UK surname
A surname indicating the bearer had a calm or composed demeanor.
In the 1881 census there were 77 people recorded with the Been surname, ranking it #22,617 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 59, ranked #34,401, down from #22,617 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Hurst and Maiden Newton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Been is 245 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 23.4%.
1881 census count
77
Ranked #22,617
Modern count
59
2016, ranked #34,401
Peak year
1861
245 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Been surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Been surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 92 | #18,050 |
| 1861 | historical | 245 | #10,057 |
| 1881 | historical | 77 | #22,617 |
| 1891 | historical | 123 | #20,939 |
| 1901 | historical | 41 | #29,602 |
| 1911 | historical | 56 | #27,216 |
| 1997 | modern | 11 | #36,912 |
| 1998 | modern | 14 | #36,565 |
| 1999 | modern | 15 | #36,476 |
| 2000 | modern | 9 | #37,119 |
| 2001 | modern | 9 | #36,980 |
| 2002 | modern | 6 | #37,532 |
| 2003 | modern | 8 | #37,248 |
| 2004 | modern | 10 | #37,096 |
| 2005 | modern | 13 | #36,833 |
| 2006 | modern | 17 | #36,517 |
| 2007 | modern | 17 | #36,628 |
| 2008 | modern | 21 | #36,355 |
| 2009 | modern | 25 | #36,191 |
| 2010 | modern | 32 | #35,848 |
| 2011 | modern | 26 | #36,193 |
| 2012 | modern | 36 | #35,595 |
| 2013 | modern | 37 | #35,582 |
| 2014 | modern | 43 | #35,293 |
| 2015 | modern | 50 | #34,886 |
| 2016 | modern | 59 | #34,401 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Hurst, Maiden Newton, Manchester and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 2 | Hurst | Berkshire |
| 3 | Maiden Newton | Dorset |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Been surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Been, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Been surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Been household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Been is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Been is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Been, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "Been" is believed to have originated in England, with records dating back to the 16th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "bēon," which means "to be" or "to exist." This suggests that the name may have been initially used as a descriptive surname, referring to someone's state of being or existence.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "Been" can be found in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, England, where a John Been was mentioned in 1572. Another early reference is from the records of St. Michael's Church in Coventry, Warwickshire, where a William Been was recorded in 1598.
While the surname "Been" does not appear in the famous Domesday Book of 1086, there are records of various place names that may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time. For instance, the village of Beenham in Berkshire and the town of Bean in Kent could have contributed to the development of the surname.
Notable individuals with the surname "Been" include John Been (1592-1658), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Fressingfield in Suffolk. Another prominent figure was Sir Edward Been (1616-1673), a Member of Parliament for Southwark during the English Civil War.
In the 18th century, Thomas Been (1735-1802) was a renowned engraver and printmaker from London, known for his intricate landscapes and architectural prints. James Been (1763-1844), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Gloucestershire, was also a notable figure during this period.
Moving into the 19th century, we find William Been (1829-1892), a prominent architect who designed several churches and public buildings in the London area, including the iconic St. Pancras Station.
While the surname "Been" may not be as common as some other English surnames, it has a rich history and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Been surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 14 Beens recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.97x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 14 | 1.97x |
| Kent | 8 | 3.29x |
| Buckinghamshire | 7 | 16.26x |
| Lanarkshire | 7 | 3.04x |
| Yorkshire | 7 | 0.99x |
| Northumberland | 6 | 5.66x |
| Monmouthshire | 5 | 9.71x |
| Hertfordshire | 4 | 8.15x |
| Devon | 3 | 2.02x |
| Cumberland | 2 | 3.26x |
| Northamptonshire | 2 | 2.99x |
| Nottinghamshire | 2 | 2.08x |
| Surrey | 2 | 0.58x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.69x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 0.88x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 0.91x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.83x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Milton In Gravesend in Kent leads with 7 Beens recorded in 1881 and an index of 192.31x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Milton In Gravesend | 7 | 192.31x |
| Tynemouth | 6 | 105.82x |
| Wavendon | 6 | 2500.00x |
| Barony | 5 | 8.58x |
| St Woollos | 5 | 87.11x |
| Wortley In Bramley | 5 | 89.45x |
| Hampton Wick London | 4 | 769.23x |
| Offley | 3 | 937.50x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 3 | 26.27x |
| Glasgow | 2 | 4.89x |
| Islington London | 2 | 2.90x |
| Mile End Old Town London | 2 | 13.20x |
| Teversall | 2 | 2000.00x |
| Wakerley | 2 | 4000.00x |
| Bethnal Green London | 1 | 3.23x |
| Bradford | 1 | 5.85x |
| Broadwater | 1 | 36.36x |
| Clee With Weelsby | 1 | 40.16x |
| Croydon | 1 | 5.19x |
| Dinton | 1 | 588.24x |
| Eccleshill | 1 | 58.14x |
| Egremont | 1 | 68.49x |
| Faversham | 1 | 43.10x |
| Hampton London | 1 | 85.47x |
| Hatfield | 1 | 101.01x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 2.53x |
| Mileham | 1 | 833.33x |
| Mortlake | 1 | 64.52x |
| Poplar London | 1 | 7.44x |
| Southampton St Mary | 1 | 10.89x |
| St Gilesin Fields London | 1 | 166.67x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.74x |
| West Newton Allonby | 1 | 476.19x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Been surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Been surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Been households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 12 |
| Ag Lab | 3 |
| Domestic | 2 |
| Ab Seaman | 1 |
| Ag Labr | 1 |
| Bonnet Sewer (Straw) | 1 |
| Butler Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Carman | 1 |
| Carman Pauper Inmate Of St Giles Workhouse | 1 |
| Coal Carrier | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Corn Merchants Porter | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Fisherman | 1 |
| General Servt | 1 |
| Journeyman Blacksmith | 1 |
| Lace Maker | 1 |
| Ladys Maid | 1 |
| Machinist | 1 |
| Mariner Out Of Employ | 1 |
| Mill Hand Wool | 1 |
| None | 1 |
| Nurse To Children | 1 |
| Plaiter | 1 |
| Platelayers Laborer | 1 |
| Pot Boy | 1 |
| Retired Shoemaker | 1 |
| Sawyer | 1 |
| Silk Weaver | 1 |
| Smiths Striker | 1 |
| Stone Mason | 1 |
| Watermans Wife | 1 |
| Worsted Weaving Overlooker (Out Of Employ) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 77 people were recorded with the Been surname. That placed it at #22,617 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 59 in 2016. That gives Been a modern rank of #34,401.
A surname indicating the bearer had a calm or composed demeanor.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Been bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.