NameCensus.

UK surname

Batterbee

A variant spelling of English surname Batterbee, possibly derived from a locality or referring to a baker or beehive keeper.

In the 1881 census there were 243 people recorded with the Batterbee surname, ranking it #11,294 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 358, ranked #12,931, down from #11,294 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Brandon, Parva, King's Lynn St Margaret and King's Lynn All Saints, South Lynn. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Broadland and Nottingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Batterbee is 405 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 47.3%.

1881 census count

243

Ranked #11,294

Modern count

358

2016, ranked #12,931

Peak year

2000

405 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Batterbee had 243 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,294 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 358 in 2016, ranked #12,931.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 290 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Batterbee surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Batterbee surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Batterbee 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 147 #13,084
1861 historical 141 #16,072
1881 historical 243 #11,294
1891 historical 251 #12,729
1901 historical 270 #12,492
1911 historical 290 #11,716
1997 modern 366 #11,781
1998 modern 376 #11,918
1999 modern 388 #11,696
2000 modern 405 #11,290
2001 modern 402 #11,183
2002 modern 398 #11,478
2003 modern 367 #11,988
2004 modern 369 #11,967
2005 modern 366 #11,964
2006 modern 365 #12,076
2007 modern 371 #12,053
2008 modern 364 #12,328
2009 modern 381 #12,174
2010 modern 378 #12,508
2011 modern 380 #12,326
2012 modern 363 #12,592
2013 modern 371 #12,597
2014 modern 367 #12,801
2015 modern 362 #12,825
2016 modern 358 #12,931

Geography

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Where Batterbees are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Brandon, Parva, King's Lynn St Margaret, King's Lynn All Saints, South Lynn, Oswestry and St Marylebone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Broadland, Nottingham and Denbighshire. 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 Brandon, Parva Norfolk
2 King's Lynn St Margaret Norfolk
3 King's Lynn All Saints, South Lynn Norfolk
4 Oswestry Shropshire
5 St Marylebone London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 004 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
2 Broadland 013 Broadland
3 Nottingham 035 Nottingham
4 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 011 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
5 Denbighshire 017 Denbighshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Batterbee

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Batterbee

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Batterbee is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Batterbee 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

Batterbee falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Batterbee 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 Batterbee, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Batterbee

The surname Batterbee is of English origin, originating in the medieval era. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "batere" (one who beats or pounds) and "bytl" (a wooden beater or mallet), referring to an occupation involving the use of a beater tool, such as a thatcher or baker.

The name is thought to have first appeared in written records in the Domesday Book of 1086, which documented landowners and tenants in England following the Norman Conquest. Variations of the spelling included Baterbee, Batterbee, and Baterbey.

In the 13th century, records show a William Baterbey residing in Oxfordshire, England. The nearby village of Batterbee (now known as Battridge) may have been named after an early bearer of the surname.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is John Batterbee, born around 1510 in Wiltshire, England. He was a prominent landowner and served as a Justice of the Peace for the county.

Sir John Batterbee (1627-1707) was a notable figure, serving as Lord Mayor of London in 1692 and as a Member of Parliament for the City of London from 1695 to 1698.

During the 18th century, the Batterbee family established itself in Yorkshire, England. Notable members included Thomas Batterbee (1736-1814), a successful merchant and philanthropist, and his son, William Batterbee (1774-1842), a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in Yorkshire.

In the 19th century, Reverend Harry Batterbee (1813-1887) was a prominent Anglican clergyman and author, serving as the Rector of St. Peter's Church in Whitwell, Derbyshire, for over 40 years.

Another notable figure was Sir Harry Batterbee (1880-1976), a British civil servant and diplomat who served as the High Commissioner to New Zealand from 1928 to 1932 and as Governor of Cyprus from 1933 to 1939.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Batterbee families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Batterbee 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. Norfolk leads with 121 Batterbees recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.90x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 121 33.90x
Middlesex 46 1.98x
Lancashire 11 0.40x
Shropshire 9 4.49x
Cambridgeshire 8 5.44x
Suffolk 7 2.48x
Essex 6 1.31x
Surrey 5 0.44x
Yorkshire 5 0.22x
Caernarfonshire 4 4.26x
Kent 4 0.51x
Montgomeryshire 4 7.52x
Leicestershire 3 1.17x
Lincolnshire 2 0.54x
Flintshire 1 1.60x
Hampshire 1 0.21x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.32x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dersingham in Norfolk leads with 32 Batterbees recorded in 1881 and an index of 3950.62x.

