NameCensus.

UK surname

Beare

An English surname derived from the Middle English bere, meaning "bear," potentially referring to an inn sign.

In the 1881 census there were 549 people recorded with the Beare surname, ranking it #6,284 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 824, ranked #6,742, down from #6,284 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Belton and St Matthew Bethnal Green. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Torridge and Great Yarmouth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Beare is 907 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 50.1%.

1881 census count

549

Ranked #6,284

Modern count

824

2016, ranked #6,742

Peak year

1911

907 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Beare had 549 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,284 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 824 in 2016, ranked #6,742.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 907 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Beare surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Beare surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Beare 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 375 #6,361
1861 historical 367 #6,963
1881 historical 549 #6,284
1891 historical 677 #5,767
1901 historical 792 #5,689
1911 historical 907 #4,916
1997 modern 845 #6,273
1998 modern 866 #6,341
1999 modern 874 #6,351
2000 modern 872 #6,325
2001 modern 849 #6,343
2002 modern 874 #6,321
2003 modern 839 #6,405
2004 modern 814 #6,572
2005 modern 809 #6,555
2006 modern 805 #6,593
2007 modern 797 #6,713
2008 modern 818 #6,614
2009 modern 823 #6,721
2010 modern 832 #6,807
2011 modern 815 #6,832
2012 modern 793 #6,888
2013 modern 808 #6,892
2014 modern 831 #6,777
2015 modern 828 #6,735
2016 modern 824 #6,742

Geography

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Where Beares are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Belton, St Matthew Bethnal Green and Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Torridge and Great Yarmouth. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Belton Suffolk
3 St Matthew Bethnal Green London (East Districts)
4 London parishes London 2
5 Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 057 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 009 Cornwall
3 Torridge 009 Torridge
4 Cornwall 008 Cornwall
5 Great Yarmouth 013 Great Yarmouth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Beare

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Beare

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Beare is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Beare is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Beare falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Beare

The surname Beare has its origins in England, tracing back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "bere," which means "grove" or "meadow." This suggests that the name may have been initially given as a topographic surname, referring to someone who lived near or worked in a meadow or grove.

The earliest recorded instance of the Beare surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1166, where it is spelled "Bere." This is one of the earliest surviving public records in England, indicating that the name was already in use during the 12th century.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, there are several entries for places with similar names, such as "Bera" in Nottinghamshire and "Bere" in Dorset. These place names may have influenced the development of the surname Beare in those regions.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Beare was William Bere, who was mentioned in the Curia Regis Rolls of Warwickshire in 1221. Another notable bearer of the name was John Bere, a member of the English Parliament who represented Somersetshire in 1377.

In the 15th century, the Beare surname appeared in various spellings, such as "Bere," "Beere," and "Beere." During this time, a prominent figure with the name was Richard Bere, who served as Abbot of Glastonbury from 1493 to 1525.

In the 16th century, the spelling "Beare" became more standardized. One notable individual from this period was John Bere (1537-1609), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the Bishop of St. Asaph.

Throughout history, there have been several other notable individuals bearing the Beare surname, such as:

1. Sir Henry Beare (1598-1661), an English politician and Member of Parliament. 2. John Beare (1660-1726), an English mathematician and astronomer. 3. Martha Beare (1726-1805), a British writer and translator. 4. William Beare (1773-1848), an English engraver and portrait painter. 5. Francis Beare (1836-1910), an English clergyman and biblical scholar.

While the Beare surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to various parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, due to migration and settlement patterns over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Beare families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Beare 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. Devon leads with 80 Beares recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.16x.

County Total Index
Devon 80 7.16x
Cornwall 76 12.51x
Middlesex 76 1.42x
Surrey 54 2.07x
Suffolk 44 6.73x
Norfolk 36 4.36x
Somerset 36 4.17x
Hampshire 34 3.09x
Lancashire 30 0.47x
Kent 14 0.76x
Berkshire 13 3.23x
Gloucestershire 9 0.86x
Dorset 8 2.27x
Sussex 8 0.88x
Essex 7 0.66x
Herefordshire 7 3.18x
Derbyshire 6 0.71x
Bedfordshire 4 1.44x
Durham 2 0.13x
Hertfordshire 2 0.54x
Huntingdonshire 2 1.88x
Royal Navy 1 1.56x
Yorkshire 1 0.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Yeovil in Somerset leads with 35 Beares recorded in 1881 and an index of 199.43x.

