UK surname
An English toponymic surname derived from the word 'bin', meaning a storage container.
In the 1881 census there were 58 people recorded with the Binn surname, ranking it #25,428 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4, ranked #38,419, down from #25,428 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Govan Combination and Wrestlingworth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Binn is 147 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 93.1%.
1881 census count
58
Ranked #25,428
Modern count
4
2016, ranked #38,419
Peak year
1861
147 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Binn surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Binn surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 42 | #25,706 |
| 1861 | historical | 147 | #15,539 |
| 1881 | historical | 58 | #25,428 |
| 1891 | historical | 99 | #24,200 |
| 1901 | historical | 57 | #27,846 |
| 1911 | historical | 47 | #28,110 |
| 1997 | modern | 19 | #35,928 |
| 1998 | modern | 14 | #36,565 |
| 1999 | modern | 16 | #36,371 |
| 2000 | modern | 16 | #36,316 |
| 2001 | modern | 5 | #37,652 |
| 2002 | modern | 5 | #37,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 6 | #37,586 |
| 2004 | modern | 7 | #37,496 |
| 2005 | modern | 7 | #37,581 |
| 2006 | modern | 7 | #37,634 |
| 2007 | modern | 6 | #37,837 |
| 2008 | modern | 6 | #37,883 |
| 2009 | modern | 7 | #37,816 |
| 2010 | modern | 9 | #37,654 |
| 2011 | modern | 7 | #37,865 |
| 2012 | modern | 3 | #38,530 |
| 2013 | modern | 3 | #38,526 |
| 2014 | modern | 2 | #38,791 |
| 2015 | modern | 2 | #38,793 |
| 2016 | modern | 4 | #38,419 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Govan Combination, Wrestlingworth, Manchester and Nottingham St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochdale | Lancashire |
| 2 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 3 | Wrestlingworth | Bedfordshire |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Nottingham St Mary | Nottinghamshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Binn surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Binn, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Binn surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Binn household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Binn is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Binn is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Binn, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname BINN is believed to have originated in England, with records dating back to the late medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "binn," which referred to a bin or container used for storing grain or other agricultural products. This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with those who worked in agriculture or with the production or storage of grain.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the BINN surname appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, where a John Binn is listed as a taxpayer. Additionally, the Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1334 for Yorkshire mention a Robert Bynn, indicating the name's presence in different regions of England during that time.
The BINN surname can be found in various historical records throughout the centuries. In the Hearth Tax Returns of 1662-1666, several individuals with the surname are listed, such as William Binn from Staffordshire and John Binn from Derbyshire. These records provide insights into the geographical distribution of the name during the 17th century.
Notable individuals bearing the BINN surname include Sir Thomas Binn (1572-1641), an English merchant and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the city of Bristol. Another prominent figure was Edward Binn (1670-1733), a renowned scholar and theologian who served as the Master of Pembroke College, Cambridge.
In the 18th century, the BINN surname continued to be present in various parts of England. For instance, the Reverend William Binn (1715-1788) was a respected clergyman and author from Yorkshire, known for his work on ecclesiastical history.
Moving into the 19th century, one noteworthy individual was Sir Henry Binn (1812-1879), a successful industrialist and philanthropist who played a significant role in the development of the coal mining industry in South Wales.
The BINN surname has also been associated with several place names throughout England, such as Binnington in Nottinghamshire and Binns in Yorkshire. These place names may have influenced the spelling variations of the surname over time, including Binns, Binne, and Bynne.
While the BINN surname is not among the most common in England, it has a rich history that can be traced back to the medieval period and is linked to various regions, occupations, and notable individuals throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Binn surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Nottinghamshire leads with 10 Binns recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.12x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Nottinghamshire | 10 | 13.12x |
| Yorkshire | 10 | 1.78x |
| Lancashire | 9 | 1.34x |
| Northumberland | 6 | 7.13x |
| Lanarkshire | 5 | 2.73x |
| Surrey | 4 | 1.45x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 1.60x |
| Durham | 2 | 1.19x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 1.73x |
| Oxfordshire | 2 | 5.73x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.85x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.52x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.18x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.52x |
| Sussex | 1 | 1.05x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 1.35x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Nottingham St Mary in Nottinghamshire leads with 10 Binns recorded in 1881 and an index of 50.71x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Nottingham St Mary | 10 | 50.71x |
| Alverthorpe Cum Thornes | 6 | 294.12x |
| Manchester | 6 | 19.88x |
| Govan | 4 | 8.84x |
| Newcastle On Tyne All Sts | 3 | 59.64x |
| Westgate | 3 | 57.58x |
| Ashton Under Lyne | 2 | 13.63x |
| Bingley | 2 | 56.02x |
| Lambeth | 2 | 4.06x |
| Marsh Baldon | 2 | 3333.33x |
| Portsea | 2 | 8.80x |
| Reigate Foreign | 2 | 67.11x |
| Ardingly | 1 | 333.33x |
| Canterbury St Mary | 1 | 77.52x |
| Carnwath | 1 | 88.50x |
| Chester Le Street | 1 | 77.52x |
| Darlaston | 1 | 37.88x |
| Darlington | 1 | 15.38x |
| Hunslet | 1 | 11.44x |
| Hyde | 1 | 27.17x |
| North Bierley | 1 | 33.00x |
| Oldbury | 1 | 27.55x |
| Oswaldtwistle | 1 | 42.19x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 1 | 11.03x |
| Poulton Cum Spital | 1 | 1250.00x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 3.31x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Binn surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Binn surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Binn households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 6 |
| Home | 2 |
| Millhand Worsted | 2 |
| ... Maker (Fancy Goods) | 1 |
| Beerhouse Keeper | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Boiler Maker | 1 |
| Builder | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Char Woman (Pauper) | 1 |
| Child | 1 |
| Cleaner Of School | 1 |
| Cook Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Cordwainer | 1 |
| Cotton Spinner | 1 |
| Dock Labourer | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Domestic Work | 1 |
| Farm Labourer | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Labourers Wife | 1 |
| Lacehand | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Lodging House Keeper | 1 |
| Milliner | 1 |
| Plasterer | 1 |
| Potter Plate Maker | 1 |
| Quarry Man (Stone) | 1 |
| Schoolboy | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Shoemaker Master | 1 |
| Smith (B) | 1 |
| Tailoress | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 58 people were recorded with the Binn surname. That placed it at #25,428 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 4 in 2016. That gives Binn a modern rank of #38,419.
An English toponymic surname derived from the word 'bin', meaning a storage container.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Binn bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.