NameCensus.

UK surname

Board

An occupational surname referring to a carpenter or someone who works with wood.

In the 1881 census there were 1,095 people recorded with the Board surname, ranking it #3,632 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,539, ranked #4,020, down from #3,632 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Somerset, East Devon and North Somerset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Board is 1,711 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 40.5%.

1881 census count

1,095

Ranked #3,632

Modern count

1,539

2016, ranked #4,020

Peak year

1911

1,711 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Board had 1,095 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,632 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,539 in 2016, ranked #4,020.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,711 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Board surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Board surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Board 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 812 #3,308
1861 historical 1,061 #2,647
1881 historical 1,095 #3,632
1891 historical 1,503 #2,930
1901 historical 1,446 #3,521
1911 historical 1,711 #2,862
1997 modern 1,620 #3,657
1998 modern 1,635 #3,756
1999 modern 1,639 #3,787
2000 modern 1,617 #3,811
2001 modern 1,576 #3,830
2002 modern 1,625 #3,793
2003 modern 1,589 #3,789
2004 modern 1,567 #3,853
2005 modern 1,524 #3,895
2006 modern 1,535 #3,879
2007 modern 1,547 #3,881
2008 modern 1,551 #3,900
2009 modern 1,583 #3,915
2010 modern 1,619 #3,915
2011 modern 1,585 #3,940
2012 modern 1,570 #3,918
2013 modern 1,603 #3,910
2014 modern 1,595 #3,949
2015 modern 1,566 #3,973
2016 modern 1,539 #4,020

Geography

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Where Boards are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, St Pancras, Burnham and Charlton Adam, Charlton Mackrell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Somerset, East Devon and North Somerset. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Burnham Somerset
5 Charlton Adam, Charlton Mackrell Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Somerset 024 South Somerset
2 East Devon 007 East Devon
3 North Somerset 020 North Somerset
4 East Devon 005 East Devon
5 South Somerset 022 South Somerset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Board

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Board

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

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Board is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

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

Board is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Board

The surname BOARD has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be an occupational name derived from the Old English word "bord," meaning a plank or board, indicating that the original bearers were likely carpenters or woodworkers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, where a Robert le Bord is mentioned. The prefix "le" before the surname indicates it was originally a descriptive name, referring to the individual's occupation or some other distinguishing characteristic.

The BOARD surname is also found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, where it appears as "Bord." This variation in spelling was common during the Middle Ages, as surnames were not standardized until much later.

Historical records show that the name was prevalent in various regions of England, including Oxfordshire, Worcestershire, and Somerset. In the late 14th century, a John Board is mentioned in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Somerset, indicating the presence of the surname in that region.

One notable individual bearing the BOARD surname was Sir Christopher Board (1516-1590), a British politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Somerset during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Another historically significant figure was Thomas Board (1598-1673), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Rector of Compton Pauncefoot in Somerset and authored several religious works.

In the 17th century, the BOARD surname is found in various parish records, such as the baptism of John Board in 1628 in St. Giles, Cripplegate, London, and the marriage of William Board and Elizabeth Harwood in 1669 in Warrington, Lancashire.

The Visitation of Somerset in 1623 also mentions a family named Board, indicating their presence and status in the county at the time.

During the 18th century, the BOARD surname continued to be prominent in various regions of England, with individuals like William Board (1734-1805), a clockmaker from Worcestershire, and John Board (1755-1832), a notable architect from London who designed several churches and public buildings.

As the centuries progressed, the BOARD surname spread to other parts of the world, including North America and Australia, carried by individuals who emigrated from England in search of new opportunities.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Board families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Board 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. Somerset leads with 312 Boards recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.87x.

County Total Index
Somerset 312 17.87x
Devon 148 6.55x
Middlesex 123 1.13x
Surrey 113 2.14x
Glamorgan 79 4.18x
Gloucestershire 64 3.01x
Dorset 60 8.43x
Kent 50 1.35x
Hampshire 45 2.02x
Monmouthshire 15 1.91x
Staffordshire 12 0.33x
Yorkshire 11 0.10x
Channel Islands 9 2.80x
Sussex 9 0.49x
Wiltshire 9 0.94x
Worcestershire 8 0.56x
Royal Navy 7 5.42x
Aberdeenshire 6 0.60x
Lanarkshire 5 0.14x
Berkshire 4 0.49x
Cheshire 4 0.17x
Lancashire 4 0.03x
Leicestershire 4 0.33x
Lincolnshire 2 0.12x
Northamptonshire 2 0.20x
Warwickshire 2 0.07x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.15x
Cornwall 1 0.08x
Cumberland 1 0.11x
Essex 1 0.05x
Suffolk 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Camberwell in Surrey leads with 49 Boards recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.07x.

