NameCensus.

UK surname

Bolger

An Irish occupational surname derived from the Old English word "bolgere," meaning "bulge" or "belly," likely referring to a rotund person.

In the 1881 census there were 271 people recorded with the Bolger surname, ranking it #10,449 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,708, ranked #3,652, up from #10,449 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Manchester and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Dunterlie, East Arthurlie and Dovecothall, Auchenback and Liverpool.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bolger is 1,708 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 530.3%.

1881 census count

271

Ranked #10,449

Modern count

1,708

2016, ranked #3,652

Peak year

2010

1,708 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bolger had 271 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,449 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,708 in 2016, ranked #3,652.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 444 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Bolger surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bolger surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bolger 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 74 #20,443
1861 historical 105 #20,298
1881 historical 271 #10,449
1891 historical 335 #10,181
1901 historical 362 #10,173
1911 historical 444 #8,598
1997 modern 1,578 #3,738
1998 modern 1,619 #3,800
1999 modern 1,668 #3,721
2000 modern 1,640 #3,760
2001 modern 1,606 #3,765
2002 modern 1,638 #3,757
2003 modern 1,581 #3,807
2004 modern 1,567 #3,853
2005 modern 1,578 #3,774
2006 modern 1,564 #3,803
2007 modern 1,554 #3,862
2008 modern 1,567 #3,864
2009 modern 1,634 #3,815
2010 modern 1,708 #3,742
2011 modern 1,657 #3,804
2012 modern 1,659 #3,723
2013 modern 1,689 #3,727
2014 modern 1,703 #3,716
2015 modern 1,706 #3,668
2016 modern 1,708 #3,652

Geography

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Where Bolgers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Manchester, Liverpool and West Derby. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Dunterlie, East Arthurlie and Dovecothall, Auchenback, Liverpool, Portsmouth and Stroud. 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 3
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Liverpool Lancashire
4 West Derby Lancashire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Dunterlie, East Arthurlie and Dovecothall East Renfrewshire
2 Auchenback East Renfrewshire
3 Liverpool 014 Liverpool
4 Portsmouth 008 Portsmouth
5 Stroud 006 Stroud

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bolger

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bolger

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Bolger surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Bolger household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Bolger is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Bolger 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

Bolger falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bolger is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Bolger

The surname Bolger is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English words "bol" meaning a rounded hill or knoll, and "ger" meaning a spear. It is believed to have originated in the early medieval period in various parts of England, particularly in Derbyshire, where it was first recorded as a locational surname.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bolger can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was listed as "Bolgera" in the county of Derbyshire. This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides a valuable record of landowners and their holdings in England at that time.

During the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Bolger," "Bolgere," and "Bolgehire," reflecting the regional variations in spelling and pronunciation. One notable early bearer of the name was Walter Bolger, a landowner in Derbyshire, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of 1207.

The Bolger surname was also associated with several place names in England, such as Bolger's Hill in Derbyshire and Bolger's Green in Staffordshire. These place names likely derive from individuals named Bolger who owned or resided in those areas.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Bolger. One of the earliest was Sir John Bolger (c. 1340-1410), a prominent English soldier and landowner who fought in the Hundred Years' War and was knighted for his service to King Richard II.

Another notable Bolger was Richard Bolger (1585-1651), an English merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers in London. He was involved in the early colonization efforts in America and was one of the original investors in the Massachusetts Bay Company.

In the 19th century, the Bolger surname gained prominence with the Irish-born politician and journalist, John Bolger (1824-1899), who served as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in Australia and was a prominent advocate for Irish nationalism.

The name Bolger also has literary connections, with the character Frodo Baggins' cousin Fredegar "Fatty" Bolger appearing in J.R.R. Tolkien's famous novels "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Fellowship of the Ring."

