UK surname
A surname likely derived from the Old English word "bellan" meaning to roar or bellow.
In the 1881 census there were 75 people recorded with the Bellow surname, ranking it #22,893 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 36, ranked #35,648, down from #22,893 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Winslow, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside and Oxford City: St Giles. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bellow is 132 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 52.0%.
1881 census count
75
Ranked #22,893
Modern count
36
2016, ranked #35,648
Peak year
1861
132 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bellow surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bellow surname density by area, 1861 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 | 57 | #23,092 |
| 1861 | historical | 132 | #16,957 |
| 1881 | historical | 75 | #22,893 |
| 1891 | historical | 60 | #29,204 |
| 1901 | historical | 36 | #30,099 |
| 1911 | historical | 35 | #29,478 |
| 1997 | modern | 37 | #33,964 |
| 1998 | modern | 35 | #34,344 |
| 1999 | modern | 28 | #35,127 |
| 2000 | modern | 27 | #35,188 |
| 2001 | modern | 25 | #35,248 |
| 2002 | modern | 27 | #35,243 |
| 2003 | modern | 31 | #34,957 |
| 2004 | modern | 29 | #35,270 |
| 2005 | modern | 33 | #35,119 |
| 2006 | modern | 30 | #35,526 |
| 2007 | modern | 32 | #35,530 |
| 2008 | modern | 37 | #35,327 |
| 2009 | modern | 39 | #35,321 |
| 2010 | modern | 39 | #35,451 |
| 2011 | modern | 37 | #35,553 |
| 2012 | modern | 37 | #35,531 |
| 2013 | modern | 34 | #35,761 |
| 2014 | modern | 36 | #35,662 |
| 2015 | modern | 38 | #35,526 |
| 2016 | modern | 36 | #35,648 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Winslow, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Oxford City: St Giles, Newlyn and Sherborne. 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 | Winslow | Buckinghamshire |
| 2 | Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside | Durham |
| 3 | Oxford City: St Giles | Oxfordshire |
| 4 | Newlyn | Cornwall |
| 5 | Sherborne | Dorset |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bellow 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 Bellow, 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 Bellow surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bellow 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, Bellow 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 Bellow is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bellow, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Bellow is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "bellan," which means "to bellow" or "to roar." This name was likely initially given as a nickname to individuals with a loud or booming voice, or perhaps to someone who worked as a town crier.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname Bellow can be traced back to the 13th century in various parts of England, including Yorkshire, Norfolk, and Lincolnshire. The name appeared in various spellings during this time, such as Bellowe, Belloe, and Belloo.
One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was John Bellowe, who was mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1327. Another early record is that of William Bellow, who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk in 1379.
The Bellow surname has a long history in England, with numerous individuals bearing the name making their mark throughout the centuries. One notable figure was John Bellow, a 16th-century English clergyman and author who served as the Archdeacon of Norfolk from 1551 to 1558.
During the 17th century, the surname Bellow was found in various parts of England, including Lincolnshire, where the village of Bellow is located. This place name likely derived from the same Old English word as the surname, suggesting a connection between the name and the location.
In the 18th century, the surname Bellow gained prominence with individuals such as James Bellow (1707-1784), an English landowner and Member of Parliament for Lincolnshire. Another notable bearer of the name was Samuel Bellow (1768-1835), a successful English merchant and businessman.
Moving into the 19th century, the Bellow surname continued to be represented by notable figures, such as William Bellow (1819-1892), a renowned English architect responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in London.
Throughout history, the Bellow surname has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including clergymen, politicians, merchants, and architects. While the surname's origins can be traced back to Old English, its enduring presence across centuries highlights its significance in English history and culture.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bellow 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. Devon leads with 14 Bellows recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.32x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Devon | 14 | 9.32x |
| Middlesex | 11 | 1.52x |
| Dorset | 10 | 21.11x |
| Oxfordshire | 9 | 20.20x |
| Yorkshire | 9 | 1.26x |
| Lancashire | 8 | 0.93x |
| Herefordshire | 6 | 20.28x |
| Northamptonshire | 3 | 4.42x |
| Ayrshire | 1 | 1.85x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 0.80x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 1.03x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.28x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sherborne in Dorset leads with 10 Bellows recorded in 1881 and an index of 719.42x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Sherborne | 10 | 719.42x |
| Brotton | 8 | 860.22x |
| Oldham | 7 | 25.33x |
| Oxford St Giles | 6 | 281.69x |
| Newton Tracey | 5 | 16666.67x |
| Leominster | 4 | 327.87x |
| St Pancras London | 4 | 6.89x |
| East Anstey | 3 | 5000.00x |
| Northam | 3 | 275.23x |
| Peterborough | 3 | 61.10x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 4.99x |
| Kimbolton | 2 | 1333.33x |
| Oxford All Sts | 2 | 2000.00x |
| St Luke London | 2 | 17.29x |
| Dundonald | 1 | 50.25x |
| Exeter St Sidwell | 1 | 29.07x |
| Fremington | 1 | 322.58x |
| Hampton London | 1 | 84.03x |
| Kirkdale | 1 | 6.94x |
| North Leith | 1 | 22.37x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 3.77x |
| Pinner | 1 | 158.73x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 1 | 8.64x |
| Richmond | 1 | 20.28x |
| Swansea Town | 1 | 9.71x |
| Thornaby | 1 | 37.45x |
| W Adderbury | 1 | 909.09x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bellow 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 Bellow 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 Bellow households.
FAQ
In 1881, 75 people were recorded with the Bellow surname. That placed it at #22,893 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 36 in 2016. That gives Bellow a modern rank of #35,648.
A surname likely derived from the Old English word "bellan" meaning to roar or bellow.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bellow 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.