NameCensus.

UK surname

Bester

An English occupational surname referring to someone who makes bestas, a kind of crossbow bolt or arrow.

In the 1881 census there were 144 people recorded with the Bester surname, ranking it #15,891 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 402, ranked #11,837, up from #15,891 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wistow, Edmonton and Eversden, Little. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Braintree, Merton and Trafford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bester is 402 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 179.2%.

1881 census count

144

Ranked #15,891

Modern count

402

2016, ranked #11,837

Peak year

2016

402 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bester had 144 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,891 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 402 in 2016, ranked #11,837.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 249 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Bester surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bester surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bester 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 63 #22,069
1861 historical 154 #14,963
1881 historical 144 #15,891
1891 historical 198 #15,033
1901 historical 248 #13,204
1911 historical 249 #12,951
1997 modern 249 #15,319
1998 modern 262 #15,203
1999 modern 268 #15,070
2000 modern 273 #14,828
2001 modern 278 #14,444
2002 modern 309 #13,733
2003 modern 326 #13,076
2004 modern 348 #12,495
2005 modern 357 #12,194
2006 modern 361 #12,178
2007 modern 354 #12,489
2008 modern 370 #12,182
2009 modern 380 #12,198
2010 modern 388 #12,271
2011 modern 384 #12,218
2012 modern 378 #12,216
2013 modern 388 #12,204
2014 modern 395 #12,125
2015 modern 390 #12,139
2016 modern 402 #11,837

Geography

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Where Besters are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wistow, Edmonton, Eversden, Little, London parishes and Warboys. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Braintree, Merton, Trafford and Bradford. 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 Wistow Huntingdonshire
2 Edmonton Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
3 Eversden, Little Cambridgeshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Warboys Huntingdonshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Braintree 001 Braintree
2 Braintree 018 Braintree
3 Merton 004 Merton
4 Trafford 022 Trafford
5 Bradford 004 Bradford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bester

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bester

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Bester 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

Bester 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

Bester falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bester 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Bester

The surname BESTER originated in the Netherlands and dates back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Dutch word "bester," which means "best" or "excellent." This suggests that the name may have been initially given as a nickname to someone who was considered the best at a particular skill or trade.

In the early 16th century, the name BESTER appeared in various Dutch records and documents, including church registers and municipal archives. One of the earliest recorded instances is found in the baptismal records of the city of Leiden, where a child named Pieter Bester was baptized in 1578.

BESTER was also a common surname in the Dutch province of Friesland, particularly in the areas around the cities of Leeuwarden and Franeker. In the late 16th century, a wealthy merchant named Dirck Bester was recorded as owning several properties and businesses in the city of Leeuwarden.

The name BESTER can be traced back to various place names in the Netherlands, such as Bestervelds and Besterveld, which may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time. Additionally, the name was sometimes spelled as "Besterr" or "Bestere" in older records.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname BESTER. One notable figure was Johannes Bester (1602-1672), a Dutch mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics.

Another prominent individual was Pieter Bester (1723-1802), a Dutch naval officer who served in the Dutch East India Company and played a crucial role in the defense of the Cape Colony (modern-day South Africa) during the Napoleonic Wars.

In the 19th century, a Dutch painter named Johannes Bester (1837-1919) gained recognition for his landscape paintings and portraits, many of which are now housed in museums across the Netherlands.

The name BESTER also appeared in other parts of Europe, such as Germany, where a German theologian named Johann Bester (1624-1688) was known for his works on Protestant theology and biblical exegesis.

In the 20th century, a South African writer and activist named Riana Bester (1927-2013) gained recognition for her literary works and her involvement in the anti-apartheid movement.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the surname BESTER, illustrating its rich history and diverse geographical spread.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bester families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bester 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. Cambridgeshire leads with 58 Besters recorded in 1881 and an index of 65.19x.

County Total Index
Cambridgeshire 58 65.19x
Huntingdonshire 23 82.47x
Middlesex 19 1.35x
Northamptonshire 17 12.87x
Lincolnshire 12 5.34x
Warwickshire 6 1.69x
Leicestershire 3 1.93x
Yorkshire 3 0.22x
Hertfordshire 1 1.03x
Norfolk 1 0.46x
Surrey 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Little Eversden in Cambridgeshire leads with 15 Besters recorded in 1881 and an index of 15000.00x.

Place Total Index
Little Eversden 15 15000.00x
Chatteris 13 572.69x
Spalding 11 246.64x
Great Eversden 10 7692.31x
Chesterton 9 328.47x
Godmanchester 8 761.90x
Bromley London 7 22.65x
Norton 7 3500.00x
Warboys 7 864.20x
Roade 6 1714.29x
Tottenham 6 26.82x
Ramsey 5 224.22x
Rugby 5 104.38x
Peterborough 4 41.80x
Birstall 3 1250.00x
Doddington 3 461.54x
St Andrewthe Less 3 29.53x
St Pancras London 3 2.65x
Somersham 2 294.12x
Thornton In Bradford 2 43.20x
Wimpole 2 1176.47x
Bethnal Green London 1 1.64x
Brinklow 1 263.16x
Edmonton 1 8.83x
Gildersome 1 59.88x
Heigham 1 8.63x
Holbeach 1 40.00x
Huntingdon St Benedict 1 285.71x
Kensington London 1 1.28x
Lambeth 1 0.82x
Orwell 1 256.41x
St Giles Cambridge 1 86.96x
The Holy Sepulchre 1 454.55x
Watford 1 13.32x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 9
Elizabeth 7
Sarah 5
Martha 4
Susan 4
Annie 3
Agnes 2
Alice 2
Amelia 2
Ann 2
Caroline 2
Ellen 2
Emma 2
Florence 2
Lydia 2
Margaret 2
Abigail 1
Betsy 1
Chathannie 1
Clara 1
Ema 1
Fanny 1
Harriett 1
Jane 1
Jessie 1
Katherine 1
Louisa 1
Lousia 1
Mabel 1
Mildred 1
Minnie 1
Rebecca 1
Rose 1
Susanna 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 12
John 10
George 9
Thomas 7
Henry 5
Arthur 3
Charles 3
Robert 3
James 2
Josiah 2
Alfred 1
Aurthur 1
Barley 1
Benjamin 1
Chas. 1
Chas.Fredc. 1
David 1
Edward 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Harry 1
J.W. 1
Jacob 1
Matthew 1
Robt. 1
Voborne 1
Willis 1
Wilmont 1

FAQ

Bester surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bester surname in 1881?

In 1881, 144 people were recorded with the Bester surname. That placed it at #15,891 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bester surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 402 in 2016. That gives Bester a modern rank of #11,837.

What does the Bester surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to someone who makes bestas, a kind of crossbow bolt or arrow.

What does the Bester map show?

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