NameCensus.

UK surname

Blaber

An English surname derived from the word "blabber" meaning a talkative or garrulous person.

In the 1881 census there were 281 people recorded with the Blaber surname, ranking it #10,175 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 377, ranked #12,415, down from #10,175 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lewes St Peter and St Mary Westout, Lewes St John the Baptist Southover and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lewes, Brentwood and Gravesham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Blaber is 452 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 34.2%.

1881 census count

281

Ranked #10,175

Modern count

377

2016, ranked #12,415

Peak year

1911

452 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Blaber had 281 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,175 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 377 in 2016, ranked #12,415.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 452 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Blaber surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Blaber surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Blaber 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 224 #9,534
1861 historical 207 #11,687
1881 historical 281 #10,175
1891 historical 349 #9,857
1901 historical 410 #9,322
1911 historical 452 #8,476
1997 modern 426 #10,490
1998 modern 432 #10,737
1999 modern 427 #10,919
2000 modern 412 #11,165
2001 modern 404 #11,142
2002 modern 405 #11,335
2003 modern 401 #11,242
2004 modern 393 #11,433
2005 modern 390 #11,397
2006 modern 393 #11,398
2007 modern 380 #11,820
2008 modern 371 #12,155
2009 modern 374 #12,343
2010 modern 379 #12,483
2011 modern 372 #12,519
2012 modern 380 #12,177
2013 modern 390 #12,151
2014 modern 386 #12,318
2015 modern 375 #12,470
2016 modern 377 #12,415

Geography

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Where Blabers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lewes St Peter and St Mary Westout, Lewes St John the Baptist Southover, London parishes and Lewes St John-under-the-Castle. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Lewes, Brentwood, Gravesham and Birmingham. 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 Lewes St Peter and St Mary Westout Sussex
2 Lewes St John the Baptist Southover Sussex
3 London parishes London 1
4 Lewes St John-under-the-Castle Sussex
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Lewes 003 Lewes
2 Lewes 013 Lewes
3 Brentwood 002 Brentwood
4 Gravesham 004 Gravesham
5 Birmingham 125 Birmingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Blaber

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Blaber

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Blaber surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Blaber household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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, Blaber 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

Blaber is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Blaber

The surname Blaber has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "blæbere," which translates to "blabber" or "one who talks idly." This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname for someone who was considered a chatterbox or gossipy.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Blaber surname can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1275, where a Richard le Blabere is mentioned. This early spelling variation highlights the transition from the Old English word to the modern surname form.

In the 14th century, the Blaber name appeared in various records across England, such as the Pipe Rolls of Somerset in 1332, which listed a John Blabber. The surname also surfaced in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1384, where a William Blaber was documented.

During the late medieval period, the Blaber family seemed to have a presence in the county of Gloucestershire. In the Visitation of Gloucestershire in 1623, a coat of arms was granted to the Blaber family, indicating their established status within the region.

One notable individual bearing the Blaber surname was Thomas Blaber, a prominent English soldier and politician who lived in the 16th century. He served as a Member of Parliament for Bridgwater in 1554 and played a role in the suppression of the Prayer Book Rebellion in the West Country.

Another historically significant Blaber was Richard Blaber, an English churchman who lived in the 17th century. He served as the Canon of Windsor from 1658 to 1661 and is remembered for his contributions to the Church of England during the tumultuous period of the English Civil War and the Restoration.

In the 18th century, the Blaber surname gained further recognition with the birth of Henry Blaber, a renowned English artist and engraver who lived from 1723 to 1801. His intricate engravings and illustrations were widely celebrated during his lifetime and are now considered important works of art from the Georgian era.

Moving into the 19th century, the name Blaber continued to appear in various records and historical documents. One notable individual was John Blaber, a successful businessman and industrialist from Gloucestershire, who lived from 1818 to 1892. He was instrumental in the development of the local wool and textile industries in the region.

Throughout its history, the Blaber surname has been associated with various locations across England, particularly in the counties of Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Worcestershire. While the name may have originated as a descriptive nickname, it has evolved into a well-established surname with a rich historical legacy spanning several centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Blaber families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Blaber 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. Sussex leads with 142 Blabers recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.73x.

County Total Index
Sussex 142 30.73x
Middlesex 66 2.41x
Surrey 26 1.95x
Essex 12 2.22x
Nottinghamshire 12 3.25x
Kent 8 0.86x
Yorkshire 8 0.29x
Suffolk 4 1.20x
Somerset 2 0.45x
Hampshire 1 0.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brighton in Sussex leads with 26 Blabers recorded in 1881 and an index of 27.89x.