Place Total Index
Camberwell 49 7.07x
Bridgewater 22 46.41x
Otterford 22 1466.67x
Islington London 20 1.90x
Melcombe Regis 20 67.80x
St Pancras London 20 2.29x
Battersea 17 4.26x
Burnham 17 127.72x
Charlton Adam 16 1038.96x
Huntspill 16 223.78x
Llandaff 16 25.46x
Roath 16 18.65x
Clifton 14 13.02x
Broad Clist 13 166.88x
Lambeth 13 1.37x
Shute 13 604.65x
Broomfield 12 769.23x
Portsea 12 2.75x
Shoreditch London 12 2.55x
Westbury On Trym 12 16.65x
Weymouth 12 88.95x
Cardiff St Mary 11 10.57x
Chard 11 52.01x
Nash 11 18333.33x
Ottery St Mary 11 74.27x
Taunton St Mary 11 34.32x
Buckland St Mary 10 442.48x
Charlton Mackrell 10 925.93x
Hammersmith London 10 3.74x
Mile End Old Town London 10 4.33x
Bedminster 9 5.49x
Blagdon 9 244.57x
St Peter Port 9 15.14x
Streatham 9 11.18x
Yarcombe 9 347.49x
Carisbrooke 8 25.92x
East Pennard 8 353.98x
Farway 8 747.66x
Kenn 8 747.66x
Lympsham 8 473.37x
Poplar London 8 3.91x
Stoke Damerel 8 5.06x
Wembdon 8 155.04x
Brixham 7 26.76x
Brockenhurst 7 182.29x
Bromley London 7 2.93x
Charmouth 7 301.72x
Churchstanton 7 252.71x
Hougham 7 31.80x
Maidstone 7 6.35x
Rotherhithe 7 5.22x
Royal Navy 7 6.34x
Seaton 7 80.46x
Teddington London 7 28.48x
Upottery 7 258.30x
Weston Super Mare 7 15.88x
Abbas Temple Coombe 6 666.67x
Batcombe 6 260.87x
Bermondsey 6 1.86x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 6 3.00x
Cheltenham 6 3.66x
Codford St Mary 6 468.75x
Dundry 6 285.71x
East Harptree 6 244.90x
Exeter St Thomas The 6 26.06x
Hastings St Mary 6 13.18x
Horfield 6 28.02x
Loughor 6 59.82x
Norton Fitzwarren 6 243.90x
Peterhead 6 11.30x
Pitminster 6 116.96x
Portland 6 15.67x
Ventnor 6 28.37x
West Bromwich 6 2.86x
Westerham 6 70.26x
Wolverhampton 6 2.13x
Bristol St James In 5 15.98x
Holy Trinity 5 1.93x
Kensington London 5 0.83x
Lewisham 5 2.53x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 80
Elizabeth 43
Sarah 40
Emily 23
Ellen 19
Eliza 17
Ann 16
Martha 16
Alice 14
Emma 12
Charlotte 11
Louisa 11
Annie 10
Fanny 10
Jane 10
Kate 9
Edith 8
Florence 8
Lucy 8
Harriet 7
Maria 7
Matilda 7
Susan 7
Ethel 6
Hannah 6
Laura 6
Rosa 6
Bessie 5
Caroline 5
Rosina 5
Beatrice 4
Clara 4
Eleanor 4
Elizth. 4
Flora 4
Frances 4
Gertrude 4
Julia 4
Mabel 4
Ada 3
Catherine 3
Grace 3
Esther 2
Eva 2
Jemima 2
Jessie 2
Joan 2
Lilian 2
Nellie 2
Una 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 61
John 48
Henry 41
James 28
George 26
Charles 20
Robert 20
Joseph 17
Thomas 15
Alfred 14
Arthur 12
Walter 12
Ernest 11
Richard 9
Samuel 9
Frederick 8
Edward 7
Francis 7
Daniel 6
Herbert 6
Albert 5
Fredrick 5
Harry 5
Sidney 5
Wm. 5
Edmund 4
Edwin 4
Geo. 4
Baruch 3
Fred 3
Fredk. 3
Robt. 3
Tom 3
Abraham 2
Andrew 2
Edgar 2
Eli 2
Emanuel 2
Frank 2
Gregory 2
Joel 2
Levi 2
Oliver 2
Peter 2
Reginald 2
Saml. 2
Stephen 2
Thos. 2
Brooke 1
Wm.H. 1

FAQ

Board surname: questions and answers

How common was the Board surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,095 people were recorded with the Board surname. That placed it at #3,632 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Board surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,539 in 2016. That gives Board a modern rank of #4,020.

What does the Board surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a carpenter or someone who works with wood.

What does the Board map show?

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