UK surname
A French surname of uncertain origin, possibly from a place name or an old personal name.
In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the Bernon surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 22, ranked #36,533, down from #32,581 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Peak Forest, London parishes and Burslem. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bernon is 128 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 175.0%.
1881 census count
8
Ranked #32,581
Modern count
22
2016, ranked #36,533
Peak year
1861
128 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bernon surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bernon 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 | 2 | #33,133 |
| 1861 | historical | 128 | #17,375 |
| 1881 | historical | 8 | #32,581 |
| 1891 | historical | 47 | #30,566 |
| 1901 | historical | 16 | #32,260 |
| 1911 | historical | 21 | #31,179 |
| 1997 | modern | 13 | #36,672 |
| 1998 | modern | 14 | #36,565 |
| 1999 | modern | 13 | #36,693 |
| 2000 | modern | 14 | #36,522 |
| 2001 | modern | 13 | #36,483 |
| 2002 | modern | 19 | #35,991 |
| 2003 | modern | 17 | #36,198 |
| 2004 | modern | 17 | #36,342 |
| 2005 | modern | 16 | #36,530 |
| 2006 | modern | 17 | #36,517 |
| 2007 | modern | 17 | #36,628 |
| 2008 | modern | 18 | #36,607 |
| 2009 | modern | 21 | #36,470 |
| 2010 | modern | 15 | #37,038 |
| 2011 | modern | 17 | #36,839 |
| 2012 | modern | 17 | #36,811 |
| 2013 | modern | 20 | #36,614 |
| 2014 | modern | 23 | #36,417 |
| 2015 | modern | 25 | #36,297 |
| 2016 | modern | 22 | #36,533 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Peak Forest, London parishes, Burslem, Battersea and Manchester. 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 | Peak Forest | Derbyshire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 3 | Burslem | Staffordshire |
| 4 | Battersea | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bernon 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 Bernon, 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 Bernon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bernon 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, Bernon 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 Bernon is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bernon, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Bernon is believed to have originated in France, with its roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French word "bernon," meaning "little bear." This nickname likely referred to someone with a particularly strong or bear-like physique or demeanor.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bernon can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Bernon" in this document, indicating its presence in England during the Norman conquest.
In the 12th century, a prominent figure named Bertrand Bernon was a monk and theologian associated with the Cistercian order in France. He is credited with establishing several monasteries and his writings on monastic life and spiritual matters were widely influential during his time.
The surname Bernon can also be traced back to various place names in France, such as the village of Bernon in the Auvergne region. This suggests that some individuals may have adopted the surname based on their place of origin or residence.
During the 14th century, a notable individual named Jean Bernon (1300-1368) was a French poet and chronicler who served as the official historian at the court of King John II of France. His works documented the events of the Hundred Years' War and provided valuable insights into the period's history.
In the 16th century, Jacques Bernon (1525-1592) was a French Huguenot theologian and writer who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation. His works on religious doctrine and his involvement in the religious conflicts of the time made him a prominent figure in the history of French Protestantism.
Over the centuries, the Bernon surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, scholars, and military figures. While its origins can be traced back to France, the name has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchanges.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bernon 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. Surrey leads with 3 Bernons recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.89x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Camberwell in Surrey leads with 3 Bernons recorded in 1881 and an index of 60.24x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Camberwell | 3 | 60.24x |
| Sheffield | 3 | 121.95x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 24.04x |
| Wapping London | 1 | 1666.67x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bernon 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 Bernon 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 Bernon households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Brick Maker | 1 |
| Butler | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Master Baker | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 8 people were recorded with the Bernon surname. That placed it at #32,581 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 22 in 2016. That gives Bernon a modern rank of #36,533.
A French surname of uncertain origin, possibly from a place name or an old personal name.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bernon 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.