NameCensus.

UK surname

Behr

A German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname referring to someone who lived near or worked with bears.

In the 1881 census there were 49 people recorded with the Behr surname, ranking it #26,735 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 108, ranked #29,578, down from #26,735 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Powys, Barnet and Stobswell.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Behr is 121 in 2006. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 120.4%.

1881 census count

49

Ranked #26,735

Modern count

108

2016, ranked #29,578

Peak year

2006

121 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Behr had 49 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #26,735 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 108 in 2016, ranked #29,578.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 90 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Behr surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Behr surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Behr 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 10 #31,497
1861 historical 30 #30,188
1881 historical 49 #26,735
1891 historical 36 #31,465
1901 historical 89 #24,154
1911 historical 90 #23,797
1997 modern 105 #26,188
1998 modern 110 #26,129
1999 modern 114 #25,766
2000 modern 109 #26,381
2001 modern 103 #26,927
2002 modern 117 #25,494
2003 modern 115 #25,538
2004 modern 109 #26,607
2005 modern 112 #26,114
2006 modern 121 #25,133
2007 modern 116 #26,209
2008 modern 114 #26,796
2009 modern 112 #27,685
2010 modern 121 #27,005
2011 modern 114 #27,784
2012 modern 114 #27,868
2013 modern 109 #29,209
2014 modern 111 #29,113
2015 modern 106 #29,895
2016 modern 108 #29,578

Geography

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Where Behrs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Powys, Barnet, Stobswell, Bruntsfield and Bromley. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Powys 018 Powys
2 Barnet 007 Barnet
3 Stobswell Dundee City
4 Bruntsfield City of Edinburgh
5 Bromley 004 Bromley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Behr

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Behr

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Behr surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Behr 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Behr 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

Behr is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Behr 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 Behr is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Behr, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Behr

The surname BEHR is of German origin, with its roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Old German word "bero," meaning "bear," suggesting that the name may have initially been used as a nickname or descriptive term for someone who possessed bear-like qualities or lived in an area populated by bears.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the BEHR surname can be found in the "Codex Diplomaticus Anhaltinus," a collection of historical documents from the Anhalt region in Germany, dating back to the 12th century. This document mentions a certain "Bero de Velwen" in 1184, suggesting that the BEHR surname may have been in use as early as the 12th century.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the BEHR surname appeared in various historical records across various regions of Germany, including the "Traditiones Fuldenses" from the Fulda Abbey and the "Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae" from Saxony. These records often mentioned individuals with the BEHR surname in connection with land ownership and legal transactions.

One notable historical figure bearing the BEHR surname was Johann Balthasar Behr (1675-1738), a German lawyer and legal scholar who served as a judge in the Imperial Chamber Court of the Holy Roman Empire. His influential work, "De Jure Principis Civitatis Evangelicae," published in 1717, addressed legal issues concerning Protestant territories within the Holy Roman Empire.

In the realm of art, the BEHR surname is associated with the German painter and engraver Joachim Franz Behr (1639-1698), known for his religious and allegorical works. His engravings and etchings, such as "The Crucifixion" and "The Life of the Virgin Mary," are highly regarded and can be found in various art collections around the world.

Another notable figure was the German botanist and entomologist Wilhelm Behr (1775-1853), who made significant contributions to the study of insects and plants. He was involved in the exploration and documentation of the natural flora and fauna of Russia and is credited with discovering several new species of insects.

In the 19th century, the BEHR surname gained prominence in the United States, particularly in Texas. One notable individual was Herman Behr (1819-1904), a German-American entomologist who extensively studied the insect life of California and was instrumental in establishing the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.

Throughout history, the BEHR surname has been associated with various variations and spellings, such as Behr, Beehr, Bere, and Bere, reflecting regional dialects and language variations within Germany and other parts of Europe.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Behr families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Behr 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 21 Behrs recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.39x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 21 4.39x
Hampshire 17 17.35x
Yorkshire 5 1.06x
Oxfordshire 3 10.17x
Sussex 2 2.48x
Surrey 1 0.43x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lymington in Hampshire leads with 9 Behrs recorded in 1881 and an index of 1250.00x.

Place Total Index
Lymington 9 1250.00x
Portsea 7 36.46x
Bow London 5 82.24x
St Andrew Holborn London 5 241.55x
Twickenham 4 195.12x
Headington 3 652.17x
Holy Trinity 3 26.34x
Brighton 2 12.30x
Hammersmith London 2 16.99x
St Marylebone London 2 7.84x
Aldershot 1 30.49x
Chiswick 1 38.31x
Horton In Bradford 1 13.51x
Isleworth 1 47.17x
Manningham 1 17.15x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 10.40x
St Pancras London 1 2.60x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Anna 2
Mary 2
Susan 2
Caroline 1
Clara 1
Edith 1
Elizabeth 1
Emma 1
Hedroi 1
Isabella 1
Jane 1
Jean 1
Johanue 1
Louisa 1
Mabel 1
Margarette 1
Maude 1
Mina 1
Minnie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Charles 4
Louis 3
Otto 2
William 2
Bernhard 1
Bertram 1
Edward 1
Fitz 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
George 1
Henry 1
Herr 1
John 1
Jucfus 1
Mority 1
Percy 1
Phillip 1
Richard 1
Theadore 1

Top occupations

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 Behr households.

FAQ

Behr surname: questions and answers

How common was the Behr surname in 1881?

In 1881, 49 people were recorded with the Behr surname. That placed it at #26,735 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Behr surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 108 in 2016. That gives Behr a modern rank of #29,578.

What does the Behr surname mean?

A German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname referring to someone who lived near or worked with bears.

What does the Behr map show?

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