UK surname
A surname derived from the French word "borne," meaning boundary or landmark.
In the 1881 census there were 28 people recorded with the Bernes surname, ranking it #29,646 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 26, ranked #36,254, down from #29,646 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Walthamstow, Low Leyton, Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bernes is 142 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 7.1%.
1881 census count
28
Ranked #29,646
Modern count
26
2016, ranked #36,254
Peak year
1861
142 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bernes surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bernes 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 | 9 | #31,675 |
| 1861 | historical | 142 | #15,982 |
| 1881 | historical | 28 | #29,646 |
| 1891 | historical | 85 | #26,080 |
| 1901 | historical | 21 | #31,686 |
| 1911 | historical | 25 | #30,654 |
| 1997 | modern | 25 | #35,261 |
| 1998 | modern | 25 | #35,365 |
| 1999 | modern | 24 | #35,514 |
| 2000 | modern | 27 | #35,188 |
| 2001 | modern | 26 | #35,152 |
| 2002 | modern | 29 | #35,030 |
| 2003 | modern | 29 | #35,129 |
| 2004 | modern | 31 | #35,105 |
| 2005 | modern | 27 | #35,588 |
| 2006 | modern | 27 | #35,746 |
| 2007 | modern | 24 | #36,072 |
| 2008 | modern | 26 | #36,012 |
| 2009 | modern | 26 | #36,111 |
| 2010 | modern | 28 | #36,084 |
| 2011 | modern | 29 | #36,004 |
| 2012 | modern | 25 | #36,227 |
| 2013 | modern | 25 | #36,276 |
| 2014 | modern | 23 | #36,417 |
| 2015 | modern | 26 | #36,228 |
| 2016 | modern | 26 | #36,254 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Walthamstow, Low Leyton, Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a, Manchester, Preston and St Giles Camberwell. 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 | Walthamstow, Low Leyton | Essex |
| 2 | Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a | Essex |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Preston | Lancashire |
| 5 | St Giles Camberwell | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bernes 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 Bernes, 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 Bernes surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bernes 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, Bernes 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 Bernes is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bernes, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Bernes is believed to have originated in England, likely in the 12th or 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "bern," meaning a barn or storehouse for grain. The name may have been initially given to someone who lived near or worked in a barn.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, where a "William Berne" is mentioned. This suggests that the name had already been established by that time. In the 14th century, the name appeared in various spellings, such as "Barne," "Berne," and "Beryn," reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling during that period.
The Bernes surname is also associated with several place names in England, such as Bernes Barton in Devon and Bernes Farm in Sussex. These place names likely contributed to the spread and adoption of the surname in those regions.
Notable historical figures with the surname Bernes include:
1. William Bernes (c. 1450 - c. 1520), an English poet and author of the allegorical work "The Boke of Cupide, God of Love."
2. John Bernes (c. 1510 - c. 1570), an English merchant and explorer who traveled to Russia and established trade relations between England and Russia during the reign of Edward VI.
3. Thomas Bernes (c. 1570 - 1635), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the Archdeacon of Berkshire in the early 17th century.
4. Sir Edward Bernes (1612 - 1677), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Oxfordshire during the English Civil War.
5. Robert Bernes (1726 - 1804), an English architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Piccadilly Circus area.
The Bernes surname has a rich history dating back to medieval England, with its origins rooted in the agricultural landscape and occupations of the time. While the name has evolved in spelling and pronunciation over the centuries, it has been carried by notable individuals across various fields, leaving a lasting impact on English history and culture.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bernes 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. Lancashire leads with 8 Bernes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.47x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 8 | 2.47x |
| Middlesex | 8 | 2.93x |
| Denbighshire | 3 | 29.10x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 3.74x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 3.58x |
| Kent | 2 | 2.15x |
| Worcestershire | 2 | 5.61x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.37x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Mile End Old Town London in Middlesex leads with 6 Bernes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 103.27x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Mile End Old Town London | 6 | 103.27x |
| Toxteth Park | 6 | 54.74x |
| Wrexham Abbot | 3 | 1153.85x |
| Badgeworth | 2 | 2222.22x |
| Tonbridge | 2 | 59.52x |
| Yardley | 2 | 219.78x |
| Bury | 1 | 27.03x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 6.59x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 5.09x |
| Middlesbrough | 1 | 28.41x |
| St Mary Bourne | 1 | 1000.00x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 6.86x |
| Weeke | 1 | 588.24x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bernes 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 Bernes 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 Bernes households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| Labourer | 3 |
| Laundress | 2 |
| Account Book Manutr | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Butcher | 1 |
| Cook (Dom) | 1 |
| Cotton Weaver | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Gardner | 1 |
| General Serv (Dom) | 1 |
| Labourer (Wife) | 1 |
| Labourer Wife | 1 |
| Navice | 1 |
| None | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 28 people were recorded with the Bernes surname. That placed it at #29,646 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 26 in 2016. That gives Bernes a modern rank of #36,254.
A surname derived from the French word "borne," meaning boundary or landmark.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bernes 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.