 21.06x
Ryde 65 11.54x
Mile End Old Town London 62 2.28x
Cheltenham 61 3.15x
St Helens 61 32.00x
Bedminster 60 3.10x
Alverstoke 59 6.22x
St George Hanover Square 58 2.57x
Plymouth St Andrew 55 2.68x
Yeovil 55 13.14x
Kinson 53 32.30x
Millbrook 51 7.72x
Paddington London 51 1.08x
Southwark St George Martyr 50 1.94x
Deptford St Paul 47 1.40x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 46 1.95x
Portisham 45 143.91x
Hammersmith London 44 1.40x
Poole St James 43 13.63x
Tonbridge 43 2.73x
Walcot 43 3.92x
Hampstead London 42 2.11x
Melcombe Regis 42 12.07x
Seaton 42 40.92x
Symondsbury 40 74.81x
Wimborne Minster 40 29.46x
Brading 39 11.19x
Bow London 38 2.33x
Tormoham 38 3.37x
Holdenhurst 37 5.38x
Plymouth Charles The 37 3.15x
Bristol St James St Paul 36 4.30x
Egham 36 9.41x
Reading St Mary 36 4.68x
Taunton St James 36 11.99x
Holy Trinity 35 1.15x
Pitney 35 248.93x
Bromley London 34 1.21x
Chideock 34 115.02x
Christchurch 34 5.98x
St Germans 34 33.65x
West Looe 34 89.15x
Barrow In Furness 33 1.60x
Hardington Mandeville 33 119.05x
Kingston On Thames 33 2.20x
Branscombe 32 87.72x
Frome 32 6.50x
Greenwich 32 1.57x
St Woollos 32 3.10x
Blandford Forum 31 18.71x
Cirencester 31 9.13x
Bibury 30 99.14x
Crewkerne 30 13.72x
Westbury 30 11.36x
Bloxham 29 37.43x
Fordington 29 16.03x
Sherborne 29 11.73x
Tottenham 29 1.42x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 838
Elizabeth 508
Sarah 418
Ellen 237
Eliza 233
Jane 232
Emma 223
Ann 222
Emily 208
Annie 204
Alice 188
Louisa 126
Caroline 100
Florence 94
Edith 93
Martha 92
Maria 88
Fanny 87
Hannah 87
Charlotte 84
Kate 80
Harriet 76
Susan 72
Ada 70
Amelia 60
Anne 59
Clara 59
Frances 59
Harriett 57
Lucy 51
Margaret 49
Catherine 47
Rose 39
Matilda 34
Agnes 33
Julia 33
Bessie 30
Minnie 30
Amy 27
Rebecca 27
Sophia 27
Esther 26
Jessie 26
Selina 26
Elizth. 25
Susannah 24
Anna 23
Gertrude 23
Isabella 23
Grace 22

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 869
John 586
George 518
James 420
Charles 340
Henry 337
Thomas 309
Frederick 175
Alfred 163
Joseph 143
Edward 139
Walter 119
Arthur 114
Albert 113
Samuel 113
Richard 103
Robert 100
Frank 81
Ernest 75
Harry 73
Edwin 63
Francis 51
Herbert 50
Benjamin 29
Fredk. 27
Wm. 26
Daniel 25
Sidney 25
Thos. 25
Fred 23
Stephen 23
David 22
Tom 22
Fredrick 19
Geo. 19
Sydney 19
Edmund 16
Percy 16
Isaac 15
Jesse 15
Chas. 14
Nathaniel 14
Mark 13
Philip 13
Christopher 11
Joshua 11
Peter 11
Willm. 11
Alexander 9
Edgar 9

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 Bartlett households.

FAQ

Bartlett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bartlett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 13,054 people were recorded with the Bartlett surname. That placed it at #316 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bartlett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 17,101 in 2016. That gives Bartlett a modern rank of #363.

What does the Bartlett surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to a person who kept or sold apples and other fruit.

What does the Bartlett map show?

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