UK surname
A surname of German origin referring to a messenger or herald.
In the 1881 census there were 47 people recorded with the Both surname, ranking it #27,019 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 75, ranked #33,377, down from #27,019 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lilleshall, Lewisham and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Both is 205 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 59.6%.
1881 census count
47
Ranked #27,019
Modern count
75
2016, ranked #33,377
Peak year
1861
205 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Both surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Both 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 | 69 | #21,148 |
| 1861 | historical | 205 | #11,769 |
| 1881 | historical | 47 | #27,019 |
| 1891 | historical | 117 | #21,658 |
| 1901 | historical | 77 | #25,627 |
| 1911 | historical | 73 | #25,541 |
| 1997 | modern | 50 | #32,658 |
| 1998 | modern | 46 | #33,286 |
| 1999 | modern | 43 | #33,683 |
| 2000 | modern | 44 | #33,602 |
| 2001 | modern | 43 | #33,576 |
| 2002 | modern | 48 | #33,459 |
| 2003 | modern | 47 | #33,619 |
| 2004 | modern | 42 | #34,222 |
| 2005 | modern | 43 | #34,328 |
| 2006 | modern | 49 | #34,152 |
| 2007 | modern | 43 | #34,845 |
| 2008 | modern | 43 | #34,931 |
| 2009 | modern | 47 | #34,856 |
| 2010 | modern | 55 | #34,536 |
| 2011 | modern | 55 | #34,502 |
| 2012 | modern | 64 | #34,028 |
| 2013 | modern | 74 | #33,483 |
| 2014 | modern | 77 | #33,336 |
| 2015 | modern | 77 | #33,272 |
| 2016 | modern | 75 | #33,377 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lilleshall, Lewisham, London parishes, St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace and Ashton-upon-Mersey. 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 | Lilleshall | Shropshire |
| 2 | Lewisham | London (South Districts) |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace | London (West Districts) |
| 5 | Ashton-upon-Mersey | Cheshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Both 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 Both, 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 Both surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Both 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, Both 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 Both is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Both, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "BOTH" has its origins in England, where it first appeared as a surname in the late 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "bothe," which referred to a temporary dwelling or shelter, often used by travelers, merchants, or soldiers on the move.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1200, where a certain William de la Bothe is mentioned. This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived or worked in such a shelter or dwelling.
In the 13th century, the surname appears in various forms, such as "Atte Bothe," "de la Bothe," and "de Bothe," reflecting the evolving nature of surname usage during that period. These variations often indicated the person's place of origin or residence, suggesting that the name may have been associated with specific locations where such temporary shelters were common.
The surname also has ties to several place names in England, including Booth in Lancashire and Booths in Cheshire. These place names likely derived from the same Old English word, further reinforcing the connection between the surname and the concept of a temporary dwelling or shelter.
One notable figure bearing the surname "BOTH" was William Both, a English botanist and explorer who lived from 1625 to 1699. He traveled extensively in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) and made significant contributions to the study of exotic plants and their cultivation.
Another prominent individual with this surname was John Both, an English clergyman and scholar who lived from 1612 to 1677. He served as the Master of Christ's College, Cambridge, and was renowned for his expertise in Greek and Latin literature.
In the 16th century, the surname appears in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire from 1542, which mention a Robert Both. The same century also saw the birth of Robert Both (1527-1595), an English landowner and Member of Parliament.
The surname "BOTH" has also been associated with several notable families throughout history, such as the Both family of Lancashire, which produced several Members of Parliament and landowners in the 17th and 18th centuries.
It is worth noting that while the surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and settlement, with variations in spelling and pronunciation occurring over time.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Both 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. Worcestershire leads with 12 Boths recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.05x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Worcestershire | 12 | 20.05x |
| Middlesex | 8 | 1.75x |
| Durham | 6 | 4.40x |
| Kent | 4 | 2.56x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.66x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 1.98x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 0.37x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 2.91x |
| Caernarfonshire | 1 | 5.40x |
| Devon | 1 | 1.05x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1.06x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.67x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 1.63x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.65x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.45x |
| Sussex | 1 | 1.29x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.87x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Northfield in Worcestershire leads with 7 Boths recorded in 1881 and an index of 614.04x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Northfield | 7 | 614.04x |
| Escomb | 5 | 793.65x |
| Redditch | 5 | 413.22x |
| St George Hanover Square | 5 | 61.88x |
| Lewisham | 4 | 47.96x |
| Hammersmith London | 2 | 17.71x |
| Leeds | 2 | 7.80x |
| Altrincham | 1 | 56.50x |
| Basildon | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Basingstoke | 1 | 92.59x |
| Beerferris | 1 | 526.32x |
| Chadderton | 1 | 37.59x |
| Edinburgh St Marys | 1 | 84.03x |
| Eglwys Rhos | 1 | 434.78x |
| Govan | 1 | 2.73x |
| Hove | 1 | 29.50x |
| Islington London | 1 | 2.25x |
| Monks Coppenhall | 1 | 26.18x |
| Nether Hallam | 1 | 16.26x |
| Pittington | 1 | 263.16x |
| Rotherhithe | 1 | 17.67x |
| Stafford St Mary | 1 | 45.66x |
| Warwick St Mary | 1 | 100.00x |
| West Derby | 1 | 6.29x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Both 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 Both 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 Both households.
FAQ
In 1881, 47 people were recorded with the Both surname. That placed it at #27,019 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 75 in 2016. That gives Both a modern rank of #33,377.
A surname of German origin referring to a messenger or herald.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Both 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.