NameCensus.

UK surname

Bergman

Derived from German, referring to someone who lived near or worked in the mountains or hills.

In the 1881 census there were 107 people recorded with the Bergman surname, ranking it #18,982 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 341, ranked #13,425, up from #18,982 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hull Holy Trinity, Gateshead and St Dunstan Stepney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Barnet, Camden and Hertsmere.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bergman is 364 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 218.7%.

1881 census count

107

Ranked #18,982

Modern count

341

2016, ranked #13,425

Peak year

2010

364 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bergman had 107 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,982 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 341 in 2016, ranked #13,425.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 190 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Bergman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bergman surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Bergman 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 34 #27,194
1861 historical 41 #28,839
1881 historical 107 #18,982
1891 historical 146 #18,664
1901 historical 190 #15,634
1911 historical 185 #15,686
1997 modern 315 #13,111
1998 modern 337 #12,859
1999 modern 336 #12,969
2000 modern 330 #13,066
2001 modern 328 #12,944
2002 modern 330 #13,140
2003 modern 341 #12,655
2004 modern 329 #13,027
2005 modern 331 #12,913
2006 modern 322 #13,234
2007 modern 334 #13,036
2008 modern 341 #12,958
2009 modern 356 #12,800
2010 modern 364 #12,851
2011 modern 353 #13,004
2012 modern 352 #12,913
2013 modern 351 #13,159
2014 modern 351 #13,227
2015 modern 347 #13,252
2016 modern 341 #13,425

Geography

Back to top

Where Bergmans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hull Holy Trinity, Gateshead, St Dunstan Stepney, Manchester and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Barnet, Camden, Hertsmere and North Hertfordshire. 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 Hull Holy Trinity Yorkshire, East Riding
2 Gateshead Durham
3 St Dunstan Stepney London (East Districts)
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Barnet 032 Barnet
2 Camden 002 Camden
3 Hertsmere 006 Hertsmere
4 Camden 004 Camden
5 North Hertfordshire 005 North Hertfordshire

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Bergman

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Bergman

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Bergman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Bergman 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Bergman is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bergman is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bergman 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 Bergman 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Bergman

The surname Bergman originated in Sweden and Germany, with roots dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old Norse words "berg" meaning mountain or hill, and "mann" meaning man or person. The name likely referred to someone who lived near or worked on a mountain or hill.

In Sweden, the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Landskapshandlingar, medieval records from various provinces, including Västergötland and Småland. One of the earliest known bearers was a man named Bertil Bergman, mentioned in a document from Östergötland in 1296.

The name also has a long history in Germany, where it was often spelled "Bergmann" or "Bergman". One of the earliest recorded instances is from a document in Saxony in 1374, referring to a man named Hans Bergman.

In the 16th century, the name appeared in the Vadstena klostrers jordeböcker, land registers of the Vadstena Abbey in Sweden. A notable entry from 1521 mentions a man named Olof Bergman who owned land in Östergötland.

Some famous historical figures with the surname include Torbern Bergman (1735-1784), a Swedish chemist and mineralogist who is considered one of the founders of modern physical chemistry. Another is Ingrid Bergman (1915-1982), the renowned Swedish actress who won three Academy Awards and is remembered for her roles in films such as "Casablanca" and "Notorious".

Other notable Bergmans include Ernst Bergman (1836-1907), a Swedish philosopher and writer, and Hjalmar Bergman (1883-1931), a Swedish writer and playwright. In the United States, Roy Bergman (1912-1987) was a successful businessman and philanthropist who founded the Bergman Cherry Company.

While the name has evolved over centuries and spread across different regions, its origins can be traced back to the rugged landscapes of Scandinavia and Germany, where it was likely bestowed upon those who lived or worked in the mountains and hills.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Bergman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bergman 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 41 Bergmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.89x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 41 3.89x
Yorkshire 28 2.68x
Lancashire 17 1.36x
Surrey 10 1.95x
Kent 3 0.83x
Somerset 2 1.18x
Berkshire 1 1.26x
Cornwall 1 0.84x
Devon 1 0.46x
Durham 1 0.32x
Renfrewshire 1 1.22x
Royal Navy 1 7.97x
Sussex 1 0.56x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Holy Trinity in Yorkshire leads with 21 Bergmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 83.63x.

Place Total Index
Holy Trinity 21 83.63x
Isleworth 8 170.94x
Toxteth Park 8 18.90x
Hackney London 7 11.85x
Islington London 7 6.86x
Liverpool 6 7.90x
Mile End Old Town London 6 26.76x
Sculcoates 6 36.25x
Lambeth 5 5.44x
St George In East London 4 40.36x
Croydon 3 10.53x
Hampstead London 3 18.28x
Westminster St James 3 27.70x
Bethnal Green London 2 4.37x
North Brewham 2 2500.00x
Preston 2 5.98x
Battersea 1 2.58x
Chislehurst 1 51.81x
Cookham 1 40.49x
Exeter St Sidwell 1 19.92x
Falmouth 1 23.70x
Hulme 1 3.83x
Hurstpierpoint 1 101.01x
Lewisham 1 5.22x
Port Glasgow 1 25.32x
Pudsey 1 17.92x
Richmond 1 13.91x
South Shields 1 35.84x
St Pancras London 1 1.18x
Woolwich 1 7.53x

Top female names

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

FAQ

Bergman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bergman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 107 people were recorded with the Bergman surname. That placed it at #18,982 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bergman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 341 in 2016. That gives Bergman a modern rank of #13,425.

What does the Bergman surname mean?

Derived from German, referring to someone who lived near or worked in the mountains or hills.

What does the Bergman map show?

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