Place Total Index
Brighton 26 27.89x
St George Hanover Square 17 35.20x
Camberwell 13 7.42x
Cuckfield 13 278.37x
Bethnal Green London 10 8.40x
Balcombe 8 975.61x
Hackney London 8 5.21x
Chelsea London 7 8.47x
Eastbourne 7 32.91x
South Malling 7 1014.49x
Willingdon 7 598.29x
Bromley London 6 9.95x
Horsted Keynes 6 555.56x
Lewes St Ann 6 382.17x
Rottingdean 6 379.75x
Batley 5 19.37x
Eastdean 5 1851.85x
Lewes St John 5 980.39x
Nottingham St Mary 5 5.23x
Nottingham St Nicholas 5 99.40x
South Shoebury 5 230.41x
Walthamstow 5 25.67x
Albourne 4 1379.31x
Ardingly 4 272.11x
Cliffe 4 256.41x
Exning 4 236.69x
Lewes St John Southover 4 129.03x
Lewisham 4 8.02x
Newington 4 3.95x
Steyning 4 254.78x
Westminster St James 4 14.19x
Croydon 3 4.05x
Gomersal 3 23.66x
Hove 3 14.79x
New Shoreham 3 108.30x
Paddington London 3 2.98x
Stoke Newington London 3 14.05x
Arlington 2 363.64x
Beddingham 2 476.19x
Bow London 2 5.73x
Dartford 2 20.92x
Epsom 2 30.72x
Hurstpierpoint 2 77.82x
Preston 2 24.78x
Radford 2 10.66x
St Marylebone London 2 1.37x
West Ham 2 1.67x
West Quantoxhead 2 769.23x
Westham 2 212.77x
Ashford 1 10.98x
Barnes 1 17.70x
Beckenham 1 8.18x
Broadwater 1 9.43x
Chertsey 1 11.59x
Ditchling 1 79.37x
East Preston 1 256.41x
Godalming 1 11.89x
Hastings St Mary 1 8.70x
Ifield 1 51.81x
Islington London 1 0.38x
Lewes St John Under 1 158.73x
Lewes St Michael 1 108.70x
Old Shoreham 1 434.78x
Poplar London 1 1.93x
Portslade 1 35.34x
Ryde 1 8.29x
Southwark St Saviour 1 7.10x
St Andrew Holborn London 1 8.42x
St Luke London 1 2.27x
Subdeanery 1 28.49x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 12
Eliza 10
Mary 10
Emma 8
Alice 7
Caroline 6
Ann 4
Fanny 4
Louisa 4
Martha 4
Sarah 4
Clara 3
Emily 3
Harriet 3
Jane 3
Betsey 2
E. 2
Eva 2
Florence 2
Infant 2
Laura 2
Lily 2
Lucy 2
Lydia 2
Margaret 2
Matilda 2
Rebecca 2
Susan 2
Annie 1
Bertha 1
Charlotte 1
Ellen 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
F. 1
Flora 1
Frances 1
Georgiania 1
Grace 1
Hannah 1
Harriett 1
Ida 1
Julia 1
Juliana 1
Kate 1
Letitia 1
Lilian 1
Mabel 1
Maggie 1
Vilot 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Charles 11
Edward 11
George 10
Henry 10
Alfred 8
William 7
Thomas 6
James 5
Edwin 4
Harry 4
John 4
Albert 3
Arthur 3
Benjamin 3
W. 3
David 2
Ernest 2
Frederick 2
Joseph 2
Sidney 2
Aaron 1
Alfd. 1
Algernon 1
Amos 1
Archd. 1
Archibald 1
Chas. 1
Edmd. 1
Eli 1
Emma 1
Frances 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Fredr. 1
G. 1
Herbert 1
Horatio 1
Jesse 1
Jonah 1
Olive 1
Owen 1
Reuben 1
Richard 1
Rose 1
Samuel 1
Thos. 1
Trayton 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Blaber surname: questions and answers

How common was the Blaber surname in 1881?

In 1881, 281 people were recorded with the Blaber surname. That placed it at #10,175 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Blaber surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 377 in 2016. That gives Blaber a modern rank of #12,415.

What does the Blaber surname mean?

An English surname derived from the word "blabber" meaning a talkative or garrulous person.

What does the Blaber map show?

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