NameCensus.

UK surname

Bosher

A surname derived from the Old French word "boscheor", meaning a woodsman or forester.

In the 1881 census there were 473 people recorded with the Bosher surname, ranking it #7,057 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 742, ranked #7,354, down from #7,057 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Monkwearmouth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sunderland, Cherwell and South Bucks.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bosher is 762 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 56.9%.

1881 census count

473

Ranked #7,057

Modern count

742

2016, ranked #7,354

Peak year

2014

762 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bosher had 473 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,057 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 742 in 2016, ranked #7,354.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 624 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Bosher surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bosher surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bosher 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 294 #7,758
1861 historical 220 #11,076
1881 historical 473 #7,057
1891 historical 476 #7,720
1901 historical 609 #6,988
1911 historical 624 #6,636
1997 modern 640 #7,750
1998 modern 700 #7,476
1999 modern 703 #7,488
2000 modern 697 #7,520
2001 modern 695 #7,414
2002 modern 696 #7,546
2003 modern 686 #7,505
2004 modern 700 #7,400
2005 modern 678 #7,534
2006 modern 670 #7,622
2007 modern 691 #7,497
2008 modern 688 #7,586
2009 modern 702 #7,626
2010 modern 736 #7,479
2011 modern 735 #7,431
2012 modern 742 #7,288
2013 modern 753 #7,318
2014 modern 762 #7,268
2015 modern 744 #7,345
2016 modern 742 #7,354

Geography

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Where Boshers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Monkwearmouth and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sunderland, Cherwell and South Bucks. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Monkwearmouth Durham
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sunderland 006 Sunderland
2 Cherwell 014 Cherwell
3 Cherwell 013 Cherwell
4 Sunderland 012 Sunderland
5 South Bucks 006 South Bucks

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bosher

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bosher

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Bosher surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Bosher household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Bosher is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bosher is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bosher falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bosher 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 Bosher, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Bosher

The surname Bosher has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "bosc," meaning a small wood or thicket, and the suffix "-er," indicating someone who lived near or worked with woods. This suggests that the name was initially used to identify individuals who resided near a wooded area or were involved in occupations related to forestry or woodwork.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bosher can be found in the parish registers of Gloucestershire in the late 1500s. During this period, the spelling variations included "Boscher," "Bosher," and "Bossher." These variations likely stemmed from regional dialects and the inconsistent spelling conventions of the time.

In the 17th century, the Bosher surname appeared in various records across southern England, particularly in counties such as Hampshire and Surrey. Notable individuals bearing this name include William Bosher, a yeoman from Hampshire, who was mentioned in the Protestation Returns of 1641-42, a historical document recording those who took an oath of allegiance to the Protestant religion.

The surname Bosher also has ties to place names, such as Bosher's Green, a hamlet located in the parish of Titchfield, Hampshire. This connection suggests that some individuals may have adopted the name based on their association with a specific location.

As time progressed, the Bosher family spread across different parts of England. In the late 18th century, John Bosher (1744-1813) was a notable figure from Dorset, known for his work as a surveyor and cartographer. He produced detailed maps of the county, contributing significantly to the field of cartography.

Another notable individual with the surname Bosher was Charles Bosher (1838-1916), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the former Mercers' School and the Church of St. Michael and All Angels in Waterloo.

In the 19th century, the Bosher family had a presence in various professions, ranging from agriculture to trade. For instance, William Bosher (1819-1892) was a successful farmer and landowner in Kent, while James Bosher (1847-1924) was a prominent merchant and businessman in London.

Throughout history, the surname Bosher has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds and occupations, reflecting the rich tapestry of English society. While the name's origins can be traced back to the woods and forests of medieval England, it has since transcended its initial associations and become a distinctive part of the country's cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bosher families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bosher 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. Berkshire leads with 126 Boshers recorded in 1881 and an index of 36.31x.