Place Total Index
Yeovil 35 199.43x
Madron Penzance 30 135.81x
Belton 27 2347.83x
Bethnal Green London 17 7.29x
Mile End Old Town London 15 13.14x
Wolborough 15 106.23x
Lambeth 14 2.99x
Chelsea London 13 8.04x
Winkfield 12 179.64x
Aldeby 11 932.20x
Southampton All Sts 10 52.99x
St Erth 10 271.74x
St Hilary Marazion 10 606.06x
Andover 9 86.62x
Newington 9 4.54x
Bungay Holy Trinity 8 238.81x
Heigham 8 18.07x
Illogan 8 49.75x
Thorpe Next Norwich 8 91.53x
Accrington 7 12.09x
Broadwoodwidger 7 551.18x
Hereford St Peter 7 119.05x
Islington London 7 1.35x
Northam 7 86.00x
Tetcott 7 1458.33x
West Ham 7 2.99x
Ashwater 6 379.75x
Camberwell 6 1.75x
Holdenhurst 6 20.80x
Hulme 6 4.51x
Rotherhithe 6 9.05x
Bristol St James St Paul 5 14.25x
Hampton London 5 56.69x
Hougham 5 45.96x
Mickleover 5 193.05x
Plymouth St Andrew 5 5.81x
Redenhall 5 156.25x
Streatham 5 12.56x
Toxteth Park 5 2.32x
Blundeston 4 305.34x
Clare 4 127.80x
Eastbourne 4 9.61x
Isleworth 4 16.77x
Kensington London 4 1.34x
Ludgvan 4 82.64x
Luton 4 8.32x
Melbury Abbas 4 655.74x
Paul 4 36.23x
St Mary Magdalene 4 89.69x
Tormoham 4 8.47x
Bristol St Nicholas 3 158.73x
Everton 3 1.48x
Lydd 3 76.53x
Milton Damerel 3 344.83x
Newton Abbot St Mary 3 32.02x
St George Hanover Square 3 3.17x
St Pancras London 3 0.69x
Weymouth 3 44.98x
Bradford 2 289.86x
Church 2 22.25x
Clapham 2 2.98x
Croydon 2 1.38x
Exeter Holy Trinity 2 45.66x
Fakenham 2 49.26x
Hurstbourne Priors 2 266.67x
Lewisham 2 2.05x
Liverpool 2 0.52x
Milton Abbott 2 123.46x
North Walsham 2 33.61x
Pillaton 2 322.58x
Portsmouth 2 7.90x
Richmond 2 5.46x
Romsey Infra 2 53.62x
Ropley 2 124.22x
Seale 2 119.76x
St Neots 2 34.54x
Stoke Damerel 2 2.56x
Ugborough 2 74.07x
Wendron 2 23.72x
Westoe 2 2.21x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 37
John 27
George 16
James 15
Robert 15
Thomas 14
Charles 13
Henry 10
Samuel 9
Alfred 8
Frederick 6
Richard 6
Arthur 5
Ernest 5
Harry 5
Albert 4
Edwin 4
Edward 3
Francis 3
Frank 3
Joseph 3
Philip 3
Phillip 3
Walter 3
Chas. 2
Frederic 2
Harold 2
Aug. 1
Cuthbert 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Edmund 1
Ezekiel 1
Fredk.George 1
G.T. 1
Geo. 1
H.Jerrald 1
Henery 1
Herbert 1
Horace 1
Horatio 1
J.W. 1
Josias 1
Mark 1
Nicholas 1
Noah 1
Petre 1
Raymond 1
Roland 1
Willian 1

FAQ

Beare surname: questions and answers

How common was the Beare surname in 1881?

In 1881, 549 people were recorded with the Beare surname. That placed it at #6,284 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Beare surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 824 in 2016. That gives Beare a modern rank of #6,742.

What does the Beare surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Middle English bere, meaning "bear," potentially referring to an inn sign.

What does the Beare map show?

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