NameCensus.

UK surname

Bertrand

A French topographic surname for someone living near a castle or fortification, derived from Germanic roots meaning "bright raven."

In the 1881 census there were 66 people recorded with the Bertrand surname, ranking it #24,256 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 327, ranked #13,868, up from #24,256 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Westminster, Crawley and Kingston upon Thames.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bertrand is 327 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 395.5%.

1881 census count

66

Ranked #24,256

Modern count

327

2016, ranked #13,868

Peak year

2016

327 bearers

Map years

5

1901 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bertrand had 66 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,256 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 327 in 2016, ranked #13,868.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 139 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Bertrand surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bertrand surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bertrand 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 38 #26,502
1861 historical 41 #28,839
1881 historical 66 #24,256
1891 historical 82 #26,494
1901 historical 136 #19,110
1911 historical 139 #18,745
1997 modern 214 #16,893
1998 modern 252 #15,584
1999 modern 258 #15,467
2000 modern 265 #15,143
2001 modern 250 #15,527
2002 modern 268 #15,081
2003 modern 259 #15,254
2004 modern 249 #15,739
2005 modern 246 #15,802
2006 modern 249 #15,784
2007 modern 268 #15,172
2008 modern 263 #15,505
2009 modern 275 #15,349
2010 modern 299 #14,769
2011 modern 287 #15,044
2012 modern 297 #14,607
2013 modern 318 #14,160
2014 modern 321 #14,150
2015 modern 319 #14,118
2016 modern 327 #13,868

Geography

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Where Bertrands are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, Gateshead and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Westminster, Crawley and Kingston upon Thames. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Gateshead Durham
5 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Westminster 004 Westminster
2 Westminster 017 Westminster
3 Crawley 013 Crawley
4 Kingston upon Thames 012 Kingston upon Thames
5 Crawley 012 Crawley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bertrand

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bertrand

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Bertrand surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Bertrand 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Bertrand is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bertrand is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bertrand falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bertrand 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Bertrand

The surname Bertrand has its origins in France, dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Germanic personal name Bertrand, which is composed of the elements "berhta" meaning "bright" and "hramn" meaning "raven." The name was initially popularized by the Frankish rulers and nobles during the Merovingian and Carolingian dynasties.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in medieval charters and records from the 9th century onwards. One notable mention is in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a certain Bertrand de Verdun is listed as a landowner in Staffordshire, England. This indicates that the name had already spread beyond its French origins by the 11th century.

During the High Middle Ages, the Bertrand family established itself as a prominent noble house in various regions of France, particularly in the southern provinces. One of the earliest recorded members was Bertrand de Born (c. 1140-1215), a famous Occitan troubadour and military leader who played a significant role in the conflicts between Henry II of England and his sons.

Another notable figure was Bertrand du Guesclin (c. 1320-1380), a Breton knight and one of the most celebrated military commanders of the Hundred Years' War. He served as Constable of France under King Charles V and was instrumental in driving the English out of many territories, earning him the epithet "The Eagle of Brittany."

In the 15th century, the Bertrand family produced several influential figures in the Church, including Pierre Bertrand (c. 1400-1468), a French cardinal and diplomat who played a crucial role in the Council of Basel and the Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges. His nephew, Guillaume Bertrand (c. 1430-1494), also became a cardinal and served as Bishop of Le Mans.

During the Renaissance, the Bertrand name was associated with notable scholars and writers. One such figure was Jean Bertrand (c. 1470-1536), a French humanist and poet who served as the principal of the Collège de Navarre in Paris and was renowned for his Latin poetry and translations.

Throughout history, variations of the name have included Bertran, Bertram, and Bertrane, often reflecting regional dialects or spellings. Additionally, several place names in France, such as Bertrandfosse and Bertrambois, are derived from the Bertrand surname, further highlighting its historical significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bertrand families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bertrand 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. Middlesex leads with 53 Bertrands recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.65x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 53 7.65x
Nottinghamshire 5 5.36x
Channel Islands 4 19.49x
Surrey 4 1.19x
Hampshire 1 0.70x
Hertfordshire 1 2.10x
Royal Navy 1 12.12x
Sussex 1 0.86x
Warwickshire 1 0.57x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bethnal Green London in Middlesex leads with 20 Bertrands recorded in 1881 and an index of 66.49x.

Place Total Index
Bethnal Green London 20 66.49x
St Pancras London 9 16.15x
Westminster St John 6 71.17x
Nottingham St Mary 5 20.71x
Whitechapel London 4 58.65x
Lambeth 3 4.97x
St Peter Port 3 78.95x
Hampstead London 2 18.55x
Islington London 2 2.98x
Kensington London 2 5.20x
Westminster St Margaret 2 59.88x
Birmingham 1 1.72x
Chelsea London 1 4.79x
East Barnet 1 105.26x
Hastings Holy Trinity 1 116.28x
Hendon 1 40.16x
Paddington London 1 3.93x
Richmond 1 21.14x
Royal Navy 1 14.18x
St George Hanover Square 1 8.20x
St Giles In Fields London 1 29.41x
St Martin 1 79.37x
Tottenham 1 9.07x
Ventnor 1 74.07x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 4
Mary 4
Clara 3
Louisa 3
Eliza 2
Ellen 2
Sarah 2
Susan 2
Amelie 1
Emilie 1
Emily 1
Eugene 1
Frances 1
Helene 1
Lizzie 1
Lucy 1
Margaret 1
Marie 1
Modest 1
Pakewell 1
Rose 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Henry 5
Alfred 4
William 4
John 2
Joseph 2
Leon 2
Noel 2
Samuel 2
Thomas 2
Alexander 1
Alphonse 1
Arthur 1
Daniel 1
Edward 1
Emile 1
George 1
J. 1
Meurice 1
Michel 1
S. 1

FAQ

Bertrand surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bertrand surname in 1881?

In 1881, 66 people were recorded with the Bertrand surname. That placed it at #24,256 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bertrand surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 327 in 2016. That gives Bertrand a modern rank of #13,868.

What does the Bertrand surname mean?

A French topographic surname for someone living near a castle or fortification, derived from Germanic roots meaning "bright raven."

What does the Bertrand map show?

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