UK surname
A Dutch surname possibly originating as a nickname "the handsome one".
In the 1881 census there were 59 people recorded with the Bele surname, ranking it #25,281 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 22, ranked #36,533, down from #25,281 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin, Hull Holy Trinity and Middleton-in-Teesdale. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bele is 387 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 62.7%.
1881 census count
59
Ranked #25,281
Modern count
22
2016, ranked #36,533
Peak year
1861
387 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bele surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bele surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 160 | #12,347 |
| 1861 | historical | 387 | #6,620 |
| 1881 | historical | 59 | #25,281 |
| 1891 | historical | 154 | #18,004 |
| 1901 | historical | 29 | #30,848 |
| 1911 | historical | 34 | #29,600 |
| 1997 | modern | 12 | #36,785 |
| 1998 | modern | 12 | #36,790 |
| 1999 | modern | 13 | #36,693 |
| 2000 | modern | 16 | #36,316 |
| 2001 | modern | 10 | #36,852 |
| 2002 | modern | 11 | #36,780 |
| 2003 | modern | 12 | #36,715 |
| 2004 | modern | 11 | #36,969 |
| 2005 | modern | 8 | #37,422 |
| 2006 | modern | 10 | #37,224 |
| 2007 | modern | 11 | #37,217 |
| 2008 | modern | 19 | #36,534 |
| 2009 | modern | 21 | #36,470 |
| 2010 | modern | 21 | #36,530 |
| 2011 | modern | 18 | #36,739 |
| 2012 | modern | 23 | #36,366 |
| 2013 | modern | 22 | #36,477 |
| 2014 | modern | 22 | #36,496 |
| 2015 | modern | 23 | #36,424 |
| 2016 | modern | 22 | #36,533 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin, Hull Holy Trinity, Middleton-in-Teesdale, St Marylebone and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin | Devon |
| 2 | Hull Holy Trinity | Yorkshire, East Riding |
| 3 | Middleton-in-Teesdale | Durham |
| 4 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bele surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bele, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Bele surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bele household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Bele is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bele is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bele, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "BELE" originates from England and dates back to the medieval period, specifically the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "bela," which means "beautiful" or "fair." The name was likely initially given as a nickname to someone with a handsome or attractive appearance.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "BELE" can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1190, which mention a person named "Radulfus Bele." This suggests that the name was already established in England by the late 12th century.
During the 13th century, the surname "BELE" appeared in various records across different regions of England. For instance, the Curia Regis Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1227 mention a "Willelmus Bele," while the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1262 include a "Robertus Bele."
It is worth noting that the surname "BELE" may have been influenced by the Old French word "bel," which also means "beautiful" or "fair." This is due to the influence of the Norman conquest of England in 1066, which introduced many French words and names into the English language.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname "BELE" was John Bele, a prominent English clergyman who lived in the 14th century. He served as the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield from 1352 to 1367.
Another notable figure with the surname "BELE" was William Bele, a English landowner and knight who lived in the 15th century. He was born around 1420 and owned estates in Lincolnshire and Norfolk.
In the 16th century, the surname "BELE" was sometimes spelled as "BELL" or "BELLE," reflecting the interchangeable nature of these spellings during that time. One example is Thomas Belle, an English lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Lincolnshire in the 1540s.
The surname "BELE" also has connections to place names in England. For instance, there is a village called Beleigh in Essex, which may have derived its name from the Old English word "bela" or from individuals bearing the surname "BELE" who resided there.
It is important to note that while the surname "BELE" has a rich historical background, it has become less common over time, and some of the individuals mentioned above may have been the last to bear this surname in their respective eras.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bele surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Durham leads with 34 Beles recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.21x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Durham | 34 | 20.21x |
| Norfolk | 6 | 6.90x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 0.89x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.53x |
| Sussex | 3 | 3.15x |
| Somerset | 2 | 2.20x |
| Surrey | 2 | 0.73x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.90x |
| Inverness-shire | 1 | 5.92x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.15x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Forest Frith in Durham leads with 22 Beles recorded in 1881 and an index of 14666.67x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Frith | 22 | 14666.67x |
| Gateshead | 6 | 47.62x |
| Itteringham | 6 | 10000.00x |
| Brighton | 3 | 15.59x |
| Ingleby Greenhow | 3 | 3750.00x |
| Whitworth | 3 | 243.90x |
| Islington London | 2 | 3.65x |
| Linthorpe | 2 | 59.88x |
| Newington | 2 | 9.57x |
| Westoe | 2 | 20.96x |
| Ardersier | 1 | 243.90x |
| Bath St Peter St Paul | 1 | 250.00x |
| Darlington | 1 | 15.38x |
| Elmstead | 1 | 555.56x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 3.15x |
| Prestwich | 1 | 59.88x |
| Weston Super Mare | 1 | 43.48x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bele surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Bele surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Bele households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Lead Miner | 4 |
| Scholar | 4 |
| Assists At Home | 2 |
| Carpenter | 2 |
| Assists Housekeeper | 1 |
| Barman | 1 |
| Cattle Dealer | 1 |
| Clerk | 1 |
| Cook (Dom Serv) | 1 |
| Dairyman | 1 |
| Dealers Wife | 1 |
| Drainer | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Farm Labourer | 1 |
| Game Watcher & Farmer (K R) | 1 |
| Gamekeeper Unemployed | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| General Servant (Dom) | 1 |
| General Servant Domestic | 1 |
| Genl Servt | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Lead Miner & Farmer | 1 |
| Miller (Corn) | 1 |
| N E R Platelayer | 1 |
| Pupil Teacher | 1 |
| School Mistress | 1 |
| Tailor | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 59 people were recorded with the Bele surname. That placed it at #25,281 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 22 in 2016. That gives Bele a modern rank of #36,533.
A Dutch surname possibly originating as a nickname "the handsome one".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bele bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.