NameCensus.

UK surname

Bezzant

A surname derived from the French word "besant," meaning a gold coin or money.

In the 1881 census there were 65 people recorded with the Bezzant surname, ranking it #24,420 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 78, ranked #33,171, down from #24,420 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Bedminster and Swindon, Lyddington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Fareham, South Somerset and Havant.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bezzant is 112 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 20.0%.

1881 census count

65

Ranked #24,420

Modern count

78

2016, ranked #33,171

Peak year

1911

112 bearers

Map years

2

1911 to 2006

Key insights

  • Bezzant had 65 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,420 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 78 in 2016, ranked #33,171.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 112 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Bezzant surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bezzant surname density by area, 2006 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bezzant 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 37 #26,673
1861 historical 41 #28,839
1881 historical 65 #24,420
1891 historical 82 #26,494
1901 historical 99 #22,999
1911 historical 112 #21,274
1997 modern 90 #28,360
1998 modern 95 #28,303
1999 modern 97 #28,187
2000 modern 100 #27,695
2001 modern 101 #27,252
2002 modern 101 #27,766
2003 modern 101 #27,561
2004 modern 102 #27,637
2005 modern 102 #27,689
2006 modern 102 #27,926
2007 modern 97 #29,156
2008 modern 96 #29,654
2009 modern 90 #31,094
2010 modern 91 #31,497
2011 modern 93 #31,169
2012 modern 84 #32,502
2013 modern 85 #32,658
2014 modern 81 #33,061
2015 modern 81 #32,975
2016 modern 78 #33,171

Geography

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Where Bezzants are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Bedminster, Swindon, Lyddington, London parishes and St Philip and Jacob. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Fareham, South Somerset, Havant and Worthing. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Bedminster Somerset
3 Swindon, Lyddington Wiltshire
4 London parishes London 1
5 St Philip and Jacob Gloucestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Fareham 002 Fareham
2 South Somerset 003 South Somerset
3 Fareham 007 Fareham
4 Havant 004 Havant
5 Worthing 010 Worthing

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bezzant

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bezzant

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Bezzant surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Bezzant household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Bezzant is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bezzant 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

Bezzant falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Bezzant

The surname BEZZANT is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the old English word 'besan,' which referred to a coarse fabric made of goat or camel hair.

This surname likely originated in the county of Suffolk, where weavers and cloth workers were known to reside. The earliest recorded mention of the name BEZZANT can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk in 1195, with a reference to a person named Matilda Bezant.

During the 13th century, records from the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire mention a Reginald Besaunt, indicating the name's presence in that region. The Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1296 also list a William Bezant, further solidifying the surname's establishment across various parts of England.

One notable figure bearing this surname was Sir John Bezzant, a prominent merchant and alderman in the City of London during the late 15th century. Born around 1440, he served as the Lord Mayor of London from 1492 to 1493.

Another individual of historical significance was Thomas Bezzant, a skilled clockmaker who lived in the 16th century. His work is featured in several churches throughout England, including St. Paul's Cathedral in London, where one of his clocks is still operational to this day.

In the 17th century, the name BEZZANT found its way into various parish records across England. For instance, the baptismal records of St. Mary's Church in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, document the christening of a child named Elizabeth Bezzant in 1625.

During the 18th century, a notable bearer of this surname was Sir Edward Bezzant, a prominent landowner and Member of Parliament for the borough of Ipswich in Suffolk from 1734 to 1741. He was born in 1692 and played an active role in local politics and governance.

Another individual worthy of mention is Captain William Bezzant, a naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. Born in 1768, he achieved several victories against French forces and was commended for his bravery and leadership.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bezzant families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bezzant 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. Gloucestershire leads with 18 Bezzants recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.48x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 18 14.48x
Somerset 16 15.68x
Hampshire 8 6.16x
Wiltshire 7 12.49x
Surrey 6 1.94x
Kent 5 2.31x
Monmouthshire 3 6.55x
Middlesex 2 0.32x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bedminster in Somerset leads with 16 Bezzants recorded in 1881 and an index of 166.84x.

Place Total Index
Bedminster 16 166.84x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 10 85.40x
Liddiard Tregooze 7 5000.00x
Portsea 6 23.56x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 5 442.48x
Bermondsey 4 21.20x
Abergavenny 3 174.42x
Chatham 3 50.42x
Clifton 3 47.69x
Southampton Holy Rood 2 1538.46x
Gillingham 1 22.42x
Great Stanmore 1 357.14x
Lewisham 1 8.67x
Poplar London 1 8.36x
Rotherhithe 1 12.77x
Southwark St John 1 51.55x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 4
Caroline 3
Harriet 3
Eliza 2
Emily 2
Hannah 2
Sarah 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Ann 1
Bathsheba 1
Carry 1
Charlotte 1
Edith 1
Elizabeth 1
Ellen 1
Jane 1
Lily 1
Minnie 1
Minorie 1
Nellie 1
Roseina 1
Rosey 1
Selena 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 7
Charles 5
James 3
Agastus 1
Agustus 1
Albert 1
August 1
Augustus 1
Frederick 1
George 1
Harry 1
Henery 1
Henry 1
Hugh 1
Joseph 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Thos. 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Bezzant households.

FAQ

Bezzant surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bezzant surname in 1881?

In 1881, 65 people were recorded with the Bezzant surname. That placed it at #24,420 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bezzant surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 78 in 2016. That gives Bezzant a modern rank of #33,171.

What does the Bezzant surname mean?

A surname derived from the French word "besant," meaning a gold coin or money.

What does the Bezzant map show?

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