NameCensus.

UK surname

Bober

A surname of Polish, Ukrainian, or Jewish origin, derived from the word "bóbr," meaning "beaver."

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Bober surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 228, ranked #17,936, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Lancashire, IZ10 and Salford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bober is 232 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 22700.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

228

2016, ranked #17,936

Peak year

2014

232 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bober had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 228 in 2016, ranked #17,936.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 25 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Bober surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bober surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bober 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
1861 historical 17 #31,714
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 19 #32,642
1901 historical 21 #31,686
1911 historical 25 #30,654
1997 modern 95 #27,638
1998 modern 94 #28,435
1999 modern 101 #27,617
2000 modern 103 #27,280
2001 modern 95 #28,101
2002 modern 95 #28,666
2003 modern 87 #29,615
2004 modern 95 #28,746
2005 modern 112 #26,114
2006 modern 128 #24,267
2007 modern 153 #21,912
2008 modern 161 #21,431
2009 modern 169 #21,190
2010 modern 195 #19,762
2011 modern 194 #19,662
2012 modern 224 #17,786
2013 modern 230 #17,756
2014 modern 232 #17,761
2015 modern 230 #17,795
2016 modern 228 #17,936

Geography

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Where Bobers 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 West Lancashire, IZ10, Salford and Stockport. 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 West Lancashire 006 West Lancashire
2 IZ10 East Lothian
3 West Lancashire 004 West Lancashire
4 Salford 019 Salford
5 Stockport 019 Stockport

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bober

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bober

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

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Bober surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Bober 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 younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Bober is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bober 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

Bober 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 Bober 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Bober

The surname BOBER is of Polish origin, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to be derived from the Polish word "bober," which means beaver. This animal was once abundant in the forests and rivers of Poland, making it a logical basis for a surname.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the BOBER surname can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Poloniae, a collection of Polish historical documents dating back to the 11th century. In this text, there is a mention of a landowner named Bogusław BOBER in the region of Silesia during the year 1287.

The BOBER name also appears in the Metryka Koronna, a register of Polish nobility and landowners from the 15th to 18th centuries. One notable figure was Jan BOBER, a nobleman from the Krakow region who lived in the early 16th century and played a role in the local administration.

During the Renaissance period, the BOBER surname gained prominence in the arts and literature. Mikołaj BOBER (1512-1585) was a celebrated Polish writer, poet, and translator who helped popularize the use of the Polish language in literature and contributed to the development of the Polish literary canon.

In the 18th century, the BOBER name was associated with military accomplishments. Józef BOBER (1720-1792) was a Polish general who fought in the Bar Confederation, a series of uprisings against the Russian influence in Poland. He is remembered for his bravery and tactical skills on the battlefield.

Another noteworthy figure was Franciszek BOBER (1869-1949), a Polish engineer and inventor who made significant contributions to the development of early aviation technology. He designed and built one of the first successful gliders in Poland, paving the way for future advancements in aviation.

While the BOBER surname originated in Poland, it has since spread to other parts of the world through emigration and diaspora communities. However, the name's rich history and cultural significance remain deeply rooted in its Polish heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bober families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bober 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. Surrey leads with 1 Bobers recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.28x.

County Total Index
Surrey 1 21.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 1 Bobers recorded in 1881 and an index of 119.05x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 1 119.05x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Antoine 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 Bober households.

Occupation Count
Probationer Nurse 1

FAQ

Bober surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bober surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Bober surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bober surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 228 in 2016. That gives Bober a modern rank of #17,936.

What does the Bober surname mean?

A surname of Polish, Ukrainian, or Jewish origin, derived from the word "bóbr," meaning "beaver."

What does the Bober map show?

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