NameCensus.

UK surname

Behrens

A German occupational surname referring to someone who lived near or worked with bears or bear-keepers.

In the 1881 census there were 142 people recorded with the Behrens surname, ranking it #16,012 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 226, ranked #18,044, down from #16,012 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Toxteth Park and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cheshire East, Barnet and Hammersmith and Fulham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Behrens is 229 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 59.2%.

1881 census count

142

Ranked #16,012

Modern count

226

2016, ranked #18,044

Peak year

2014

229 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Behrens had 142 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,012 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 226 in 2016, ranked #18,044.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 195 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Behrens surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Behrens surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Behrens 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 54 #23,577
1861 historical 58 #26,585
1881 historical 142 #16,012
1891 historical 149 #18,420
1901 historical 195 #15,380
1911 historical 189 #15,488
1997 modern 183 #18,642
1998 modern 187 #18,857
1999 modern 195 #18,517
2000 modern 190 #18,806
2001 modern 178 #19,288
2002 modern 182 #19,411
2003 modern 167 #20,245
2004 modern 173 #19,937
2005 modern 175 #19,727
2006 modern 174 #19,921
2007 modern 187 #19,271
2008 modern 194 #19,011
2009 modern 198 #19,145
2010 modern 205 #19,140
2011 modern 207 #18,841
2012 modern 200 #19,207
2013 modern 215 #18,598
2014 modern 229 #17,925
2015 modern 221 #18,289
2016 modern 226 #18,044

Geography

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Where Behrens' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Toxteth Park, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cheshire East, Barnet, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrogate and Ryedale. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Toxteth Park Lancashire
4 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cheshire East 011 Cheshire East
2 Barnet 008 Barnet
3 Hammersmith and Fulham 022 Hammersmith and Fulham
4 Harrogate 018 Harrogate
5 Ryedale 007 Ryedale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Behrens

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Behrens

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Behrens, 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 Behrens surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Behrens 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Behrens is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Behrens 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

Behrens falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Behrens is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Behrens

The surname Behrens is of German origin, emerging in the late medieval period. It is derived from the German word "bahr" or "baer," which means "bear," and was likely initially used as a nickname for someone with bear-like qualities or characteristics. The name may also have been influenced by the Middle Low German word "bere," meaning "bear."

The earliest known recording of the surname Behrens dates back to the 14th century in Northern Germany, particularly in the regions of Lower Saxony and Bremen. It was often spelled as "Behrens," "Behren," or "Beren" in its early forms.

One of the earliest known references to the name Behrens can be found in the Bremisches Urkundenbuch, a collection of historical documents from the city of Bremen, which mentions a man named Hinricus Behrens in 1363.

In the 15th century, the surname Behrens appeared in various records across Northern Germany, including the Lüneburg Salt Books, which documented salt trade transactions. One notable entry from 1472 mentions a merchant named Hans Behrens.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Behrens. One of the earliest was Peter Behrens (1868-1940), a German architect and designer who was a pioneer of modern industrial design and a leading figure in the Jugendstil and Art Nouveau movements.

Another prominent figure was Bertha Behrens (1909-1998), a German-born British author and translator who played a significant role in introducing German literature to English-speaking audiences. She translated works by writers such as Hermann Hesse and Erich Maria Remarque.

In the 20th century, Walter Behrens (1914-1997) was a German artist and sculptor known for his abstract works and participation in the German art movement known as "Art Informel."

Peter von Behrens (1868-1940), a German architect and designer, was a influential figure in the development of modern industrial design and a key figure in the Jugendstil and Art Nouveau movements.

Additionally, Johann Behrens (1805-1873) was a German businessman and politician who served as the Mayor of Bremen from 1861 to 1873.

