NameCensus.

UK surname

Biggerstaff

An occupational surname referring to a person who carried a large wooden staff or walking stick.

In the 1881 census there were 221 people recorded with the Biggerstaff surname, ranking it #12,049 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 357, ranked #12,953, down from #12,049 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Kings Langley, London parishes and Watford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Three Rivers, Dacorum and Corstorphine North.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Biggerstaff is 403 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 61.5%.

1881 census count

221

Ranked #12,049

Modern count

357

2016, ranked #12,953

Peak year

2002

403 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Biggerstaff had 221 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,049 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 357 in 2016, ranked #12,953.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 316 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Biggerstaff surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Biggerstaff surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Biggerstaff 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 64 #21,914
1861 historical 145 #15,715
1881 historical 221 #12,049
1891 historical 271 #11,992
1901 historical 307 #11,472
1911 historical 316 #11,031
1997 modern 370 #11,666
1998 modern 381 #11,812
1999 modern 374 #12,026
2000 modern 382 #11,792
2001 modern 381 #11,637
2002 modern 403 #11,382
2003 modern 381 #11,667
2004 modern 388 #11,539
2005 modern 374 #11,778
2006 modern 368 #11,990
2007 modern 361 #12,303
2008 modern 355 #12,565
2009 modern 357 #12,766
2010 modern 369 #12,726
2011 modern 365 #12,694
2012 modern 368 #12,468
2013 modern 365 #12,766
2014 modern 355 #13,125
2015 modern 354 #13,063
2016 modern 357 #12,953

Geography

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Where Biggerstaffs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Kings Langley, London parishes, Watford, Abbots Langley and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Three Rivers, Dacorum, Corstorphine North and Hertsmere. 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 Kings Langley Hertfordshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Watford Hertfordshire
4 Abbots Langley Hertfordshire
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Three Rivers 003 Three Rivers
2 Dacorum 021 Dacorum
3 Three Rivers 001 Three Rivers
4 Corstorphine North City of Edinburgh
5 Hertsmere 008 Hertsmere

Forenames

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First names often paired with Biggerstaff

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Biggerstaff

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Biggerstaff, 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 Biggerstaff surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Biggerstaff 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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Biggerstaff 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

Biggerstaff is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Biggerstaff 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 Biggerstaff 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 Biggerstaff, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Biggerstaff

The surname Biggerstaff is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval era. It is believed to have originated in the northern counties of England, particularly in Lancashire and Yorkshire, where it was likely a locational name derived from a place or topographic feature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1166, where it appears as "Biggerstaf." This spelling suggests that the name may have been derived from the Old English words "bycgere" meaning "buyer" or "merchant," and "stæf" meaning "staff" or "walking stick." It could have referred to a merchant or trader who carried a distinctive staff or walking stick.

The name Biggerstaff also has connections to various place names in the region, such as Biggerstaffe Clough near Colne in Lancashire and Biggerstaff Farm near Burnley, both of which likely derived their names from the surname itself.

In the 13th century, records show a Robert de Bigerstaff residing in Yorkshire, indicating the surname's early establishment in the area. Additionally, the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire from 1332 mention a William del Biggerstafe, showcasing the surname's evolution over time.

Notable individuals bearing the Biggerstaff surname include:

1. Thomas Biggerstaff (c. 1561-1636), an English clergyman and theologian who served as the Rector of Wolverhampton from 1596 until his death.

2. John Biggerstaff (c. 1623-1699), an English settler in North America, who was among the early Quaker colonists in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

3. Elizabeth Biggerstaff (c. 1670-1732), an English Quaker minister and writer, known for her religious works and her advocacy for women's rights within the Quaker community.

4. William Biggerstaff (1833-1905), an English-born Australian politician who served as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.

5. Robert Biggerstaff (1868-1942), an American businessman and philanthropist, who co-founded the Biggerstaff-Crawford Manufacturing Company and was actively involved in various charitable organizations in his community.

These historical examples illustrate the longevity and widespread dissemination of the Biggerstaff surname, which has its origins firmly rooted in the northern regions of medieval England, where it emerged as a locational name or occupational descriptor.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Biggerstaff families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Biggerstaff 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. Hertfordshire leads with 77 Biggerstaffs recorded in 1881 and an index of 51.82x.

County Total Index
Hertfordshire 77 51.82x
Oxfordshire 45 33.80x
Lanarkshire 20 2.87x
Gloucestershire 11 2.60x
Worcestershire 11 3.91x
Sussex 10 2.75x
Warwickshire 9 1.66x
Middlesex 8 0.37x
Lincolnshire 6 1.74x
Shropshire 6 3.22x
Lancashire 4 0.16x
Kent 3 0.41x
Surrey 3 0.29x
Cambridgeshire 2 1.46x
Monmouthshire 2 1.28x
Renfrewshire 2 1.20x
Dunbartonshire 1 1.73x
Yorkshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kings Langley in Hertfordshire leads with 47 Biggerstaffs recorded in 1881 and an index of 4351.85x.

Place Total Index
Kings Langley 47 4351.85x
Chipping Norton 30 974.03x
Govan 14 8.12x
Hemel Hempstead 13 194.32x
Brighton 10 13.64x
Abbots Langley 6 271.49x
Blockley 6 377.36x
Kirton 6 434.78x
Maryhill 6 43.96x
Old Stratford 6 194.81x
Over Norton 6 1818.18x
Shrewsbury St Mary 6 81.63x
Watford 6 52.08x
Chipping Campden 5 362.32x
Pebworth 5 980.39x
Berkhampstead 4 119.76x
Droylsden 4 47.96x
Offenham 4 975.61x
St Marylebone London 4 3.48x
Birmingham 3 1.66x
Camberwell 3 2.18x
Oxford St Mary Magdalen 3 189.87x
Swanscombe 3 90.91x
Eastwood 2 19.44x
Hanwell 2 52.36x
Monmouth 2 48.43x
Wilburton 2 512.82x
Ensham 1 144.93x
Handborough 1 138.89x
Islip 1 227.27x
Kingham 1 217.39x
Kirkintilloch 1 12.71x
Mexborough 1 23.58x
Naunton 1 256.41x
Oxford St Giles 1 15.75x
Rickmansworth 1 24.45x
Salford 1 357.14x
Shipston On Stour 1 78.13x
St Martin In Fields 1 7.75x
Twickenham 1 10.82x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 10
Elizabeth 9
Louisa 6
Eliza 5
Jane 5
Sarah 5
Annie 4
Emma 4
Maria 4
Ann 3
Alice 2
Anne 2
Charlotte 2
Clara 2
Lucy 2
Rose 2
Ruth 2
A.B. 1
Ada 1
Amanda 1
Amelia 1
Amy 1
Catherine 1
E.M. 1
Edith 1
Ellen 1
Esther 1
Eth 1
Fanny 1
Florance 1
Gertrude 1
Harriet 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Katie 1
Laura 1
Lily 1
Lizzie 1
Marie 1
Maryann 1
Maude 1
Maurine 1
Peamler 1
Rebecca 1
Rosa 1
Selina 1
Susan 1
Viney 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Biggerstaff surname: questions and answers

How common was the Biggerstaff surname in 1881?

In 1881, 221 people were recorded with the Biggerstaff surname. That placed it at #12,049 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Biggerstaff surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 357 in 2016. That gives Biggerstaff a modern rank of #12,953.

What does the Biggerstaff surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a person who carried a large wooden staff or walking stick.

What does the Biggerstaff map show?

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