NameCensus.

UK surname

Beckham

An English locational surname referring to someone who lived near a stream or brook, from Old English bēce "stream" and hām "home".

In the 1881 census there were 257 people recorded with the Beckham surname, ranking it #10,861 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 532, ranked #9,547, up from #10,861 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hindolveston, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include County Durham, Cherwell and North Norfolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Beckham is 554 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 107.0%.

1881 census count

257

Ranked #10,861

Modern count

532

2016, ranked #9,547

Peak year

2010

554 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Beckham had 257 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,861 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 532 in 2016, ranked #9,547.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 372 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Beckham surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Beckham surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Beckham 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 142 #13,428
1861 historical 289 #8,711
1881 historical 257 #10,861
1891 historical 337 #10,133
1901 historical 358 #10,269
1911 historical 372 #9,807
1997 modern 451 #10,049
1998 modern 482 #9,878
1999 modern 491 #9,797
2000 modern 479 #9,951
2001 modern 470 #9,906
2002 modern 491 #9,752
2003 modern 488 #9,657
2004 modern 493 #9,605
2005 modern 490 #9,577
2006 modern 501 #9,481
2007 modern 504 #9,508
2008 modern 505 #9,565
2009 modern 522 #9,544
2010 modern 554 #9,312
2011 modern 512 #9,777
2012 modern 513 #9,684
2013 modern 532 #9,587
2014 modern 519 #9,818
2015 modern 518 #9,761
2016 modern 532 #9,547

Geography

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Where Beckhams are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hindolveston, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, London parishes, St Pancras and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to County Durham, Cherwell, North Norfolk and Forest Heath. 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 Hindolveston Norfolk
2 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Pancras London (North Districts)
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 County Durham 055 County Durham
2 Cherwell 001 Cherwell
3 County Durham 010 County Durham
4 North Norfolk 011 North Norfolk
5 Forest Heath 005 Forest Heath

Forenames

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First names often paired with Beckham

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Beckham

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

Beckham is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Beckham

The surname Beckham is of English origin, with roots dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, derived from the place name Beckham in Nottinghamshire, England. The place name itself is thought to be derived from the Old English words "bece" meaning "stream" and "ham" meaning "homestead" or "village".

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Beckham can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it is listed as "de Bekham". This suggests that the name was already in use as a surname by the late 13th century, likely referring to someone who hailed from the village of Beckham.

During the Middle Ages, the name appeared in various spellings, such as "Becham", "Bekham", and "Beckeham", reflecting the inconsistencies in spelling and record-keeping of that time. The Domesday Book, the great survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the name Beckham, but it does mention the village of Beckham in Nottinghamshire.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name Beckham was John Beckham, who was born in the early 14th century and served as the Archdeacon of Nottingham from 1349 to 1367. Another notable figure was Thomas Beckham, a wealthy merchant and landowner who lived in the 16th century and owned properties in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.

In the 17th century, the name Beckham gained prominence with the birth of William Beckham (1616-1680), an English clergyman and author who served as the Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral in London. His son, Thomas Beckham (1648-1706), followed in his footsteps and became a prominent clergyman as well, holding the positions of Archdeacon of Nottingham and Prebendary of Southwell Minster.

Another significant figure in the history of the Beckham name was Sir Edmund Beckham (1719-1791), a Member of Parliament for Lincolnshire and a prominent landowner. His grandson, Sir Edmund Beckham (1774-1849), also served as a Member of Parliament and was a renowned philanthropist and supporter of education.

Throughout the centuries, the Beckham name has been associated with various places in England, particularly in the counties of Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire, where the surname has deep roots and a rich history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Beckham families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Beckham 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 67 Beckhams recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.65x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 67 2.65x
Norfolk 67 17.25x
Surrey 37 3.01x
Yorkshire 15 0.60x
Lancashire 14 0.47x
Kent 13 1.51x
Lincolnshire 8 1.98x
Sussex 8 1.88x
Suffolk 6 1.95x
Cheshire 5 0.90x
Buckinghamshire 3 1.96x
Devon 3 0.57x
Channel Islands 2 2.67x
Cornwall 2 0.70x
Dorset 2 1.21x
Hampshire 2 0.39x
Berkshire 1 0.53x
Durham 1 0.13x
Somerset 1 0.25x
Warwickshire 1 0.16x
Worcestershire 1 0.30x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Loddon in Norfolk leads with 17 Beckhams recorded in 1881 and an index of 1700.00x.

