NameCensus.

UK surname

Birkett

A habitational surname derived from a place named Birkett in northwest England.

In the 1881 census there were 2,890 people recorded with the Birkett surname, ranking it #1,552 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4,220, ranked #1,605, down from #1,552 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lancaster Borough, Gateshead and Millom, Muncaster. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Allerdale, South Lakeland and Eden.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Birkett is 4,491 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 46.0%.

1881 census count

2,890

Ranked #1,552

Modern count

4,220

2016, ranked #1,605

Peak year

2010

4,491 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Birkett had 2,890 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,552 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 4,220 in 2016, ranked #1,605.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,835 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Birkett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Birkett surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Birkett 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 1,506 #1,904
1861 historical 1,408 #2,030
1881 historical 2,890 #1,552
1891 historical 2,956 #1,595
1901 historical 3,762 #1,497
1911 historical 3,835 #1,351
1997 modern 4,277 #1,522
1998 modern 4,388 #1,536
1999 modern 4,452 #1,530
2000 modern 4,392 #1,539
2001 modern 4,278 #1,545
2002 modern 4,381 #1,540
2003 modern 4,243 #1,555
2004 modern 4,221 #1,565
2005 modern 4,213 #1,546
2006 modern 4,227 #1,547
2007 modern 4,268 #1,545
2008 modern 4,278 #1,550
2009 modern 4,412 #1,538
2010 modern 4,491 #1,553
2011 modern 4,397 #1,554
2012 modern 4,242 #1,578
2013 modern 4,302 #1,597
2014 modern 4,303 #1,601
2015 modern 4,268 #1,599
2016 modern 4,220 #1,605

Geography

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Where Birketts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lancaster Borough, Gateshead, Millom, Muncaster, Dalton-in-Furness and Bradford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Allerdale, South Lakeland, Eden and Copeland. 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 Lancaster Borough Lancashire
2 Gateshead Durham
3 Millom, Muncaster Cumberland
4 Dalton-in-Furness Lancashire
5 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Allerdale 004 Allerdale
2 South Lakeland 001 South Lakeland
3 Eden 004 Eden
4 Copeland 005 Copeland
5 South Lakeland 004 South Lakeland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Birkett

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Birkett

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Birkett 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

Birkett 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

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

Meaning and origin of Birkett

The surname BIRKETT has its origins in the Cumberland region of northwest England, dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old Norse personal name "Birgir" and the Old English word "kett," meaning a shed or hut, suggesting that the name may have referred to someone who lived in a small dwelling.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Pipe Rolls of Cumberland from 1195, where it appears as "Birket." This suggests that the name was already well-established in the area by the late 12th century.

The BIRKETT surname is closely associated with the village of Birker, which is located in the ancient parish of Lamplugh, Cumberland. It is believed that the name may have originated as a place name referring to someone from this village.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror, there is no direct mention of the BIRKETT surname. However, the village of Birker is likely referenced under the spelling "Bircheser," indicating that the area had been inhabited since at least the late 11th century.

One notable figure in the history of the BIRKETT surname is Sir John BIRKETT (1615-1679), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Weobley in the 1660s. Another prominent individual was George BIRKETT (1776-1856), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars.

The BIRKETT name has also been associated with the textile industry in the north of England. Thomas BIRKETT (1814-1884) was a prominent industrialist and manufacturer of woolen goods in Yorkshire. His son, John BIRKETT (1840-1915), continued the family business and became a successful entrepreneur in his own right.

In the field of literature, the novelist and playwright Michael BIRKETT (1936-2009) made a significant contribution to the cultural landscape of England. He was born in Cumberland and drew inspiration from the region's rich history and landscape in his writings.

Throughout its long history, the BIRKETT surname has maintained a strong presence in the Cumberland region of northwest England, reflecting its deep roots in the area and the enduring legacy of those who have borne this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Birkett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Birkett 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. Lancashire leads with 724 Birketts recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.16x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 724 2.16x
Cumberland 455 18.75x
Yorkshire 293 1.05x
Lincolnshire 219 4.86x
Westmorland 161 25.99x
Middlesex 158 0.56x
Northumberland 152 3.62x
Durham 133 1.59x
Nottinghamshire 121 3.18x
Cheshire 75 1.21x
Surrey 65 0.47x
Derbyshire 48 1.09x
Kent 42 0.44x
Warwickshire 34 0.48x
Staffordshire 26 0.27x
Northamptonshire 20 0.75x
Essex 17 0.31x
Hampshire 16 0.28x
Suffolk 13 0.38x
Fife 11 0.66x
Berkshire 10 0.47x
Devon 9 0.15x
Leicestershire 8 0.26x
Worcestershire 8 0.22x
Bedfordshire 7 0.48x
Perthshire 7 0.55x
Somerset 7 0.15x
Norfolk 6 0.14x
Sussex 6 0.13x
Cambridgeshire 5 0.28x
West Lothian 5 1.18x
Midlothian 4 0.11x
Monmouthshire 4 0.20x
Rutland 4 1.93x
Caernarfonshire 3 0.26x
Angus 2 0.08x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.12x
Gloucestershire 2 0.04x
Huntingdonshire 2 0.36x
Dorset 1 0.05x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.13x
Hertfordshire 1 0.05x
Lanarkshire 1 0.01x
Renfrewshire 1 0.05x
Selkirkshire 1 0.39x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dalton In Furness in Lancashire leads with 56 Birketts recorded in 1881 and an index of 43.37x.

