NameCensus.

UK surname

Bees

A surname derived from a nickname referring to the occupation of a beekeeper or honey producer.

In the 1881 census there were 472 people recorded with the Bees surname, ranking it #7,076 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 593, ranked #8,799, down from #7,076 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Bedminster. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Blaenau Gwent, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Daventry.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bees is 649 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 25.6%.

1881 census count

472

Ranked #7,076

Modern count

593

2016, ranked #8,799

Peak year

1999

649 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bees had 472 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,076 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 593 in 2016, ranked #8,799.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 640 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Bees surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bees surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bees 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 318 #7,293
1861 historical 564 #4,667
1881 historical 472 #7,076
1891 historical 601 #6,375
1901 historical 522 #7,802
1911 historical 640 #6,517
1997 modern 622 #7,948
1998 modern 635 #8,050
1999 modern 649 #7,950
2000 modern 632 #8,111
2001 modern 611 #8,182
2002 modern 638 #8,074
2003 modern 639 #7,921
2004 modern 630 #8,028
2005 modern 613 #8,142
2006 modern 604 #8,246
2007 modern 606 #8,287
2008 modern 597 #8,452
2009 modern 602 #8,580
2010 modern 618 #8,587
2011 modern 618 #8,490
2012 modern 594 #8,679
2013 modern 594 #8,809
2014 modern 597 #8,832
2015 modern 591 #8,828
2016 modern 593 #8,799

Geography

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Where Bees' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Bedminster, Compton Dando and St Philip and Jacob. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Blaenau Gwent, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Daventry and Bridgend. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Bedminster Somerset
4 Compton Dando Somerset
5 St Philip and Jacob Gloucestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Blaenau Gwent 004 Blaenau Gwent
2 Rhondda Cynon Taf 023 Rhondda Cynon Taf
3 Blaenau Gwent 007 Blaenau Gwent
4 Daventry 002 Daventry
5 Bridgend 003 Bridgend

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bees

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bees

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Bees surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Bees household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Bees is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bees 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

Bees falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Bees

The surname "BEES" is believed to have originated in England, tracing its roots back to the early medieval period, around the 11th or 12th century. It is thought to be an occupational name, derived from the Old English word "beo" or "beo-cere," which translates to "bee-keeper" or "bee-man." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname were likely involved in the keeping and management of bees for the production of honey and other bee-related products.

One of the earliest recorded instances of this surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey commissioned by William the Conqueror to record the landholdings and resources of England. In this document, the name appears as "Beo-cere," indicating its connection to the bee-keeping trade.

During the Middle Ages, bees and honey held significant importance in various aspects of life, from culinary to medicinal uses. As a result, bee-keepers were valued members of society, and their occupation became a source of pride and identity, often leading to the adoption of occupational surnames like "BEES."

In the 13th century, a man named Roger Bees was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275. This early mention suggests that the surname had become well-established by that time. Another notable figure from history bearing this surname was William Bees, a merchant and member of the Guild of Mercers in London, who lived in the late 14th century.

As the surname spread across England, variations in spelling emerged, such as "Bees," "Beese," and "Bease." These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of local scribes. The surname also found its way into place names, such as "Bees Croft" in Gloucestershire, which likely originated from the occupations or landholdings of individuals with the surname.

Among the more notable figures with the surname "BEES" throughout history are:

1. Thomas Bees (c. 1500-1570), an English playwright and author during the Tudor period. 2. John Bees (1620-1689), a renowned English theologian and philosopher. 3. Mary Bees (1745-1823), a British botanist and naturalist known for her contributions to the study of flora. 4. Edward Bees (1792-1867), a prominent English architect who designed several churches and public buildings. 5. William Bees (1872-1944), a British explorer and adventurer who led expeditions to the Arctic regions.

While the surname "BEES" may not be among the most common today, its history reflects a rich tapestry of occupations, regional variations, and individuals who left their mark on various fields throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bees families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bees 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. Somerset leads with 165 Bees' recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.26x.

County Total Index
Somerset 165 22.26x
Gloucestershire 120 13.29x
Monmouthshire 45 13.52x
Lancashire 24 0.44x
Glamorgan 22 2.74x
Yorkshire 21 0.46x
Surrey 15 0.67x
Warwickshire 15 1.29x
Middlesex 11 0.24x
Wiltshire 9 2.21x
Hertfordshire 8 2.52x
Devon 6 0.63x
Worcestershire 5 0.83x
Staffordshire 2 0.13x
Kent 1 0.06x
Lanarkshire 1 0.07x
Norfolk 1 0.14x
Royal Navy 1 1.82x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bristol St Philip Jacob in Gloucestershire leads with 48 Bees' recorded in 1881 and an index of 56.46x.

