NameCensus.

UK surname

Bobbin

A surname derived from the Old French word for a small spool used in weaving.

In the 1881 census there were 25 people recorded with the Bobbin surname, ranking it #30,077 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 130, ranked #26,152, up from #30,077 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Norfolk and Norwich.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bobbin is 131 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 420.0%.

1881 census count

25

Ranked #30,077

Modern count

130

2016, ranked #26,152

Peak year

2014

131 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • • Bobbin had 25 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,077 surname in that year.
  • • The latest modern count shown here is 130 in 2016, ranked #26,152.
  • • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 61 in 1861.
  • • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Map

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Bobbin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bobbin surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bobbin 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 31 #27,734
1861 historical 61 #26,170
1881 historical 25 #30,077
1891 historical 31 #31,820
1901 historical 57 #27,846
1911 historical 56 #27,216
1997 modern 106 #26,057
1998 modern 100 #27,619
1999 modern 108 #26,602
2000 modern 106 #26,848
2001 modern 106 #26,468
2002 modern 118 #25,358
2003 modern 106 #26,775
2004 modern 116 #25,580
2005 modern 103 #27,531
2006 modern 102 #27,926
2007 modern 101 #28,505
2008 modern 99 #29,181
2009 modern 109 #28,145
2010 modern 113 #28,162
2011 modern 109 #28,653
2012 modern 117 #27,394
2013 modern 130 #26,074
2014 modern 131 #26,089
2015 modern 131 #25,979
2016 modern 130 #26,152

Geography

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Where Bobbins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Norfolk and Norwich. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Norfolk 009 South Norfolk
2 South Norfolk 002 South Norfolk
3 South Norfolk 005 South Norfolk
4 Norwich 005 Norwich
5 South Norfolk 007 South Norfolk

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bobbin

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Recent female names

Katie Lisa Susanne Shirley Emma Rachael Jennifer Clare Kerry Laura

Recent male names

Michael Nigel Andrew Stephen Paul Thomas Roy Steven Martin Neil

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bobbin

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

Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles

Group

Established Homeowners with Children

Within London, Bobbin is most associated with areas classed as Established Homeowners with Children, part of Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles. 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 predominantly British-born residents are typically married/in civil partnerships and own the properties in which they are raising their children. Parents are typically over 45, and many other residents are beyond normal retirement age. Detached and semi-detached houses predominate and multiple car ownership is common.

Wider London pattern

These neighbourhoods house people of all ages, predominantly of White British or European extraction. Resident turnover is low. Religious affiliation is less common than average and tends to be Christian if expressed. Homeownership, typically of terraced houses, is common but use of the social rented sector is not. Employment is typically in professional, managerial and associate professional or technical occupations. There are few full-time students. Level 4 qualifications are common. More households lack dependent children than have them which, considered alongside low levels of crowding and over-all age structure, indicates that many households may be post child-rearing and in late middle age. Incidence of disability is low, as is residence in communal establishments.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bobbin 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

Bobbin falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bobbin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 20-25 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

4
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Origin

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Meaning and origin of Bobbin

The surname Bobbin is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English word "bobyn," which referred to a small wooden spool used in weaving or spinning thread. This suggests that the name may have been an occupational surname for someone who worked in the textile industry, such as a weaver or spinner.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Bobbin can be traced back to the 13th century. One notable example is John Bobbin, who was mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275. Another early record is that of William Bobyn, whose name appeared in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1279.

During the medieval period, the name was also found in various spellings, such as Bobyn, Bobbyn, and Bobbyne, reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and orthography. Some of these variations were closely linked to place names, such as Bobbing in Kent and Bobbing Court in Surrey.

In the 16th century, the name Bobbin gained prominence with the rise of the textile industry in England. One notable figure from this era was Thomas Bobbin (1553-1628), a renowned weaver from Lancashire who was renowned for his exceptional craftsmanship.

Another prominent individual bearing the surname Bobbin was John Bobbin (1680-1762), a successful merchant and landowner from Yorkshire. He was responsible for the construction of Bobbin Hall, a grand country estate that still stands today.

In the 18th century, the name Bobbin was associated with the literary world through the works of Mary Bobbin (1716-1789), a renowned poet and essayist from London. Her poetry collections, such as "Verses on Nature" and "Reflections on Life," were widely celebrated during her lifetime.

One of the most influential figures with the surname Bobbin was Sir William Bobbin (1792-1865), a prominent politician and reformer from Nottinghamshire. He played a crucial role in the campaign for the abolition of slavery and was a vocal advocate for workers' rights and educational reform.

Lastly, it is worth mentioning James Bobbin (1820-1899), a renowned architect from Manchester who was responsible for designing several iconic buildings in the city, including the Manchester Town Hall and the Salford Museum and Art Gallery.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bobbin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bobbin 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. Norfolk leads with 15 Bobbins recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.04x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 15 40.04x
Banffshire 5 99.01x
Berkshire 1 5.47x
Durham 1 1.38x
Lincolnshire 1 2.57x
Middlesex 1 0.41x
Surrey 1 0.84x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barmer in Norfolk leads with 7 Bobbins recorded in 1881 and an index of 0.00x.

Place Total Index
Barmer 7 0.00x
Rathven 5 526.32x
Burnham Westgate 3 3750.00x
Ringstead 3 7500.00x
Sedgeford 2 3333.33x
Bishopwearmouth 1 16.08x
Blewbury 1 1666.67x
Clapham 1 32.79x
St Clement Danes London 1 200.00x
Sutton St Mary 1 270.27x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Alice 1
Anne 1
Charlotte 1
Clare 1
Elizabeth 1
Maria 1
Martha 1
Mary 1
Muriel 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Henry 2
James 2
Edw. 1
Frederick 1
Jeffrey 1
John 1
Robert 1
William 1
Willie 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 Bobbin households.

Occupation Count
Scholar 3
Ag Lab 1
Army Pensioner 1
Bill Poster 1
Bricklayer 1
Cook (Dom) 1
Groom (8) 1
Labourer Ag 1
Railway Labourer 1
Telegraphist 1
Traction Engine Driver 1
Waiting Maid Serv 1

FAQ

Bobbin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bobbin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 25 people were recorded with the Bobbin surname. That placed it at #30,077 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bobbin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 130 in 2016. That gives Bobbin a modern rank of #26,152.

What does the Bobbin surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old French word for a small spool used in weaving.

What does the Bobbin map show?

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