NameCensus.

UK surname

Beacham

A locational surname derived from any of several places in England meaning "homestead by a beach or stream."

In the 1881 census there were 833 people recorded with the Beacham surname, ranking it #4,520 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,159, ranked #5,092, down from #4,520 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Mynyddyslwyn, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Bedminster. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rhondda Cynon Taf, Torfaen and Caerphilly.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Beacham is 1,212 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 39.1%.

1881 census count

833

Ranked #4,520

Modern count

1,159

2016, ranked #5,092

Peak year

2000

1,212 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Beacham had 833 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,520 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,159 in 2016, ranked #5,092.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 987 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Beacham surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Beacham surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Beacham 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 570 #4,463
1861 historical 596 #4,445
1881 historical 833 #4,520
1891 historical 775 #5,176
1901 historical 950 #4,934
1911 historical 987 #4,588
1997 modern 1,124 #4,979
1998 modern 1,197 #4,889
1999 modern 1,211 #4,890
2000 modern 1,212 #4,858
2001 modern 1,193 #4,817
2002 modern 1,209 #4,872
2003 modern 1,168 #4,916
2004 modern 1,159 #4,963
2005 modern 1,153 #4,934
2006 modern 1,135 #4,993
2007 modern 1,148 #4,991
2008 modern 1,122 #5,132
2009 modern 1,163 #5,080
2010 modern 1,199 #5,051
2011 modern 1,197 #4,991
2012 modern 1,166 #5,027
2013 modern 1,178 #5,075
2014 modern 1,190 #5,061
2015 modern 1,163 #5,103
2016 modern 1,159 #5,092

Geography

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Where Beachams are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Mynyddyslwyn, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Bedminster, London parishes and Marston Bigott, Frome Selwood, Rodden, Berkeley, Standerwick, Beckington, Laverton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rhondda Cynon Taf, Torfaen, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent and Bath and North East Somerset. 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 Mynyddyslwyn Monmouthshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Bedminster Somerset
4 London parishes London 3
5 Marston Bigott, Frome Selwood, Rodden, Berkeley, Standerwick, Beckington, Laverton Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rhondda Cynon Taf 023 Rhondda Cynon Taf
2 Torfaen 001 Torfaen
3 Caerphilly 022 Caerphilly
4 Blaenau Gwent 004 Blaenau Gwent
5 Bath and North East Somerset 026 Bath and North East Somerset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Beacham

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Beacham

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Beacham is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Beacham 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

Beacham falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Beacham is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Beacham

The surname Beacham is believed to have originated from the Old English words "bēac" meaning stream or brook, and "ham" meaning homestead or village. This suggests that the name likely originated in England, referring to someone who lived near a stream or in a village with a stream running through it.

The earliest known recorded instance of the name Beacham dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Becham" in Oxfordshire. This entry suggests that the name was already established in England by the late 11th century.

In the 13th century, variations of the name such as "Becheham" and "Bekham" can be found in various historical records and documents from counties like Berkshire and Wiltshire. These variations likely stemmed from different regional dialects and pronunciations of the name.

One notable historical figure with the surname Beacham was Sir John Beacham (1556-1624), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Berkshire in the early 17th century.

Another prominent individual was William Beacham (1670-1741), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Somerset, who was instrumental in the development of the town of Frome during the 18th century.

In the 19th century, the name Beacham was particularly prevalent in the county of Gloucestershire, with several families of that name residing in villages such as Avening and Nailsworth. One notable individual from this period was John Beacham (1815-1892), a notable architect and builder responsible for numerous churches and public buildings in the region.

Moving into the 20th century, the name Beacham gained some literary recognition with the author Stella Beacham (1908-1988), whose novels and short stories often explored themes of rural life and the English countryside.

Another noteworthy figure was Sir Arnold Beacham (1923-2002), a prominent British businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to various charitable organizations and educational institutions.

Overall, the surname Beacham has a rich history deeply rooted in the English countryside and villages, with its origins dating back to the 11th century and beyond. While the name may have evolved in spelling over the centuries, its connection to streams and homesteads has remained a consistent theme throughout its long and fascinating history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Beacham families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Beacham 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. Somerset leads with 219 Beachams recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.68x.

County Total Index
Somerset 219 16.68x
Gloucestershire 115 7.19x
Middlesex 83 1.02x
Monmouthshire 66 11.20x
Surrey 50 1.26x
Kent 46 1.65x
Warwickshire 45 2.19x
Hampshire 26 1.56x
Glamorgan 25 1.76x
Yorkshire 23 0.28x
Cumberland 16 2.28x
Durham 15 0.62x
Staffordshire 13 0.47x
Lancashire 12 0.12x
Oxfordshire 11 2.18x
Essex 10 0.62x
Lincolnshire 8 0.61x
Sussex 8 0.58x
Northamptonshire 7 0.91x
Derbyshire 6 0.47x
Wiltshire 6 0.83x
Worcestershire 6 0.56x
Devon 5 0.29x
Suffolk 3 0.30x
Cheshire 2 0.11x
Herefordshire 2 0.60x
Midlothian 2 0.18x
Royal Navy 2 2.06x
Berkshire 1 0.16x
Channel Islands 1 0.41x
Hertfordshire 1 0.18x
Norfolk 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. Frome in Somerset leads with 37 Beachams recorded in 1881 and an index of 117.83x.

