NameCensus.

UK surname

Bebbington

A locational surname derived from a place in Cheshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 1,327 people recorded with the Bebbington surname, ranking it #3,093 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,146, ranked #3,011, up from #3,093 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Over, Manchester and Coppenhall. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Shropshire and Cheshire East.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bebbington is 2,234 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 61.7%.

1881 census count

1,327

Ranked #3,093

Modern count

2,146

2016, ranked #3,011

Peak year

2000

2,234 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bebbington had 1,327 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,093 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,146 in 2016, ranked #3,011.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,105 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Bebbington surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bebbington surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bebbington 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 681 #3,816
1861 historical 632 #4,239
1881 historical 1,327 #3,093
1891 historical 1,425 #3,063
1901 historical 1,835 #2,866
1911 historical 2,105 #2,379
1997 modern 2,074 #2,963
1998 modern 2,203 #2,916
1999 modern 2,218 #2,921
2000 modern 2,234 #2,884
2001 modern 2,211 #2,856
2002 modern 2,210 #2,906
2003 modern 2,139 #2,934
2004 modern 2,140 #2,938
2005 modern 2,092 #2,951
2006 modern 2,061 #3,006
2007 modern 2,057 #3,043
2008 modern 2,086 #3,022
2009 modern 2,163 #3,002
2010 modern 2,187 #3,034
2011 modern 2,163 #3,021
2012 modern 2,155 #2,970
2013 modern 2,183 #2,987
2014 modern 2,200 #2,985
2015 modern 2,183 #2,978
2016 modern 2,146 #3,011

Geography

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Where Bebbingtons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Over, Manchester, Coppenhall, Nantwich and Stoke-on-Trent, Bucknell-cum-Bagnall, Caverswall. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Shropshire and Cheshire East. 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 Over Cheshire
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Coppenhall Cheshire
4 Nantwich Cheshire
5 Stoke-on-Trent, Bucknell-cum-Bagnall, Caverswall Staffordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Shropshire 001 Shropshire
2 Cheshire East 041 Cheshire East
3 Cheshire East 036 Cheshire East
4 Cheshire East 051 Cheshire East
5 Cheshire East 035 Cheshire East

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bebbington

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bebbington

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Bebbington is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bebbington 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

Bebbington 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 Bebbington 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 Bebbington, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Bebbington

The surname Bebbington is of English origin, with roots that can be traced back to the medieval period. It is a locational name, derived from the place name Bebbington, which is situated in the historic county of Cheshire. The name Bebbington is believed to have originated from the Old English words "bebbe" meaning "brook" or "stream" and "tun" meaning "farm" or "enclosure."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bebbington can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive land survey commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The Domesday Book mentions a landowner named Ricardus de Bebintone, which is an early spelling variation of the surname.

In the 13th century, records show a certain William de Bebynton, who held lands in Cheshire. This is one of the earliest documented examples of the surname Bebbington being used as a hereditary family name. During this period, the name was often spelled in various ways, such as Bebynton, Bebyngton, and Bebyngtoun, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling practices of the time.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Bebbington. One such figure was Sir Francis Bebbington (1551-1619), an English lawyer and Member of Parliament who served as the Recorder of London from 1595 to 1619. Another prominent Bebbington was William Bebbington (1794-1881), a British engineer and inventor known for his contributions to the development of the steam engine.

In the realm of literature, John Bebbington (1790-1859) was an English poet and writer who published several works, including "The Minstrel's Song" and "The Poetical Remains of John Bebbington." Additionally, Thomas Littleton Bebbington (1843-1908) was a notable English clergyman and author who wrote several religious texts, such as "The Epistle to the Romans" and "The Epistle to the Hebrews."

The surname Bebbington has also been associated with the world of sports. One notable figure was George Bebbington (1889-1962), an English professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for several clubs, including Manchester United and Blackpool.

While these examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and achievements of individuals bearing the surname Bebbington, it is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, and many other notable figures with this surname have undoubtedly contributed to various fields throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bebbington families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bebbington 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. Cheshire leads with 682 Bebbingtons recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.87x.

County Total Index
Cheshire 682 23.87x
Lancashire 308 2.01x
Staffordshire 111 2.54x
Shropshire 92 8.23x
Middlesex 44 0.34x
Denbighshire 12 2.45x
Warwickshire 12 0.37x
Flintshire 10 2.87x
Yorkshire 9 0.07x
Kent 8 0.18x
Northamptonshire 8 0.66x
Leicestershire 6 0.42x
Surrey 5 0.08x
Gloucestershire 3 0.12x
Worcestershire 3 0.18x
Berkshire 2 0.21x
Derbyshire 2 0.10x
Isle of Man 2 0.83x
Norfolk 2 0.10x
Anglesey 1 0.44x
Cumberland 1 0.09x
Devon 1 0.04x
Hampshire 1 0.04x
Herefordshire 1 0.19x
Lanarkshire 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. Monks Coppenhall in Cheshire leads with 59 Bebbingtons recorded in 1881 and an index of 54.72x.

