NameCensus.

UK surname

Birbeck

A locational surname derived from the place name Birbeck in Lancashire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 466 people recorded with the Birbeck surname, ranking it #7,133 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 625, ranked #8,440, down from #7,133 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Appleby St Lawrence, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside and Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Eden, Sunderland and County Durham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Birbeck is 701 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 34.1%.

1881 census count

466

Ranked #7,133

Modern count

625

2016, ranked #8,440

Peak year

1998

701 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Birbeck had 466 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,133 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 625 in 2016, ranked #8,440.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 639 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Birbeck surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Birbeck surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Birbeck 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 310 #7,434
1861 historical 257 #9,629
1881 historical 466 #7,133
1891 historical 482 #7,652
1901 historical 639 #6,730
1911 historical 616 #6,702
1997 modern 683 #7,380
1998 modern 701 #7,468
1999 modern 673 #7,744
2000 modern 675 #7,706
2001 modern 669 #7,626
2002 modern 694 #7,564
2003 modern 666 #7,685
2004 modern 657 #7,773
2005 modern 632 #7,958
2006 modern 606 #8,223
2007 modern 597 #8,383
2008 modern 613 #8,272
2009 modern 639 #8,177
2010 modern 670 #8,061
2011 modern 680 #7,863
2012 modern 637 #8,192
2013 modern 645 #8,264
2014 modern 639 #8,371
2015 modern 635 #8,350
2016 modern 625 #8,440

Geography

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Where Birbecks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Appleby St Lawrence, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick, Gateshead and Penrith. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Eden, Sunderland and County Durham. 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 Appleby St Lawrence Westmorland
2 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
3 Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick Worcestershire
4 Gateshead Durham
5 Penrith Cumberland

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Eden 007 Eden
2 Sunderland 036 Sunderland
3 County Durham 045 County Durham
4 County Durham 024 County Durham
5 County Durham 049 County Durham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Birbeck

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Birbeck

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Birbeck surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Birbeck household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Birbeck 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

Birbeck is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Birbeck

The surname Birbeck has its origins in England, tracing back to the 14th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "byrgen" meaning "burial place" and "bæc" meaning "stream" or "brook." This suggests that the name was initially associated with a location near a stream or brook where burials took place.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Lancashire Inquests of 1311-1334, where a person named Richard de Byrgbrok is mentioned. The spelling variation "Byrgbrok" further reinforces the connection to the Old English words.

The Birbeck name has been linked to various place names in England, such as Birbeck in Lancashire and Birkbeck in Yorkshire. The latter was the birthplace of George Birkbeck (1776-1841), a renowned educator and pioneer of adult education who founded the Birkbeck, University of London.

Another notable figure with the Birbeck surname was Sir Edward Birbeck (1558-1641), an English politician who served as the High Sheriff of Lancashire in 1605. He played a role in the events surrounding the Gunpowder Plot and was responsible for the arrest of several conspirators.

In the 17th century, John Birbeck (1615-1679) was a prominent Quaker and author who wrote several religious works, including "The Christian Progress" and "A Description of the Great and Last Spiritual Fall."

The Birbeck family also had a presence in the United States, with William Birbeck (1793-1885) being one of the earliest recorded individuals with this surname in America. He was born in England but emigrated to the United States, settling in Pennsylvania.

Another notable figure was Sir William Birbeck (1845-1923), a British businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the development of the city of Manchester. He served as the Lord Mayor of Manchester from 1901 to 1902.

While the Birbeck surname may not be as widely known as some other English surnames, it has a rich history that can be traced back to the Middle Ages and is associated with various notable individuals throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Birbeck families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Birbeck 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. Durham leads with 139 Birbecks recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.26x.

County Total Index
Durham 139 10.26x
Cumberland 54 13.77x
Lancashire 52 0.96x
Westmorland 50 49.95x
Staffordshire 41 2.67x
Warwickshire 27 2.35x
Yorkshire 26 0.58x
Middlesex 25 0.55x
Worcestershire 23 3.87x
Shropshire 10 2.54x
Gloucestershire 6 0.67x
Essex 3 0.33x
Glamorgan 2 0.25x
Kent 2 0.13x
Norfolk 2 0.29x
Oxfordshire 2 0.71x
Bedfordshire 1 0.42x
Cheshire 1 0.10x
Derbyshire 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. Stoke Upon Trent in Staffordshire leads with 34 Birbecks recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.85x.

