UK surname
A surname referring to wandering mystic folk poets and musicians from Bengal.
In the 1881 census there were 84 people recorded with the Baul surname, ranking it #21,690 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 83, ranked #32,815, down from #21,690 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Kirkby Malzeard, Otley and Warsill, Ripon (Newby-with-Mulwith, Ripon). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Baul is 111 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 1.2%.
1881 census count
84
Ranked #21,690
Modern count
83
2016, ranked #32,815
Peak year
1911
111 bearers
Map years
2
1901 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Baul surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Baul 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 | 26 | #28,667 |
| 1861 | historical | 43 | #28,562 |
| 1881 | historical | 84 | #21,690 |
| 1891 | historical | 96 | #24,559 |
| 1901 | historical | 103 | #22,444 |
| 1911 | historical | 111 | #21,392 |
| 1997 | modern | 74 | #30,218 |
| 1998 | modern | 72 | #30,775 |
| 1999 | modern | 70 | #31,135 |
| 2000 | modern | 73 | #30,881 |
| 2001 | modern | 67 | #31,297 |
| 2002 | modern | 63 | #32,113 |
| 2003 | modern | 71 | #31,393 |
| 2004 | modern | 72 | #31,488 |
| 2005 | modern | 72 | #31,730 |
| 2006 | modern | 75 | #31,733 |
| 2007 | modern | 76 | #31,966 |
| 2008 | modern | 73 | #32,555 |
| 2009 | modern | 73 | #32,923 |
| 2010 | modern | 77 | #32,927 |
| 2011 | modern | 75 | #33,071 |
| 2012 | modern | 83 | #32,611 |
| 2013 | modern | 82 | #32,903 |
| 2014 | modern | 84 | #32,823 |
| 2015 | modern | 83 | #32,847 |
| 2016 | modern | 83 | #32,815 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Kirkby Malzeard, Otley, Warsill, Ripon (Newby-with-Mulwith, Ripon), Reading St Giles, Shinfield (East and West Side, Hartley Dammer), Sonning (Early), and Markingfield Hall, Ripon (Aismunderby with Bondgate). 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 | Kirkby Malzeard | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 2 | Otley | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 3 | Warsill, Ripon (Newby-with-Mulwith, Ripon) | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 4 | Reading St Giles, Shinfield (East and West Side, Hartley Dammer), Sonning (Early), | Berkshire |
| 5 | Markingfield Hall, Ripon (Aismunderby with Bondgate) | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Baul 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 Baul, 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 Baul surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Baul 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, Baul 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 Baul is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Baul, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname BAUL is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the region of Bengal. It is thought to have derived from the Bengali word "baul," which refers to a group of mystic minstrels and wandering folk musicians.
In ancient times, these bauls were known for their spiritual philosophy, devotional songs, and unique way of life. They would travel from village to village, singing and spreading their teachings. It is possible that the surname BAUL was initially adopted by individuals or families associated with this nomadic community of bauls.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname BAUL can be found in the "Mangalkavyas," a collection of medieval Bengali narrative poems dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. These literary works often featured characters with names representing their professions or social identities, and the name BAUL was likely used to depict the wandering minstrels.
In the 18th century, a prominent figure named Lalan Fakir (1774-1890), also known as Lalan Shah or Lalan Sain, emerged as a renowned baul mystic and poet. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the baul tradition, and his compositions continue to be celebrated and sung by bauls to this day.
Another notable individual with the surname BAUL was Radhamadhab Baul (1860-1926), a Bengali poet and lyricist from the Nadia district of West Bengal. He was known for his contributions to the baul songwriting tradition and his works were widely appreciated for their spiritual depth and poetic expression.
In the 20th century, the surname BAUL gained further recognition through the renowned Indian singer and musician, Purna Das Baul (1933-2000). He was a celebrated exponent of the baul musical tradition and played a significant role in popularizing and preserving this unique cultural heritage.
While the surname BAUL is primarily associated with the Bengali cultural landscape, it has also been found in other parts of the Indian subcontinent, likely due to the nomadic nature of the baul community and their travels across regions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Baul 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. Yorkshire leads with 57 Bauls recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.08x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 57 | 8.08x |
| Berkshire | 9 | 16.84x |
| Lanarkshire | 4 | 1.74x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 1.04x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.42x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.56x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Azerley in Yorkshire leads with 24 Bauls recorded in 1881 and an index of 14117.65x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Azerley | 24 | 14117.65x |
| Grewelthorpe | 10 | 7692.31x |
| Reading St Giles | 9 | 171.76x |
| Aismunderby Cum | 6 | 3000.00x |
| Yeadon | 6 | 377.36x |
| Killinghall | 4 | 2352.94x |
| Rutherglen | 4 | 118.34x |
| Bilton Cum Harrogate | 3 | 124.48x |
| North Stainley Cum | 2 | 2000.00x |
| Arnold | 1 | 71.43x |
| Bedworth | 1 | 76.34x |
| Bilston | 1 | 21.46x |
| Bolton In Pocklington | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Sutton Grange | 1 | 10000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Baul surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Baul 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 Baul households.
FAQ
In 1881, 84 people were recorded with the Baul surname. That placed it at #21,690 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 83 in 2016. That gives Baul a modern rank of #32,815.
A surname referring to wandering mystic folk poets and musicians from Bengal.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Baul 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.