NameCensus.

UK surname

Beaven

A surname derived from the Anglo-Saxon words for "beaver" and "stream", referring to someone who lived near a stream frequented by beavers.

In the 1881 census there were 875 people recorded with the Beaven surname, ranking it #4,336 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,113, ranked #5,284, down from #4,336 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Trowbridge and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wiltshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Beaven is 1,248 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 27.2%.

1881 census count

875

Ranked #4,336

Modern count

1,113

2016, ranked #5,284

Peak year

1999

1,248 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Beaven had 875 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,336 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,113 in 2016, ranked #5,284.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,198 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Beaven surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Beaven surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Beaven 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 548 #4,617
1861 historical 451 #5,746
1881 historical 875 #4,336
1891 historical 878 #4,687
1901 historical 1,128 #4,297
1911 historical 1,198 #3,924
1997 modern 1,206 #4,686
1998 modern 1,227 #4,790
1999 modern 1,248 #4,757
2000 modern 1,225 #4,808
2001 modern 1,189 #4,830
2002 modern 1,168 #5,020
2003 modern 1,118 #5,110
2004 modern 1,102 #5,177
2005 modern 1,098 #5,132
2006 modern 1,116 #5,080
2007 modern 1,124 #5,088
2008 modern 1,133 #5,098
2009 modern 1,141 #5,165
2010 modern 1,158 #5,205
2011 modern 1,122 #5,285
2012 modern 1,108 #5,260
2013 modern 1,147 #5,191
2014 modern 1,153 #5,186
2015 modern 1,124 #5,256
2016 modern 1,113 #5,284

Geography

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Where Beavens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Trowbridge, London parishes and Cheverell, Little. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wiltshire. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Trowbridge Wiltshire
3 London parishes London 1
4 Cheverell, Little Wiltshire
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wiltshire 037 Wiltshire
2 Wiltshire 015 Wiltshire
3 Wiltshire 040 Wiltshire
4 Wiltshire 016 Wiltshire
5 Wiltshire 030 Wiltshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Beaven

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Beaven

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Beaven surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Beaven household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Professional Periphery

Within London, Beaven is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Beaven 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

Beaven falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Beaven

The surname Beaven is believed to have originated in England, with its roots dating back to the early Middle Ages. This name is thought to be derived from the Old English word "bæfen," which translates to "dweller by the small tree." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname may have resided near a prominent tree or grove of trees.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Beaven surname can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners and properties commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Bevan," which was likely a variation in spelling due to the lack of standardization during that era.

Throughout the centuries, the surname Beaven has undergone various spelling changes, including Bevan, Bevyn, and Bevans. These variations were common as names were often recorded phonetically, leading to inconsistencies in spelling.

Noteworthy individuals with the surname Beaven include:

1. Sir William Beaven (1519-1583), an English merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1569. 2. Robert Beaven (1636-1712), a prominent English theologian and author who wrote several works on religious topics. 3. Mary Beaven (1753-1811), a renowned British botanist known for her contributions to the study of plant life in the late 18th century. 4. Edward Beaven (1801-1868), a British engineer and inventor who patented several innovations in the field of steam engine design. 5. Thomas Beaven (1829-1897), an Australian politician and businessman who served as the Premier of Queensland from 1876 to 1879.

The surname Beaven also has connections to various place names throughout England, such as Beaven Hill in Oxfordshire and Beaven's Wood in Wiltshire. These place names likely originated from individuals bearing the Beaven surname who once resided in or owned land in those areas.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Beaven families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Beaven 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. Wiltshire leads with 283 Beavens recorded in 1881 and an index of 37.71x.

County Total Index
Wiltshire 283 37.71x
Middlesex 125 1.47x
Somerset 83 6.08x
Surrey 63 1.52x
Gloucestershire 56 3.36x
Glamorgan 43 2.91x
Kent 30 1.04x
Herefordshire 24 6.90x
Monmouthshire 24 3.91x
Shropshire 20 2.73x
Lancashire 17 0.17x
Yorkshire 16 0.19x
Hampshire 14 0.80x
Warwickshire 13 0.61x
Devon 10 0.57x
Staffordshire 9 0.31x
Buckinghamshire 8 1.56x
Lanarkshire 8 0.29x
Derbyshire 7 0.53x
Worcestershire 5 0.45x
Brecknockshire 4 2.36x
Berkshire 3 0.47x
Oxfordshire 3 0.57x
Flintshire 1 0.44x
Montgomeryshire 1 0.51x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Trowbridge in Wiltshire leads with 61 Beavens recorded in 1881 and an index of 183.85x.

