NameCensus.

UK surname

Belbin

Locational surname derived from a place name in Northumberland, England.

In the 1881 census there were 248 people recorded with the Belbin surname, ranking it #11,140 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 348, ranked #13,233, down from #11,140 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Kingston-on-Thames, Salisbury St Edmund and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Test Valley, South Somerset and North Dorset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Belbin is 398 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 40.3%.

1881 census count

248

Ranked #11,140

Modern count

348

2016, ranked #13,233

Peak year

2002

398 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Belbin had 248 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,140 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 348 in 2016, ranked #13,233.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 360 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Belbin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Belbin surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Belbin 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 172 #11,682
1861 historical 94 #21,883
1881 historical 248 #11,140
1891 historical 274 #11,880
1901 historical 345 #10,541
1911 historical 360 #10,063
1997 modern 355 #12,040
1998 modern 377 #11,894
1999 modern 384 #11,800
2000 modern 381 #11,814
2001 modern 383 #11,580
2002 modern 398 #11,478
2003 modern 389 #11,490
2004 modern 392 #11,453
2005 modern 368 #11,926
2006 modern 367 #12,016
2007 modern 363 #12,255
2008 modern 367 #12,264
2009 modern 382 #12,150
2010 modern 395 #12,105
2011 modern 380 #12,326
2012 modern 368 #12,468
2013 modern 368 #12,676
2014 modern 363 #12,908
2015 modern 357 #12,979
2016 modern 348 #13,233

Geography

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Where Belbins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Kingston-on-Thames, Salisbury St Edmund, London parishes and Shaftesbury St Peter. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Test Valley, South Somerset, North Dorset, Stockton-on-Tees and Southampton. 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 Kingston-on-Thames Surrey
2 Salisbury St Edmund Wiltshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Shaftesbury St Peter Dorset
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Test Valley 004 Test Valley
2 South Somerset 008 South Somerset
3 North Dorset 006 North Dorset
4 Stockton-on-Tees 018 Stockton-on-Tees
5 Southampton 028 Southampton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Belbin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Belbin

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Belbin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Belbin 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Belbin is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Belbin is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Belbin 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 Belbin 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 Belbin, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Belbin

The surname BELBIN is of English origin, originating in the counties of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire during the early medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "bel" meaning beautiful and "byn" meaning hill or slope, suggesting that the name may have referred to someone who lived near a picturesque hill or valley.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name BELBIN can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which mentions a landowner named Belbinus in Derbyshire. This entry provides evidence that the name existed in England during the Norman Conquest and was likely already an established surname by that time.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Belbyn, Belbyng, and Belbing, reflecting the evolving spelling conventions of the time. During this period, the BELBIN family held lands and properties in the villages of Belper and Duffield in Derbyshire, which may have influenced the surname's development.

One notable figure bearing the BELBIN surname was Sir John Belbin (c. 1350-1412), a knight and landowner from Nottinghamshire. He served as a member of Parliament and fought in the Hundred Years' War against the French.

In the 16th century, the name was also found in Cornwall, where a branch of the BELBIN family settled. One prominent individual from this line was Richard Belbin (1565-1632), a wealthy merchant and shipowner who played a role in the early colonization efforts of Virginia.

The 17th century saw the emergence of several distinguished individuals with the BELBIN surname, including Reverend Thomas Belbin (1601-1670), a prominent clergyman in the Church of England and author of theological works.

Another notable figure was Sir Edward Belbin (1635-1701), a successful merchant and Member of Parliament for Plymouth. He was involved in the East India trade and amassed a considerable fortune.

In the 18th century, the BELBIN family continued to prosper, with members holding positions of influence in various fields. One such individual was Admiral Sir William Belbin (1725-1798), a renowned naval officer who played a crucial role in several naval battles during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars.

During the 19th century, the BELBIN surname was found across various regions of England, with concentrations in areas like Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Cornwall. One influential member of the family was Sir Henry Belbin (1820-1892), a respected judge and legal scholar who served as a Justice of the King's Bench.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Belbin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Belbin 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 51 Belbins recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.08x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 51 2.08x
Dorset 48 29.87x
Surrey 31 2.60x
Hampshire 26 5.18x
Wiltshire 25 11.55x
Yorkshire 17 0.70x
Kent 11 1.32x
Somerset 9 2.28x
Glamorgan 8 1.88x
Cambridgeshire 5 3.22x
Lanarkshire 5 0.63x
Cornwall 4 1.44x
Essex 4 0.83x
Channel Islands 3 4.14x
Berkshire 2 1.09x
Hertfordshire 1 0.59x
Suffolk 1 0.34x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kingston On Thames in Surrey leads with 21 Belbins recorded in 1881 and an index of 73.27x.

Place Total Index
Kingston On Thames 21 73.27x
Shaftesbury St Peter 21 2800.00x
Christchurch 10 91.91x
Ecclesall Bierlow 9 18.24x
Milton Abbas 9 1139.24x
Llanwonno 8 52.22x
Mile End Old Town London 8 15.35x
St George Hanover Square 8 18.54x
Islington London 7 2.95x
Shaftesbury St James 7 833.33x
St Clement Danes London 7 138.07x
Fisherton Anger 6 149.63x
Laverstock 6 1578.95x
Shrewton 6 1052.63x
Tarrant Keynston 6 2608.70x
Tottenham 6 15.38x
Barony 5 2.50x
Durweston 5 1562.50x
Greenwich 5 12.83x
Holton 5 3571.43x
Millbrook 5 39.56x
Sawston 5 333.33x
Streatham 5 27.52x
Alverthorpe Cum Thornes 4 45.40x
Beckenham 4 36.63x
Bethnal Green London 4 3.76x
Henstridge 4 366.97x
Holdenhurst 4 30.40x
Huddersfield 4 11.32x
Salisbury St Edmund 4 114.94x
St Andrew Holborn London 4 37.74x
Braintree 3 69.12x
Kenwyn 3 41.38x
Penge 3 19.18x
South Stoneham 3 27.55x
St Michaelinthe Vale 3 115.83x
Mere 2 81.30x
Paddington London 2 2.22x
St Faith Winchester 2 85.47x
St Giles In Fields London 2 16.65x
Wokingham 2 47.73x
Bengeo 1 51.02x
Boldre 1 55.56x
Chertsey 1 12.97x
Donhead St Mary 1 90.91x
Falmouth 1 10.19x
Hammersmith London 1 1.66x
Hampstead London 1 2.62x
Ipswich St Margaret 1 9.88x
Kings Somborne 1 95.24x
Milton In Gravesend 1 7.98x
Newington 1 1.11x
Poplar London 1 2.16x
Walmer 1 27.55x
West Ham 1 0.94x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 15
Charles 10
William 10
Thomas 8
Harry 7
John 7
Edwin 5
James 5
Alfred 4
Edward 4
Henry 4
Frederick 3
Robert 3
Tom 3
Arthur 2
Frank 2
Walter 2
Austin 1
Ben 1
Benjaman 1
Charly 1
Chas. 1
Edw. 1
Ernest 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Harold 1
Hen.Frank 1
Jas. 1
Joseph 1
Josiah 1
Robt. 1
Sidney 1
Willm.D. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Belbin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Belbin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 248 people were recorded with the Belbin surname. That placed it at #11,140 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Belbin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 348 in 2016. That gives Belbin a modern rank of #13,233.

What does the Belbin surname mean?

Locational surname derived from a place name in Northumberland, England.

What does the Belbin map show?

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