NameCensus.

UK surname

Bielby

A locational surname deriving from the English town of Bielby in Yorkshire.

In the 1881 census there were 468 people recorded with the Bielby surname, ranking it #7,114 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 893, ranked #6,336, up from #7,114 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hull Holy Trinity, Scarborough and Flamborough. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Selby, East Riding of Yorkshire and Scarborough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bielby is 973 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 90.8%.

1881 census count

468

Ranked #7,114

Modern count

893

2016, ranked #6,336

Peak year

1999

973 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bielby had 468 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,114 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 893 in 2016, ranked #6,336.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 784 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Bielby surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bielby surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bielby 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 355 #6,654
1861 historical 180 #13,057
1881 historical 468 #7,114
1891 historical 500 #7,430
1901 historical 753 #5,922
1911 historical 784 #5,554
1997 modern 966 #5,645
1998 modern 959 #5,861
1999 modern 973 #5,825
2000 modern 970 #5,838
2001 modern 953 #5,803
2002 modern 931 #6,029
2003 modern 893 #6,124
2004 modern 893 #6,132
2005 modern 881 #6,115
2006 modern 887 #6,106
2007 modern 891 #6,135
2008 modern 904 #6,110
2009 modern 916 #6,171
2010 modern 937 #6,183
2011 modern 907 #6,288
2012 modern 868 #6,420
2013 modern 912 #6,289
2014 modern 895 #6,399
2015 modern 897 #6,341
2016 modern 893 #6,336

Geography

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Where Bielbys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hull Holy Trinity, Scarborough, Flamborough, Middlesborough and Beverley St Martin and St Nicholas. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Selby, East Riding of Yorkshire and Scarborough. 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 Hull Holy Trinity Yorkshire, East Riding
2 Scarborough Yorkshire, North Riding
3 Flamborough Yorkshire, East Riding
4 Middlesborough Durham
5 Beverley St Martin and St Nicholas Yorkshire, East Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Selby 004 Selby
2 East Riding of Yorkshire 019 East Riding of Yorkshire
3 East Riding of Yorkshire 012 East Riding of Yorkshire
4 Scarborough 005 Scarborough
5 East Riding of Yorkshire 016 East Riding of Yorkshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bielby

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bielby

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Bielby surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Bielby 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Bielby 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

Bielby is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bielby falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Bielby

The surname Bielby originated in Yorkshire, England, and is believed to have derived from the Old Norse word 'bylgja', meaning a ridge or hill. This is likely due to the name being associated with a specific location or topographical feature in the Yorkshire region.

The earliest recorded instance of the Bielby surname dates back to the 12th century. In the Domesday Book, a survey of landowners commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, there are references to a place called 'Billebi' and 'Bilebh', which are believed to be early spellings of the modern-day Bielby.

In the 13th century, records show a Robert de Bileby from Yorkshire, indicating the surname's longstanding connection to the area. Over the centuries, various spellings of the name emerged, such as Bilby, Bylby, and Bylleby, before eventually settling on the modern form, Bielby.

One notable individual with the Bielby surname was Sir Ralph Bielby (1515-1591), a prominent landowner and Member of Parliament for Yorkshire during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He played a crucial role in local politics and governance during the Tudor period.

Another significant figure was William Bielby (1784-1854), an English watchmaker and inventor who patented several improvements to timepieces, including the lever escapement mechanism. His innovations contributed significantly to the development of precision timekeeping.

In the literary world, John Bielby (1760-1841) was an English author and translator, best known for his translations of French and Italian works into English. His translations helped introduce foreign literature to English-speaking audiences in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The Bielby surname also has connections to the clergy, with Thomas Bielby (1769-1847) serving as the Bishop of Carlisle from 1827 until his death. He played a prominent role in the Anglican Church and oversaw the diocese during a period of significant social and religious change in England.

Lastly, Robert Bielby (1821-1904) was a notable English architect who designed several notable buildings in Yorkshire and the surrounding areas, including churches, public buildings, and private residences. His architectural legacy can still be seen in various structures throughout the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bielby families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bielby 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. Yorkshire leads with 418 Bielbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.22x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 418 9.22x
Lancashire 22 0.41x
Middlesex 12 0.26x
Cheshire 10 0.99x
Durham 5 0.37x
Essex 1 0.11x
Somerset 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Scarborough in Yorkshire leads with 28 Bielbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 67.98x.

