NameCensus.

UK surname

Bichard

A topographic name denoting someone living by a ridge or hill.

In the 1881 census there were 14 people recorded with the Bichard surname, ranking it #31,604 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 230, ranked #17,812, up from #31,604 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Brentwood, Vale of White Horse and Portsmouth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bichard is 240 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1542.9%.

1881 census count

14

Ranked #31,604

Modern count

230

2016, ranked #17,812

Peak year

2010

240 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bichard had 14 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,604 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 230 in 2016, ranked #17,812.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 41 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Bichard surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bichard surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bichard 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 5 #32,456
1861 historical 29 #30,287
1881 historical 14 #31,604
1891 historical 36 #31,465
1901 historical 20 #31,803
1911 historical 41 #28,802
1997 modern 180 #18,812
1998 modern 197 #18,283
1999 modern 199 #18,293
2000 modern 194 #18,554
2001 modern 195 #18,215
2002 modern 196 #18,535
2003 modern 198 #18,252
2004 modern 191 #18,723
2005 modern 201 #18,080
2006 modern 201 #18,226
2007 modern 203 #18,303
2008 modern 213 #17,903
2009 modern 225 #17,631
2010 modern 240 #17,230
2011 modern 238 #17,188
2012 modern 233 #17,339
2013 modern 234 #17,556
2014 modern 234 #17,662
2015 modern 232 #17,689
2016 modern 230 #17,812

Geography

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Where Bichards are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Brentwood, Vale of White Horse, Portsmouth, Doncaster and Pembrokeshire. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Brentwood 001 Brentwood
2 Vale of White Horse 007 Vale of White Horse
3 Portsmouth 001 Portsmouth
4 Doncaster 033 Doncaster
5 Pembrokeshire 015 Pembrokeshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bichard

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bichard

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Bichard is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Bichard 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

Bichard 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 Bichard 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Bichard

The surname Bichard has its origins in France, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word 'bicharte,' which means 'small woodpecker.' This suggests that the name may have been originally given as a nickname to someone who exhibited characteristics similar to the small woodpecker bird, such as being energetic or industrious.

In the 11th century, the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a historic record of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This indicates that people bearing the name had migrated from France to England during the Norman Conquest.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Bichard was Geoffroy Bichard, a French nobleman who lived in the late 12th century. He served as a knight under King Philip II of France and participated in the Third Crusade, which took place from 1189 to 1192.

In the 13th century, a notable figure with the name Bichard was Robert Bichard, an English landowner and nobleman from Gloucestershire. He was documented as owning lands in the village of Bibury, which may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the name.

During the 14th century, a prominent figure named William Bichard was a successful merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers in London. He contributed to the construction of several churches and charitable institutions in the city.

Another noteworthy individual with the surname Bichard was Jean Bichard, a French composer and musician who lived in the late 15th century. He served as a court musician for King Charles VIII and is credited with composing several liturgical works that were performed in churches across France.

In the 16th century, a gentleman named Thomas Bichard was a prominent landowner and magistrate in the county of Wiltshire, England. He was known for his involvement in local government and his efforts to improve the infrastructure of the region.

These are just a few examples of individuals who bore the surname Bichard throughout history, highlighting its French origins and its presence in various regions of England and France over several centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bichard families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bichard 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. Channel Islands leads with 271 Bichards recorded in 1881 and an index of 328.96x.

County Total Index
Channel Islands 271 328.96x
Monmouthshire 8 3.98x
Hampshire 4 0.70x
Kent 1 0.11x
Middlesex 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Sampson in Channel Islands leads with 100 Bichards recorded in 1881 and an index of 2695.42x.

Place Total Index
St Sampson 100 2695.42x
St Michaelinthe Vale 62 2108.84x
St Peter Port 56 367.45x
St Lawrence 20 888.89x
St Helier 12 44.74x
Bedwas 8 547.95x
St Maryde Castro 6 295.57x
Portsea 4 3.58x
St John 4 254.78x
Trinity 3 157.07x
St Martin 2 39.60x
St Peter 2 84.03x
St Saviour 2 43.96x
Islington London 1 0.37x
Northfleet 1 11.96x
St Andrew 1 91.74x
St Brelade 1 47.17x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

FAQ

Bichard surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bichard surname in 1881?

In 1881, 14 people were recorded with the Bichard surname. That placed it at #31,604 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bichard surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 230 in 2016. That gives Bichard a modern rank of #17,812.

What does the Bichard surname mean?

A topographic name denoting someone living by a ridge or hill.

What does the Bichard map show?

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