NameCensus.

UK surname

Berrie

A surname derived from the Old English word "berie" meaning a grove or small wood.

In the 1881 census there were 232 people recorded with the Berrie surname, ranking it #11,677 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 432, ranked #11,135, up from #11,677 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, St. Ninians and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lochwinnoch, Paisley North East and Bridge of Allan and University.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Berrie is 454 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 86.2%.

1881 census count

232

Ranked #11,677

Modern count

432

2016, ranked #11,135

Peak year

2010

454 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Berrie had 232 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,677 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 432 in 2016, ranked #11,135.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 277 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Berrie surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Berrie surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Berrie 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 253 #8,709
1861 historical 260 #9,516
1881 historical 232 #11,677
1891 historical 277 #11,784
1901 historical 260 #12,817
1911 historical 74 #25,423
1997 modern 405 #10,908
1998 modern 429 #10,795
1999 modern 441 #10,631
2000 modern 416 #11,086
2001 modern 399 #11,252
2002 modern 395 #11,542
2003 modern 412 #11,026
2004 modern 412 #11,029
2005 modern 424 #10,691
2006 modern 419 #10,837
2007 modern 430 #10,729
2008 modern 428 #10,869
2009 modern 438 #10,927
2010 modern 454 #10,833
2011 modern 451 #10,766
2012 modern 433 #10,996
2013 modern 436 #11,106
2014 modern 432 #11,287
2015 modern 431 #11,206
2016 modern 432 #11,135

Geography

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Where Berries are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, St. Ninians, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Aberdeen and Old Machar and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Lochwinnoch, Paisley North East, Bridge of Allan and University, Arbroath Warddykes and West Pitkerro. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Govan Combination Lanark
2 St. Ninians Stirling
3 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
4 Aberdeen and Old Machar Aberdeen
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Lochwinnoch Renfrewshire
2 Paisley North East Renfrewshire
3 Bridge of Allan and University Stirling
4 Arbroath Warddykes Angus
5 West Pitkerro Dundee City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Berrie

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Berrie

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Berrie surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Berrie household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Berrie is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Berrie is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Berrie 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 Berrie is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Berrie

The surname Berrie is of English origin, deriving from the Old English word "berie," which means a small fruit or berry. This name likely evolved from a nickname given to someone who lived near a berry patch or who was particularly fond of eating berries.

In medieval times, surnames were often derived from occupations, physical characteristics, or geographical locations. The Berrie surname may have arisen as a descriptive nickname for someone associated with berries, either through their occupation or their location near a berry-rich area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Berrie surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, a census-like record from 1273, which lists a William Bery. The variant spelling "Bery" was common in early records, reflecting the evolving nature of surname spellings in that era.

The Berrie surname has been present in various regions of England throughout history. In the 13th century, the name appeared in records from counties such as Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk. Over time, it spread to other parts of the country, including Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Gloucestershire.

Notable historical figures with the surname Berrie include John Berrie (1534-1592), an English printer and publisher who worked in London during the Elizabethan era. He is known for publishing works by prominent authors of the time, including Edmund Spenser and Thomas Nashe.

Another individual of note is William Berrie (1608-1698), a clergyman and academic who served as the Master of Peterhouse, one of the constituent colleges of the University of Cambridge, from 1671 until his death.

In the 18th century, Samuel Berrie (1714-1783) was a prominent English artist known for his landscapes and portraiture. His works can be found in various collections, including the Tate Gallery in London.

The 19th century saw the rise of James Berrie (1839-1918), a Scottish businessman and philanthropist who made his fortune in the textile industry. He was a significant benefactor to educational institutions in his home city of Paisley.

In more recent times, John Berrie (1927-2019) was a British journalist and author who served as the editor of the Daily Mail newspaper from 1971 to 1976. He was known for his controversial editorial stance and his influential role in shaping public opinion during his tenure.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Berrie families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Berrie 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. Lanarkshire leads with 75 Berries recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.20x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 75 10.20x
Fife 26 19.32x
Lancashire 21 0.78x
Middlesex 15 0.66x
Stirlingshire 15 17.89x
Midlothian 13 4.27x
Surrey 12 1.08x
Angus 10 4.75x
Yorkshire 9 0.40x
Aberdeenshire 7 3.33x
Berwickshire 6 21.80x
Renfrewshire 5 2.84x
Flintshire 3 4.91x
Durham 2 0.30x
Ross-shire 2 3.20x
Royal Navy 2 7.39x
Wiltshire 2 1.00x
Cheshire 1 0.20x
Devon 1 0.21x
Essex 1 0.22x
Kent 1 0.13x
Monmouthshire 1 0.61x
Northamptonshire 1 0.47x
Northumberland 1 0.30x
Perthshire 1 0.98x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 37 Berries recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.35x.

Place Total Index
Govan 37 20.35x
Ferry Port On Craig 23 1040.72x
Blantyre 9 117.65x
St Ninians 9 108.30x
St Pancras London 8 4.37x
Glasgow 7 5.36x
Hamilton 7 34.15x
South Leith 7 20.43x
Earlston 6 434.78x
Maryhill 6 41.70x
Streatham 6 35.59x
Charterhouse London 5 467.29x
Dundee 5 6.36x
Manchester 5 4.12x
Mearns 5 161.81x
New Monkland 5 23.01x
Newton 5 24.05x
Rusholme 5 69.54x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 4 10.16x
Denny 4 89.69x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 4 3.27x
Headingley Cum Burley 4 27.59x
Monifieth 4 53.76x
Barony 3 1.61x
Broughton In Salford 3 12.17x
Kemnay 3 234.38x
Lambeth 3 1.51x
Rhuddlan 3 55.76x
Tooting Graveney 3 97.40x
Dunfermline 2 9.67x
Edinburgh Greenside 2 49.75x
Leeds 2 1.57x
St Marylebone London 2 1.65x
Stirling 2 18.92x
Warminster 2 45.45x
Bishopwearmouth 1 1.72x
Congleton 1 11.53x
Dallington 1 79.37x
Devonport 1 18.38x
Everton 1 1.16x
Harwick St Nicholas 1 140.85x
Hook 1 20.20x
Hulme 1 1.78x
Inverkeithing 1 49.26x
Kinnoull 1 37.31x
Lanark 1 16.92x
Panteg 1 38.61x
Pilkington 1 9.77x
Rosskeen 1 34.01x
Royal Navy 1 4.32x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 1 9.56x
Strathmartine 1 107.53x
Sunderland 1 8.38x
Tain 1 42.37x
Wakefield 1 5.78x
Westgate 1 4.78x
Woolwich 1 3.49x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 5
A. 2
Alice 2
Elizabeth 2
Ellen 2
Gertrude 2
Jessie 2
Sarah 2
Amy 1
Angeli 1
Ann 1
Annie 1
Betty 1
Caroline 1
Christina 1
E. 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Emma 1
Emmeline 1
Ida 1
Jane 1
Lucy 1
Maria 1
Marianne 1
May 1
Millie 1
Phoebe 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Berrie surname: questions and answers

How common was the Berrie surname in 1881?

In 1881, 232 people were recorded with the Berrie surname. That placed it at #11,677 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Berrie surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 432 in 2016. That gives Berrie a modern rank of #11,135.

What does the Berrie surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old English word "berie" meaning a grove or small wood.

What does the Berrie map show?

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