Place Total Index
Monks Coppenhall 59 54.72x
Salford 57 12.62x
Hulme 39 12.16x
Over 32 110.19x
Haslington 28 348.26x
Madeley 23 211.20x
Willaston In Nantwich 23 260.77x
Stoke Upon Trent 22 4.75x
Burslem 21 16.78x
Nantwich 20 60.24x
Wem 20 120.26x
Wharton 20 128.53x
Whitchurch 20 92.17x
Chester St John Baptist 18 35.05x
Hoole 18 166.67x
Warrington 18 9.89x
Shrewsbury St Mary 17 38.52x
Bromley London 16 5.62x
Chester St Oswald 16 30.92x
Weaver 16 2580.65x
Brindley 14 1707.32x
Spurstow 14 700.00x
Weaverham Cum Milton 14 185.43x
Baddington 13 2000.00x
Chrtltn Cdngtn Nwtn 13 572.69x
Oswestry Rural 13 75.89x
Burland 12 412.37x
Sandbach 12 49.24x
Tarporley 12 200.67x
Toxteth Park 12 2.31x
Witton Cum Twambrooks 12 47.19x
Alsager 11 154.71x
Barrow In Furness 11 5.27x
Chorlton On Medlock 11 4.51x
Hurleston 11 2000.00x
Sound 11 909.09x
Birmingham 10 0.92x
Church Coppenhall 10 78.31x
Congleton 10 20.26x
Gorton 10 6.93x
Newcastle Under Lyme 10 12.93x
Oldham 10 2.02x
St Pancras London 10 0.96x
Minshull Vernon 9 616.44x
Newton 9 7.60x
Stretford 9 10.65x
Wednesbury 9 8.24x
Altrincham 8 16.02x
Ashton Under Lyne 8 2.38x
Betley 8 219.78x
Blakenhall 8 919.54x
Golborne Bellow 8 2222.22x
Kirkdale 8 3.10x
Middlewich 8 136.05x
Wrexham Regis 8 22.03x
Baschurch 7 91.50x
Cheadle 7 12.83x
Hackney London 7 0.96x
Hatherton 7 496.45x
Little Bolton 7 3.54x
Macclesfield 7 5.51x
Manchester 7 1.01x
Peterborough 7 7.94x
Plumstead 7 4.75x
Prestwich 7 18.27x
Bradwall 6 204.08x
Buerton In Nantwich 6 287.08x
Crowton 6 292.68x
Dodcott Cum Wilkesley 6 205.48x
Frodsham 6 54.20x
Knutsford Nether 6 34.74x
Liverpool 6 0.64x
Marburywith Quoisley 6 200.67x
Melton Mowbray 6 23.25x
Pendlebury 6 18.50x
Runcorn 6 9.11x
St Gilesin Fields London 6 54.79x
West Derby 6 1.34x
Whitchurch Tilstock 6 217.39x
Wistaston 6 333.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 97
Sarah 59
Elizabeth 58
Ann 36
Martha 28
Ellen 26
Alice 22
Eliza 22
Jane 22
Hannah 21
Emma 18
Annie 16
Harriet 13
Ada 10
Charlotte 10
Edith 10
Frances 10
Emily 9
Margaret 8
Maria 8
Fanny 7
Lucy 7
Agnes 6
Amelia 6
Catherine 5
Florence 5
Harriett 5
Caroline 4
Grace 4
Helen 4
Amy 3
Anne 3
Esther 3
Gertrude 3
Louisa 3
Phebe 3
Rebecca 3
Beatrice 2
Bertha 2
Blanch 2
Eleanor 2
Elizth. 2
Hesther 2
Jemima 2
Jessie 2
May 2
Minnie 2
Phoebe 2
Rachel 2
Susannah 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 97
William 76
Thomas 60
George 50
Joseph 47
Samuel 39
James 34
Charles 30
Henry 15
Richard 15
Edward 13
Arthur 11
Edwin 10
Robert 9
Alfred 8
Daniel 8
Thos. 8
Ernest 7
Harry 7
Walter 7
Ralph 6
Frank 5
Albert 4
Frederick 4
Peter 4
Benjamin 3
Fred 3
Harold 3
Herbert 3
Jno. 3
Levi 3
Allen 2
Edwd. 2
Geo. 2
Isaac 2
Jabez 2
Josiah 2
Mark 2
Percy 2
Phillip 2
Saml. 2
Sidney 2
Wm. 2
Amos 1
Chas.H. 1
Clement 1
Ephraim 1
Francis 1
Frederic 1
Wm.Henry 1

FAQ

Bebbington surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bebbington surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,327 people were recorded with the Bebbington surname. That placed it at #3,093 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bebbington surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,146 in 2016. That gives Bebbington a modern rank of #3,011.

What does the Bebbington surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place in Cheshire, England.

What does the Bebbington map show?

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