NameCensus.

UK surname

Beach

An English toponymic surname referring to someone who lived on or near a beach, sandy shore, or riverbank.

In the 1881 census there were 2,870 people recorded with the Beach surname, ranking it #1,565 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,231, ranked #2,105, down from #1,565 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Newland (Bream, Clearwell, Newland, Coleford), West Dean, London parishes and Portsmouth, Portsea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Forest of Dean, Middlesbrough and Rotherham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Beach is 3,340 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 12.6%.

1881 census count

2,870

Ranked #1,565

Modern count

3,231

2016, ranked #2,105

Peak year

1999

3,340 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Beach had 2,870 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,565 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,231 in 2016, ranked #2,105.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,331 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Beach surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Beach surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Beach 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 1,808 #1,591
1861 historical 2,014 #1,441
1881 historical 2,870 #1,565
1891 historical 3,021 #1,558
1901 historical 3,254 #1,712
1911 historical 3,331 #1,567
1997 modern 3,295 #1,955
1998 modern 3,330 #2,009
1999 modern 3,340 #2,026
2000 modern 3,299 #2,040
2001 modern 3,236 #2,035
2002 modern 3,315 #2,034
2003 modern 3,224 #2,038
2004 modern 3,221 #2,044
2005 modern 3,124 #2,069
2006 modern 3,184 #2,048
2007 modern 3,172 #2,068
2008 modern 3,200 #2,073
2009 modern 3,274 #2,075
2010 modern 3,317 #2,093
2011 modern 3,298 #2,079
2012 modern 3,235 #2,083
2013 modern 3,280 #2,091
2014 modern 3,304 #2,092
2015 modern 3,259 #2,098
2016 modern 3,231 #2,105

Geography

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Where Beachs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Newland (Bream, Clearwell, Newland, Coleford), West Dean, London parishes, Portsmouth, Portsea and Croydon, Battersea (Penge), Sanderstead. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Forest of Dean, Middlesbrough, Rotherham, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Runnymede. 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 Newland (Bream, Clearwell, Newland, Coleford), West Dean Monmouthshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
5 Croydon, Battersea (Penge), Sanderstead Surrey

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Forest of Dean 004 Forest of Dean
2 Middlesbrough 007 Middlesbrough
3 Rotherham 020 Rotherham
4 Rhondda Cynon Taf 031 Rhondda Cynon Taf
5 Runnymede 006 Runnymede

Forenames

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First names often paired with Beach

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Beach

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

Beach 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

Beach falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Beach

The surname Beach is of Anglo-Saxon origin, originating in England during the early medieval period. It is a locational name derived from the Old English word "bece," which means a stream or brook. The name was initially given to those who lived near a stream or brook, with the earliest recorded instances of the name appearing in the Domesday Book of 1086.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Beach was Roger de la Beche, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1165. The surname also appears in various other medieval records, such as the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it is spelled as "Atte Beche."

In the 14th century, the surname Beach was found in various parts of England, including Somerset, Gloucestershire, and Hampshire. One notable individual from this period was Sir John de la Beche, a knight who served as Lord Lieutenant of Somerset and Dorset during the reign of King Edward III (1312-1377).

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname Beach became more widespread, with several variations in spelling, including Beche, Bech, and Beache. One prominent figure from this era was William Beach (1558-1637), an English clergyman and theologian who served as the Archdeacon of Stow.

In the 18th century, the surname Beach was found in various parts of England, as well as in the American colonies. One notable individual was John Beach (1700-1782), an Anglican clergyman in Connecticut who became a prominent figure in the American Episcopal Church.

The 19th century saw several notable individuals with the surname Beach, including Sir Michael Edward Hicks Beach (1837-1916), a British politician who served as Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for War. Another prominent figure was Moses Yale Beach (1800-1868), an American inventor and publisher who established the New York Sun newspaper.

