NameCensus.

UK surname

Borg

A Swedish habitational surname derived from the word "borg," meaning a fort or castle.

In the 1881 census there were 30 people recorded with the Borg surname, ranking it #29,363 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,557, ranked #3,979, up from #29,363 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Somerset, Tower Hamlets and Bridgend.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Borg is 1,574 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5090.0%.

1881 census count

30

Ranked #29,363

Modern count

1,557

2016, ranked #3,979

Peak year

2010

1,574 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Borg had 30 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,363 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,557 in 2016, ranked #3,979.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 51 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Borg surname distribution map

The map shows where the Borg surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Borg surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Borg over time

The 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 8 #31,867
1861 historical 31 #30,058
1881 historical 30 #29,363
1891 historical 23 #32,389
1901 historical 45 #29,156
1911 historical 51 #27,708
1997 modern 1,308 #4,384
1998 modern 1,370 #4,348
1999 modern 1,364 #4,409
2000 modern 1,381 #4,339
2001 modern 1,344 #4,351
2002 modern 1,368 #4,374
2003 modern 1,332 #4,393
2004 modern 1,345 #4,368
2005 modern 1,374 #4,256
2006 modern 1,389 #4,223
2007 modern 1,400 #4,233
2008 modern 1,429 #4,192
2009 modern 1,510 #4,093
2010 modern 1,574 #4,014
2011 modern 1,542 #4,052
2012 modern 1,501 #4,082
2013 modern 1,536 #4,065
2014 modern 1,559 #4,029
2015 modern 1,556 #3,997
2016 modern 1,557 #3,979

Geography

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Where Borgs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Somerset, Tower Hamlets and Bridgend. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Somerset 004 North Somerset
2 Tower Hamlets 004 Tower Hamlets
3 Tower Hamlets 016 Tower Hamlets
4 Tower Hamlets 005 Tower Hamlets
5 Bridgend 010 Bridgend

Forenames

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First names often paired with Borg

These lists show first names that appear often with the Borg surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Borg

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Borg, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Borg surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Borg household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Borg is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Borg is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Borg falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Borg is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Unknown

This describes the area pattern most associated with Borg, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Borg

The surname Borg is believed to have originated in Sweden, tracing its roots back to the medieval era. It is derived from the Old Norse word "borg," meaning a fortified dwelling or a castle. This suggests that the name may have initially been given to individuals who lived within or near such structures.

In the early days, the name was often spelled as "Borgr" or "Borger," reflecting its Norse origins. As the name spread across Scandinavia and into other parts of Europe, it underwent various spelling variations, such as "Borg," "Borgh," and "Bourgh."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Borg can be found in the Swedish census records from the 16th century. Notable individuals bearing this surname during that time include Hans Borg, a merchant from Stockholm born in 1542, and Ingrid Borg, a landowner from Gothenburg born in 1578.

During the 17th century, the name gained prominence in Sweden and Norway. In 1645, a manuscript from the Swedish National Archives mentions a soldier named Erik Borg who fought in the Thirty Years' War. Additionally, the Norwegian census records from 1665 list a farmer named Ole Borg from the village of Trondheim.

As the name spread across Europe, it became associated with various place names, such as Borgholm in Sweden and Borgund in Norway. This further reinforced the connection between the surname and fortified dwellings.

In the 18th century, several notable figures bearing the Borg surname emerged. Johan Borg (1723-1786) was a Swedish botanist and author, while his contemporary, Petter Borg (1737-1805), was a renowned architect who designed several churches in Stockholm.

Moving into the 19th century, the Borg surname gained international recognition with the birth of Victor Borg (1868-1935), a Swedish athlete who competed in the 1896 and 1900 Olympic Games. Another prominent figure was Isak Borg (1886-1961), a Swedish writer and playwright whose works explored themes of identity and existentialism.

As the name continued to spread globally, it also gave rise to various compound surnames, such as Borgström and Borgman, reflecting the diverse cultures and languages it encountered.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Borg families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Borg surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Royal Navy leads with 14 Borgs recorded in 1881 and an index of 273.97x.

County Total Index
Royal Navy 14 273.97x
Middlesex 11 2.56x
Worcestershire 9 16.06x
East Lothian 2 35.21x
Midlothian 2 3.48x
Essex 1 1.18x
Glamorgan 1 1.34x
Kent 1 0.68x
Lancashire 1 0.20x
Northumberland 1 1.57x
Surrey 1 0.48x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Royal Navy in Royal Navy leads with 13 Borgs recorded in 1881 and an index of 297.48x.

Place Total Index
Royal Navy 13 297.48x
Kings Norton 9 178.93x
St Giles Cripplegate 5 877.19x
Mile End Old Town London 3 32.86x
Athelstaneford 2 1818.18x
Edinburgh St Marys 2 178.57x
Clapham 1 18.62x
Dover St Mary Virgin 1 70.42x
Kensington London 1 4.19x
North Shields 1 78.74x
Poplar London 1 12.35x
Salford 1 6.68x
South Shoebury 1 294.12x
St Andrew Holborn London 1 53.76x
Swansea Town 1 16.31x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Borg surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Ada 1
Amy 1
Ann 1
Charlotte 1
Cloriada 1
Eliza 1
Florence 1
Gertrude 1
Jane 1
Kate 1
Louise 1
Maria 1
Minnie 1
Susan 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Borg surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
George 2
John 2
Joseph 2
Salvo 2
Andrew 1
Barnet 1
Carlo 1
Carmelo 1
Charles 1
Chas. 1
Ernest 1
Giovanni 1
Halsing 1
Myer 1
Nathaniel 1
Philip 1
Thomas 1
V. 1
Wm. 1

Top occupations

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 Borg households.

FAQ

Borg surname: questions and answers

How common was the Borg surname in 1881?

In 1881, 30 people were recorded with the Borg surname. That placed it at #29,363 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Borg surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,557 in 2016. That gives Borg a modern rank of #3,979.

What does the Borg surname mean?

A Swedish habitational surname derived from the word "borg," meaning a fort or castle.

What does the Borg map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Borg bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.