NameCensus.

UK surname

Berriman

A surname likely derived from an English place name containing the elements "berrie", meaning berry or berries.

In the 1881 census there were 702 people recorded with the Berriman surname, ranking it #5,177 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 939, ranked #6,102, down from #5,177 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Phillack, Camborne and Towednack. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, East Riding of Yorkshire and County Durham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Berriman is 1,056 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 33.8%.

1881 census count

702

Ranked #5,177

Modern count

939

2016, ranked #6,102

Peak year

1999

1,056 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Berriman had 702 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,177 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 939 in 2016, ranked #6,102.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 967 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Berriman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Berriman surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Berriman 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 649 #4,011
1861 historical 519 #5,044
1881 historical 702 #5,177
1891 historical 866 #4,738
1901 historical 869 #5,268
1911 historical 967 #4,676
1997 modern 1,001 #5,498
1998 modern 1,025 #5,567
1999 modern 1,056 #5,457
2000 modern 1,039 #5,510
2001 modern 1,008 #5,549
2002 modern 1,034 #5,544
2003 modern 1,028 #5,477
2004 modern 989 #5,648
2005 modern 978 #5,642
2006 modern 964 #5,722
2007 modern 962 #5,787
2008 modern 989 #5,699
2009 modern 983 #5,844
2010 modern 998 #5,892
2011 modern 1,001 #5,818
2012 modern 953 #5,961
2013 modern 968 #5,980
2014 modern 973 #5,997
2015 modern 959 #6,018
2016 modern 939 #6,102

Geography

Back to top

Where Berrimans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Phillack, Camborne, Towednack, Crowan and Middleton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, East Riding of Yorkshire and County Durham. 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 Phillack Cornwall
2 Camborne Cornwall
3 Towednack Cornwall
4 Crowan Cornwall
5 Middleton Yorkshire, North Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 054 Cornwall
2 East Riding of Yorkshire 008 East Riding of Yorkshire
3 County Durham 049 County Durham
4 East Riding of Yorkshire 045 East Riding of Yorkshire
5 East Riding of Yorkshire 003 East Riding of Yorkshire

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Berriman

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Berriman

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Berriman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Berriman 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Berriman is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Berriman is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Berriman falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Berriman 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Berriman

The surname Berriman is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It likely emerged as an occupational name, derived from the Old English word "berie," meaning berry or small fruit. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who worked as a gatherer, seller, or cultivator of berries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1296, where a John Beryman is mentioned. This indicates that the name was already in use by the late 13th century in the southern counties of England.

Another early reference to the surname appears in the Hertfordshire Assize Rolls of 1340, where a Thomas Beryman is listed. This suggests that the name had spread to other parts of England by the 14th century.

In the Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns of 1379, a William Beryman is recorded, showcasing the name's presence in the northern regions of the country during the late medieval period.

The name Berriman may also have connections to certain place names or locations. For instance, there is a village called Berrydown in Devon, which could potentially be linked to the surname's origins.

Notable individuals with the surname Berriman throughout history include:

1. John Berriman (c. 1598 - 1642), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Dean of Christ Church, Oxford. 2. William Berriman (1688 - 1749), an English divine and controversialist who wrote extensively on theological matters. 3. Richard Berriman (1762 - 1837), a British portrait painter known for his works depicting members of the aristocracy and gentry. 4. Henry Berriman (1797 - 1883), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the former Colosseum Theatre. 5. George Berriman (1867 - 1926), an English cricketer who played first-class cricket for Somerset County Cricket Club.

While the Berriman surname may have evolved in spelling and pronunciation over the centuries, its origins can be traced back to the medieval period in England, likely reflecting an occupational connection to berry cultivation or trade.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Berriman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Berriman 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. Cornwall leads with 271 Berrimans recorded in 1881 and an index of 34.76x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 271 34.76x
Yorkshire 172 2.52x
Middlesex 43 0.62x
Hampshire 34 2.41x
Surrey 28 0.83x
Kent 21 0.89x
Gloucestershire 16 1.18x
Devon 15 1.05x
Lancashire 15 0.18x
Sussex 14 1.21x
Durham 12 0.59x
Glamorgan 12 1.00x
Wiltshire 12 1.97x
Cumberland 9 1.52x
Somerset 8 0.72x
Brecknockshire 6 4.36x
Herefordshire 3 1.06x
Royal Navy 3 3.66x
Staffordshire 3 0.13x
Cardiganshire 1 0.60x
Channel Islands 1 0.49x
Cheshire 1 0.07x
Leicestershire 1 0.13x
Monmouthshire 1 0.20x
Northamptonshire 1 0.15x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.11x
Oxfordshire 1 0.24x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.46x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Ives in Cornwall leads with 94 Berrimans recorded in 1881 and an index of 615.99x.