Place Total Index
Dersingham 32 3950.62x
South Lynn 13 322.58x
Heigham 9 46.97x
St Marylebone London 9 7.26x
Burnham Westgate 8 1038.96x
Norwich St Saviour 8 640.00x
Paddington London 8 9.37x
East Dereham 7 155.21x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 7 65.30x
Lowestoft 7 52.40x
North Runcton 7 3684.21x
Willesden 6 27.42x
Doncaster 5 29.74x
Gayton 5 833.33x
Hampstead London 5 13.83x
Islington London 5 2.22x
Liverpool 5 2.99x
Oswestry Town 5 77.88x
Brandon Parva 4 3076.92x
Ely Holy Trinity St Mary 4 62.40x
Faversham 4 52.98x
Llanfair Caereinion 4 219.78x
Rougham 4 1290.32x
West Ham 4 3.95x
Wisbech St Peter 4 54.27x
Wood Dalling 4 1052.63x
Ynyscynhaiarn 4 91.53x
Everton 3 3.42x
Gorton 3 11.58x
Great Massingham 3 428.57x
Hornsey 3 10.22x
Llanyblodwell 3 405.41x
Stoke Newington London 3 16.59x
Battersea 2 2.34x
Enfield 2 13.13x
Hevingham 2 327.87x
Leicester St Nicholas 2 136.99x
St Botolph Aldersgate 2 75.19x
St Pancras London 2 1.07x
Sutton St Mary 2 56.98x
Walthamstow 2 12.13x
West Winch 2 625.00x
Downham Market 1 40.82x
Earlham 1 526.32x
Hellesdon 1 151.52x
Hillington 1 434.78x
Knighton 1 68.97x
Lambeth 1 0.49x
Little Walsingham 1 123.46x
Llanymynech 1 256.41x
Mansfield 1 9.23x
Penge 1 6.74x
Portsea 1 1.07x
Reigate Borough 1 38.31x
Threapwood 1 1428.57x
Thuxton 1 1250.00x
Westminster St James 1 4.19x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 13
Sarah 12
Agnes 4
Ann 4
Elizabeth 4
Emma 4
Fanny 4
Alice 3
Charlotte 3
Edith 3
Ellen 3
Harriet 3
Jane 3
Louisa 3
Elizth. 2
Ella 2
Emily 2
Esther 2
Gertrude 2
Hannah 2
Harriett 2
Maria 2
Susan 2
Susannah 2
Audry 1
Bessie 1
Caroline 1
Carrie 1
Catherine 1
Cecilia 1
Charlott 1
E.L. 1
Elise 1
Francis 1
Grace 1
H.M. 1
Hellen 1
Isabella 1
Jessie 1
Letitia 1
M. 1
Margaret 1
Margrett 1
Matilda 1
Patience 1
Phillis 1
Rebecka 1
Rhoda 1
Rosanna 1
Thirza 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 17
John 15
Robert 14
George 12
James 6
Charles 5
Thomas 5
Harry 4
Arthur 3
Elijah 3
Alfred 2
Edward 2
Frank 2
Matthew 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Authur 1
C.A. 1
Claudius 1
Edwin 1
Emily 1
F. 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Henry 1
Horace 1
J. 1
Jame 1
Joseph 1
Mark 1
Maurice 1
Napoleon 1
Richard 1
Sidney 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Batterbee surname: questions and answers

How common was the Batterbee surname in 1881?

In 1881, 243 people were recorded with the Batterbee surname. That placed it at #11,294 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Batterbee surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 358 in 2016. That gives Batterbee a modern rank of #12,931.

What does the Batterbee surname mean?

A variant spelling of English surname Batterbee, possibly derived from a locality or referring to a baker or beehive keeper.

What does the Batterbee map show?

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