NameCensus.

UK surname

Biss

A surname derived from the Old French word for brown, possibly referring to someone with a dark complexion.

In the 1881 census there were 459 people recorded with the Biss surname, ranking it #7,225 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 580, ranked #8,938, down from #7,225 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Sherborne. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Somerset, West Dorset and North Dorset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Biss is 668 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 26.4%.

1881 census count

459

Ranked #7,225

Modern count

580

2016, ranked #8,938

Peak year

1911

668 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Biss had 459 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,225 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 580 in 2016, ranked #8,938.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 668 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Biss surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Biss surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Biss 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 360 #6,569
1861 historical 316 #8,054
1881 historical 459 #7,225
1891 historical 507 #7,349
1901 historical 617 #6,917
1911 historical 668 #6,301
1997 modern 580 #8,342
1998 modern 581 #8,566
1999 modern 585 #8,587
2000 modern 587 #8,532
2001 modern 579 #8,495
2002 modern 575 #8,685
2003 modern 553 #8,802
2004 modern 544 #8,933
2005 modern 550 #8,784
2006 modern 549 #8,824
2007 modern 552 #8,883
2008 modern 553 #8,924
2009 modern 556 #9,093
2010 modern 569 #9,124
2011 modern 583 #8,880
2012 modern 579 #8,830
2013 modern 587 #8,876
2014 modern 585 #8,966
2015 modern 589 #8,850
2016 modern 580 #8,938

Geography

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Where Biss' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Sherborne and Henstridge. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Somerset, West Dorset, North Dorset and Bradford. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Sherborne Dorset
4 London parishes London 3
5 Henstridge Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Somerset 008 South Somerset
2 West Dorset 001 West Dorset
3 North Dorset 001 North Dorset
4 South Somerset 002 South Somerset
5 Bradford 020 Bradford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Biss

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Biss

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Biss is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

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

Biss is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Biss falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Biss

The surname "BISS" is believed to have originated in England. It is an occupational surname derived from the Old English word "byce," meaning a type of embroidery or ornamental needlework. Those who specialized in this craft were known as "byceres," eventually evolving into the surname Biss.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Bice" in the county of Gloucestershire. This historical record provides evidence of the name's existence in medieval England.

In the 13th century, the name was recorded as "Byss" in the Hundred Rolls of Buckinghamshire. This variant spelling reflects the evolution of the name over time.

During the 16th century, the name was found in various parish records across England. For example, in 1567, John Biss was recorded in the parish registers of Wincanton, Somerset.

Notable individuals with the surname Biss include William Biss (1573-1637), an English clergyman and author who wrote several theological works. In the 18th century, Thomas Biss (1723-1790) was a renowned English watchmaker and inventor, known for his contributions to the development of chronometers.

Another prominent figure was Sir John Biss (1824-1899), a British soldier and diplomat who served as the Consul-General in Morocco and later as the Governor of Newfoundland.

In the literary world, Walter Biss (1875-1933) was a British playwright and novelist, best known for his works "The Prodigious Lover" and "The Desperate Lovers."

More recently, Lauren Biss (born 1979) is an American writer and academic, recognized for her acclaimed works such as "Notes from No Man's Land" and "Having and Being Had."

The surname Biss has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as Biss Green in Gloucestershire and Biss Manor in Wiltshire, further reflecting its historical roots in the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Biss families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Biss 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. Somerset leads with 147 Biss' recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.40x.

County Total Index
Somerset 147 20.40x
Middlesex 71 1.59x
Devon 45 4.83x
Surrey 42 1.93x
Dorset 29 9.87x
Monmouthshire 16 4.94x
Kent 14 0.92x
Gloucestershire 13 1.48x
Hampshire 13 1.42x
Cheshire 12 1.21x
Wiltshire 12 3.03x
Yorkshire 8 0.18x
Essex 5 0.57x
Lancashire 5 0.09x
Bedfordshire 4 1.73x
Norfolk 4 0.58x
Oxfordshire 4 1.45x
Sussex 3 0.40x
Warwickshire 3 0.27x
Glamorgan 2 0.26x
Hertfordshire 2 0.65x
Suffolk 2 0.37x
Herefordshire 1 0.54x
Northumberland 1 0.15x
Staffordshire 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Henstridge in Somerset leads with 43 Biss' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2160.80x.