Place Total Index
St Ives 94 615.99x
Camborne 29 90.26x
Towednack 28 1830.07x
Great Driffield 25 178.44x
Phillack 24 238.57x
Lockton 20 2127.66x
Camberwell 15 3.41x
Cropton 15 1807.23x
East Meon 13 353.26x
Madron 11 174.60x
Pickering Kingthorpe 11 1428.57x
Tottenham 11 10.03x
Gwennap 10 67.98x
St Buryan 10 310.56x
Walton On Thames 10 64.89x
Kilham 9 314.69x
Michelmersh 9 328.47x
St Hilary 9 396.48x
Whicham 9 1000.00x
Scarborough 8 12.90x
Norton In Malton 7 84.64x
Perranuthnoe 7 328.64x
Rodbourne Cheney 7 148.94x
Whitstone 7 721.65x
Bathwick 6 48.90x
Deptford St Paul 6 3.31x
Kingstanley 6 120.24x
Langtoft 6 410.96x
Luttons Ambo 6 422.54x
Newlyn 6 180.18x
Sculcoates 6 5.55x
St Clement 6 73.71x
Vaynor 6 89.15x
Acton 5 12.39x
Amotherby 5 757.58x
Erith 5 21.60x
Formby 5 54.05x
Hempstead 5 303.03x
Pocklington 5 77.64x
Roath 5 9.18x
Rudston 5 352.11x
St Hilary Marazion 5 235.85x
St Pancras London 5 0.90x
Stranton 5 7.25x
Sutton 5 18.24x
York St Lawrence 5 70.22x
Appleton Le Moors 4 563.38x
Bromley London 4 2.64x
Buriton 4 147.06x
Crowan 4 64.72x
Great Bedwin 4 92.38x
Horton Kirby 4 110.19x
Hound 4 41.75x
Islington London 4 0.60x
Neath 4 16.39x
Oving 4 102.04x
Pickering 4 46.57x
Stoke Damerel 4 3.99x
Thwing 4 384.62x
York St Mary 4 14.15x
Briton Ferry 3 20.96x
Callington 3 66.08x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 3 12.14x
Hove 3 5.89x
Kelloe 3 135.75x
Linton In Bromyard 3 243.90x
Lynton 3 104.90x
Maidstone 3 4.29x
Mile End Old Town London 3 2.05x
Northam 3 28.71x
Redruth 3 13.60x
Royal Navy 3 4.28x
Stoke Upon Trent 3 1.22x
Subdeanery 3 34.05x
Twickenham 3 10.16x
Clovelly 2 106.95x
Coxhoe 2 34.42x
Gwinear 2 54.05x
Illogan 2 9.69x
Little Petherick 2 392.16x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 68
Elizabeth 31
Jane 23
Hannah 22
Sarah 20
Ann 14
Eliza 11
Alice 10
Amelia 9
Margaret 8
Annie 7
Emily 6
Susan 6
Catherine 5
Charlotte 5
Edith 5
Grace 5
Maria 5
Ellen 4
Frances 4
Lavinia 4
Louisa 4
Martha 4
Ada 3
Bessie 3
Elizebeth 3
Emma 3
Kate 3
Lucy 3
Margret 3
Rebecca 3
Sophia 3
Annette 2
Charity 2
Esther 2
Florence 2
J.H. 2
Johanna 2
Julia 2
Katie 2
Laura 2
Matilda 2
Pricilla 2
Rachel 2
Rose 2
S. 2
Caroline 1
Cath. 1
Elisa 1
Wilmot 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 60
William 51
Thomas 22
George 20
James 17
Robert 10
Henry 9
Richard 8
Samuel 8
Charles 6
David 6
Edward 6
Joseph 6
Thos. 6
Frederick 5
Francis 4
Harry 4
Alfred 3
Arthur 3
Edwin 3
H.B. 3
Mathew 3
Nicholas 3
Peter 3
Wm. 3
Albert 2
Andrew 2
Jas. 2
Jesse 2
Job 2
Philip 2
Phillip 2
Stephen 2
Walter 2
Watson 2
Archibald 1
Chas. 1
Edwd. 1
Eugene 1
Herbert 1
Hosted 1
Jas.J. 1
Jas.John 1
Jash. 1
Moses 1
N. 1
Percy 1
Robt. 1
Sampson 1
Wm.V. 1

FAQ

Berriman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Berriman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 702 people were recorded with the Berriman surname. That placed it at #5,177 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Berriman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 939 in 2016. That gives Berriman a modern rank of #6,102.

What does the Berriman surname mean?

A surname likely derived from an English place name containing the elements "berrie", meaning berry or berries.

What does the Berriman map show?

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