NameCensus.

UK surname

Borrett

A locational surname derived from the place name Borrett in Gloucestershire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 445 people recorded with the Borrett surname, ranking it #7,373 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 906, ranked #6,273, up from #7,373 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Stradbroke and Beccles. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Waveney, North Norfolk and East Northamptonshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Borrett is 1,068 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 103.6%.

1881 census count

445

Ranked #7,373

Modern count

906

2016, ranked #6,273

Peak year

1999

1,068 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Borrett had 445 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,373 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 906 in 2016, ranked #6,273.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 859 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Borrett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Borrett surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Borrett 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 573 #4,441
1861 historical 360 #7,095
1881 historical 445 #7,373
1891 historical 638 #6,075
1901 historical 712 #6,199
1911 historical 859 #5,168
1997 modern 983 #5,579
1998 modern 1,048 #5,450
1999 modern 1,068 #5,404
2000 modern 1,067 #5,393
2001 modern 1,042 #5,402
2002 modern 1,040 #5,508
2003 modern 978 #5,693
2004 modern 973 #5,723
2005 modern 946 #5,807
2006 modern 929 #5,889
2007 modern 915 #6,015
2008 modern 903 #6,117
2009 modern 919 #6,154
2010 modern 924 #6,254
2011 modern 913 #6,258
2012 modern 925 #6,121
2013 modern 918 #6,254
2014 modern 926 #6,253
2015 modern 908 #6,293
2016 modern 906 #6,273

Geography

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Where Borretts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Stradbroke, Beccles and Reddenhall, Mendham (Stradbroke, Suffolk), Withersdale (Stradbroke, Suffolk), Metfield (Stradbroke,. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Waveney, North Norfolk, East Northamptonshire and Kettering. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Stradbroke Suffolk
3 London parishes London 3
4 Beccles Suffolk
5 Reddenhall, Mendham (Stradbroke, Suffolk), Withersdale (Stradbroke, Suffolk), Metfield (Stradbroke, Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Waveney 011 Waveney
2 Waveney 013 Waveney
3 North Norfolk 013 North Norfolk
4 East Northamptonshire 003 East Northamptonshire
5 Kettering 011 Kettering

Forenames

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First names often paired with Borrett

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Borrett

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Borrett surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Borrett 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Borrett is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Borrett is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Borrett falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Borrett is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Borrett

The surname Borrett is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, derived from a now-lost place name in one of the southern counties of England. The earliest recorded spelling of the name is found in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk in 1196, where it appears as Boret.

The name is thought to be derived from the Old English words "bor" meaning a dwelling or a peasant's hut, and "aet" meaning at or near. This suggests that the original bearers of the name may have lived in or near a small hamlet or settlement. Over time, the name evolved into various spellings such as Boret, Borret, and eventually Borrett.

There are several historical references to the name Borrett. In the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1310, a William Boret is mentioned. The Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk from 1327 record a John Borret. These early records indicate the name was well-established in the eastern counties of England during the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Richard Borrett, who was mentioned in the Feet of Fines for Yorkshire in 1433. Another notable individual was John Borrett, who served as the Mayor of Norwich in 1515. In the 16th century, the name appeared in the Parish Registers of Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, with the baptism of Thomas Borrett in 1561.

During the 17th century, the name Borrett was found in various parts of England. Robert Borrett was born in Ipswich, Suffolk, in 1635, and later became a renowned mathematician and astronomer. Another prominent figure was John Borrett, born in 1620 in Gloucestershire, who was a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers) and suffered persecution for his beliefs.

In the 18th century, the name Borrett was associated with several notable individuals. William Borrett (1712-1771) was a renowned engraver and artist from London, known for his intricate landscape engravings. Samuel Borrett (1738-1807) was a successful merchant and philanthropist from Suffolk, who made significant contributions to the local community.

As the name Borrett spread across England, it also found its way to other parts of the world through migration and exploration. In the 19th century, several individuals bearing the name were involved in the exploration and settlement of Australia and New Zealand.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Borrett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Borrett 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. Suffolk leads with 210 Borretts recorded in 1881 and an index of 39.72x.

County Total Index
Suffolk 210 39.72x
Norfolk 72 10.79x
Middlesex 41 0.94x
Kent 33 2.23x
Essex 30 3.50x
Surrey 24 1.13x
Durham 6 0.46x
Buckinghamshire 5 1.91x
Cheshire 5 0.52x
Yorkshire 4 0.09x
Cambridgeshire 3 1.09x
Hertfordshire 3 1.00x
Sussex 3 0.41x
Warwickshire 2 0.18x
Wiltshire 2 0.52x
Devon 1 0.11x
Somerset 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ipswich St Helen in Suffolk leads with 22 Borretts recorded in 1881 and an index of 350.88x.