Place Total Index
Scarborough 28 67.98x
Welburn In Malton 26 2954.55x
Holy Trinity 18 16.51x
Beverley St Martin 16 211.36x
Beverley St Nicholas 15 403.23x
Flamborough 14 636.36x
Bridlington 12 115.61x
New Malton 12 221.40x
Birkenhead 10 12.42x
North Grimston 10 3846.15x
Amotherby 9 2045.45x
Newington 9 72.12x
Sculcoates 9 12.52x
Pendleton In Salford 8 12.37x
Settrington 8 919.54x
Brompton In Scarborough 7 648.15x
Dale Town 7 7000.00x
East Heslerton 7 1458.33x
Hornsea 7 243.06x
Lowthorpe 7 2258.06x
Naburn 7 786.52x
Sherburn 7 187.67x
Thwing 7 1014.49x
Beverley St Mary 6 90.63x
Keighley 6 12.42x
Nafferton 6 310.88x
Norton In Malton 6 109.09x
Sunk Island 6 909.09x
Allerston 5 714.29x
Bishop Wilton Cum 5 574.71x
Carnaby 5 1785.71x
Ecclesall Bierlow 5 5.42x
Great Driffield 5 53.76x
Great Givendale Cum 5 3846.15x
Manchester 5 2.05x
Newland 5 1136.36x
Shipley 5 21.25x
South Kirkby 5 505.05x
St Giles 5 58.82x
St Olave Hart Street 5 1250.00x
Wansford 5 1515.15x
York St Maurice 5 58.55x
Youlthorpe With 5 3846.15x
Bielby 4 1176.47x
East Cottingwith 4 975.61x
Knapton 4 727.27x
Patrington 4 186.05x
East Broughton 3 193.55x
Everton 3 1.73x
Hawnby 3 833.33x
Henderskelf 3 1428.57x
Hollym 3 731.71x
Old Malton 3 105.26x
Snainton 3 245.90x
Thornton Le Clay 3 697.67x
Willerby In Scarborough 3 461.54x
Ashton Under Lyne 2 1.69x
Bulmer Stittenham 2 400.00x
Clerkenwell London 2 1.85x
Cloughton 2 232.56x
Doncaster 2 6.04x
Falsgrave 2 29.94x
Langton 2 487.80x
Sancton Houghton 2 344.83x
Scalby In Scarborough 2 212.77x
St George Hanover Square 2 2.48x
Sutton Stoneferry 2 15.42x
Twickenham 2 10.19x
West Ayton 2 277.78x
Whitby 2 13.09x
York St George 2 56.02x
York St Margaret 2 71.17x
York St Mary 2 10.65x
Buckton 1 416.67x
Crumpsall 1 7.82x
Dalby Cum Skewsby 1 476.19x
Linthorpe 1 3.70x
Lockton 1 158.73x
Pickering Kingthorpe 1 196.08x
St Pancras London 1 0.27x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 34
Elizabeth 17
Annie 12
Hannah 12
Jane 11
Sarah 10
Alice 9
Ann 9
Emma 7
Edith 5
Ellen 5
Clara 4
Eliza 4
Anne 3
Frances 3
Gertrude 3
Margaret 3
Minnie 3
Rachel 3
Agnes 2
Betsy 2
Caroline 2
Clarissa 2
Easter 2
Emily 2
Esther 2
Fanny 2
Harriet 2
Harriett 2
Lucy 2
Martha 2
Selina 2
Susan 2
Aley 1
Charlotte 1
Effie 1
Eleanor 1
Elizth. 1
Ethel 1
Evelina 1
Ida 1
Jonisa 1
Judith 1
Kate 1
Laura 1
Leonora 1
Linda 1
Lizzie 1
Louisa 1
Tresa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 41
William 34
Thomas 19
George 17
James 14
Robert 12
Richard 10
Charles 8
Joseph 6
Francis 5
Henry 5
Matthew 5
Frank 4
Frederick 4
Peter 4
Alfred 3
Arthur 3
Fred 3
Samuel 3
Tom 3
Walter 3
Aaron 2
Albert 2
David 2
Edward 2
Ernest 2
Brian 1
Christoper 1
Dobson 1
Eric 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Hamlet 1
Harry 1
Hert. 1
Holiday 1
Isaac 1
J. 1
Joe 1
Mathew 1
Michael 1
Monkman 1
Owston 1
Paul 1
Percy 1
Polly 1
Richd.W. 1
Robt. 1
Rupert 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Bielby surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bielby surname in 1881?

In 1881, 468 people were recorded with the Bielby surname. That placed it at #7,114 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bielby surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 893 in 2016. That gives Bielby a modern rank of #6,336.

What does the Bielby surname mean?

A locational surname deriving from the English town of Bielby in Yorkshire.

What does the Bielby map show?

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