NameCensus.

UK surname

Bloch

A Jewish occupational surname referring to someone who worked as a block maker or wood carver.

In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the Bloch surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 333, ranked #13,670, up from #32,581 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes and Govan Combination. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Barnet, Camden and Westminster.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bloch is 361 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 4062.5%.

1881 census count

8

Ranked #32,581

Modern count

333

2016, ranked #13,670

Peak year

2014

361 bearers

Map years

5

1901 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bloch had 8 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,581 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 333 in 2016, ranked #13,670.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 132 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Bloch surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bloch surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bloch 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 7 #32,070
1861 historical 6 #33,230
1881 historical 8 #32,581
1891 historical 59 #29,325
1901 historical 107 #21,955
1911 historical 132 #19,313
1997 modern 247 #15,399
1998 modern 265 #15,087
1999 modern 267 #15,097
2000 modern 257 #15,468
2001 modern 255 #15,319
2002 modern 265 #15,197
2003 modern 265 #15,025
2004 modern 263 #15,189
2005 modern 264 #15,085
2006 modern 284 #14,396
2007 modern 286 #14,496
2008 modern 282 #14,748
2009 modern 287 #14,877
2010 modern 312 #14,314
2011 modern 290 #14,933
2012 modern 311 #14,173
2013 modern 340 #13,449
2014 modern 361 #12,979
2015 modern 340 #13,455
2016 modern 333 #13,670

Geography

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Where Blochs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes, Govan Combination, Walton and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Barnet, Camden and Westminster. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Govan Combination Lanark
4 Walton Suffolk
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Barnet 034 Barnet
2 Barnet 037 Barnet
3 Camden 002 Camden
4 Westminster 002 Westminster
5 Westminster 005 Westminster

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bloch

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bloch

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Bloch surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Bloch 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Bloch is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Bloch 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

Bloch 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 Bloch 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
Other Ethnic Group

This describes the area pattern most associated with Bloch, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Bloch

The surname Bloch is of German origin, deriving from the Middle High German word "bloch," meaning a wooden block or log. It is believed to have originated as an occupational surname for a woodcutter or logger.

The name Bloch first appeared in the 13th century in the regions of Bavaria and Swabia in southern Germany. It was recorded in various medieval documents and records, such as the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, which dates back to the 12th century.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Hans Bloch, a woodcutter from the town of Nürnberg, who was mentioned in a document from 1412. Another notable early figure was Jörg Bloch, a master carpenter from Augsburg, who constructed several churches and buildings in the city during the late 15th century.

The name Bloch also has ties to various place names in Germany, such as Blochingen, a village in Baden-Württemberg, and Blochau, a town in Saxony-Anhalt. These place names likely derived from the same root word as the surname, suggesting a connection to the occupation of woodcutting or logging in those areas.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Bloch. One of the most famous was the German composer and music theorist Ernst Bloch (1885-1977), known for his philosophical works and compositions inspired by socialist and utopian ideals.

Another notable figure was the French painter and printmaker Albert Bloch (1882-1961), who was part of the early 20th century Modernist movement and is known for his colorful and abstract works.

In the field of science, the Swiss-American biochemist Konrad Bloch (1912-2000) made significant contributions to the study of cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1964.

The name Bloch has also been associated with the world of literature, with writers such as the German-American author and philosopher Jean-Richard Bloch (1884-1947), known for his works exploring existentialism and spirituality.

Lastly, the American businessman and philanthropist Felix Bloch (1905-1983) co-founded the investment firm Oppenheimer & Co. and was a prominent supporter of Jewish causes and organizations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bloch families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bloch 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. Warwickshire leads with 4 Blochs recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.34x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 4 20.34x
Norfolk 2 16.68x
Northumberland 1 8.61x
Sussex 1 7.60x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 2 Blochs recorded in 1881 and an index of 36.90x.

Place Total Index
Aston 2 36.90x
Birmingham 2 30.49x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 2 555.56x
Hastings St Mary In The 1 357.14x
North Shields 1 434.78x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Hannah 1
Henretta 1
Mrs. 1
Regina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 1
Nathan 1
Victor 1

Top occupations

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 Bloch households.

FAQ

Bloch surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bloch surname in 1881?

In 1881, 8 people were recorded with the Bloch surname. That placed it at #32,581 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bloch surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 333 in 2016. That gives Bloch a modern rank of #13,670.

What does the Bloch surname mean?

A Jewish occupational surname referring to someone who worked as a block maker or wood carver.

What does the Bloch map show?

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