NameCensus.

UK surname

Biscoe

A locational surname originating from a place in Berkshire or Sussex, England.

In the 1881 census there were 197 people recorded with the Biscoe surname, ranking it #12,955 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 240, ranked #17,278, down from #12,955 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Leonard Bromley and Turkdean. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Havant, Taunton Deane and Barking and Dagenham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Biscoe is 310 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 21.8%.

1881 census count

197

Ranked #12,955

Modern count

240

2016, ranked #17,278

Peak year

1911

310 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Biscoe had 197 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,955 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 240 in 2016, ranked #17,278.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 310 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Biscoe surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Biscoe surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Biscoe 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 170 #11,780
1861 historical 177 #13,265
1881 historical 197 #12,955
1891 historical 217 #14,062
1901 historical 262 #12,740
1911 historical 310 #11,180
1997 modern 276 #14,290
1998 modern 276 #14,679
1999 modern 277 #14,737
2000 modern 279 #14,636
2001 modern 263 #14,999
2002 modern 286 #14,442
2003 modern 267 #14,950
2004 modern 273 #14,804
2005 modern 267 #14,954
2006 modern 254 #15,560
2007 modern 250 #15,901
2008 modern 249 #16,111
2009 modern 256 #16,145
2010 modern 262 #16,252
2011 modern 263 #16,058
2012 modern 242 #16,886
2013 modern 240 #17,251
2014 modern 244 #17,189
2015 modern 244 #17,090
2016 modern 240 #17,278

Geography

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Where Biscoes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Leonard Bromley, Turkdean and Enfield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Havant, Taunton Deane, Barking and Dagenham, Haringey and Milton Keynes. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Leonard Bromley London (East Districts)
4 Turkdean Gloucestershire
5 Enfield Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Havant 004 Havant
2 Taunton Deane 012 Taunton Deane
3 Barking and Dagenham 001 Barking and Dagenham
4 Haringey 030 Haringey
5 Milton Keynes 030 Milton Keynes

Forenames

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First names often paired with Biscoe

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Biscoe

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Biscoe is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Biscoe is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Biscoe falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Biscoe 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 Biscoe, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Biscoe

The surname Biscoe has its origins in England, emerging during the late medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "bisce" and "cot," which together signify a small dwelling or a cottage inhabited by a bishop. Alternatively, some sources suggest that the name may have originated from a place name, such as Biscoe Dike in Yorkshire.

One of the earliest records of the Biscoe surname can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, which lists a Henry Biscoe residing in Oxfordshire. Another early reference comes from the Pipe Rolls of Bedfordshire in 1303, mentioning a John Biscoe as a taxpayer.

During the 16th century, the Biscoe name appeared in various parish records across England. Notable individuals from this era include Thomas Biscoe (born around 1540), who was a prominent merchant in London, and William Biscoe (1559-1632), a renowned clergyman and scholar from Worcestershire.

The 17th century saw the Biscoe family establish themselves in various parts of England. John Biscoe (1615-1677), a wealthy landowner from Gloucestershire, played a significant role in the English Civil War as a supporter of the Parliamentarian cause. Another notable figure was Nathaniel Biscoe (1639-1703), a renowned philosopher and theologian who served as the Master of Wadham College, Oxford.

In the 18th century, the Biscoe surname gained further prominence. Richard Biscoe (1720-1788) was a successful merchant and ship owner from Liverpool, while John Biscoe (1768-1843) was a renowned explorer and naval officer who discovered several islands in the Antarctic region, including Enderby Land and Biscoe Islands, which were named after him.

The 19th century witnessed the Biscoe family's continued influence. William Biscoe (1817-1892) was a respected lawyer and judge in New South Wales, Australia, while Edward Biscoe (1828-1901) was a prominent architect responsible for designing several notable buildings in London, including the Holborn Viaduct and the Brompton Oratory.