While the surname Behrens has its roots in Northern Germany, it has since spread to various parts of the world, carried by emigrants and their descendants.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Behrens families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Behrens 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. Lancashire leads with 41 Behrens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.49x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 41 2.49x
Middlesex 35 2.53x
Surrey 17 2.52x
Angus 10 7.79x
Yorkshire 7 0.51x
Northumberland 6 2.91x
Cheshire 5 1.64x
Durham 5 1.21x
Kent 5 1.06x
Derbyshire 4 1.84x
Glamorgan 3 1.24x
Herefordshire 1 1.76x
Midlothian 1 0.54x
Sussex 1 0.43x
Warwickshire 1 0.29x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Rusholme in Lancashire leads with 19 Behrens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 433.79x.

Place Total Index
Rusholme 19 433.79x
Newington 12 23.46x
Shoreditch London 11 18.32x
Dundee 10 20.88x
Bowdon 5 413.22x
Bradford 5 15.05x
Cheetham 5 40.78x
Manchester 5 6.77x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 5 40.62x
Sunderland 5 68.68x
Chorlton On Medlock 4 15.32x
Ilkeston 4 65.79x
Lewisham 4 15.87x
Paddington London 4 7.85x
Toxteth Park 4 7.19x
Clerkenwell London 3 9.18x
St George Hanover Square 3 12.30x
St George In East London 3 23.02x
St Peter Le Poer London 3 2500.00x
Swansea Town 3 15.17x
Hampstead London 2 9.27x
Tottenham 2 9.07x
Bethnal Green London 1 1.66x
Camberwell 1 1.13x
Clapham 1 5.77x
Croydon 1 2.67x
Herne 1 47.85x
Kingstonupon Hull 1 90.91x
Kirkdale 1 3.62x
Lancaster 1 10.22x
Leith South 1 400.00x
Liverpool 1 1.00x
Middlesbrough 1 5.60x
Much Marcle 1 243.90x
Newcastle On Tyne St 1 9.36x
North Meols 1 6.22x
Oxted 1 123.46x
Petersham 1 370.37x
Rottingdean 1 125.00x
St Marylebone London 1 1.35x
St Pancras London 1 0.90x
Sutton Coldfield 1 27.25x
Whitechapel London 1 7.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Isabella 4
Edith 3
Adele 2
Alice 2
Amelia 2
Anna 2
Fanny 2
Frances 2
Helen 2
Jane 2
Louisa 2
Martha 2
Nelly 2
Abagail 1
Annette 1
Annie 1
Dora 1
Doris 1
Elisabeth 1
Eliza 1
Elizabeth 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Ethel 1
Flora 1
Gertrude 1
Helena 1
Hennie 1
Hilda 1
Horase 1
Jalin 1
Josephine 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Katherina 1
Leonora 1
Louise 1
Margaret 1
Marie 1
Mary 1
Maude 1
Meta 1
Mina 1
Nellie 1
Paula 1
Sarah 1
Tysa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Henry 4
Louis 4
Charles 3
Ernest 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Arthur 2
Frederick 2
George 2
Gottlieb 2
Harold 2
Walter 2
William 2
Adolph 1
Alexander 1
Augustus 1
Bennett 1
Carl 1
Carlos 1
Clive 1
Conrad 1
Edo 1
Edward 1
Edwd. 1
Emil 1
F. 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Friedrich 1
Gustav 1
Harry 1
Hector 1
Hermann 1
Isaac 1
Jacob 1
Johannes 1
John 1
Joseph 1
Leopold 1
Lourens 1
Mathias 1
Minnel 1
Noel 1
Olivis 1
Oscar 1
Richard 1
Sidney 1
Tankred 1
Victoria 1

FAQ

Behrens surname: questions and answers

How common was the Behrens surname in 1881?

In 1881, 142 people were recorded with the Behrens surname. That placed it at #16,012 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Behrens surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 226 in 2016. That gives Behrens a modern rank of #18,044.

What does the Behrens surname mean?

A German occupational surname referring to someone who lived near or worked with bears or bear-keepers.

What does the Behrens map show?

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