UK surname
A surname potentially derived from an occupational reference to a maker or seller of bits (bridle parts).
In the 1881 census there were 12 people recorded with the Bitts surname, ranking it #31,914 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3, ranked #38,594, down from #31,914 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Melrose, Petherton, South and Sileby. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bitts is 101 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 75.0%.
1881 census count
12
Ranked #31,914
Modern count
3
2016, ranked #38,594
Peak year
1861
101 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bitts surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bitts 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 | 72 | #20,720 |
| 1861 | historical | 101 | #20,955 |
| 1881 | historical | 12 | #31,914 |
| 1891 | historical | 84 | #26,229 |
| 1901 | historical | 16 | #32,260 |
| 1911 | historical | 25 | #30,654 |
| 1997 | modern | 3 | #38,317 |
| 1998 | modern | 5 | #37,861 |
| 1999 | modern | 3 | #38,318 |
| 2000 | modern | 2 | #38,472 |
| 2001 | modern | 2 | #38,335 |
| 2002 | modern | 2 | #38,400 |
| 2003 | modern | 2 | #38,424 |
| 2004 | modern | 2 | #38,464 |
| 2005 | modern | 2 | #38,532 |
| 2006 | modern | 2 | #38,590 |
| 2007 | modern | 3 | #38,372 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 3 | #38,494 |
| 2010 | modern | 2 | #38,775 |
| 2011 | modern | 3 | #38,546 |
| 2012 | modern | 3 | #38,530 |
| 2013 | modern | 3 | #38,526 |
| 2014 | modern | 3 | #38,552 |
| 2015 | modern | 3 | #38,558 |
| 2016 | modern | 3 | #38,594 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Melrose, Petherton, South, Sileby, St Pancras and Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a. 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 | Melrose | Roxburgh |
| 2 | Petherton, South | Somerset |
| 3 | Sileby | Leicestershire |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a | Essex |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bitts 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 Bitts, 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 Bitts surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bitts 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, Bitts 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 Bitts is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bitts, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Bitts is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. Its roots can be traced back to the Old English word "bitt," which means "a bit" or "a small piece." This suggests that the name may have been initially given as a descriptive nickname for someone who was small in stature or perhaps had a small appetite.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bitts can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Bitte." This historical document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides a comprehensive record of landowners and properties across England at that time.
Throughout the centuries, the name Bitts has undergone various spellings, including Bitt, Bitte, Bytt, and Bytte. These variations were common during the medieval period when spelling conventions were not yet standardized.
In the 13th century, the name Bitts was associated with several place names in England, such as Bitts Green in Worcestershire and Bitts Farm in Wiltshire. These locations may have served as residences for families bearing the surname, contributing to its geographical spread.
One notable historical figure with the surname Bitts was John Bitts, a merchant and alderman who lived in London during the late 16th century. He played a significant role in the city's trade and governance during the Elizabethan era.
In the 17th century, the name Bitts appeared in the records of the Virginia Company, which established the first permanent English settlement in North America. William Bitts, born in 1620, was among the early settlers who ventured across the Atlantic to seek new opportunities in the colony of Virginia.
During the 18th century, the Bitts family had a presence in the British military. Captain Robert Bitts (1712-1788) served in the Royal Navy and participated in several naval battles during the Seven Years' War against France.
In the literary realm, Elizabeth Bitts (1780-1864) was a notable English writer and poet who gained recognition for her collection of poems published in 1835.
Another prominent figure was Sir William Bitts (1835-1912), a British industrialist and philanthropist. He made significant contributions to the development of the textile industry in Yorkshire and was knighted for his philanthropic efforts.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bitts 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 2 Bitts' recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.58x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Nottinghamshire | 2 | 30.58x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 2.06x |
| Sussex | 1 | 12.22x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 15.80x |
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 2 Bitts' recorded in 1881 and an index of 118.34x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Nottingham St Mary | 2 | 118.34x |
| Brighton | 1 | 60.61x |
| Kings Norton | 1 | 175.44x |
| Westminster St Margaret | 1 | 434.78x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bitts surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Sarah | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Bitts 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 Bitts households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 2 |
| Barman | 1 |
| Lace Worker | 1 |
| Milkman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 12 people were recorded with the Bitts surname. That placed it at #31,914 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 3 in 2016. That gives Bitts a modern rank of #38,594.
A surname potentially derived from an occupational reference to a maker or seller of bits (bridle parts).
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bitts 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.