Place Total Index
Dalton In Furness 56 43.37x
Kendal 50 44.08x
Millom 40 53.78x
Pemberton 39 29.24x
Lancaster 36 18.09x
Cockermouth 35 68.49x
Liverpool 33 1.62x
Toxteth Park 33 2.91x
Above Derwent 31 344.06x
Basford 31 17.70x
Bromley London 31 5.00x
Preston 31 3.46x
Cleckheaton 27 26.24x
West Derby 27 2.76x
Middleton In Lancaster 25 1644.74x
Workington 24 17.27x
Keswick 23 74.12x
Everton 22 2.06x
Gateshead 22 3.50x
Newcastle On Tyne St 22 10.12x
Derby St Peter 21 14.94x
Penrith 21 23.42x
Poulton Barre 21 55.18x
Whitehaven 21 16.23x
Haltwhistle 20 98.28x
Louth 20 19.36x
Manningham 20 5.81x
Ulverston 20 20.53x
Blackburn 19 2.13x
Elswick 18 5.38x
Elton 18 15.57x
Stockport 18 5.62x
Langdale 17 240.45x
Arlecdon 16 24.79x
Borrowdale 16 369.52x
Dean 16 201.01x
King Moor 16 346.32x
Rotherham 16 10.16x
Aston 15 0.77x
Atterby 15 1428.57x
Birkenhead 15 3.02x
Islington London 15 0.55x
Kirkland 15 113.55x
Lambeth 15 0.61x
Westoe 15 3.15x
Camberwell 14 0.78x
Church Coniston 14 149.25x
Weston 14 415.43x
Barrow In Furness 13 2.86x
Byker 13 6.27x
Featherstone 13 388.06x
Hackney London 13 0.82x
Handsworth 13 5.54x
Newark Upon Trent 13 9.52x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 13 5.19x
Nottingham St Mary 13 1.32x
Skipton 13 14.79x
Undermilbeck 13 63.63x
Ashby Cum Fenby 12 470.59x
Egremont 12 20.74x
Birmingham 11 0.46x
Bootle Cum Linacre 11 4.14x
Caton 11 104.96x
Forton 11 191.64x
Gosforth 11 92.98x
Haydock 11 19.08x
Horton In Bradford 11 2.52x
Keighley 11 3.69x
Limehouse London 11 3.55x
North Meols 11 3.36x
Ordsall 11 37.80x
Southampton St Mary 11 3.03x
St Cuthbert W O 11 9.30x
Wakefield 11 5.13x
Wednesbury 11 4.63x
Westgate 11 4.23x
Balderton 10 96.25x
Collessie 10 52.06x
Grantham 10 17.02x
Newington 10 0.96x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 225
Elizabeth 151
Sarah 106
Jane 86
Ann 62
Margaret 62
Annie 46
Ellen 42
Hannah 42
Agnes 32
Alice 30
Emily 28
Isabella 24
Emma 23
Eliza 22
Catherine 19
Eleanor 17
Martha 17
Edith 16
Ada 14
Frances 13
Louisa 12
Lucy 12
Clara 11
Maria 11
Anne 10
Florence 10
Kate 10
Fanny 9
Dinah 8
Caroline 7
Charlotte 7
Lizzie 7
Rebecca 7
Rose 7
Helena 6
May 6
Susan 6
Amy 5
Betsy 5
Dorothy 5
Beatrice 4
Betty 4
Esther 4
Gertrude 4
Harriet 4
Lilly 4
Margret 4
Margt. 4
Ruth 4

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 207
William 175
Thomas 151
George 108
James 91
Joseph 78
Robert 55
Henry 44
Charles 37
Edward 33
Richard 25
Arthur 22
Alfred 18
Samuel 15
Isaac 14
Frank 11
Albert 10
Herbert 10
Matthew 10
David 9
Frederick 9
Tom 9
Walter 9
Daniel 8
Harry 8
Fred 7
Ralph 7
Edwin 6
Ernest 6
Adam 5
Anthony 5
Francis 5
Thos. 5
Wm. 5
Alexander 4
Allan 4
Christopher 4
Jonathan 4
Mathew 4
Michael 4
Miles 4
Harold 3
Myles 3
Percy 3
Philip 3
Robt. 3
Solomon 3
Cuthbert 2
Joshua 2
Nicholas 2

FAQ

Birkett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Birkett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,890 people were recorded with the Birkett surname. That placed it at #1,552 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Birkett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 4,220 in 2016. That gives Birkett a modern rank of #1,605.

What does the Birkett surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from a place named Birkett in northwest England.

What does the Birkett map show?

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