UK surname
An occupational surname for a bookseller or bookbinder.
In the 1881 census there were 49 people recorded with the Books surname, ranking it #26,735 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 21, ranked #36,596, down from #26,735 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Hesketh with Becconsall, Manchester and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Books is 286 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 57.1%.
1881 census count
49
Ranked #26,735
Modern count
21
2016, ranked #36,596
Peak year
1861
286 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Books surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Books surname density by area, 1891 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 | 55 | #23,413 |
| 1861 | historical | 286 | #8,793 |
| 1881 | historical | 49 | #26,735 |
| 1891 | historical | 200 | #14,913 |
| 1901 | historical | 55 | #28,064 |
| 1911 | historical | 51 | #27,708 |
| 1997 | modern | 17 | #36,181 |
| 1998 | modern | 22 | #35,687 |
| 1999 | modern | 20 | #35,923 |
| 2000 | modern | 12 | #36,749 |
| 2001 | modern | 6 | #37,456 |
| 2002 | modern | 6 | #37,532 |
| 2003 | modern | 4 | #37,951 |
| 2004 | modern | 5 | #37,830 |
| 2005 | modern | 5 | #37,885 |
| 2006 | modern | 3 | #38,334 |
| 2007 | modern | 5 | #38,004 |
| 2008 | modern | 6 | #37,883 |
| 2009 | modern | 6 | #37,953 |
| 2010 | modern | 8 | #37,769 |
| 2011 | modern | 9 | #37,598 |
| 2012 | modern | 15 | #36,982 |
| 2013 | modern | 14 | #37,127 |
| 2014 | modern | 18 | #36,811 |
| 2015 | modern | 20 | #36,653 |
| 2016 | modern | 21 | #36,596 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Hesketh with Becconsall, Manchester, Lambeth, Sundridge and St Matthew Bethnal Green. 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 | Hesketh with Becconsall | Lancashire |
| 2 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 3 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Sundridge | Kent |
| 5 | St Matthew Bethnal Green | London (East Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Books 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 Books, 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 Books surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Books 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, Books 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 Books is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Books, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Books originates from England, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "boc," meaning a book or written document. This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals involved in the production or trade of books, such as scribes, bookbinders, or booksellers.
One of the earliest known references to the surname Books can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1198, where a person named Adam Books is mentioned. Additionally, the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273 record a William Books residing in the area.
During the medieval period, the surname Books appeared in various forms, including Boc, Boke, and Bok, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation common at the time. Some historical records also indicate the use of the name as a locative surname, referring to individuals living near a location associated with books or book production.
Notably, the surname Books is associated with a few prominent figures throughout history. One such individual was John Books, an English clergyman born in 1554 who served as the Bishop of Peterborough from 1619 until his death in 1625. Another notable bearer of the surname was Walter Books, a 16th-century English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Devizes in 1572.
In the 17th century, the Books surname gained further recognition with the birth of Thomas Books (1622-1677), an English mathematician and philosopher. He is best known for his contributions to the development of calculus and his work on the theory of probability.
Moving into the 18th century, a notable figure was Samuel Books (1738-1805), an English architect and surveyor who designed several buildings in London, including the Horse Guards in Whitehall.
The 19th century saw the emergence of John Books (1801-1868), a British author and poet known for his romantic works and contributions to the literary world during the Victorian era.
These examples demonstrate the longstanding presence of the surname Books in various fields, including religion, politics, academia, architecture, and literature, throughout the centuries in England and beyond.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Books 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. Middlesex leads with 15 Books' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.14x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 15 | 3.14x |
| Sussex | 12 | 14.89x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 0.88x |
| Staffordshire | 5 | 3.10x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 1.06x |
| Surrey | 2 | 0.86x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.95x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.61x |
| Kincardineshire | 1 | 17.18x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.83x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 1.60x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Rye in Sussex leads with 11 Books' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1428.57x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Rye | 11 | 1428.57x |
| Hammersmith London | 6 | 50.98x |
| Great Wyrley | 5 | 2777.78x |
| Ardwick | 4 | 78.13x |
| Ovenden | 3 | 142.18x |
| Spitalfields London | 3 | 83.57x |
| St Giles In Fields London | 3 | 128.21x |
| Arbuthnott | 1 | 769.23x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 2.49x |
| Bradford | 1 | 8.72x |
| Denton | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Handsworth | 1 | 80.00x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 3.76x |
| Lye | 1 | 96.15x |
| Milton In Milton | 1 | 144.93x |
| Newington | 1 | 5.66x |
| Pilkington | 1 | 46.51x |
| Richmond | 1 | 30.67x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 3.92x |
| Willesden | 1 | 22.17x |
| Wincham | 1 | 526.32x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Books 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 Books 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 Books households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 11 |
| Coal Miner | 2 |
| Dressmaker | 2 |
| Labourer | 2 |
| Porter | 2 |
| Brickfld Labr | 1 |
| Clergyman Ch Of Eng With Our Care Of Souls | 1 |
| Commision Agent | 1 |
| Dyer | 1 |
| Engineers Wife | 1 |
| Fitting Engineer At Works | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Machinist Sewing | 1 |
| Manager Plumbing & Glazing Business | 1 |
| Messenger | 1 |
| No Occupation | 1 |
| Serv. | 1 |
| Stationer | 1 |
| Stereotyper | 1 |
| Tailoress | 1 |
| Waitress (Dom) | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 49 people were recorded with the Books surname. That placed it at #26,735 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 21 in 2016. That gives Books a modern rank of #36,596.
An occupational surname for a bookseller or bookbinder.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Books 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.