NameCensus.

UK surname

Blackbourn

An English locational surname referring to someone who lived near a stream or brook.

In the 1881 census there were 329 people recorded with the Blackbourn surname, ranking it #9,107 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 540, ranked #9,422, down from #9,107 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Billinghay, Greenwich and Roulston. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Boston, South Holland and East Lindsey.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Blackbourn is 573 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 64.1%.

1881 census count

329

Ranked #9,107

Modern count

540

2016, ranked #9,422

Peak year

2000

573 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Blackbourn had 329 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,107 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 540 in 2016, ranked #9,422.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 534 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Blackbourn surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Blackbourn surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Blackbourn 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 346 #6,798
1861 historical 330 #7,721
1881 historical 329 #9,107
1891 historical 311 #10,781
1901 historical 377 #9,876
1911 historical 534 #7,458
1997 modern 544 #8,739
1998 modern 558 #8,824
1999 modern 564 #8,802
2000 modern 573 #8,671
2001 modern 561 #8,672
2002 modern 566 #8,788
2003 modern 569 #8,624
2004 modern 553 #8,823
2005 modern 538 #8,933
2006 modern 538 #8,969
2007 modern 525 #9,219
2008 modern 521 #9,342
2009 modern 534 #9,377
2010 modern 553 #9,324
2011 modern 549 #9,281
2012 modern 533 #9,407
2013 modern 549 #9,352
2014 modern 547 #9,426
2015 modern 541 #9,451
2016 modern 540 #9,422

Geography

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Where Blackbourns are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Billinghay, Greenwich, Roulston, Lincoln St Botolph and Swineshead, North Forty Foot Bank, Drainage Marsh, Forty-foot Bridge, Gibbet Hills, Rakes Farm, Roya. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Boston, South Holland, East Lindsey and South Kesteven. 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 Billinghay Lincolnshire
2 Greenwich London (South Districts)
3 Roulston Lincolnshire
4 Lincoln St Botolph Lincolnshire
5 Swineshead, North Forty Foot Bank, Drainage Marsh, Forty-foot Bridge, Gibbet Hills, Rakes Farm, Roya Lincolnshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Boston 001 Boston
2 South Holland 009 South Holland
3 East Lindsey 009 East Lindsey
4 South Kesteven 011 South Kesteven
5 East Lindsey 017 East Lindsey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Blackbourn

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Blackbourn

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

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Blackbourn is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Blackbourn is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Blackbourn falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Blackbourn

The surname Blackbourn is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is a locational name derived from a place called Blackburn, located in the county of Lancashire, England. The name itself is thought to have emerged from the Old English words "blæc" and "burna," meaning "black stream" or "dark brook."

The earliest recorded instances of the name appear in various historical documents, such as the Pipe Rolls of Lancashire from the late 12th century. These records mention individuals bearing the name Blackburn, which later evolved into the spelling Blackbourn.

One notable historical reference to the surname can be found in the Whalley Coucher Book, a medieval cartulary (a collection of charters and other records) from the 14th century. This book contains entries related to individuals with the surname Blackbourn, indicating their presence in the Lancashire region during that time.

The surname Blackbourn has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was Sir Edward Blackbourn (1560-1635), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Lancashire during the reign of King James I.

Another prominent bearer of the name was William Blackbourn (1647-1702), an English clergyman and author who served as the Dean of Christ Church, Oxford. He was known for his influential sermons and religious writings.

In the 18th century, John Blackbourn (1711-1788) was a notable English philosopher and writer. He authored several philosophical works and was a member of the Royal Society.

Moving into the 19th century, we find Thomas Blackbourn (1818-1893), an English architect who designed numerous churches and public buildings in the Victorian era.

Additionally, the surname Blackbourn has been linked to various place names in England, such as Blackburnshire and Blackburnham, further reinforcing its locational origins.

While the surname has undergone some variations in spelling over the centuries, such as Blackburn, Blackborne, and Blackbourne, the core meaning and connection to the Lancashire region have remained consistent.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Blackbourn families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Blackbourn 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. Lincolnshire leads with 220 Blackbourns recorded in 1881 and an index of 43.27x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 220 43.27x
Middlesex 26 0.82x
Nottinghamshire 20 4.67x
Lancashire 12 0.32x
Yorkshire 11 0.35x
Kent 8 0.74x
Bedfordshire 7 4.25x
Surrey 6 0.39x
Norfolk 5 1.02x
Cheshire 4 0.57x
Derbyshire 2 0.40x
Hampshire 2 0.31x
Northamptonshire 1 0.33x
Suffolk 1 0.26x
Warwickshire 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Caythorpe in Lincolnshire leads with 20 Blackbourns recorded in 1881 and an index of 2040.82x.