Place Total Index
Loddon 17 1700.00x
Lambeth 15 6.81x
East Dereham 14 285.13x
St Pancras London 12 5.90x
Heigham 10 47.96x
Hindolveston 9 1578.95x
St George Hanover Square 9 20.22x
Newington 8 8.57x
St Anne Soho London 8 55.44x
St Martin Lincoln 8 213.33x
Battersea 7 7.53x
Bethnal Green London 7 6.38x
Skelton In Guisbrough 7 103.40x
York St Mary 7 67.50x
Clayton Le Moors 6 103.09x
Salford 6 6.81x
St Marylebone London 5 3.71x
Tatton 5 3846.15x
Chatham 4 16.87x
East Wickham 4 392.16x
St Giles In Fields London 4 32.28x
Subdeanery 4 123.84x
Beaconsfield 3 212.77x
Chedgrave 3 937.50x
Hackney London 3 2.12x
Hove 3 16.05x
Mettingham 3 967.74x
Mile End New Town London 3 60.12x
Paddington London 3 3.23x
Ashton Under Lyne 2 3.05x
Godalming 2 25.81x
Guildford St Mary 2 132.45x
Hammersmith London 2 3.21x
Holt 2 150.38x
Islington London 2 0.82x
Minster In Sheppey 2 14.01x
Norton Subcourse 2 645.16x
Norwich St Stephen 2 56.02x
Oxted 2 135.14x
Poole St James 2 32.10x
Shoreditch London 2 1.83x
St Andrew Holborn London 2 18.28x
St Helier 2 8.21x
St Luke London 2 4.94x
Stoke Newington London 2 10.16x
Astley 1 476.19x
Beckenham 1 8.87x
Blofield 1 101.01x
Bodmin 1 21.14x
Bungay St Mary 1 65.79x
Chelsea London 1 1.31x
Compton Gifford 1 60.61x
Cromer 1 72.46x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.50x
Eling 1 19.05x
Exeter St Sidwell 1 8.31x
Gorleston 1 12.79x
Holy Trinity 1 1.66x
Kings Norton 1 3.38x
Kyo 1 28.25x
Lanivet 1 112.36x
Long Ashton 1 49.51x
New Windsor 1 15.67x
Norwich St Gregory 1 147.06x
Norwich St Peter Southgate 1 204.08x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 2.47x
Portsea 1 0.99x
Ringmer 1 83.33x
Rochester St Nicholas 1 37.31x
Rotherhithe 1 3.20x
South Elmham St James 1 500.00x
Swanton Morley 1 166.67x
Thorpe Next Haddiscoe 1 1250.00x
Thorpe Next Norwich 1 24.27x
Wolferton 1 625.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 18
John 16
Charles 11
James 10
Robert 6
Arthur 5
George 5
Alfred 4
Edward 4
Samuel 4
Ernest 3
Frederick 3
Herbert 3
Albert 2
Daniel 2
Joseph 2
Stephen 2
Thomas 2
Abel 1
Algernon 1
Ayrus 1
Barnard 1
Benj. 1
Benjamin 1
Christopher 1
Fletcher 1
Harry 1
Henry 1
Lewis 1
Miles 1
Olta 1
Rueben 1
Tho.Henry 1
Tom 1
Willie 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Beckham surname: questions and answers

How common was the Beckham surname in 1881?

In 1881, 257 people were recorded with the Beckham surname. That placed it at #10,861 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Beckham surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 532 in 2016. That gives Beckham a modern rank of #9,547.

What does the Beckham surname mean?

An English locational surname referring to someone who lived near a stream or brook, from Old English bēce "stream" and hām "home".

What does the Beckham map show?

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