NameCensus.

UK surname

Biney

A Scottish surname derived from a place name, possibly meaning "little hill."

In the 1881 census there were 7 people recorded with the Biney surname, ranking it #32,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 186, ranked #20,575, up from #32,765 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Waltham Forest, Lewisham and Newham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Biney is 191 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2557.1%.

1881 census count

7

Ranked #32,765

Modern count

186

2016, ranked #20,575

Peak year

2015

191 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Biney had 7 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,765 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 186 in 2016, ranked #20,575.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 43 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Biney surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Biney surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Biney 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 20 #29,743
1861 historical 43 #28,562
1881 historical 7 #32,765
1891 historical 34 #31,604
1901 historical 19 #31,911
1911 historical 14 #32,045
1997 modern 97 #27,342
1998 modern 105 #26,822
1999 modern 107 #26,754
2000 modern 104 #27,150
2001 modern 111 #25,767
2002 modern 121 #24,984
2003 modern 128 #23,890
2004 modern 151 #21,720
2005 modern 158 #21,052
2006 modern 163 #20,789
2007 modern 166 #20,811
2008 modern 169 #20,745
2009 modern 178 #20,486
2010 modern 183 #20,586
2011 modern 186 #20,217
2012 modern 190 #19,864
2013 modern 180 #20,954
2014 modern 189 #20,441
2015 modern 191 #20,205
2016 modern 186 #20,575

Geography

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Where Bineys 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 Waltham Forest, Lewisham, Newham, Sheffield and Brent. 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 Waltham Forest 026 Waltham Forest
2 Lewisham 018 Lewisham
3 Newham 011 Newham
4 Sheffield 006 Sheffield
5 Brent 027 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Biney

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Biney

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Biney surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Biney 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Biney is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Biney 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

Biney falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Biney 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
Black - African

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

Meaning and origin of Biney

The surname Biney has its origins in the French region of Normandy, dating back to the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "bine," which referred to a type of basket or wicker container used for gathering grapes during the harvest season. This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals involved in the winemaking industry or those who lived in areas known for viticulture.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Biney can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and population commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The entry mentions a landowner named Robertus de Bine, whose name likely evolved into the modern spelling of Biney over time.

During the Middle Ages, the Biney family gained prominence in the region of Normandy, with several members holding influential positions within the local nobility. In the 13th century, a notable figure named Alain de Biney was a prominent knight who fought alongside King Philip II of France during the Crusades. He is mentioned in several historical accounts of the time for his bravery and military prowess.

As the Biney name spread across Europe, it adopted various spellings and variations, such as Binay, Bineay, and Binney. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in England can be found in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, where a baptism of a child named John Binney was recorded in 1638.

Throughout history, several individuals with the surname Biney have made significant contributions in various fields. One notable figure was Jacques Biney (1623-1688), a French philosopher and theologian who authored several influential works on religious philosophy and ethics. Another prominent figure was Marie-Jeanne Biney (1778-1853), a French painter and artist renowned for her exquisite portraits and landscape paintings.

In the realm of literature, the name Biney is associated with the English author and playwright, Thomas Biney (1670-1738), who wrote several popular plays and satires during the Restoration period. Additionally, the 19th century saw the rise of the French politician and statesman, Édouard Biney (1832-1901), who played a crucial role in the formation of the Third French Republic.

While the surname Biney may not be among the most common in the world today, its rich history and diverse origins across Europe serve as a testament to the fascinating stories and narratives woven into many family names over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Biney families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Biney 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 2 Bineys recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.98x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 2 14.98x
Middlesex 2 2.94x
Essex 1 7.44x
Midlothian 1 10.96x
Northumberland 1 9.87x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bristol St Philip Jacob in Gloucestershire leads with 2 Bineys recorded in 1881 and an index of 158.73x.

Place Total Index
Bristol St Philip Jacob 2 158.73x
Barking 1 256.41x
Chelsea London 1 48.78x
Edinburgh St Marys 1 555.56x
Hackney London 1 26.18x
Norham 1 5000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Agnes 1
Harriet 1
Kate 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Harry 1
Richard 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 Biney households.

FAQ

Biney surname: questions and answers

How common was the Biney surname in 1881?

In 1881, 7 people were recorded with the Biney surname. That placed it at #32,765 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Biney surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 186 in 2016. That gives Biney a modern rank of #20,575.

What does the Biney surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from a place name, possibly meaning "little hill."

What does the Biney map show?

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