NameCensus.

UK surname

Be

A shortened form of the French surname Bey, derived from the Old French word "beau" meaning beautiful or handsome.

In the 1881 census there were 47 people recorded with the Be surname, ranking it #27,019 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 122, ranked #27,255, down from #27,019 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Lindsey, Peterborough and Hounslow.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Be is 122 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 159.6%.

1881 census count

47

Ranked #27,019

Modern count

122

2016, ranked #27,255

Peak year

2016

122 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Be had 47 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #27,019 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 122 in 2016, ranked #27,255.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 47 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Be surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Be surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Be 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
1881 historical 47 #27,019
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1997 modern 18 #36,053
1998 modern 18 #36,135
1999 modern 21 #35,810
2000 modern 13 #36,635
2001 modern 11 #36,727
2002 modern 10 #36,902
2003 modern 10 #36,964
2004 modern 13 #36,742
2005 modern 16 #36,530
2006 modern 19 #36,323
2007 modern 22 #36,213
2008 modern 28 #35,875
2009 modern 34 #35,608
2010 modern 43 #35,233
2011 modern 42 #35,283
2012 modern 55 #34,565
2013 modern 51 #34,834
2014 modern 67 #33,959
2015 modern 80 #33,052
2016 modern 122 #27,255

Geography

Back to top

Where Bes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Lindsey, Peterborough, Hounslow and Wolverhampton. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Lindsey 003 East Lindsey
2 Peterborough 014 Peterborough
3 Hounslow 019 Hounslow
4 Wolverhampton 016 Wolverhampton
5 East Lindsey 001 East Lindsey

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Be

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Be

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Be surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Be household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Be is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Be is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Be falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Be is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

This describes the area pattern most associated with Be, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Be

The surname "Be" has its origins in the Middle Ages, tracing back to various regions across Europe. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "beau," meaning "handsome" or "beautiful." This name was likely given as a nickname to someone of attractive appearance or as a term of endearment.

In England, the name is found in records dating back to the 13th century. One of the earliest documented instances is in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which mentions a Robert le Beau. The use of the Norman French prefix "le" before the name suggests that it was initially a descriptive nickname.

The name also has roots in the Netherlands, where it may have originated from the Dutch word "bee," referring to the insect. This connection could imply that the name was given to someone who kept bees or lived near a beehive.

In Italy, the surname "Be" is thought to have evolved from the Latin word "bene," meaning "well" or "good." It may have been used as a descriptor for someone with a positive or virtuous character.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name is Guglielmo Be, an Italian merchant from Genoa who lived in the late 13th century. His name appears in several trade documents from that period.

During the 15th century, a French nobleman named Jean de Be served as a knight in the court of King Charles VII. He is mentioned in chronicles from that time for his bravery in battle.

In the 16th century, an English scholar named Robert Be was a fellow at the University of Cambridge. He authored several works on philosophy and theology between 1530 and 1560.

In the 17th century, a Dutch artist named Cornelis Be gained recognition for his landscape paintings. He was active in Amsterdam from 1620 to 1665.

Another notable bearer of the name was the Italian composer and violinist Giuseppe Be, who lived from 1690 to 1756. He was known for his contributions to the development of the concerto grosso form.

While the name "Be" has various possible origins and meanings, it has been present in numerous European regions for centuries, reflecting the diverse cultural and linguistic influences that have shaped surname patterns over time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Be families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Be 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. Derbyshire leads with 1 Bes recorded in 1881 and an index of 66.23x.

County Total Index
Derbyshire 1 66.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Mickleover in Derbyshire leads with 1 Bes recorded in 1881 and an index of 0.00x.

Place Total Index
Mickleover 1 0.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
M. 1

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 Be households.

Occupation Count
Wife Of A Collier 1

FAQ

Be surname: questions and answers

How common was the Be surname in 1881?

In 1881, 47 people were recorded with the Be surname. That placed it at #27,019 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Be surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 122 in 2016. That gives Be a modern rank of #27,255.

What does the Be surname mean?

A shortened form of the French surname Bey, derived from the Old French word "beau" meaning beautiful or handsome.

What does the Be map show?

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