UK surname
A topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a bear's den.
In the 1881 census there were 44 people recorded with the Bern surname, ranking it #27,447 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 69, ranked #33,762, down from #27,447 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Heston, St Leonard Bromley and King's Sombourn (incl. Upper Eldon), Little Sombourn, Stockbridge. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bern is 120 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 56.8%.
1881 census count
44
Ranked #27,447
Modern count
69
2016, ranked #33,762
Peak year
1861
120 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bern surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bern 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 | 89 | #18,446 |
| 1861 | historical | 120 | #18,255 |
| 1881 | historical | 44 | #27,447 |
| 1891 | historical | 68 | #28,300 |
| 1901 | historical | 50 | #28,590 |
| 1911 | historical | 44 | #28,454 |
| 1997 | modern | 55 | #32,114 |
| 1998 | modern | 53 | #32,633 |
| 1999 | modern | 57 | #32,367 |
| 2000 | modern | 60 | #32,124 |
| 2001 | modern | 62 | #31,798 |
| 2002 | modern | 60 | #32,388 |
| 2003 | modern | 60 | #32,446 |
| 2004 | modern | 56 | #33,067 |
| 2005 | modern | 61 | #32,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 58 | #33,433 |
| 2007 | modern | 55 | #33,965 |
| 2008 | modern | 50 | #34,521 |
| 2009 | modern | 56 | #34,278 |
| 2010 | modern | 60 | #34,205 |
| 2011 | modern | 65 | #33,842 |
| 2012 | modern | 65 | #33,964 |
| 2013 | modern | 70 | #33,753 |
| 2014 | modern | 74 | #33,531 |
| 2015 | modern | 73 | #33,541 |
| 2016 | modern | 69 | #33,762 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Heston, St Leonard Bromley, King's Sombourn (incl. Upper Eldon), Little Sombourn, Stockbridge, Liverpool and Glasgow. 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 | Heston | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 2 | St Leonard Bromley | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | King's Sombourn (incl. Upper Eldon), Little Sombourn, Stockbridge | Hampshire |
| 4 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| 5 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bern 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 Bern, 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 Bern surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bern 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, Bern 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 Bern is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bern, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname BERN originated in Switzerland during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Swiss city of Bern, whose name comes from the Germanic word "bären" meaning "bear." The city's name and coat of arms featuring a bear suggest a connection to the animal.
BERN first appears in historical records as a surname in the 13th century. One of the earliest documented instances is a Rudolphus Bern from Bern, Switzerland, mentioned in a 1275 municipal record. The surname likely emerged as a locational name, referring to people from the city of Bern.
In the 14th century, a Hugo Bern from Bern is recorded in a 1322 chronicle as a participant in the Battle of Laupen, a significant conflict between Bern and the neighboring Habsburgs. This early example demonstrates the surname's ties to the city and its inhabitants.
The surname BERN is also found in the 15th-century Berner Chronik, a historical chronicle documenting the city's history. This work mentions various individuals with the BERN surname, further solidifying its association with the region.
One notable bearer of the BERN surname was Niklaus Bern (c. 1470-1538), a Swiss painter and stained glass artist from Bern. His works can be found in churches and buildings throughout Switzerland, showcasing the artistic talent associated with this surname.
Another prominent figure was Johann Bern (1600-1658), a Swiss theologian and professor at the University of Bern. His scholarly contributions to religious studies and his association with the prestigious institution highlight the surname's intellectual legacy.
In the realm of literature, the Swiss writer and poet Anna Bern (1819-1892) gained recognition for her works depicting the lives and traditions of the Swiss people. Her writings celebrated the cultural heritage of her homeland and the BERN surname.
While the surname BERN originated in Switzerland, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and various historical events. However, its roots remain firmly tied to the city of Bern and its surrounding regions, where it emerged as a locational surname centuries ago.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bern 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. Hampshire leads with 15 Berns recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.87x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hampshire | 15 | 17.87x |
| Lanarkshire | 9 | 6.79x |
| Dunbartonshire | 5 | 45.41x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 1.22x |
| Midlothian | 3 | 5.47x |
| Surrey | 2 | 1.00x |
| Angus | 1 | 2.64x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 1.59x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.72x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Portsea in Hampshire leads with 11 Berns recorded in 1881 and an index of 66.87x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Portsea | 11 | 66.87x |
| Glasgow | 6 | 25.51x |
| Dumbarton | 5 | 326.80x |
| Stockbridge | 4 | 3333.33x |
| Edinburgh St Johns | 3 | 857.14x |
| Camberwell | 2 | 7.65x |
| Govan | 2 | 6.11x |
| St Gilesin Fields London | 2 | 571.43x |
| Dalziel | 1 | 70.42x |
| Diss | 1 | 185.19x |
| Liff Benvie | 1 | 17.36x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 6.64x |
| St Bride London | 1 | 416.67x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 4.57x |
| Stoke Upon Trent | 1 | 6.82x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bern 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 Bern 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 Bern households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 7 |
| Gen Lab | 2 |
| Bricklayers Labourer | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| Gen Dom Serv | 1 |
| House Keeper | 1 |
| Medical Student | 1 |
| N K | 1 |
| Needlewoman | 1 |
| Scullerymaid | 1 |
| Superanuated Office Customs | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 44 people were recorded with the Bern surname. That placed it at #27,447 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 69 in 2016. That gives Bern a modern rank of #33,762.
A topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a bear's den.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bern 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.