County Total Index
Berkshire 126 36.31x
Middlesex 100 2.16x
Surrey 79 3.51x
Yorkshire 30 0.65x
Gloucestershire 26 2.87x
Oxfordshire 22 7.71x
Durham 21 1.53x
Glamorgan 11 1.37x
Kent 10 0.63x
Lancashire 10 0.18x
Leicestershire 6 1.17x
Sussex 6 0.77x
Hertfordshire 5 1.57x
Buckinghamshire 4 1.43x
Hampshire 4 0.42x
Monmouthshire 3 0.90x
Somerset 3 0.40x
Derbyshire 2 0.28x
Devon 2 0.21x
Essex 1 0.11x
Midlothian 1 0.16x
Norfolk 1 0.14x
Royal Navy 1 1.81x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 21 Boshers recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.21x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 21 5.21x
Monkwearmouth Shore 17 63.31x
Wokingham 17 214.65x
Harwell 14 1093.75x
New Windsor 14 119.97x
Newington 13 7.61x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 12 14.05x
Clerkenwell London 12 11.00x
Clewer 12 84.39x
Paddington London 12 7.06x
St Marylebone London 12 4.86x
Steventon 12 821.92x
Battersea 10 5.88x
Bedford 10 87.11x
Bingley 10 34.27x
Cholsey 9 327.27x
Handborough 9 588.24x
Islington London 9 2.01x
Bristol St George 8 19.07x
Llanwonno 8 27.65x
Reading St Mary 8 28.78x
East West Hanney 7 514.71x
Isleworth 7 34.05x
St George Hanover Square 7 8.59x
Bristol St Michael 6 77.22x
Camberwell 6 2.03x
East Hendred 6 465.12x
Egham 6 43.38x
Leicester St Margaret 6 4.80x
Linthorpe 6 21.95x
Reading St Giles 6 17.62x
St Botolph Aldgate London 6 63.03x
St Katherine Creechurch 6 750.00x
St Pauls Cray 6 495.87x
Bray 5 49.02x
Ewelme 5 531.91x
Hastings St Mary 5 25.77x
Kirkleatham 5 80.78x
North Mimms 5 248.76x
Eton 4 63.09x
Hatford 4 1904.76x
Headingley Cum Burley 4 13.56x
Monkwearmouth 4 30.37x
Penge 4 13.55x
Southwark St George Martyr 4 4.30x
St Pancras London 4 1.07x
Willesden 4 9.18x
Aberdare 3 5.43x
Basildon 3 288.46x
Bedminster 3 4.29x
Bedwellty 3 5.08x
Chelsea London 3 2.15x
Hammersmith London 3 2.63x
St George In East London 3 6.90x
Alverstoke 2 5.83x
Basingstoke 2 18.35x
Bensington 2 109.89x
Binfield 2 75.19x
Bromley London 2 1.97x
Deptford St Paul 2 1.64x
Ecclesall Bierlow 2 2.15x
Frimley 2 31.15x
Hackney London 2 0.77x
Kensington London 2 0.78x
Leeds 2 0.77x
Mile End Old Town London 2 2.03x
Oxford St Aldate 2 66.45x
Pleasley 2 109.89x
Reading St Lawrence 2 26.95x
Southwark Christchurch 2 9.23x
Southwark St Saviour 2 8.42x
Toot Baldon 2 588.24x
Tooting Graveney 2 31.90x
Cookham 1 9.24x
East Lockinge 1 192.31x
East Teignmouth 1 25.38x
Finchley 1 5.64x
Guildford Holy Trinity 1 23.31x
Sotwell 1 322.58x
Tivetshall St Margaret 1 185.19x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 27
Elizabeth 20
Sarah 18
Alice 12
Ellen 11
Emma 11
Emily 9
Jane 9
Maria 7
Sophia 6
Caroline 5
Harriet 5
Ann 4
Annie 4
Charlotte 4
Martha 4
Matilda 4
Ada 3
Amelia 3
Eliza 3
Florence 3
Hannah 3
Kate 3
Lily 3
Margaret 3
Amy 2
Anne 2
Beatrice 2
Clara 2
Edith 2
Elizth. 2
Fanny 2
Louisa 2
Mercy 2
Nellie 2
Rebecca 2
Rose 2
Ruth 2
Susan 2
Bertha 1
Catherine 1
Elmily 1
Emile 1
Esther 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Laura 1
Lavinia 1
Leah 1
Leander 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 30
John 25
Charles 22
George 22
Thomas 18
Henry 15
James 15
Frederick 7
Alfred 5
Edward 5
Wm. 4
Benjamin 3
Daniel 3
Joseph 3
Richard 3
Alexander 2
Enoch 2
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Geo. 2
Robert 2
Stephen 2
Walter 2
Arthor 1
Arthur 1
Benn. 1
Chas. 1
Chas.W. 1
Cornelius 1
David 1
Eli 1
Ellingten 1
Francis 1
Fredk. 1
Gustavus 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Howard 1
Infant 1
Isaac 1
Jas. 1
Jesse 1
Job 1
Maurice 1
Reuben 1
Richd. 1
Robt. 1
Rose 1
Sidney 1
Victor 1

FAQ

Bosher surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bosher surname in 1881?

In 1881, 473 people were recorded with the Bosher surname. That placed it at #7,057 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bosher surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 742 in 2016. That gives Bosher a modern rank of #7,354.

What does the Bosher surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old French word "boscheor", meaning a woodsman or forester.

What does the Bosher map show?

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