UK surname
A surname derived from the Middle English word "borde", meaning a plank or board, likely referring to an occupation involving woodwork.
In the 1881 census there were 50 people recorded with the Bordman surname, ranking it #26,587 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 16, ranked #36,998, down from #26,587 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Dunstan Stepney and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bordman is 110 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 68.0%.
1881 census count
50
Ranked #26,587
Modern count
16
2016, ranked #36,998
Peak year
1861
110 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bordman surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bordman 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 | 90 | #18,317 |
| 1861 | historical | 110 | #19,562 |
| 1881 | historical | 50 | #26,587 |
| 1891 | historical | 62 | #28,991 |
| 1901 | historical | 30 | #30,724 |
| 1911 | historical | 41 | #28,802 |
| 1997 | modern | 14 | #36,528 |
| 1998 | modern | 12 | #36,790 |
| 1999 | modern | 14 | #36,595 |
| 2000 | modern | 14 | #36,522 |
| 2001 | modern | 14 | #36,372 |
| 2002 | modern | 15 | #36,381 |
| 2003 | modern | 14 | #36,512 |
| 2004 | modern | 14 | #36,648 |
| 2005 | modern | 11 | #37,065 |
| 2006 | modern | 15 | #36,707 |
| 2007 | modern | 12 | #37,095 |
| 2008 | modern | 14 | #36,950 |
| 2009 | modern | 15 | #36,942 |
| 2010 | modern | 12 | #37,307 |
| 2011 | modern | 14 | #37,115 |
| 2012 | modern | 12 | #37,292 |
| 2013 | modern | 15 | #37,046 |
| 2014 | modern | 13 | #37,256 |
| 2015 | modern | 14 | #37,157 |
| 2016 | modern | 16 | #36,998 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Dunstan Stepney, Manchester, Dean and Childwall. 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 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 2 | St Dunstan Stepney | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Dean | Lancashire |
| 5 | Childwall | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bordman 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 Bordman, 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 Bordman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bordman 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, Bordman 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 Bordman is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bordman, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Bordman is believed to have originated in England, likely during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "bord" meaning "board" or "plank," and "mann" meaning "man." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to an occupation involving woodworking or carpentry.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, dated 1327, where it is spelled "Bordeman." This document was a tax record, indicating that individuals bearing this surname were present in that region during the 14th century.
In the 15th century, a variant spelling "Bordman" appears in the Parish Records of St. Mary's Church in Warwick, dated 1467. This suggests that the name had spread to other parts of England and had undergone slight spelling variations.
Notably, the surname Bordman is mentioned in the famous Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and property commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. However, the specific details and context of this reference are not widely documented.
One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Bordman was John Bordman, born in Worcestershire in 1512. He was a prominent landowner and is recorded as having participated in local governance during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Another notable figure was Thomas Bordman (1570-1638), a clergyman and author from Warwickshire. He wrote several theological works and served as the Rector of Nuneaton for over three decades.
In the 17th century, Richard Bordman (1620-1692) was a successful merchant and trader in London. He is credited with establishing trade routes with the Dutch East Indies and amassing considerable wealth.
During the 18th century, Mary Bordman (1745-1821) gained recognition as a talented artist and portraitist. Her works were exhibited at the Royal Academy and are still displayed in various galleries across England.
In the 19th century, William Bordman (1812-1887) was a renowned architect responsible for designing several notable buildings in London, including the iconic St. Pancras Station.
While the surname Bordman is not among the most common in English-speaking countries, it has a rich history that can be traced back to medieval times, with connections to various occupations, locations, and notable individuals throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bordman 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 Bordmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.80x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 15 | 2.80x |
| Lancashire | 12 | 1.89x |
| Warwickshire | 7 | 5.17x |
| Isle of Man | 5 | 50.20x |
| Surrey | 5 | 1.91x |
| Gloucestershire | 3 | 2.85x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.56x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.63x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 1.21x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 1.98x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 2.11x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 1.43x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Mile End Old Town London in Middlesex leads with 8 Bordmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 70.05x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Mile End Old Town London | 8 | 70.05x |
| Islington London | 5 | 9.62x |
| Lezayre | 5 | 1111.11x |
| Birmingham | 4 | 8.87x |
| Camberwell | 4 | 11.68x |
| Ardwick | 3 | 52.26x |
| Aston | 3 | 8.05x |
| Bootle Cum Linacre | 3 | 59.41x |
| Manchester | 3 | 10.48x |
| Bristol Temple | 2 | 289.86x |
| Skelton In Guisbrough | 2 | 138.89x |
| Bristol St Philip Jacob | 1 | 10.10x |
| Bury | 1 | 13.76x |
| Chelsea London | 1 | 6.19x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 7.57x |
| Hasbury | 1 | 217.39x |
| Hedworth Monkton Jarrow | 1 | 14.47x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 2.14x |
| Middlesbrough | 1 | 14.45x |
| Minety | 1 | 769.23x |
| Netherton | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Paston | 1 | 476.19x |
| Warrington | 1 | 13.25x |
| West Winch | 1 | 1428.57x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bordman 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 Bordman 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 Bordman households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 7 |
| Housekeeper | 2 |
| Scoller | 2 |
| Solicitors General Clerk | 2 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Barometer Maker (Philo Inst) | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Carter | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Doubler (C) | 1 |
| Fishmonger | 1 |
| Formely Field Worker | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Hawker | 1 |
| Herring Curer (Fishmonger) | 1 |
| House Keeper | 1 |
| Labourer At Copper Works | 1 |
| Labourer Boiler Works | 1 |
| Ladies Maid | 1 |
| Machinist Boots | 1 |
| Moulder | 1 |
| No Occpation | 1 |
| Painter | 1 |
| Pauper | 1 |
| Warehouse Woman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 50 people were recorded with the Bordman surname. That placed it at #26,587 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 16 in 2016. That gives Bordman a modern rank of #36,998.
A surname derived from the Middle English word "borde", meaning a plank or board, likely referring to an occupation involving woodwork.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bordman 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.