Place Total Index
Caythorpe 20 2040.82x
Flixborough 16 6400.00x
Swineshead 16 958.08x
Weston 15 1630.43x
Washingborough 14 1772.15x
Coddington 13 2280.70x
Islington London 13 4.22x
North Kyme 11 1447.37x
Rowston 9 3600.00x
Skegness 9 616.44x
Billinghay 8 509.55x
Fleet 8 551.72x
Mile End Old Town London 8 11.82x
New Sleaford 8 245.40x
Asgarby 7 2916.67x
Hockliffe 7 1944.44x
Ancaster 6 845.07x
Fiskerton 6 1250.00x
Manchester 6 3.54x
North Rauceby 6 2068.97x
Firsby 5 1923.08x
Great Grimsby 5 15.49x
Greenwich 5 9.88x
Newington 5 4.26x
Scredington 5 1351.35x
Chester Holy Trinity 4 121.58x
Fulbeck 4 571.43x
Kirkby In Ashfield 4 87.34x
Sculcoates 4 8.01x
Deeping St James 3 166.67x
East Dereham 3 48.54x
Hemingbrough 3 483.87x
Leasingham 3 750.00x
Newark Upon Trent 3 19.47x
Roxholme 3 2307.69x
Skirbeck 3 105.26x
Thornton In Fylde 3 36.32x
West Derby 3 2.72x
Boothby Graffoe 2 1111.11x
Boston 2 12.96x
Bracebridge 2 86.58x
Branston 2 128.21x
Brotherton 2 158.73x
Edmonton 2 7.81x
Haven Bank 2 6666.67x
Hough On Hill Brandon 2 800.00x
Litchurch 2 9.99x
Newball 2 1538.46x
Scothern 2 370.37x
St Peterat Gowts Lincoln 2 27.97x
Thetford St Mary 2 150.38x
Tonbridge 2 5.11x
Aldbrough In Skirlaugh 1 172.41x
Belchford 1 188.68x
Billingborough 1 77.52x
Birmingham 1 0.37x
Brant Broughton 1 135.14x
Holy Trinity 1 1.32x
Hopton 1 104.17x
Hough On Hill 1 238.10x
Irby In Marsh 1 526.32x
Kensington London 1 0.57x
Lambeth 1 0.36x
Lee 1 6.35x
Ludford Magna 1 232.56x
Market Deeping 1 75.76x
Miningsby In Horncastle 1 714.29x
North Ormsby 1 500.00x
Old Sleaford 1 175.44x
Petersfield 1 55.87x
Portsmouth 1 6.66x
St John Zachary London 1 769.23x
St Maryle Wigford 1 25.32x
St Pancras London 1 0.39x
Stamford Baron St Martin 1 62.50x
Waddington 1 107.53x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 25
Annie 9
Elizabeth 7
Edith 6
Rebecca 6
Sarah 6
Ann 5
Jane 5
Louisa 5
Emma 4
Alice 3
Anne 3
Eliza 3
Ethel 3
Harriett 3
Maria 3
Susan 3
Susanna 3
Beatrice 2
Betsy 2
Clara 2
Emily 2
Frances 2
Hannah 2
Martha 2
Rose 2
Susannah 2
Allice 1
Amy 1
Angelina 1
Annis 1
Arabella 1
Catherine 1
Dorcus 1
Elizabet 1
Elizth. 1
Erica 1
Florence 1
Flory.E. 1
Jenny 1
Kate 1
Lavinia 1
Lizzie 1
Lizzy 1
Lucy 1
Lydia 1
Margaret 1
Maryan 1
Maud 1
Victoria 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 23
John 19
George 11
Thomas 11
Charles 10
Henry 8
James 6
Joseph 5
Albert 4
Anthony 4
Arthur 4
Edward 3
Ernest 3
Frederick 3
Herbert 3
Richard 3
Christopher 2
Frank 2
Fredk. 2
Georg 2
Robert 2
Andrew 1
Benjamin 1
Burton 1
Chas. 1
Cornelius 1
David 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Emerson 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
G.M. 1
Geo. 1
Geo.G. 1
Harry 1
Horace 1
Hy. 1
Isaac 1
Jesse 1
Paul 1
Robinson 1
Samuel 1
Saul 1
Seth 1
Thos 1
Thos. 1
Tom 1
W. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Blackbourn surname: questions and answers

How common was the Blackbourn surname in 1881?

In 1881, 329 people were recorded with the Blackbourn surname. That placed it at #9,107 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Blackbourn surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 540 in 2016. That gives Blackbourn a modern rank of #9,422.

What does the Blackbourn surname mean?

An English locational surname referring to someone who lived near a stream or brook.

What does the Blackbourn map show?

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