Throughout history, the Biscoe surname has been associated with individuals from various professions, including clergy, merchants, explorers, lawyers, and architects. While the name originated in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, carrying with it a rich heritage and historical significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Biscoe families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Biscoe 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. Middlesex leads with 91 Biscoes recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.69x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 91 4.69x
Hertfordshire 24 17.94x
Bedfordshire 9 8.96x
Gloucestershire 9 2.36x
Worcestershire 9 3.55x
Surrey 8 0.85x
Kent 7 1.06x
Essex 6 1.57x
Inverness-shire 6 10.35x
Hampshire 5 1.26x
Oxfordshire 5 4.17x
Berkshire 4 2.75x
Cornwall 4 1.82x
Fife 4 3.48x
Buckinghamshire 3 2.56x
Leicestershire 2 0.93x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.56x
Royal Navy 1 4.32x
Warwickshire 1 0.20x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bromley London in Middlesex leads with 11 Biscoes recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.76x.

Place Total Index
Bromley London 11 25.76x
Poplar London 11 30.03x
Bow London 10 40.47x
Enfield 10 78.49x
Islington London 10 5.32x
Croydon 8 15.24x
Barley 7 1707.32x
St Andrew Holborn London 7 83.33x
St George Hanover Square 7 20.47x
Great Hadham 6 697.67x
Kempsey 6 625.00x
Kirkhill 6 612.24x
Ampthill 5 333.33x
Bramshott 5 510.20x
St Giles In Fields London 5 52.52x
St Pancras London 5 3.20x
Antony 4 188.68x
St Andrews 4 76.48x
Turkdean 4 2000.00x
Chatham 3 16.47x
Greenwich 3 9.71x
Holton 3 1875.00x
Little Amwell 3 638.30x
Sawbridgeworth 3 147.78x
Willesden 3 16.39x
Wycombe 3 34.29x
Aspenden 2 487.80x
Barking 2 17.84x
Bradfield 2 259.74x
Edmonton 2 12.79x
Eldersfield 2 500.00x
Hunsdon 2 571.43x
Huntley 2 714.29x
Luton 2 11.49x
Melchbourne 2 1333.33x
Quendon 2 1538.46x
St Botolph Aldersgate 2 89.69x
Aberdeen Old Machar 1 2.66x
Aylestone 1 58.82x
Burghfield 1 116.28x
Chelmsford 1 15.22x
Clerkenwell London 1 2.18x
Coventry Holy Trinity 1 6.84x
Cowley 1 26.74x
Ealing 1 5.76x
Kensington London 1 0.93x
Kimpton 1 158.73x
Lewisham 1 2.83x
Longhope 1 153.85x
Maisemore 1 303.03x
Martley 1 136.99x
Newent 1 51.81x
Oxford St Giles 1 17.48x
Paddington London 1 1.40x
Reading St Giles 1 7.00x
Royal Navy 1 5.06x
St George Bloomsbury 1 8.98x
St Giles Cripplegate 1 38.76x
St Marylebone London 1 0.97x
Stathern 1 277.78x
Walthamstow 1 7.25x
Westminster St Margaret 1 10.68x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 10
Mary 9
Ann 5
Alice 4
Emma 4
Anne 3
Ellen 3
Emily 3
Fanny 3
Harriet 3
Jane 3
Maria 3
Eliza 2
Elizabeth 2
Florence 2
Frances 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Ada 1
Alere 1
Amelia 1
Amy 1
Annie 1
Catherine 1
Cecilia 1
Diana 1
E. 1
E.V. 1
Edith 1
Georgina 1
Hannah 1
Henrietta 1
Julia 1
Lavania 1
Leonora 1
Lydia 1
Marian 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
Minnie 1
Mry 1
Rosa 1
Rosina 1
S. 1
Sophia 1
Susannah 1
Vilita 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 10
James 9
George 6
Henry 6
Joseph 5
William 5
Charles 4
Harry 4
Thomas 4
Arthur 3
Alfred 2
C. 2
Cecil 2
Cornelius 2
Edgar 2
Edward 2
Francis 2
Robert 2
Thos. 2
Vincent 2
Wm. 2
A. 1
Albert 1
Archibald 1
Daniel 1
Ebenezer 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Frderick 1
J. 1
Richard 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Stephen 1
Willm. 1
Wm.Frederick 1

FAQ

Biscoe surname: questions and answers

How common was the Biscoe surname in 1881?

In 1881, 197 people were recorded with the Biscoe surname. That placed it at #12,955 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Biscoe surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 240 in 2016. That gives Biscoe a modern rank of #17,278.

What does the Biscoe surname mean?

A locational surname originating from a place in Berkshire or Sussex, England.

What does the Biscoe map show?

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