Place Total Index
Henstridge 43 2160.80x
Newington 23 13.91x
Cullompton 18 442.26x
Sherborne 18 208.09x
Frome 17 98.61x
Walcot 16 41.69x
Portishead 15 279.85x
Chelsea London 13 9.64x
Shoreditch London 13 6.70x
Camberwell 10 3.50x
Portsea 9 5.00x
Bradford On Avon 8 63.09x
Islington London 8 1.84x
Leeds 8 3.19x
Lewisham 8 9.82x
Burlescombe 7 551.18x
Hackney London 7 2.79x
Norton 7 1044.78x
St Woollos 7 19.38x
Bathwick 6 75.19x
Chester St Mary On Hill 6 70.75x
Culmstock 6 454.55x
Godley 6 281.69x
Long Ashton 6 168.07x
Paddington London 6 3.64x
Stalbridge 6 215.05x
Stonehouse East 6 126.85x
Bath St Michael 5 137.36x
Castle Cary 5 159.24x
Enfield 5 17.02x
Milverton 5 187.97x
Newport 5 32.38x
Portbury 5 416.67x
St Giles In Fields London 5 22.76x
Waltham Holy Cross 5 60.53x
Bedford St Paul 4 25.16x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 4 4.84x
Bruton 4 140.85x
Diss 4 67.80x
Mitcham 4 29.01x
Tonbridge 4 7.26x
Edgbaston 3 8.57x
Hastings St Mary In The 3 18.63x
Kingston Seymour 3 666.67x
St Martin In Fields 3 11.19x
Trevethin 3 9.81x
Witney 3 64.94x
Almsford 2 444.44x
Axbridge 2 285.71x
Billington 2 92.17x
Child Okeford 2 153.85x
Cilybebill 2 67.34x
Clevedon 2 26.70x
Devonport 2 18.67x
Fulham London 2 3.08x
Great Harwood 2 20.83x
Hitchin 2 14.36x
Lyncombe Widcombe 2 10.60x
Newport 2 40.16x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 2.79x
St Bartholomew Great 2 49.14x
St George Hanover Square 2 2.54x
St Marylebone London 2 0.84x
Westbury 2 21.65x
Wincanton 2 53.91x
Wookey 2 125.79x
Alverstoke 1 3.01x
Bilston 1 3.41x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 1 12.50x
Exeter St Olave 1 83.33x
Monmouth 1 11.66x
Motcombe 1 46.30x
Oborne 1 454.55x
Salford 1 0.64x
Seend 1 128.21x
Shepton Mallet 1 12.36x
St Pancras London 1 0.28x
Taunton St Mary 1 7.56x
Thames Ditton 1 22.08x
Westminster St John 1 1.83x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 27
John 21
George 19
James 14
Thomas 14
Alfred 13
Charles 13
Henry 9
Albert 8
Edwin 7
Walter 7
Arthur 5
Edward 4
Ernest 4
Frank 4
Frederick 4
Herbert 4
Robert 4
Harry 3
Joseph 3
Mark 3
Fred 2
Fredrick 2
Sidney 2
Sydney 2
Cecil 1
Chas. 1
Claude 1
Earnest 1
Eli 1
Gertrude 1
Harold 1
Hary 1
Henery 1
Hubert 1
Ivan 1
Jessie 1
Lewis 1
Morris 1
Nelson 1
Newton 1
Richard 1
Richmond 1
Robt. 1
Robt.S. 1
Ronald 1
Samuel 1
Solomon 1
T. 1
Wm.H. 1

FAQ

Biss surname: questions and answers

How common was the Biss surname in 1881?

In 1881, 459 people were recorded with the Biss surname. That placed it at #7,225 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Biss surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 580 in 2016. That gives Biss a modern rank of #8,938.

What does the Biss surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old French word for brown, possibly referring to someone with a dark complexion.

What does the Biss map show?

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