UK surname
An occupational surname referring to a tree trimmer or woodcutter.
In the 1881 census there were 33 people recorded with the Bomer surname, ranking it #28,965 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 17, ranked #36,904, down from #28,965 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Fewston, Bedworth and Nottingham St Nicholas and St Peter. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bomer is 132 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 48.5%.
1881 census count
33
Ranked #28,965
Modern count
17
2016, ranked #36,904
Peak year
1861
132 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bomer surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bomer surname density by area, 1861 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 | 24 | #29,038 |
| 1861 | historical | 132 | #16,957 |
| 1881 | historical | 33 | #28,965 |
| 1891 | historical | 82 | #26,494 |
| 1901 | historical | 22 | #31,562 |
| 1911 | historical | 57 | #27,099 |
| 1997 | modern | 14 | #36,528 |
| 1998 | modern | 14 | #36,565 |
| 1999 | modern | 12 | #36,806 |
| 2000 | modern | 11 | #36,879 |
| 2001 | modern | 10 | #36,852 |
| 2002 | modern | 11 | #36,780 |
| 2003 | modern | 9 | #37,101 |
| 2004 | modern | 11 | #36,969 |
| 2005 | modern | 9 | #37,302 |
| 2006 | modern | 9 | #37,345 |
| 2007 | modern | 10 | #37,335 |
| 2008 | modern | 12 | #37,143 |
| 2009 | modern | 12 | #37,230 |
| 2010 | modern | 14 | #37,124 |
| 2011 | modern | 15 | #37,030 |
| 2012 | modern | 16 | #36,897 |
| 2013 | modern | 12 | #37,342 |
| 2014 | modern | 15 | #37,070 |
| 2015 | modern | 15 | #37,070 |
| 2016 | modern | 17 | #36,904 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Fewston, Bedworth, Nottingham St Nicholas and St Peter, Woking and Gainsborough, Paddocks. 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 | Fewston | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 2 | Bedworth | Warwickshire |
| 3 | Nottingham St Nicholas and St Peter | Nottinghamshire |
| 4 | Woking | Surrey |
| 5 | Gainsborough, Paddocks | Lincolnshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bomer 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 Bomer, 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 Bomer surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bomer 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, Bomer 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 Bomer is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bomer, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Bomer has its origins in Germany, tracing back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the German word "Baum," which means tree, suggesting that the name may have originated as a descriptive name for someone who lived near a prominent tree or a forested area.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Bomer surname can be found in the town of Worms, located in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany. In the year 1573, a man named Hans Bomer was listed in the town's records as a landowner and farmer.
During the 17th century, the Bomer name began to spread across various regions of Germany, including the states of Bavaria and Saxony. Historical records from this period indicate that several individuals with the Bomer surname held positions of influence, such as merchants, artisans, and local officials.
In the late 18th century, a notable figure named Johann Bomer (1743-1821) gained recognition as a prominent philosopher and writer. He authored several works on ethics and moral philosophy, which were widely read and discussed during his lifetime.
As the Bomer name continued to spread across Europe, it eventually made its way to other countries through migration and immigration. One such example is Friedrich Bomer (1810-1887), a German-born engineer who immigrated to the United States in the mid-19th century and played a significant role in the construction of early railroads and infrastructure projects.
Another notable individual with the Bomer surname was Sir William Bomer (1867-1942), a British politician and member of the House of Commons. He represented the constituency of Southampton and served as a Member of Parliament from 1906 to 1918.
In the 20th century, the Bomer name gained further recognition with the birth of actor Bradley Bomer (1978-present). Born in Missouri, USA, Bomer has achieved critical acclaim for his performances in various films and television series, including "The Normal Heart" and "The Kids Are All Right."
While the Bomer surname may have originated as a descriptive name related to trees or forests, it has since evolved into a distinct family name with a rich history spanning multiple continents and centuries. The name has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including philosophers, engineers, politicians, and acclaimed actors.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bomer 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. Yorkshire leads with 18 Bomers recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.65x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 18 | 5.65x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 1.55x |
| Sussex | 3 | 5.53x |
| Morayshire | 2 | 40.00x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 3.61x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 1.99x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1.52x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 2.31x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.64x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Thruscross in Yorkshire leads with 7 Bomers recorded in 1881 and an index of 23333.33x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Thruscross | 7 | 23333.33x |
| Leeds | 6 | 33.33x |
| Nether Hallam | 4 | 92.81x |
| Horsham | 3 | 285.71x |
| Willesden | 3 | 99.01x |
| Drainie | 1 | 227.27x |
| Fulham London | 1 | 21.46x |
| Hawkswick | 1 | 10000.00x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 5.59x |
| Melmerby | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Newark Upon Trent | 1 | 64.10x |
| Pentrich | 1 | 357.14x |
| Rotherhithe | 1 | 25.19x |
| Rothes | 1 | 416.67x |
| Whippingham | 1 | 200.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bomer 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 Bomer 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 Bomer households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 7 |
| General Servant | 2 |
| Sissor Maker Cutler | 2 |
| Apprentice (Undef) | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Farmer Of 320 Acres | 1 |
| Farmers Son | 1 |
| General Servant Domestic | 1 |
| House Maid Dom Serv | 1 |
| Inspector Met Police | 1 |
| Stained Glass Artist | 1 |
| Student Of Medicine | 1 |
| Working Malster | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 33 people were recorded with the Bomer surname. That placed it at #28,965 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 17 in 2016. That gives Bomer a modern rank of #36,904.
An occupational surname referring to a tree trimmer or woodcutter.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bomer 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.