NameCensus.

UK surname

Botha

A surname originating from Afrikaans meaning "bush" or "shrub."

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Botha surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 663, ranked #8,048, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Waltham Forest, Southwark and Wandsworth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Botha is 689 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 66200.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

663

2016, ranked #8,048

Peak year

2014

689 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Botha had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 663 in 2016, ranked #8,048.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Botha surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Botha surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Botha 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
1861 historical 3 #33,861
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1901 historical 7 #33,435
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 138 #22,227
1998 modern 163 #20,582
1999 modern 218 #17,258
2000 modern 277 #14,688
2001 modern 279 #14,408
2002 modern 351 #12,583
2003 modern 445 #10,376
2004 modern 490 #9,639
2005 modern 547 #8,819
2006 modern 592 #8,368
2007 modern 590 #8,464
2008 modern 606 #8,343
2009 modern 629 #8,289
2010 modern 686 #7,894
2011 modern 651 #8,148
2012 modern 638 #8,175
2013 modern 677 #7,949
2014 modern 689 #7,875
2015 modern 672 #7,973
2016 modern 663 #8,048

Geography

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Where Bothas are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Waltham Forest, Southwark and Wandsworth. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Waltham Forest 025 Waltham Forest
2 Southwark 008 Southwark
3 Waltham Forest 024 Waltham Forest
4 Waltham Forest 016 Waltham Forest
5 Wandsworth 025 Wandsworth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Botha

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Botha

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Botha surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Botha 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Botha 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

Botha 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

Botha falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Botha 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
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Botha

The surname Botha has its origins in South Africa and is derived from an Afrikaans word meaning "dwelling" or "farmhouse". It is believed to have emerged as a surname in the 17th century among the Dutch settlers who arrived in the Cape Colony.

The name Botha was initially used to identify individuals based on their place of residence or the location of their farmstead. This practice was common during the early colonial period when surnames were not yet fully established.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Botha can be found in the baptismal records of the Dutch Reformed Church in Cape Town, dating back to the late 1600s. The name appeared in various spellings, such as Bothma, Botma, and Botmaar, reflecting the phonetic variations common at the time.

The Botha surname gained prominence in South African history, with several notable figures bearing this name. Louis Botha (1862-1919) was a prominent Boer military leader and statesman who served as the first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa from 1910 to 1919.

Another notable figure was Roelof "Pik" Botha (1932-2018), a South African politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1977 to 1994, playing a significant role in the transition to a democratic South Africa.

The Botha family has also produced several other notable individuals, such as Pieter Willem Botha (1916-2006), who served as the last Prime Minister of apartheid-era South Africa from 1978 to 1984, and later as the first executive State President from 1984 to 1989.

In addition, there have been other prominent individuals with the surname Botha, such as Marthinus Wessel Pretorius Botha (1871-1944), a South African judge and advocate, and Jacobus Nicolaas Boshoff Botha (1905-1963), a South African politician and Cabinet Minister.

The surname Botha has a rich history deeply rooted in South African culture and has produced several influential figures who have shaped the country's political and social landscape over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Botha families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Botha 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. Shropshire leads with 1 Bothas recorded in 1881 and an index of 120.48x.

County Total Index
Shropshire 1 120.48x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Llansilin in Shropshire leads with 1 Bothas recorded in 1881 and an index of 10000.00x.

Place Total Index
Llansilin 1 10000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Frances 1

Top occupations

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 Botha households.

Occupation Count
Dressmaker 1

FAQ

Botha surname: questions and answers

How common was the Botha surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Botha surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Botha surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 663 in 2016. That gives Botha a modern rank of #8,048.

What does the Botha surname mean?

A surname originating from Afrikaans meaning "bush" or "shrub."

What does the Botha map show?

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