Place Total Index
Trowbridge 61 183.85x
Bradford On Avon 36 149.81x
Hammersmith London 35 16.74x
Frome 25 76.52x
Bedminster 21 16.36x
Little Cheverell 20 3125.00x
Tottenham 18 13.32x
Chippenham 16 101.65x
Lambeth 16 2.16x
Calne 14 90.61x
Cwmdu 14 77.78x
Islington London 14 1.70x
Battersea 13 4.16x
Bedwellty 12 11.08x
West Lavington 12 333.33x
Leintwardine 11 310.73x
Road 11 662.65x
West Derby 11 3.73x
Eaton Bishop 10 757.58x
Gelligaer 10 29.63x
Winkfield With Rowley 10 961.54x
Wrotham 10 104.28x
North Bradley 9 164.23x
Rotherhithe 9 8.58x
Stanton St Bernard 9 918.37x
West Wellow 9 535.71x
Enfield 8 14.37x
Great Marlow 8 57.76x
Salisbury St Edmund 8 66.39x
Warminster 8 48.63x
West Ashton 8 898.88x
Aston 7 1.19x
Cheltenham 7 5.45x
Leeds 7 1.47x
Maiden Bradley 7 404.62x
Newbold Dunston 7 55.42x
Newington 7 2.23x
Shettleston 7 28.49x
Shipton Moyne 7 569.11x
Skinningrove 7 135.66x
St Luke London 7 5.14x
Street 7 94.72x
Birmingham 6 0.84x
Clapham 6 5.66x
Exeter St Sidwell 6 14.83x
Hackney London 6 1.26x
St George Hanover Square 6 4.01x
St Pancras London 6 0.88x
Stratford Under Castle 6 652.17x
Swindon 6 10.31x
Wellington 6 14.56x
West Dean 6 22.19x
Ystradyfodwg 6 4.63x
Clifton 5 5.94x
Halstead 5 357.14x
Hawkesbury 5 88.34x
Melksham 5 38.37x
St George In East London 5 6.26x
St Marylebone London 5 1.10x
Vernham Dean 5 287.36x
Worcester St Martin 5 33.44x
Abergavenny 4 17.41x
Amesbury 4 121.95x
Bitton 4 27.61x
Bulkington 4 784.31x
Camberwell 4 0.74x
Clase 4 7.28x
Clevedon 4 28.15x
East Woodhay 4 90.09x
Folkestone 4 7.12x
Greenwich 4 2.96x
Hereford St Owen 4 34.81x
Ilminster 4 41.93x
North Newnton 4 366.97x
Rowley Regis 4 5.01x
Skenfrith 4 219.78x
Westbury On Trym 4 7.09x
Winterbourne Bassett 4 526.32x
Woolwich 4 3.74x
Wylye 4 279.72x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 54
John 34
George 32
James 26
Henry 22
Alfred 18
Thomas 18
Charles 16
Joseph 15
Albert 14
Arthur 11
Frederick 11
Harry 11
Samuel 10
Frank 9
Walter 9
Edward 7
Edwin 7
Richard 7
David 4
Job 4
Robert 4
Tom 4
Christopher 3
Ernest 3
Herbert 3
Percy 3
Stephen 3
Ebenezer 2
Elizabeth 2
Francis 2
Fred 2
Fredk. 2
Fredr. 2
Isaac 2
Jacob 2
Sidney 2
Wellington 2
Alex 1
Archibald 1
Arther 1
Caleb 1
Cornelias 1
Elias 1
Ephraim 1
Esther 1
Hubert 1
Israel 1
Jno. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Beaven surname: questions and answers

How common was the Beaven surname in 1881?

In 1881, 875 people were recorded with the Beaven surname. That placed it at #4,336 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Beaven surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,113 in 2016. That gives Beaven a modern rank of #5,284.

What does the Beaven surname mean?

A surname derived from the Anglo-Saxon words for "beaver" and "stream", referring to someone who lived near a stream frequented by beavers.

What does the Beaven map show?

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