NameCensus.

UK surname

Besson

A surname derived from the Old French word "besson" meaning twin.

In the 1881 census there were 84 people recorded with the Besson surname, ranking it #21,690 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 108, ranked #29,578, down from #21,690 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lincoln St Botolph, London parishes and Baxterley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Isle of Anglesey, Leicester and Horsham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Besson is 114 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 28.6%.

1881 census count

84

Ranked #21,690

Modern count

108

2016, ranked #29,578

Peak year

1861

114 bearers

Map years

3

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Besson had 84 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #21,690 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 108 in 2016, ranked #29,578.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 114 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Besson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Besson surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Besson 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 72 #20,720
1861 historical 114 #19,011
1881 historical 84 #21,690
1891 historical 93 #24,965
1901 historical 87 #24,386
1911 historical 90 #23,797
1997 modern 97 #27,342
1998 modern 99 #27,785
1999 modern 98 #28,050
2000 modern 107 #26,700
2001 modern 103 #26,927
2002 modern 110 #26,412
2003 modern 94 #28,686
2004 modern 104 #27,338
2005 modern 104 #27,369
2006 modern 104 #27,646
2007 modern 102 #28,351
2008 modern 102 #28,664
2009 modern 111 #27,846
2010 modern 110 #28,666
2011 modern 105 #29,287
2012 modern 98 #30,612
2013 modern 99 #30,934
2014 modern 100 #31,033
2015 modern 106 #29,895
2016 modern 108 #29,578

Geography

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Where Bessons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lincoln St Botolph, London parishes, Baxterley and St Pancras. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Isle of Anglesey, Leicester, Horsham, Rushcliffe and Mendip. 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 Lincoln St Botolph Lincolnshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Baxterley Warwickshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 St Pancras London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Isle of Anglesey 002 Isle of Anglesey
2 Leicester 011 Leicester
3 Horsham 014 Horsham
4 Rushcliffe 010 Rushcliffe
5 Mendip 013 Mendip

Forenames

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First names often paired with Besson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Besson

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Besson, 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 Besson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Besson 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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Besson is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Besson 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

Besson falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Besson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Besson

The surname Besson has its origins in France, specifically in the Burgundy region, and can be traced back to the 12th century. The name is derived from the Old French word "beson," which means "need" or "necessity," indicating that it may have been an occupational surname for someone who worked in a trade or profession considered essential.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in medieval records and charters from the Burgundy area. One notable example is a document from 1219 that mentions a person named Humbert Besson, who was a landowner in the village of Semur-en-Auxois.

In the 14th century, the name appears in the tax rolls of the city of Dijon, which was an important center of trade and commerce during that time. Several families with the surname Besson were recorded as residents of the city, suggesting that the name had become well-established in the region.

As the centuries passed, the Besson name spread to other parts of France and beyond. One notable figure was Jean Besson, a French mathematician and engineer born in 1567 in the town of Grenoble. He is best known for his work on mathematical instruments and his writings on mechanics and hydraulics.

Another prominent individual with the surname was Jacques Besson, a French sculptor and architect who lived in the 17th century. He was responsible for the design and construction of several notable buildings in Paris, including the Church of Saint-Sulpice.

In the literary world, Samuel Besson, born in 1768 in Lausanne, Switzerland, gained recognition as a poet and writer. His works often explored themes of nature and the human condition.

Moving into the 19th century, Gustave Besson, born in 1820 in Paris, made significant contributions to the field of music as a renowned instrument maker. His company, Besson Musical Instruments, became a leading manufacturer of brass instruments and was renowned for its high-quality products.

Lastly, in the realm of cinema, Luc Besson, born in 1959 in Paris, has achieved international acclaim as a filmmaker and screenwriter. He is best known for directing films such as "Léon: The Professional," "The Fifth Element," and "Lucy," which have captivated audiences worldwide with their unique visual styles and storytelling.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Besson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Besson 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 29 Bessons recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.50x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 29 3.50x
Lincolnshire 16 12.07x
Derbyshire 10 7.70x
Warwickshire 8 3.83x
Hampshire 4 2.35x
Lancashire 4 0.41x
Surrey 3 0.74x
Sussex 3 2.15x
Leicestershire 2 2.18x
Wiltshire 2 2.73x
Glamorgan 1 0.69x
Hertfordshire 1 1.75x
Royal Navy 1 10.12x
Yorkshire 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Baxterley in Warwickshire leads with 7 Bessons recorded in 1881 and an index of 7000.00x.

Place Total Index
Baxterley 7 7000.00x
Chiswick 7 154.53x
St Pancras London 7 10.49x
Allestree 6 3529.41x
Bethnal Green London 6 16.66x
Faldingworth 5 6250.00x
Codnor Loscoe 4 388.35x
Paddington London 4 13.12x
Camberwell 3 5.66x
Kingsclere 3 384.62x
Spridlington 3 3750.00x
St Michael Lincoln 3 833.33x
Broadwater 2 62.31x
St George Hanover Square 2 13.69x
St Swithin Lincoln 2 96.15x
Swindon 2 35.15x
Ulverston 2 69.69x
Westminster St James 2 23.47x
Baddesley Ensor 1 370.37x
Bingley 1 19.12x
Bracebridge 1 166.67x
Cole Orton 1 588.24x
Garston 1 34.48x
Glentworth 1 1000.00x
Hackney London 1 2.15x
Higham On The Hill 1 769.23x
Nocton 1 555.56x
Nursling 1 370.37x
Royal Navy 1 11.83x
Swansea Lower 1 135.14x
West Derby 1 3.47x
Westmill 1 1000.00x
Worthing 1 666.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 6
Ann 5
Sarah 4
Alice 2
Charlotte 2
Elizabeth 2
Eva 2
Rose 2
Annie 1
Betsy 1
Celest 1
Celina 1
Clarissa 1
Delphine 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Elizth. 1
Emily 1
Eugenie 1
Fanny 1
Gabrielle 1
Hannah 1
Josephine 1
Julia 1
Laura 1
Louise 1
Maggie 1
Margaret 1
Marie 1
Mathilde 1
May 1
Olive 1
Rosannah 1
Susan 1
Sylvie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 3
Henry 3
Charles 2
James 2
Thomas 2
William 2
Alexander 1
Alfred 1
Arthur 1
Chas 1
Christopher 1
Edward 1
Francis 1
Garibaldi 1
Herbert 1
Hypolite 1
John 1
Johna 1
Joseph 1
Jules 1
Louis 1
Paul 1
Peter 1
Tho. 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Besson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Besson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 84 people were recorded with the Besson surname. That placed it at #21,690 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Besson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 108 in 2016. That gives Besson a modern rank of #29,578.

What does the Besson surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old French word "besson" meaning twin.

What does the Besson map show?

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