Place Total Index
Frome 37 117.83x
Bedminster 29 23.51x
Weston Super Mare 24 72.40x
St Pancras London 23 3.50x
Yatton 22 430.53x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 20 13.28x
Llanwonno 16 31.36x
St Woollos 16 24.32x
Bledington 15 1470.59x
Bristol St James St Paul 15 28.13x
Bedwellty 14 13.45x
Deptford St Paul 14 6.52x
Portsea 14 4.27x
Aston 13 2.30x
Penrith 13 50.12x
Timsbury 13 326.63x
Bermondsey 12 4.94x
Allesley 11 407.41x
Hammersmith London 11 5.48x
Aberystruth 10 19.24x
Mynyddyslwyn 10 42.99x
Bristol St George 9 12.17x
Clevedon 9 65.93x
Lambeth 9 1.27x
Long Ashton 9 138.25x
Beckenham 8 22.00x
Fulham London 8 6.76x
Lyncombe Widcombe 8 23.28x
Solihull 8 54.13x
Southminster 8 226.63x
Upper Slaughter 8 1095.89x
Westbury On Trym 8 14.76x
Woolwich 8 7.78x
Churchill 7 334.93x
Crick 7 270.27x
Framwellgate 7 48.71x
Hastings St Michael 7 714.29x
Headington 7 89.51x
St George Hanover Square 7 4.87x
Stow On The Wold 7 197.18x
Aberdare 6 6.16x
Acton 6 12.55x
Adlestrop 6 1304.35x
Battersea 6 2.00x
Caerleon 6 194.81x
Clapton 6 1538.46x
Fonthill Gifford 6 451.13x
Keighley 6 6.97x
Kilmersdon 6 92.59x
Lewisham 6 4.04x
Lichfield St Michael 6 69.44x
St Giles In Fields London 6 15.00x
Whitwell 6 118.11x
Wick St Lawrence 6 952.38x
Widnes 6 8.60x
Coundon 5 641.03x
Eston 5 28.41x
Islington London 5 0.63x
Maugersbury 5 324.68x
Newport 5 17.78x
Richmond 5 8.98x
Southwark St George Martyr 5 3.05x
Burnham 4 39.96x
Burrington 4 317.46x
Cheddar 4 60.61x
Christon 4 2500.00x
Exeter St Thomas The 4 23.12x
Farmborough 4 169.49x
Kings Norton 4 4.19x
Newington 4 1.33x
Rotherhithe 4 3.97x
Tydd St Mary 4 154.44x
Wolverhampton 4 1.89x
Aldershot 3 5.36x
Clifton 3 3.71x
Compton Martin 3 258.62x
Hampton London 3 22.39x
Kensington London 3 0.66x
Meriden 3 128.21x
Standerwick 3 1363.64x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 44
Sarah 42
Elizabeth 32
Eliza 19
Jane 18
Ann 16
Alice 14
Annie 12
Emily 10
Florence 10
Emma 9
Ada 7
Caroline 7
Charlotte 7
Clara 7
Edith 7
Ellen 7
Fanny 7
Louisa 7
Hannah 6
Harriett 6
Catherine 5
Harriet 5
Margaret 5
Susan 5
Anne 4
Frances 4
Kate 4
Rose 4
Lucy 3
Maria 3
Martha 3
Matilda 3
Nellie 3
Rhoda 3
Rosina 3
Amy 2
Blanche 2
Catharine 2
Laura 2
Lydia 2
Maud 2
Mildred 2
Prudence 2
Ruth 2
Susanna 2
Theriza 2
Bridget 1
Elizth. 1
Winole 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 47
John 40
George 31
Charles 22
James 20
Thomas 19
Alfred 16
Albert 15
Joseph 15
Henry 14
Richard 12
Arthur 11
Robert 11
Walter 10
Frank 9
Harry 9
Edward 8
Samuel 7
David 6
Frederick 6
Herbert 6
Francis 5
Tom 5
Chas. 4
Ernest 3
Mark 3
Sidney 3
Wm. 3
Benjamin 2
Daniel 2
Edwin 2
Enoch 2
Hy. 2
Isaac 2
Jno. 2
Jonathan 2
Thos. 2
Augustine 1
Chas.E. 1
Cornelius 1
Earnest 1
Elisha 1
Ernsest 1
Farnham 1
Frederic 1
Fredick 1
Fredrick 1
Hy 1
Jacob 1
Wm.St. 1

FAQ

Beacham surname: questions and answers

How common was the Beacham surname in 1881?

In 1881, 833 people were recorded with the Beacham surname. That placed it at #4,520 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Beacham surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,159 in 2016. That gives Beacham a modern rank of #5,092.

What does the Beacham surname mean?

A locational surname derived from any of several places in England meaning "homestead by a beach or stream."

What does the Beacham map show?

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