Place Total Index
Bristol St Philip Jacob 48 56.46x
Keynsham 34 639.10x
Compton Dando 28 5384.62x
Bedminster 26 37.33x
Whitchurch 16 2000.00x
Ystradyfodwg 16 22.75x
Trevethin 15 47.73x
Aston 12 3.75x
Westbury On Trym 12 39.23x
Bedwellty 11 18.72x
Bitton Oldland 10 108.34x
Stapleton 10 58.38x
Bristol St George 9 21.55x
Burnley 9 19.56x
Normanton 9 65.65x
Aberystruth 8 27.27x
Backwell 8 526.32x
Long Ashton 8 217.39x
Tring 8 94.45x
Chipping Sodbury 7 416.67x
Gloucester Barton St 7 132.33x
Newington 7 4.12x
Newport 7 44.08x
Bristol St Paul In 6 24.94x
Camberwell 6 2.04x
Swindon 6 19.00x
Timsbury 6 266.67x
Aspull 5 38.91x
Bethnal Green London 5 2.50x
Exeter St Mary Major 5 86.51x
Manningham 5 8.90x
Newton St Loe 5 862.07x
Clifton 4 8.76x
Dudley 4 5.47x
Freshford 4 625.00x
Layton With Warbreck 4 19.95x
Lyncombe Widcombe 4 20.62x
Mark 4 231.21x
Potter Newton 4 49.69x
Twerton 4 52.36x
Bradford On Avon 3 23.01x
Bristol St Michael 3 38.76x
Cardiff St Mary 3 6.79x
Farrington Gurney 3 352.94x
St Giles In Fields London 3 13.28x
St Woollos 3 8.08x
West Derby 3 1.88x
Birmingham 2 0.52x
Burton Upon Trent 2 5.50x
Cheltenham 2 2.87x
Clevedon 2 25.94x
Eccleston In Prescot 2 7.29x
Marksbury 2 555.56x
Martock 2 41.49x
Rotherhithe 2 3.52x
St Pancras London 2 0.54x
Walcot 2 5.07x
Aberdare 1 1.82x
Alvechurch 1 39.06x
Bath St James 1 12.94x
Bishops Tachbrook 1 106.38x
Bishopston Higher 1 312.50x
Bovey Tracey 1 29.85x
Bristol St James In 1 7.53x
Clutton 1 62.11x
Easton In Gordano 1 33.56x
Glasgow 1 0.38x
Gloucester St John Baptist 1 17.15x
Herne 1 14.39x
Knottingley 1 12.47x
Leeds 1 0.39x
Paddington London 1 0.59x
Penarth 1 12.77x
Royal Navy 1 2.13x
Sandal Magna 1 14.81x
Toxteth Park 1 0.54x
Upper Llanvrechva 1 19.34x
Weston Super Mare 1 5.34x
Westonsuper Mare 1 66.23x
Winscombe 1 50.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 30
Sarah 20
Elizabeth 17
Jane 12
Annie 10
Ellen 10
Ann 9
Emily 9
Emma 8
Louisa 8
Eliza 7
Alice 6
Caroline 5
Clara 5
Florence 4
Agnes 3
Lydia 3
Margaret 3
Maria 3
Ada 2
Amelia 2
Anna 2
Anne 2
Edith 2
Hannah 2
Mabel 2
Martha 2
Rebecca 2
Rose 2
Selina 2
Amy 1
Bessie 1
Camila 1
Celia 1
Elizbh. 1
Elizh. 1
Elizth. 1
Elizth.Ann 1
Fanny 1
George 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Kezia 1
Laura 1
Leah 1
Lelah 1
Leoline 1
Lilly 1
Louise 1
Lucy 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 31
George 29
John 27
Thomas 14
James 13
Joseph 9
Charles 6
Edward 6
Alfred 5
Arthur 5
Walter 5
Albert 4
Ernest 4
Henry 4
Samuel 4
David 3
Frank 3
Herbert 3
Jesse 3
Richard 3
Robert 3
Sidney 3
Wm. 3
Aaron 2
Edwin 2
Frederic 2
Frederick 2
Isaac 2
Matthew 2
Sampson 2
Ezekiel 1
Florance 1
Harry 1
Hy. 1
Hy.Jno. 1
Ishmael 1
Jessie 1
Jno. 1
Lionel 1
Mark 1
Mathew 1
Phillip 1
Rd. 1
Robt. 1
Rowland 1
Sidey 1
Solomon 1
Tom 1
Trice 1
Wm.Geo. 1

FAQ

Bees surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bees surname in 1881?

In 1881, 472 people were recorded with the Bees surname. That placed it at #7,076 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bees surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 593 in 2016. That gives Bees a modern rank of #8,799.

What does the Bees surname mean?

A surname derived from a nickname referring to the occupation of a beekeeper or honey producer.

What does the Bees map show?

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