NameCensus.

UK surname

Blanchett

A surname derived from the French for "white", possibly referring to a person with fair hair or complexion.

In the 1881 census there were 138 people recorded with the Blanchett surname, ranking it #16,292 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 129, ranked #26,270, down from #16,292 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Ewell and Upton with Chalvey. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wiltshire, Wealden and Corby.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Blanchett is 163 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 6.5%.

1881 census count

138

Ranked #16,292

Modern count

129

2016, ranked #26,270

Peak year

1911

163 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Blanchett had 138 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,292 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 129 in 2016, ranked #26,270.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 163 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Blanchett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Blanchett surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Blanchett 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 91 #18,187
1861 historical 113 #19,151
1881 historical 138 #16,292
1891 historical 136 #19,601
1901 historical 139 #18,876
1911 historical 163 #16,939
1997 modern 149 #21,214
1998 modern 146 #22,031
1999 modern 144 #22,405
2000 modern 140 #22,752
2001 modern 136 #22,855
2002 modern 140 #22,876
2003 modern 141 #22,549
2004 modern 148 #22,000
2005 modern 143 #22,473
2006 modern 139 #23,044
2007 modern 135 #23,824
2008 modern 140 #23,511
2009 modern 131 #25,056
2010 modern 138 #24,801
2011 modern 132 #25,303
2012 modern 118 #27,250
2013 modern 119 #27,541
2014 modern 124 #27,049
2015 modern 129 #26,226
2016 modern 129 #26,270

Geography

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Where Blanchetts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Ewell, Upton with Chalvey and Salisbury St Thomas. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wiltshire, Wealden, Corby, Three Rivers and Bromley. 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 Ewell Surrey
3 Upton with Chalvey Buckinghamshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Salisbury St Thomas Wiltshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wiltshire 045 Wiltshire
2 Wealden 010 Wealden
3 Corby 008 Corby
4 Three Rivers 001 Three Rivers
5 Bromley 032 Bromley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Blanchett

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Blanchett

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Blanchett is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Blanchett is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Blanchett falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Blanchett

The surname Blanchett originated in France, deriving from the Old French word "blanchet," which means "whitish" or "pale." It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 11th or 12th century, and was likely used as a nickname or descriptive term for someone with pale complexion or fair hair.

The name can be traced back to various regions of France, including Normandy, Brittany, and Picardy, where it was commonly found in historical records and documents. One of the earliest known references to the name Blanchett appears in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of lands and property in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086.

In the 13th century, the name Blanchett was recorded in the Hundred Rolls, a census-like survey of landowners conducted in England during the reign of King Edward I. This document mentions individuals with the surname Blanchett residing in various counties, including Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.

One notable bearer of the name Blanchett was John Blanchett, a English merchant and landowner who lived in the 15th century. He is mentioned in several historical records from the time, including the Patent Rolls of 1440, which document his involvement in trade and land transactions.

Another notable figure with the surname Blanchett was Sir Thomas Blanchett (1545-1612), an English politician and member of the House of Commons. He served as the Member of Parliament for Grantham from 1588 to 1589 and was known for his involvement in local affairs and governance.

In the 17th century, the name Blanchett was also found in France, where it was sometimes spelled as "Blanchet" or "Blanchetière." One notable French bearer of the name was Pierre Blanchett (1620-1680), a renowned painter and engraver known for his religious works and portraits.

During the 18th century, the name Blanchett began to appear in various parts of the United Kingdom, including Scotland and Ireland. One notable Scottish bearer of the name was Robert Blanchett (1736-1809), a minister and author who wrote several religious texts and sermons.

In the 19th century, the name Blanchett was found in various English-speaking countries, including the United States and Canada, where it was likely brought by French and British settlers and immigrants.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Blanchett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Blanchett 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 38 Blanchetts recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.82x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 38 2.82x
Surrey 34 5.18x
Kent 23 5.01x
Wiltshire 14 11.76x
Buckinghamshire 8 9.83x
Devon 6 2.14x
Essex 6 2.26x
Cheshire 5 1.68x
Gloucestershire 2 0.76x
Lincolnshire 1 0.46x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.55x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Woolwich in Kent leads with 16 Blanchetts recorded in 1881 and an index of 94.28x.

Place Total Index
Woolwich 16 94.28x
Hammersmith London 14 42.22x
Ewell 9 652.17x
Wootton Bassett 9 865.38x
Clapham 8 47.53x
Upton Cum Chalvey 8 246.91x
Paddington London 7 14.14x
Sutton 7 147.37x
Kensington London 6 8.02x
Tormoham 6 50.59x
Chester St Mary On Hill 5 196.08x
Islington London 5 3.83x
Lambeth 5 4.26x
West Ham 5 8.52x
Battersea 4 8.08x
Swindon 4 43.34x
Chelsea London 3 7.39x
Chelsfield 3 681.82x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 2 8.05x
Charlton Next Woolwich 2 41.75x
Eltham 2 74.35x
St Marylebone London 2 2.78x
Chertsey 1 23.58x
Furnivals Inn London 1 1250.00x
Harlaxton 1 555.56x
Leyton 1 21.83x
Nottingham St Mary 1 2.13x
Salisbury St Martin 1 80.65x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 12
Emma 4
Eliza 3
Ellen 3
Louisa 3
Anne 2
Annie 2
Elizabeth 2
Matilda 2
Ruth 2
Susan 2
Ada 1
Alice 1
Ann 1
Augusta 1
C. 1
Charlotte 1
E.H. 1
Emily 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
G. 1
Hannah 1
Harriett 1
Jessie 1
Lillian 1
Martha 1
Minnie 1
Racheal 1
Rosina 1
Sarah 1
Selina 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 9
Thomas 7
William 7
Alfred 5
Charles 5
Francis 3
Frederick 3
Henry 3
John 3
Robert 3
Walter 3
Arthur 2
Harry 2
Herbert 2
Percy 2
Albert 1
Benjamin 1
Chas.Isaacs 1
Clarence 1
F.N. 1
Frank 1
Herman 1
Jacob 1
Joseph 1
K. 1
Richard 1
Robt 1
Saml. 1
Samuel 1
T. 1
Thos. 1
W.H. 1
Willm.George 1

FAQ

Blanchett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Blanchett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 138 people were recorded with the Blanchett surname. That placed it at #16,292 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Blanchett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 129 in 2016. That gives Blanchett a modern rank of #26,270.

What does the Blanchett surname mean?

A surname derived from the French for "white", possibly referring to a person with fair hair or complexion.

What does the Blanchett map show?

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