NameCensus.

UK surname

Beith

A Scottish habitational surname derived from a place located near Beith, Scotland.

In the 1881 census there were 294 people recorded with the Beith surname, ranking it #9,859 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 218, ranked #18,481, down from #9,859 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Govan Combination and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Central Bedfordshire, Paisley West and Paisley South East.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Beith is 294 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 25.9%.

1881 census count

294

Ranked #9,859

Modern count

218

2016, ranked #18,481

Peak year

1861

294 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Beith had 294 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,859 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 218 in 2016, ranked #18,481.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 294 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Beith surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Beith surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Beith 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 257 #8,596
1861 historical 294 #8,571
1881 historical 294 #9,859
1891 historical 282 #11,597
1901 historical 293 #11,829
1911 historical 83 #24,531
1997 modern 226 #16,306
1998 modern 226 #16,800
1999 modern 225 #16,931
2000 modern 216 #17,340
2001 modern 209 #17,469
2002 modern 211 #17,696
2003 modern 213 #17,395
2004 modern 218 #17,230
2005 modern 217 #17,217
2006 modern 209 #17,784
2007 modern 221 #17,343
2008 modern 221 #17,495
2009 modern 206 #18,657
2010 modern 215 #18,551
2011 modern 204 #19,040
2012 modern 201 #19,147
2013 modern 213 #18,743
2014 modern 222 #18,355
2015 modern 218 #18,478
2016 modern 218 #18,481

Geography

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Where Beiths are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Largs and Greenock. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Central Bedfordshire, Paisley West, Paisley South East, The Glens and Paisley South. 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 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Largs Ayr
5 Greenock Renfrew

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Central Bedfordshire 001 Central Bedfordshire
2 Paisley West Renfrewshire
3 Paisley South East Renfrewshire
4 The Glens Dundee City
5 Paisley South Renfrewshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Beith

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Beith

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Beith surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Beith household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Beith 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

Beith is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Beith falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Beith is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Beith

The surname BEITH has its origins in Scotland, where it emerged in the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word "beithe," meaning "birch tree," suggesting that the name may have been originally given to someone who lived near a prominent birch tree or a birch forest.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the BEITH surname can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which were a series of homage rolls documenting those who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England during his conquest of Scotland. In these rolls, a certain John de Beithe is mentioned, indicating that the name was already in use by the late 13th century.

Over the centuries, the BEITH surname has been subject to various spelling variations, including Beith, Beithe, Beyth, and Bythe. These variations reflect the different dialects and regional pronunciations present in Scotland at the time.

The BEITH surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such individual was Sir John Beith (1545-1616), a Scottish clergyman who served as the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1605. Another notable BEITH was Alexander Beith (1799-1891), a Scottish businessman and philanthropist who co-founded the Ayr Academy in Ayrshire.

In the literary world, the BEITH surname is represented by Ian Beith (1901-1995), a Scottish poet and novelist who wrote extensively about life in the Scottish Highlands. His works include the novel "The Burning Valley" and the poetry collection "The Curlew's Cry."

Another notable BEITH was Sir Robert Beith (1857-1949), a Scottish lawyer and judge who served as Lord Justice Clerk, one of the highest judicial positions in Scotland. He was known for his expertise in Scottish law and his commitment to upholding the principles of justice.

The BEITH surname has also been associated with various place names in Scotland, such as Beith in North Ayrshire, which likely derives its name from the same Gaelic root as the surname. This further reinforces the connection between the BEITH name and the birch tree.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Beith families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Beith 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. Lanarkshire leads with 91 Beiths recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.98x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 91 9.98x
Renfrewshire 70 32.04x
Ayrshire 23 10.90x
Lancashire 21 0.63x
Midlothian 13 3.44x
Monmouthshire 10 4.91x
West Lothian 9 21.20x
Argyllshire 8 10.19x
Cornwall 8 2.51x
Inverness-shire 7 8.31x
Yorkshire 5 0.18x
Devon 4 0.68x
Dunbartonshire 4 5.28x
Clackmannanshire 3 12.89x
Kinross-shire 3 42.08x
Peeblesshire 2 15.08x
Perthshire 2 1.58x
Stirlingshire 2 1.92x
Buteshire 1 5.85x
Fife 1 0.60x
Glamorgan 1 0.20x
Wigtownshire 1 2.67x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barony in Lanarkshire leads with 39 Beiths recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.90x.

Place Total Index
Barony 39 16.90x
Govan 30 13.30x
Largs 17 342.05x
Paisley Low Church 13 187.86x
Glasgow 10 6.18x
Abbey 9 27.00x
Maryhill 9 50.42x
Withington 9 83.49x
Bathgate 8 86.77x
Campbeltown 8 84.48x
East Greenock 8 38.78x
Kilbarchan 8 120.48x
Madron Penzance 8 68.91x
Paisley Middle Church 8 62.89x
Toxteth Park 8 7.06x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 7 4.61x
Inverness 7 33.05x
Paisley High Church 7 40.25x
Mynyddyslwyn 6 74.63x
West Greenock 6 15.30x
Leeds 5 3.17x
Bedwellty 4 11.12x
Beith 4 63.49x
Houston Killallan 4 189.57x
Alloa 3 26.57x
Cathcart 3 25.38x
Everton 3 2.81x
Inverkip 3 58.25x
Kinross 3 122.95x
Edinburgh St Georges 2 25.51x
Hamilton 2 7.86x
Kirkintilloch 2 19.44x
Old Kilpatrick 2 22.35x
Peebles 2 51.02x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 4.42x
South Leith 2 4.71x
Abbotshall 1 16.03x
Cambuslang 1 10.88x
Carriden 1 52.08x
Dunblane 1 33.00x
Edinburgh Tolbooth 1 45.45x
Erskine 1 62.89x
Inveresk 1 9.78x
Kilmarnock 1 3.98x
Kirkdale 1 1.78x
Monkton Prestwick 1 48.78x
Old Luce 1 42.37x
Perth West Church 1 16.67x
Rothesay 1 12.09x
Slamannan 1 17.57x
St Ninians 1 9.70x
Stoke Damerel 1 2.43x
Wolborough 1 13.48x
Ystradyfodwg 1 2.32x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 4
Janet 4
Mary 3
Ann 2
Jessie 2
Sarah 2
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Anna 1
Bertha 1
Clara 1
Diana 1
Florence 1
Harriet 1
Isabella 1
Jonnet 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1
Wilhelmina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 7
William 3
James 2
Alexander 1
Alexdr. 1
Alfred 1
Daniel 1
Donald 1
Robert 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 Beith households.

FAQ

Beith surname: questions and answers

How common was the Beith surname in 1881?

In 1881, 294 people were recorded with the Beith surname. That placed it at #9,859 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Beith surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 218 in 2016. That gives Beith a modern rank of #18,481.

What does the Beith surname mean?

A Scottish habitational surname derived from a place located near Beith, Scotland.

What does the Beith map show?

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