UK surname
An occupational surname derived from the Old English "bōguman," referring to an archer or bowman.
In the 1881 census there were 88 people recorded with the Boome surname, ranking it #21,211 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 76, ranked #33,304, down from #21,211 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Ridge, Fryern Barnet and Hornsey St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Boome is 132 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 13.6%.
1881 census count
88
Ranked #21,211
Modern count
76
2016, ranked #33,304
Peak year
1911
132 bearers
Map years
2
1901 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Boome surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Boome 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 | 17 | #30,267 |
| 1861 | historical | 31 | #30,058 |
| 1881 | historical | 88 | #21,211 |
| 1891 | historical | 68 | #28,300 |
| 1901 | historical | 108 | #21,836 |
| 1911 | historical | 132 | #19,313 |
| 1997 | modern | 65 | #31,141 |
| 1998 | modern | 63 | #31,639 |
| 1999 | modern | 64 | #31,692 |
| 2000 | modern | 67 | #31,473 |
| 2001 | modern | 68 | #31,195 |
| 2002 | modern | 69 | #31,527 |
| 2003 | modern | 67 | #31,796 |
| 2004 | modern | 71 | #31,578 |
| 2005 | modern | 68 | #32,097 |
| 2006 | modern | 66 | #32,629 |
| 2007 | modern | 66 | #32,948 |
| 2008 | modern | 66 | #33,217 |
| 2009 | modern | 74 | #32,835 |
| 2010 | modern | 73 | #33,249 |
| 2011 | modern | 71 | #33,392 |
| 2012 | modern | 69 | #33,695 |
| 2013 | modern | 72 | #33,631 |
| 2014 | modern | 73 | #33,587 |
| 2015 | modern | 73 | #33,541 |
| 2016 | modern | 76 | #33,304 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Ridge, Fryern Barnet, Hornsey St Mary, London parishes and Battersea. 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 | Ridge | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 2 | Fryern Barnet | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 3 | Hornsey St Mary | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | Battersea | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Boome 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 Boome, 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 Boome surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Boome 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, Boome 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 Boome is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Boome, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Boome has its origins in England, particularly from the medieval period, around the 12th to 14th centuries. The name is believed to derive from an early English word or location, possibly related to "Bome" or "Boon," which denoted a boundary or limit, indicating a geographical feature like a boundary marker. The word itself may be rooted in Old English or Middle English terminology.
The earliest records of the name Boome appear in historical documents from the medieval period. One such early reference can be found in the Assize Rolls of the counties during the 13th century, where variations like "Bome" are noted, suggesting early adoptions of the surname. In the 1327 Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, a John Bome is mentioned, indicating the name had already been established by this time.
By the 14th century, the surname appears in several tax records and manuscripts. For example, a Richard de Bome is listed in the Poll Tax Returns for Yorkshire in 1379, suggesting the name's spread beyond its point of origin. Similarly, in the Feet of Fines for Essex, a William Boome is indicated as a landowner in 1423, showing the name had been adopted as a family identifier by various socio-economic classes.
Place names also point to the etymological roots of the surname. Several villages and hamlets, such as Boome Hill in Hampshire and Boome End in Surrey, likely contributed to the adoption of the surname. These place names further underscore the geographical association suggested by the surname's origins.
Several notable individuals from history bear the surname Boome, each contributing to its legacy. Thomas Boome, born in 1568, was a noted landholder in Staffordshire. Sarah Boome (1601-1674) gained some local renown for her charitable contributions in Dorset. Another historical figure, Captain Edward Boome (1639-1702), served in the Royal Navy during the late 17th century. Rebecca Boome, who lived from 1695 to 1758, was known for her literary contributions and correspondence with prominent writers of her time. In the 18th century, Samuel Boome (1732-1789) made his mark as a merchant and philanthropist in London.
These historical references and notable individuals highlight the surname Boome as one with deep roots in English medieval history, influenced by geographical features and place names, and carried through by significant figures over several centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Boome 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 26 Boomes recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.03x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 26 | 3.03x |
| Surrey | 26 | 6.22x |
| Leicestershire | 10 | 10.51x |
| Nottinghamshire | 7 | 6.05x |
| Gloucestershire | 6 | 3.56x |
| Staffordshire | 6 | 2.07x |
| Hertfordshire | 4 | 6.76x |
| Sussex | 2 | 1.38x |
| Brecknockshire | 1 | 5.83x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 14 Boomes recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.71x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lambeth | 14 | 18.71x |
| Battersea | 11 | 34.83x |
| Whitwick | 9 | 743.80x |
| Bulwell | 7 | 277.78x |
| Finchley | 7 | 212.77x |
| St George Hanover Square | 7 | 46.30x |
| Hornsey | 6 | 55.30x |
| Burton Upon Trent | 5 | 73.75x |
| Westbury On Trym | 4 | 70.18x |
| East Barnet | 3 | 256.41x |
| Friern Barnet | 3 | 158.73x |
| Brighton | 2 | 6.85x |
| Bromley London | 1 | 5.30x |
| Burton Extra | 1 | 60.24x |
| Clifton | 1 | 11.75x |
| Hatfield | 1 | 83.33x |
| Horfield | 1 | 59.17x |
| Leicester St Mary | 1 | 13.00x |
| Pipton | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Southwark St George Martyr | 1 | 5.79x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.45x |
| Tottenham | 1 | 7.32x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Boome 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 Boome 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 Boome households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 14 |
| Cotton Winder | 2 |
| Spar Turner | 2 |
| Baker | 1 |
| Baker (Master) | 1 |
| Barrister In Practice | 1 |
| Certificated Teacher | 1 |
| Coal Dealer | 1 |
| Commercial Clerk | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| General Laborer | 1 |
| Governess | 1 |
| Governess (School) | 1 |
| Greengrocer | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Lace Mender | 1 |
| Lamplighter | 1 |
| Leather Cutter (Currier) | 1 |
| Managing Clerk To A Solicitor | 1 |
| None | 1 |
| Plasterers Laborer | 1 |
| Practical Brewer | 1 |
| Retired Farmer | 1 |
| Secretary To Public Company (Clerk) | 1 |
| Serv (Dom) | 1 |
| Serv Governess | 1 |
| Tea Dealer | 1 |
| Teacher (Schl) | 1 |
| Tobacconist | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 88 people were recorded with the Boome surname. That placed it at #21,211 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 76 in 2016. That gives Boome a modern rank of #33,304.
An occupational surname derived from the Old English "bōguman," referring to an archer or bowman.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Boome 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.