NameCensus.

UK surname

Beynon

An anglicized form of the Welsh personal name Beuno or Welsh surname Beynon, meaning fair-born, holy, or blessed.

In the 1881 census there were 2,141 people recorded with the Beynon surname, ranking it #2,069 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,858, ranked #2,350, down from #2,069 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Penmaen, Rhoscilly, Penrice and Merthyr Tydfil. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Swansea, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Beynon is 2,912 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 33.5%.

1881 census count

2,141

Ranked #2,069

Modern count

2,858

2016, ranked #2,350

Peak year

2014

2,912 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Beynon had 2,141 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,069 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,858 in 2016, ranked #2,350.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,891 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Beynon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Beynon surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Beynon 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 1,473 #1,944
1861 historical 1,414 #2,018
1881 historical 2,141 #2,069
1891 historical 2,280 #2,049
1901 historical 2,694 #2,057
1911 historical 2,891 #1,802
1997 modern 2,788 #2,308
1998 modern 2,894 #2,324
1999 modern 2,884 #2,344
2000 modern 2,866 #2,348
2001 modern 2,841 #2,309
2002 modern 2,902 #2,320
2003 modern 2,816 #2,334
2004 modern 2,823 #2,335
2005 modern 2,758 #2,354
2006 modern 2,747 #2,357
2007 modern 2,791 #2,347
2008 modern 2,815 #2,342
2009 modern 2,873 #2,347
2010 modern 2,901 #2,381
2011 modern 2,870 #2,369
2012 modern 2,839 #2,349
2013 modern 2,885 #2,356
2014 modern 2,912 #2,342
2015 modern 2,865 #2,359
2016 modern 2,858 #2,350

Geography

Back to top

Where Beynons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Penmaen, Rhoscilly, Penrice, Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare and Pembrey. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Swansea, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Penmaen, Rhoscilly, Penrice Glamorganshire
3 Merthyr Tydfil Glamorganshire
4 Aberdare Glamorganshire
5 Pembrey Carmarthenshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Swansea 030 Swansea
2 Pembrokeshire 011 Pembrokeshire
3 Pembrokeshire 016 Pembrokeshire
4 Carmarthenshire 012 Carmarthenshire
5 Carmarthenshire 027 Carmarthenshire

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Beynon

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Beynon

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Beynon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Beynon household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Beynon 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

Beynon is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Beynon falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Beynon 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 Beynon, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Beynon

The surname Beynon originates from Wales, tracing its roots back to the late medieval period. It is a Welsh patronymic name derived from the personal name Einion, an old Welsh form of the name Enion or Ennion, which means "anvil" or "little anvil."

The name Einion itself is thought to have originated from the Welsh word "eingion," meaning "anvil." This connection suggests that the name may have been associated with blacksmiths or metalworkers in its early history. Variations in spelling include Beynon, Benion, Bennion, and Benioun.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Beynon can be found in the "Taxatio Ecclesiastica" of 1291-1292, a historical record of ecclesiastical taxation in England and Wales. This document mentions a "David Beynon" from the Diocese of St. Davids in Wales.

In the 16th century, the name appeared in various records, such as the "Muster Rolls of the County of Pembroke" from 1538-1539, which listed individuals with the surname Beynon. Additionally, the "Chancery Proceedings of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth I" from 1558-1603 mentioned a "Thomas Beynon" from Pembrokeshire.

Notable individuals with the surname Beynon include:

1. Rhys Beynon (c. 1500 - c. 1560), a Welsh poet and teacher from Pembrokeshire. 2. John Beynon (1833 - 1914), a Welsh Calvinistic Methodist minister and writer from Carmarthenshire. 3. Esther Beynon (1857 - 1925), a Welsh temperance advocate and author from Carmarthenshire. 4. William Beynon (1888 - 1958), a Welsh Labour Party politician and trade union leader from Glamorgan. 5. Edward Beynon (1903 - 1976), a Welsh football player and manager who played for Swansea Town and managed Wales.

The surname Beynon is still prevalent in Wales today, particularly in areas like Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and Glamorgan, where it has deep historical roots. While the meaning and origin of the name may have evolved over time, it remains a significant part of Welsh cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Beynon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Beynon 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. Glamorgan leads with 951 Beynons recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.18x.

County Total Index
Glamorgan 951 26.18x
Pembrokeshire 401 60.47x
Carmarthenshire 362 41.16x
Monmouthshire 135 8.95x
Lancashire 53 0.21x
Brecknockshire 41 9.83x
Cardiganshire 39 7.66x
Middlesex 22 0.11x
Gloucestershire 20 0.49x
Kent 15 0.21x
Devon 14 0.32x
Cheshire 11 0.24x
Essex 8 0.19x
Yorkshire 8 0.04x
Surrey 7 0.07x
Shropshire 6 0.33x
Staffordshire 6 0.09x
Berkshire 5 0.32x
Cornwall 5 0.21x
Northumberland 4 0.13x
Royal Navy 4 1.61x
Sussex 4 0.11x
Northamptonshire 3 0.15x
Somerset 3 0.09x
Lanarkshire 2 0.03x
Warwickshire 2 0.04x
Wiltshire 2 0.11x
Worcestershire 2 0.07x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.12x
Derbyshire 1 0.03x
Herefordshire 1 0.12x
Norfolk 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Swansea Town in Glamorgan leads with 157 Beynons recorded in 1881 and an index of 52.71x.

