UK surname
An English surname derived from a place name meaning "cottage" or "dwelling."
In the 1881 census there were 59 people recorded with the Borth surname, ranking it #25,281 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 5, ranked #38,264, down from #25,281 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bury, Manchester and Kidderminster. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Borth is 536 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 91.5%.
1881 census count
59
Ranked #25,281
Modern count
5
2016, ranked #38,264
Peak year
1861
536 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Borth surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Borth 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 | 156 | #12,552 |
| 1861 | historical | 536 | #4,904 |
| 1881 | historical | 59 | #25,281 |
| 1891 | historical | 391 | #9,044 |
| 1901 | historical | 50 | #28,590 |
| 1911 | historical | 29 | #30,190 |
| 1997 | modern | 6 | #37,704 |
| 1998 | modern | 7 | #37,533 |
| 1999 | modern | 6 | #37,696 |
| 2000 | modern | 6 | #37,624 |
| 2001 | modern | 5 | #37,652 |
| 2002 | modern | 7 | #37,379 |
| 2003 | modern | 5 | #37,750 |
| 2004 | modern | 4 | #38,013 |
| 2005 | modern | 5 | #37,885 |
| 2006 | modern | 6 | #37,788 |
| 2007 | modern | 5 | #38,004 |
| 2008 | modern | 6 | #37,883 |
| 2009 | modern | 6 | #37,953 |
| 2010 | modern | 4 | #38,371 |
| 2011 | modern | 5 | #38,168 |
| 2012 | modern | 9 | #37,614 |
| 2013 | modern | 7 | #37,909 |
| 2014 | modern | 5 | #38,228 |
| 2015 | modern | 5 | #38,221 |
| 2016 | modern | 5 | #38,264 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bury, Manchester, Kidderminster, Stoke-on-Trent, Bucknell-cum-Bagnall, Caverswall and St Mary Islington. 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 | Bury | Lancashire |
| 2 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 3 | Kidderminster | Worcestershire |
| 4 | Stoke-on-Trent, Bucknell-cum-Bagnall, Caverswall | Staffordshire |
| 5 | St Mary Islington | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Borth 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 Borth, 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 Borth surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Borth 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, Borth 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 Borth is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Borth, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Borth has its origins in Germany, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old German word "borth," which referred to a small village or settlement. This suggests that the name may have initially been used to identify individuals who hailed from a particular hamlet or region.
During the Middle Ages, the name Borth appeared in various historical documents, including tax records and land registries. One notable mention can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae, a collection of charters and deeds from the 12th and 13th centuries, which lists several individuals bearing the surname.
As the name spread across different regions, its spelling evolved, leading to variations such as Borthe, Borthes, and Borthius. These variations were often influenced by local dialects and scribal practices of the time.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Borth can be traced to Konrad Borth, a landowner and merchant who lived in the town of Nuremberg in the late 13th century. Another notable figure was Johann Borth, a scholar and theologian from the 15th century who authored several treatises on religious philosophy.
In the 16th century, the name gained prominence with the birth of Hans Borth, a renowned goldsmith and metalworker whose intricate creations were highly sought after by European nobility. His works can still be found in various museums and private collections across Europe.
During the 17th century, the name Borth was associated with the family of Johann Borth, a prominent lawyer and judge in the city of Frankfurt. His son, Friedrich Borth, followed in his footsteps and became a respected legal scholar, publishing several influential works on jurisprudence.
Another notable individual bearing the surname Borth was Karl Borth, a German explorer and naturalist who lived in the 19th century. He was known for his extensive travels across Africa and his contributions to the study of flora and fauna in the region.
As the name Borth spread across different regions and countries, it continued to evolve, sometimes taking on new meanings or associations. However, its roots can be traced back to the small settlements of medieval Germany, where it first emerged as a distinct surname.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Borth 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. Staffordshire leads with 13 Borths recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.69x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Staffordshire | 13 | 6.69x |
| Middlesex | 12 | 2.09x |
| Lancashire | 10 | 1.46x |
| Worcestershire | 7 | 9.31x |
| Northamptonshire | 4 | 7.39x |
| Derbyshire | 3 | 3.33x |
| Essex | 3 | 2.64x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.53x |
| Glamorgan | 2 | 2.00x |
| Warwickshire | 2 | 1.38x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stoke Upon Trent in Staffordshire leads with 12 Borths recorded in 1881 and an index of 58.25x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Stoke Upon Trent | 12 | 58.25x |
| St Pancras London | 8 | 17.27x |
| Kidderminster Borough | 7 | 159.09x |
| Glendon | 4 | 40000.00x |
| Gorton | 4 | 62.31x |
| Islington London | 4 | 7.17x |
| West Derby | 4 | 20.02x |
| Sheffield | 3 | 16.52x |
| West Ham | 3 | 11.96x |
| Wingfield South | 3 | 1250.00x |
| Birmingham | 2 | 4.13x |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 2 | 20.77x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 2.41x |
| Oldham | 1 | 4.54x |
| West Bromwich | 1 | 8.99x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Borth 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 Borth 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 Borth households.
FAQ
In 1881, 59 people were recorded with the Borth surname. That placed it at #25,281 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 5 in 2016. That gives Borth a modern rank of #38,264.
An English surname derived from a place name meaning "cottage" or "dwelling."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Borth 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.