UK surname
A variant spelling of the surname Bollam or Bullam, derived from a place name.
In the 1881 census there were 62 people recorded with the Bollom surname, ranking it #24,843 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 79, ranked #33,100, down from #24,843 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Acton, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bollom is 106 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 27.4%.
1881 census count
62
Ranked #24,843
Modern count
79
2016, ranked #33,100
Peak year
1911
106 bearers
Map years
1
1911 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bollom surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bollom surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 15 | #30,614 |
| 1861 | historical | 41 | #28,839 |
| 1881 | historical | 62 | #24,843 |
| 1891 | historical | 97 | #24,447 |
| 1901 | historical | 99 | #22,999 |
| 1911 | historical | 106 | #21,948 |
| 1997 | modern | 90 | #28,360 |
| 1998 | modern | 91 | #28,806 |
| 1999 | modern | 81 | #30,037 |
| 2000 | modern | 84 | #29,706 |
| 2001 | modern | 82 | #29,714 |
| 2002 | modern | 83 | #30,070 |
| 2003 | modern | 87 | #29,615 |
| 2004 | modern | 83 | #30,352 |
| 2005 | modern | 81 | #30,740 |
| 2006 | modern | 81 | #31,044 |
| 2007 | modern | 84 | #31,067 |
| 2008 | modern | 79 | #31,957 |
| 2009 | modern | 86 | #31,612 |
| 2010 | modern | 86 | #32,081 |
| 2011 | modern | 82 | #32,449 |
| 2012 | modern | 83 | #32,611 |
| 2013 | modern | 85 | #32,658 |
| 2014 | modern | 84 | #32,823 |
| 2015 | modern | 82 | #32,911 |
| 2016 | modern | 79 | #33,100 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Acton, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, St Mary, Millbrook and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acton | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 2 | Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff | Gloucestershire |
| 3 | St Mary | Pembrokeshire |
| 4 | Millbrook | Hampshire |
| 5 | London parishes | London 3 |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bollom surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bollom, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Bollom surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bollom household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Bollom is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bollom is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bollom, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "BOLLOM" has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "bol" and "ham," which translates to "a dwelling near a rounded hill or knoll." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname may have lived in or near such a geographical feature.
Interestingly, the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the name "BOLLOM." However, it does mention several places that could have influenced the formation of this surname, such as "Bolam" in Northumberland and "Bolam" in Durham.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "BOLLOM" can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire from 1212, where a certain William Bollom is listed. This suggests that the name was already established in parts of England by the early 13th century.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname "BOLLOM." One such person was John Bollom (1516-1582), a prominent English landowner and Member of Parliament for Southwark during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another was Sir William Bollom (1674-1742), a successful merchant and philanthropist who played a significant role in the development of the city of Bristol.
In the literary world, the name "BOLLOM" is associated with the 19th-century English poet and playwright, William Bollom (1827-1898). His most famous work, "The Ballad of the Wandering Minstrel," was widely acclaimed for its vivid portrayal of rural life in Victorian England.
Another notable figure was the British explorer and naturalist, Emily Bollom (1856-1932), who made significant contributions to the study of flora and fauna in the Amazon rainforest. Her expedition journals and detailed sketches of rare species remain invaluable resources for modern-day researchers.
Lastly, Sir Arthur Bollom (1892-1976) was a highly respected British judge and legal scholar. He served as the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales from 1958 to 1966 and was widely praised for his integrity and commitment to upholding the principles of justice.
While the surname "BOLLOM" may not be among the most common in modern times, its rich history and diverse contributions across various fields have left an indelible mark on the cultural and historical landscape of England.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bollom surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Surrey leads with 12 Bolloms recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.07x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 12 | 4.07x |
| Somerset | 11 | 11.30x |
| Merionethshire | 8 | 72.27x |
| Hampshire | 7 | 5.65x |
| Cheshire | 5 | 3.75x |
| Durham | 3 | 1.67x |
| Gloucestershire | 3 | 2.53x |
| Dorset | 2 | 5.04x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.33x |
| Northumberland | 2 | 2.22x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.33x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 1.92x |
| Herefordshire | 1 | 4.03x |
| Huntingdonshire | 1 | 8.33x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.49x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.98x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 9 Bolloms recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.07x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lambeth | 9 | 17.07x |
| Taunton St James | 8 | 563.38x |
| Llanfor Llan | 7 | 23333.33x |
| Millbrook | 7 | 224.36x |
| Audlem | 4 | 1290.32x |
| Bedminster | 3 | 32.79x |
| Winlaton | 3 | 173.41x |
| Acton | 2 | 56.34x |
| Bristol St Philip Jacob | 2 | 17.91x |
| Kirkheaton | 2 | 206.19x |
| Penge | 2 | 51.81x |
| Wallsend | 2 | 70.18x |
| Bloxworth | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Brighton | 1 | 4.86x |
| Bristol St Augustine | 1 | 52.36x |
| Chester Castle | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Egremont | 1 | 80.65x |
| Leek Lowe | 1 | 36.76x |
| Llanycil | 1 | 169.49x |
| Poole St James | 1 | 67.11x |
| Ramsey | 1 | 104.17x |
| Richmond | 1 | 24.21x |
| Sarnesfield | 1 | 3333.33x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bollom surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Bollom surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Bollom households.
FAQ
In 1881, 62 people were recorded with the Bollom surname. That placed it at #24,843 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 79 in 2016. That gives Bollom a modern rank of #33,100.
A variant spelling of the surname Bollam or Bullam, derived from a place name.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bollom bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.