Another notable bearer of the Bolger surname was John Bolger (1917-2010), an American businessman and philanthropist who co-founded the Bolger Vision Beyond Print Company, a leading producer of Braille books and materials for the visually impaired.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bolger families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bolger 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. Lancashire leads with 158 Bolgers recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.04x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 158 5.04x
Yorkshire 28 1.07x
Middlesex 16 0.61x
Kent 11 1.22x
Surrey 10 0.78x
Essex 7 1.34x
Hampshire 6 1.11x
Cheshire 4 0.69x
Staffordshire 4 0.45x
Bedfordshire 3 2.19x
Durham 3 0.38x
Northumberland 3 0.76x
Renfrewshire 3 1.46x
Argyllshire 2 2.72x
Devon 2 0.36x
Midlothian 2 0.56x
Worcestershire 2 0.58x
Angus 1 0.41x
Herefordshire 1 0.92x
Hertfordshire 1 0.55x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.28x
Sussex 1 0.22x
Westmorland 1 1.72x
Wigtownshire 1 2.85x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 51 Bolgers recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.77x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 51 26.77x
Manchester 25 17.72x
Everton 20 20.00x
Cheetham 11 47.01x
Bowling 9 34.68x
Camberwell 9 5.33x
Islington London 9 3.51x
Toxteth Park 9 8.47x
West Derby 8 8.72x
Whitwood 8 215.05x
Salford 6 6.50x
Sutton 6 57.03x
West Ham 6 5.21x
Lee 5 38.17x
Northowram 5 27.22x
Birkenhead 4 8.60x
Burton Upon Trent 4 19.16x
Oldham 4 3.95x
Portsea 4 3.77x
Little Bolton 3 7.44x
North Shields 3 38.22x
Port Glasgow 3 30.30x
Quernmore 3 566.04x
Shefford 3 309.28x
Bishopwearmouth 2 2.96x
Campbeltown 2 22.52x
Charlton Next Woolwich 2 21.25x
Chelsea London 2 2.51x
Hornsey 2 5.98x
Kensington London 2 1.36x
Lewisham 2 4.16x
Liberton 2 36.56x
Shipley 2 14.72x
Stretford 2 11.59x
Aintree 1 400.00x
Alverstoke 1 5.10x
Ambleside 1 55.56x
Arnold 1 19.23x
Ashton Under Lyne 1 1.46x
Bradford 1 1.58x
Brightside Bierlow 1 1.95x
Buxted 1 57.47x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 2.01x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.44x
Exeter Holy Trinity 1 46.30x
Great Bolton 1 2.41x
Holdenhurst 1 7.04x
Kirkmaiden 1 45.05x
Lambeth 1 0.43x
Liff Benvie 1 2.69x
Lower Bullingham 1 232.56x
Northfield 1 15.27x
Pendlebury 1 15.11x
Pendleton In Salford 1 2.68x
Plymouth Charles The 1 4.13x
Prestwich 1 12.77x
Southcoates 1 6.88x
St Pancras London 1 0.47x
Standon 1 53.48x
Stourbridge 1 11.26x
Stranton 1 3.78x
Walthamstow 1 5.32x
Whiston 1 79.37x
Whittingham 1 72.46x
Widnes 1 4.42x
Wigan 1 2.28x
Woolwich 1 3.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 32
Elizabeth 10
Ellen 9
Catherine 8
Ann 6
Alice 5
Margaret 5
Annie 4
Bridget 4
Emily 4
Sarah 4
Catharine 3
Eliza 3
Fanny 3
Kate 3
Anna 2
Frances 2
Jane 2
Lucy 2
Margt. 2
Maria 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Alley 1
Anastatia 1
Brigella 1
Cathrine 1
Cecilia 1
Elliza 1
Emelina 1
Fany 1
Hannah 1
Jeannie 1
Jessie 1
Josephine 1
Juliana 1
Lauretta 1
Louisa 1
Marian 1
Maude 1
Mercy 1
Rose 1
Susan 1
Theresa 1
Thirza 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 22
James 21
Thomas 9
Joseph 6
Michael 6
Patrick 6
William 6
Edward 4
George 2
Horace 2
Lawrence 2
Richd. 2
Alfred 1
Arthur 1
Brian 1
Charles 1
Christopher 1
Daniel 1
Edmund 1
Edwd. 1
Edwd.J. 1
Francis 1
Henry 1
Herbert 1
Honnoria 1
Hugh 1
Jno. 1
Katherine 1
Leanord 1
Martin 1
Matthew 1
Michal 1
Michell 1
Owen 1
Philip 1
Richard 1
Stephen 1
Sydey 1
Thos. 1
Vincent 1
Walter 1
Wright 1

FAQ

Bolger surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bolger surname in 1881?

In 1881, 271 people were recorded with the Bolger surname. That placed it at #10,449 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bolger surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,708 in 2016. That gives Bolger a modern rank of #3,652.

What does the Bolger surname mean?

An Irish occupational surname derived from the Old English word "bolgere," meaning "bulge" or "belly," likely referring to a rotund person.

What does the Bolger map show?

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