Place Total Index
Swansea Town 157 52.71x
Merthyr Tydfil 106 30.35x
Aberdare 98 39.29x
Llanelly 95 47.96x
Ystradyfodwg 69 21.65x
Bedwellty 49 18.40x
Oystermouth 46 163.64x
Rhosilly 45 1906.78x
Narberth North 26 220.34x
Monckton 25 211.15x
Cwmdu 24 54.23x
Llangendeirne 24 147.15x
Llangennith 24 1148.33x
Llanrhidian Higher 23 99.65x
Llanedy 22 132.85x
Llangadock 22 90.76x
St John Near Swansea 22 48.97x
Llansamlet Higher 21 77.46x
Pennard 21 1093.75x
Llanwonno 19 14.55x
Laugharne 18 154.37x
St Davids 18 119.92x
Tenby St Mary In 18 53.33x
Vaynor 18 88.24x
Llannon 17 140.96x
Coedfrank 16 63.57x
Jeffreston 16 453.26x
Loughor 16 82.94x
Pembroke St Mary 16 18.74x
Clase 15 11.10x
Kidwelly 15 83.52x
Aberystruth 14 10.53x
Bettws 14 111.73x
Eglwys Wrw 13 402.48x
Lampeter Velfrey 13 185.98x
Llanvihangel Llantarnam 13 45.20x
Pembrey 13 32.15x
St Clears 13 182.84x
Carmarthen St Ishmael 12 129.17x
Toxteth Park 12 1.43x
Amroth 11 209.92x
Neath 11 14.88x
Rhyndwyclydach 11 43.63x
Swansea Higher 11 29.07x
Swansea Lower 11 59.36x
Talley 11 182.72x
Bristol St Augustine 10 15.14x
Liscard 10 12.05x
Llandewy Velfrey 10 232.56x
Llanfallteg 10 358.42x
Llanfihangel Abercowin 10 172.12x
Llanover 10 19.41x
Loveston 10 1111.11x
Michaelstone Super Avon 10 25.43x
Porteynon 10 606.06x
Aberystwith 9 20.54x
Bishopston Lower 9 351.56x
Everton 9 1.14x
Ilston 9 452.26x
Llanrithan 9 927.84x
Llantrisant 9 9.83x
Manor Bier 9 199.56x
Newport 9 83.72x
St Edrins 9 1363.64x
St Florence 9 373.44x
St Issells 9 64.19x
West Derby 9 1.24x
Blaenhonddan 8 47.31x
Bosheston 8 645.16x
Llandissilio 8 109.59x
Llanfynydd 8 109.89x
Nevern 8 85.02x
Reynoldston 8 358.74x
Roath 8 4.85x
Swansea St Thomas 8 21.92x
Whitchurch 8 134.00x
Briton Ferry 7 16.15x
Cardiff St Mary 7 3.50x
Kilrhedyn 7 101.16x
Trevethin 7 4.91x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 192
Elizabeth 106
Ann 76
Margaret 74
Sarah 62
Jane 42
Martha 38
Anne 33
Catherine 30
Hannah 25
Eliza 18
Esther 14
Alice 13
Annie 13
Ellen 13
Frances 13
Rachel 10
Emma 9
Maria 9
Lucy 8
Edith 7
Margret 7
Anna 6
Charlotte 6
Harriet 6
Matilda 6
Ruth 6
Caroline 5
Eleanor 5
Louisa 5
Margt. 5
Ada 4
Elizth. 4
Emily 4
Fanny 4
Jemima 4
Lizzie 4
Phebe 4
Phoebe 4
Sophia 4
Agnes 3
Beatrice 3
Gwenllian 3
Isabella 3
Jennett 3
Kate 3
Lydia 3
Maggie 3
Rebecca 3
Rose 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 189
William 176
Thomas 119
David 100
George 56
James 49
Richard 24
Lewis 22
Benjamin 20
Henry 19
Daniel 15
Joseph 14
Phillip 14
Charles 12
Arthur 11
Evan 10
Robert 10
Alfred 9
Philip 9
Edward 8
Morgan 7
Owen 7
Walter 7
Edwin 6
Rees 6
Samuel 6
Albert 5
Thos. 5
Wm. 5
Frederick 4
Llewellyn 4
Peter 4
Rice 4
Enoch 3
Herbert 3
Isaac 3
Jason 3
Jonah 3
Josiah 3
Roger 3
Theophilus 3
Austin 2
Benj. 2
Ebenezer 2
Edgar 2
Gwilym 2
Harry 2
Lloyd 2
R. 2
Richd. 2

FAQ

Beynon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Beynon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,141 people were recorded with the Beynon surname. That placed it at #2,069 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Beynon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,858 in 2016. That gives Beynon a modern rank of #2,350.

What does the Beynon surname mean?

An anglicized form of the Welsh personal name Beuno or Welsh surname Beynon, meaning fair-born, holy, or blessed.

What does the Beynon map show?

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