UK surname
A surname potentially derived from the French word "berd," meaning foolish or dull-witted.
In the 1881 census there were 18 people recorded with the Berd surname, ranking it #31,019 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 18, ranked #36,832, down from #31,019 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lambeth, Stapenhill and St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Berd is 500 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 0.0%.
1881 census count
18
Ranked #31,019
Modern count
18
2016, ranked #36,832
Peak year
1861
500 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Berd surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Berd 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 | 141 | #13,507 |
| 1861 | historical | 500 | #5,234 |
| 1881 | historical | 18 | #31,019 |
| 1891 | historical | 397 | #8,927 |
| 1901 | historical | 30 | #30,724 |
| 1911 | historical | 25 | #30,654 |
| 1997 | modern | 11 | #36,912 |
| 1998 | modern | 13 | #36,679 |
| 1999 | modern | 11 | #36,917 |
| 2000 | modern | 12 | #36,749 |
| 2001 | modern | 10 | #36,852 |
| 2002 | modern | 8 | #37,206 |
| 2003 | modern | 11 | #36,842 |
| 2004 | modern | 10 | #37,096 |
| 2005 | modern | 11 | #37,065 |
| 2006 | modern | 10 | #37,224 |
| 2007 | modern | 10 | #37,335 |
| 2008 | modern | 12 | #37,143 |
| 2009 | modern | 16 | #36,850 |
| 2010 | modern | 16 | #36,937 |
| 2011 | modern | 16 | #36,932 |
| 2012 | modern | 16 | #36,897 |
| 2013 | modern | 19 | #36,691 |
| 2014 | modern | 19 | #36,740 |
| 2015 | modern | 18 | #36,809 |
| 2016 | modern | 18 | #36,832 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lambeth, Stapenhill, St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford, St Marylebone and Nottingham St Mary. 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 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 2 | Stapenhill | Staffordshire |
| 3 | St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Nottingham St Mary | Nottinghamshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Berd 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 Berd, 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 Berd surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Berd 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, Berd 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 Berd is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Berd, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname BERD is believed to have originated in England during the Anglo-Saxon period, which spanned from the 5th to the 11th centuries. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "brid," which means "bird," likely referring to someone who exhibited bird-like characteristics or lived in an area known for its avian population.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name BERD can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and property values commissioned by William the Conqueror. The Domesday Book mentions a landowner named Godric Berd residing in Gloucestershire.
The name BERD can also be traced back to various place names in England, such as Birdwell in Yorkshire and Birdsall in Norfolk. These locations may have influenced the spelling and usage of the surname over time.
Throughout history, the surname BERD has undergone several spelling variations, including Burd, Burde, Byrd, and Byrde. These variations were common during the medieval period, when standardized spelling was not yet established.
Notable individuals with the surname BERD include:
1. Sir Thomas Berd (c. 1490 - 1537), an English diplomat and courtier who served under King Henry VIII. 2. William Byrd (c. 1540 - 1623), an English composer and organist of the Renaissance period, renowned for his sacred and secular vocal music. 3. Catherine Berd (c. 1570 - 1615), an English Puritan writer and religious reformer known for her work "The Lady's Calling." 4. Thomas Berd (c. 1620 - 1675), an English soldier and politician who fought in the English Civil War and later served as a Member of Parliament. 5. John Berd (c. 1780 - 1855), a British architect and surveyor responsible for several notable buildings in London, including the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.
The surname BERD has a rich history and has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including politicians, artists, and intellectuals. While its origins can be traced back to Anglo-Saxon England, the name has left an indelible mark on the cultural and historical fabric of Britain and beyond.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Berd 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. Middlesex leads with 8 Berds recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.56x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 8 | 4.56x |
| Devon | 3 | 8.21x |
| Kent | 3 | 5.01x |
| Surrey | 2 | 2.34x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 1.76x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 4.22x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 7 Berds recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.13x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Islington London | 7 | 41.13x |
| Buckland Filleigh | 3 | 30000.00x |
| Lewisham | 3 | 94.04x |
| Bulwell | 1 | 196.08x |
| Chelsham | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Christ Church Newgate | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Govan | 1 | 7.12x |
| Newington | 1 | 15.41x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Berd 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 Berd 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 Berd households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 3 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Assist & Baker | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Nurse Invalid (Hosp) | 1 |
| Optical Turner | 1 |
| Painter & Glazier | 1 |
| Railway Lab | 1 |
| Solicitors Genl Clerk | 1 |
| Superanuated Pc | 1 |
| Under Nurse Domestic Servt | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 18 people were recorded with the Berd surname. That placed it at #31,019 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 18 in 2016. That gives Berd a modern rank of #36,832.
A surname potentially derived from the French word "berd," meaning foolish or dull-witted.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Berd 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.