Throughout history, the surname Beach has been associated with various notable individuals across various fields, including politics, religion, literature, and science. While the name originated in England as a locational surname, it has since become widespread and can be found in many parts of the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Beach families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Beach 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 431 Beachs recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.55x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 431 1.55x
Surrey 257 1.90x
Staffordshire 234 2.49x
Warwickshire 210 2.99x
Yorkshire 181 0.66x
Lancashire 176 0.53x
Gloucestershire 158 2.90x
Kent 146 1.54x
Hampshire 119 2.09x
Worcestershire 110 3.03x
Sussex 107 2.28x
Monmouthshire 74 3.68x
Durham 73 0.88x
Essex 71 1.29x
Derbyshire 60 1.38x
Shropshire 50 2.08x
Cheshire 47 0.77x
Somerset 45 1.01x
Dorset 30 1.64x
Hertfordshire 30 1.57x
Wiltshire 26 1.06x
Glamorgan 24 0.50x
Midlothian 23 0.62x
Northamptonshire 22 0.84x
Lincolnshire 21 0.47x
Herefordshire 18 1.58x
Norfolk 17 0.40x
Berkshire 15 0.72x
Leicestershire 13 0.42x
Devon 10 0.17x
Cambridgeshire 9 0.51x
Nottinghamshire 9 0.24x
Cornwall 8 0.25x
Lanarkshire 6 0.07x
Suffolk 4 0.12x
Caernarfonshire 3 0.27x
Oxfordshire 3 0.17x
Westmorland 3 0.49x
Royal Navy 2 0.60x
Bedfordshire 1 0.07x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.06x
Channel Islands 1 0.12x
Cumberland 1 0.04x
Fife 1 0.06x
Perthshire 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 88 Beachs recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.76x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 88 3.76x
Aston 81 4.19x
West Dean 60 67.72x
Lambeth 45 1.86x
Chelsea London 37 4.42x
Croydon 36 4.79x
Islington London 34 1.26x
Hillingdon 31 34.96x
Portsea 30 2.69x
Walsall Foreign 30 6.19x
West Ham 29 2.39x
Liverpool 26 1.30x
Monmouth 26 48.77x
St Pancras London 26 1.16x
Battersea 24 2.35x
Camberwell 24 1.35x
Kensington London 24 1.55x
Chelmsford 22 23.36x
Manningham 22 6.48x
Bethnal Green London 21 1.74x
Oldbury 21 11.75x
Newington 20 1.95x
Chertsey 19 21.70x
Kidderminster Borough 19 8.94x
Tenterden 19 56.78x
Wolverhampton 19 2.63x
Cheltenham 18 4.28x
Hadlow 18 76.50x
Brighton 17 1.80x
Stranton 17 6.10x
Brightside Bierlow 16 2.96x
Ealing 16 6.44x
Bilston 15 8.24x
Darlaston 15 11.56x
Limehouse London 15 4.91x
Newton Bewley 15 1162.79x
Poplar London 15 2.86x
St George Hanover Square 15 3.06x
Westbury On Severn East 15 12.16x
Atherton 14 11.66x
Broadwater 14 13.02x
South Stoneham 14 11.32x
Uxbridge 14 44.05x
West Bromwich 14 2.60x
Hackney London 13 0.83x
Hammersmith London 13 1.90x
Hitchin 13 15.02x
Areley Kings 12 186.34x
Bow London 12 3.39x
Denver 12 150.56x
Gateshead 12 1.94x
Halesowen 12 37.64x
Kingston On Thames 12 3.69x
Litchurch 12 6.85x
Paddington London 12 1.17x
Richmond 12 6.32x
Sedgley 12 3.44x
Staines 12 27.25x
Westoe 12 2.56x
Accrington 11 3.67x
Dover St Mary Virgin 11 11.98x
Handsworth 11 4.75x
Huddersfield 11 2.74x
Putney 11 8.68x
St Marylebone London 11 0.74x
Stoke Upon Trent 11 1.11x
Tipton 11 3.83x
Barrow In Furness 10 2.23x
Blackburn 10 1.14x
Chithurst 10 313.48x
Inkberrow 10 68.12x
Mountsorrel South End 10 227.27x
Sheriff Hales 10 104.06x
Sidlesham 10 110.86x
South Leith 10 2.39x
St Briavels 10 142.05x
Habergham Eaves 9 2.98x
Llanvihangel Llantarnam 9 23.47x
Shoreditch London 9 0.75x
St Andrewthe Less 9 4.47x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 173
Elizabeth 108
Sarah 96
Eliza 58
Jane 49
Ellen 48
Emma 46
Emily 45
Ann 41
Annie 41
Alice 40
Harriet 28
Charlotte 24
Fanny 24
Ada 21
Maria 20
Martha 20
Florence 19
Hannah 19
Edith 18
Catherine 17
Louisa 17
Anne 16
Caroline 16
Kate 16
Margaret 16
Lucy 14
Susan 13
Frances 12
Amy 10
Clara 8
Jessie 8
Julia 8
Matilda 8
Agnes 7
Amelia 7
Betsy 7
Harriett 7
Laura 7
Rose 7
Gertrude 6
Isabella 6
Minnie 6
Sophia 6
Eleanor 5
Esther 5
Francis 5
Lizzie 5
Selina 5
Hester 4

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 205
John 142
Thomas 114
George 109
James 83
Henry 68
Charles 57
Joseph 55
Richard 38
Edward 32
Samuel 32
Walter 29
Alfred 28
Arthur 26
Robert 26
Albert 20
Frederick 18
Harry 16
Herbert 15
Benjamin 13
Edwin 13
Frank 12
Ernest 10
Fredk. 7
Wm. 7
Francis 6
Tom 6
Daniel 5
Fred 5
Isaac 5
Sidney 5
Alexander 4
Matthew 4
David 3
Edgar 3
Fredrick 3
Hugh 3
Josiah 3
Stephen 3
Thos. 3
Willm. 3
Amos 2
Christopher 2
Jeremiah 2
Jessie 2
Luke 2
Mary 2
Michael 2
Obadiah 2
Percy 2

FAQ

Beach surname: questions and answers

How common was the Beach surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,870 people were recorded with the Beach surname. That placed it at #1,565 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Beach surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,231 in 2016. That gives Beach a modern rank of #2,105.

What does the Beach surname mean?

An English toponymic surname referring to someone who lived on or near a beach, sandy shore, or riverbank.

What does the Beach map show?

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