Place Total Index
Stoke Upon Trent 34 20.85x
Hetton Le Hole 26 151.43x
Islington London 17 3.85x
Dalton In Furness 15 71.91x
Penrith 15 103.52x
Crook Billy Row 14 80.65x
Crosby Ravensworth 12 983.61x
Aston 11 3.48x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 10 17.04x
Heworth 9 33.71x
Shildon 9 82.64x
Birmingham 8 2.09x
Broughton In Salford 8 16.18x
Byers Green 8 209.42x
Edgbaston 8 22.46x
Ford 8 197.04x
Milbourne 8 2105.26x
Setmurthy 8 2962.96x
Appleby St Lawrence 7 307.02x
Appleby St Michael 7 311.11x
Bishopwearmouth 7 6.02x
Hartlepool 7 36.34x
Little Hulton 7 78.21x
Madeley 6 41.58x
Swinton In Rotherham 6 50.25x
Worcester St Helen 6 315.79x
Bassenthwaite 5 625.00x
Brandon Byshottles 5 29.45x
Coundon Grange 5 168.35x
Egremont 5 53.48x
Grimley 5 446.43x
Hulme 5 4.43x
Keswick 5 99.80x
Millom 5 41.60x
Old Park 5 349.65x
Anderton 4 784.31x
Broseley 4 57.22x
Chester Le Street 4 38.42x
Claines 4 24.49x
Cockfield 4 211.64x
Horsley 4 101.01x
Ormside 4 1212.12x
Worcester St Clement 4 105.82x
Brough 3 306.12x
Carnforth 3 101.01x
Darlington 3 5.73x
Handsworth 3 7.92x
Hesket In Forest 3 98.04x
Holy Trinity 3 2.76x
Leeds 3 1.18x
St Pancras London 3 0.82x
Stockton On Tees 3 4.59x
West Ham 3 1.51x
Askham 2 250.00x
Bewaldeth Snittlegarth 2 1428.57x
Charlbury 2 63.29x
Cheetham 2 4.96x
Cheltenham 2 2.90x
Easby In Richmond 2 1052.63x
Ellerton Abbey 2 2857.14x
Hayton 2 90.09x
Horstead With Stanninghall 2 227.27x
Ince In Makerfield 2 7.95x
Kings Meaburn 2 714.29x
Melbecks 2 109.89x
Middlestone 2 73.53x
Newcastle Higher 2 37.11x
Newton Regny Catterlen 2 444.44x
Seaham 2 40.49x
St George Bloomsbury 2 7.65x
Stafford St Mary 2 9.19x
Wolverhampton 2 1.69x
Worcester St Nicholas 2 70.92x
Bedford St Paul 1 6.18x
Chilton 1 23.64x
Crossgate 1 16.86x
Halliwell 1 5.08x
Pittington 1 26.25x
St Marylebone London 1 0.41x
Thornton In Craven 1 27.62x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 49
Elizabeth 25
Sarah 19
Margaret 15
Ann 10
Jane 10
Isabella 8
Annie 6
Emma 6
Frances 6
Louisa 5
Ada 4
Ellen 4
Florence 4
Hannah 4
Clara 3
Emily 3
Harriet 3
Alice 2
Anne 2
Catherine 2
Eleanor 2
Eliza 2
Elizh. 2
Helen 2
Jessie 2
Susan 2
Charlotte 1
Christiana 1
Dorothy 1
Edith 1
Elizth. 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Grace 1
Harry 1
Helena 1
Henriette 1
Hilda 1
Isabel 1
Johannah 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Lavina 1
Lilian 1
Lily 1
Lizzie 1
Mabel 1
Margt. 1
William 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 32
William 32
Thomas 23
George 21
Joseph 21
James 15
Charles 10
Robert 8
Edward 6
Henry 5
Richard 4
Francis 3
Jonathan 3
Samuel 3
Walter 3
Frederick 2
Mason 2
Ralph 2
Robt. 2
Sidney 2
Simon 2
Thos. 2
Abraham 1
Abram 1
Alfred 1
Allan 1
Anthony 1
Benjamin 1
Bromley 1
Chas. 1
Clement 1
Crossley 1
Daniel 1
Emanuel 1
Fisher 1
Harold 1
Harry 1
Isaac 1
Jamerlyhill 1
Jinidab 1
Michael 1
Percy 1
Sydney 1
Thompson 1
Wm.J. 1

FAQ

Birbeck surname: questions and answers

How common was the Birbeck surname in 1881?

In 1881, 466 people were recorded with the Birbeck surname. That placed it at #7,133 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Birbeck surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 625 in 2016. That gives Birbeck a modern rank of #8,440.

What does the Birbeck surname mean?

A locational surname derived from the place name Birbeck in Lancashire, England.

What does the Birbeck map show?

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