NameCensus.

UK surname

Bose

A surname of Indian origin, derived from the Sanskrit word "vasu," meaning "wealth," "prosperity," or "one who bestows wealth."

In the 1881 census there were 105 people recorded with the Bose surname, ranking it #19,183 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 674, ranked #7,950, up from #19,183 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Dunstan Stepney and Winwick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Barnet, Brent and Hillingdon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bose is 674 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 541.9%.

1881 census count

105

Ranked #19,183

Modern count

674

2016, ranked #7,950

Peak year

2016

674 bearers

Map years

7

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bose had 105 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #19,183 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 674 in 2016, ranked #7,950.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 294 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Bose surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bose surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bose 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 82 #19,317
1861 historical 294 #8,571
1881 historical 105 #19,183
1891 historical 143 #18,920
1901 historical 83 #24,900
1911 historical 116 #20,850
1997 modern 441 #10,231
1998 modern 464 #10,169
1999 modern 490 #9,811
2000 modern 491 #9,762
2001 modern 472 #9,873
2002 modern 491 #9,752
2003 modern 495 #9,557
2004 modern 513 #9,338
2005 modern 532 #9,019
2006 modern 562 #8,687
2007 modern 583 #8,541
2008 modern 598 #8,437
2009 modern 635 #8,221
2010 modern 659 #8,152
2011 modern 649 #8,164
2012 modern 655 #8,030
2013 modern 654 #8,182
2014 modern 663 #8,125
2015 modern 664 #8,056
2016 modern 674 #7,950

Geography

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Where Boses are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Dunstan Stepney, Winwick, St Giles Camberwell and Romford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Barnet, Brent and Hillingdon. 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 3
2 St Dunstan Stepney London (East Districts)
3 Winwick Northamptonshire
4 St Giles Camberwell London (South Districts)
5 Romford Essex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Barnet 025 Barnet
2 Brent 002 Brent
3 Barnet 027 Barnet
4 Hillingdon 011 Hillingdon
5 Barnet 035 Barnet

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bose

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bose

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Bose surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Bose household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Bose is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bose 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

Bose falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bose is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Bose

The surname Bose originates from India, where it has been in use since ancient times. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "bhos," which means "light" or "radiance." The name is particularly prevalent in the eastern states of West Bengal and Odisha, indicating its roots in the Bengali and Odia cultures.

In the medieval period, the Bose surname was associated with the Brahmin caste, who were revered as scholars and priests. Historical records from the 11th century mention Bose families residing in the regions of Bengal and Odisha, where they held positions of influence in local governance and religious institutions.

One of the earliest known references to the Bose surname can be found in the Pala inscriptions of the 8th century CE. These inscriptions document the existence of Bose scholars and poets who contributed to the rich literary traditions of the time.

The name gained further prominence during the Mughal era, when several Bose individuals held prominent positions in the imperial court. Anandram Bose, a 17th-century poet and philosopher, was highly regarded for his works on Hindu philosophy and ethics.

In the 19th century, the Bose family played a significant role in the Bengali Renaissance and the Indian independence movement. Jagadish Chandra Bose (1858-1937), a renowned scientist and polymath, is widely celebrated for his pioneering work in the field of biophysics and his contributions to the study of plant life.

Another notable figure is Subhas Chandra Bose (1897-1945), a leading figure in the Indian independence movement and the founder of the Indian National Army. His unwavering dedication to India's freedom struggle and his charismatic leadership made him a revered figure in the country's history.

Other distinguished individuals with the Bose surname include Amar Nath Bose (1929-2013), the founder of the Bose Corporation and a pioneer in audio technology; Buddhadeb Bose (1944-), a renowned Bengali poet and former Chief Minister of West Bengal; and Nirmala Sitharaman (1959-), the current Finance Minister of India.

The Bose surname has also been associated with various place names in India, such as Bose Pukur and Bose Para in West Bengal, which further attests to the historical significance and widespread presence of the name in the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bose families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bose 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. Middlesex leads with 32 Boses recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.12x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 32 3.12x
Lancashire 14 1.15x
Surrey 12 2.40x
Essex 11 5.44x
Worcestershire 10 7.48x
Hampshire 6 2.86x
Gloucestershire 4 1.99x
Cumberland 3 3.40x
Midlothian 3 2.19x
Somerset 3 1.82x
Kent 2 0.57x
Yorkshire 2 0.20x
Cheshire 1 0.44x
Lanarkshire 1 0.30x
Sussex 1 0.58x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Claines in Worcestershire leads with 9 Boses recorded in 1881 and an index of 245.23x.

Place Total Index
Claines 9 245.23x
Camberwell 8 12.23x
Liverpool 8 10.84x
Shoreditch London 8 18.02x
Wapping London 7 897.44x
Bishops Sutton 6 4000.00x
Hendon 6 162.60x
Woodford St Mary 6 2608.70x
Romford 5 156.25x
St Luke London 5 30.43x
Bermondsey 4 13.12x
Clifton 4 39.37x
Bedminster 3 19.37x
Kirkdale 3 14.67x
St Cuthbert W O 3 69.77x
Bromley London 2 8.88x
Holy Trinity 2 8.19x
Manchester 2 3.66x
Barony 1 1.19x
Canterbury St Mary 1 42.55x
Colinton 1 65.36x
Denton 1 588.24x
Hampstead London 1 6.27x
Islington London 1 1.01x
Kensington London 1 1.76x
Kirknewton East 1 175.44x
Liberton 1 47.17x
Northfleet 1 32.47x
Ormskirk 1 42.92x
St George Hanover Square 1 5.54x
Wallasey 1 129.87x
Worcester St Clement 1 117.65x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 8
Henry 5
Alfred 4
John 4
George 3
Thomas 3
Charles 2
Francis 2
James 2
Wm. 2
Alfd 1
Arthur 1
Carl 1
Frances 1
Fredk. 1
Hermann 1
Jim 1
Ludwig 1
Robert 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Bose surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bose surname in 1881?

In 1881, 105 people were recorded with the Bose surname. That placed it at #19,183 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bose surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 674 in 2016. That gives Bose a modern rank of #7,950.

What does the Bose surname mean?

A surname of Indian origin, derived from the Sanskrit word "vasu," meaning "wealth," "prosperity," or "one who bestows wealth."

What does the Bose map show?

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