Place Total Index
Ipswich St Helen 22 350.88x
Beccles 18 211.52x
Ipswich St Clement 13 96.73x
Heigham 12 33.50x
Redenhall 12 463.32x
Blythburgh 11 901.64x
Camberwell 11 3.97x
Great Yarmouth 11 19.90x
Harwich St Nicholas 10 151.06x
Worlingworth 10 1041.67x
Broome 9 1184.21x
Charlton 9 91.46x
Stradbroke 9 502.79x
Bramfield 8 860.22x
Bromley London 8 8.38x
Ipswich St Mathew 8 53.98x
Lewisham 8 10.13x
Lowestoft 8 32.03x
Sudbourne 8 930.23x
Hammersmith London 7 6.55x
Monk Soham 7 1166.67x
Norton 7 630.63x
Wortwell 7 1129.03x
Crook Billy Row 6 36.28x
Dennington 6 512.82x
Islington London 6 1.43x
Orford 6 352.94x
Purleigh 6 468.75x
Sevenoaks 6 49.96x
Thorpe Next Norwich 6 84.87x
West Ham 6 3.17x
Yoxford 6 379.75x
Charlton Next Woolwich 5 32.36x
Chevening 5 310.56x
Creeting All Sts 5 1111.11x
Eton 5 84.03x
Fulham London 5 7.94x
Hyde 5 17.68x
Long Melford 5 101.83x
Rishangles 5 1851.85x
Chelsea London 4 3.06x
Great Linstead 4 2222.22x
Ipswich St Mary At Elms 4 238.10x
Oulton Cum Woodlesford 4 114.61x
Wandsworth 4 9.57x
Wimbledon 4 16.84x
Denton 3 416.67x
Eastbourne 3 8.91x
Gorleston 3 22.34x
Kessingland 3 163.93x
North Walsham 3 62.37x
Southolt 3 1500.00x
St George Hanover Square 3 3.92x
St George Martyr London 3 34.13x
Stuston 3 1071.43x
Wormingford 3 422.54x
Birmingham 2 0.55x
Bungay Holy Trinity 2 73.80x
Bury St Edmunds St Mary 2 20.16x
Cheshunt 2 19.12x
Colchester St Leonard 2 72.46x
Grundisburgh 2 163.93x
Ipswich St Stephen 2 219.78x
Kingston On Thames 2 3.94x
Lawford 2 160.00x
Rumburgh 2 377.36x
Shipmeadow 2 625.00x
St Andrewthe Great 2 56.34x
St Botolph Aldgate London 2 22.37x
St Marylebone London 2 0.86x
Westhall 2 312.50x
Weybread 2 198.02x
Wootton Rivers 2 344.83x
Blofield 1 58.82x
Exeter Heavitree 1 14.84x
Fakenham 1 30.40x
Hainford 1 107.53x
Langley 1 217.39x
Melton 1 48.08x
Wacton 1 285.71x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 18
Mary 17
Sarah 15
Ellen 10
Agnes 7
Ann 7
Eliza 7
Emily 7
Ada 6
Alice 6
Anna 6
Jane 5
Annie 4
Charlotte 4
Emma 4
Harriett 4
Lucy 4
Maria 4
Susan 4
Bessie 3
Caroline 3
Edith 3
Hannah 3
Harriet 3
Louisa 3
Martha 3
Sophia 3
Amelia 2
Catherine 2
Ethel 2
Flora 2
Georgina 2
Gertrude 2
Grace 2
Jessie 2
Laura 2
Susannah 2
Almena 1
Anne 1
Eda 1
Eleanor 1
Emiline 1
Esther 1
Harriott 1
Harritt 1
Henrietta 1
Honah 1
Julia 1
Leonora 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 25
William 20
George 19
Charles 15
Henry 15
James 12
Alfred 11
Robert 10
Thomas 8
Arthur 7
Frederick 7
Ernest 5
Harry 5
Edward 4
Samuel 4
Joseph 3
Walter 3
Albert 2
Benjamin 2
Edwin 2
Frank 2
Frederic 2
Simon 2
Binjamin 1
Chas. 1
Christie 1
Claude 1
Daniel 1
Edgar 1
Ephraim 1
Francis 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Gresham 1
Harold 1
Harvey 1
Herman 1
Isaac 1
Jacob 1
Jeremiah 1
Julius 1
Lambert 1
Macdonald 1
Malcomb 1
Ralph 1
Rayner 1
Richard 1
Saml. 1
Stephen 1
Willm.Barnes 1

FAQ

Borrett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Borrett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 445 people were recorded with the Borrett surname. That placed it at #7,373 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Borrett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 906 in 2016. That gives Borrett a modern rank of #6,273.

What does the Borrett surname mean?

A locational surname derived from the place name Borrett in Gloucestershire, England.

What does the Borrett map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Borrett 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.