NameCensus.

UK surname

Bottom

An occupational surname referring to someone living at the base of a hill or valley.

In the 1881 census there were 796 people recorded with the Bottom surname, ranking it #4,675 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 421, ranked #11,388, down from #4,675 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Silkstone, London parishes and Kirkheaton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Barnsley, Sheffield and North East Derbyshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bottom is 931 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 47.1%.

1881 census count

796

Ranked #4,675

Modern count

421

2016, ranked #11,388

Peak year

1911

931 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bottom had 796 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,675 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 421 in 2016, ranked #11,388.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 931 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Bottom surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bottom surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bottom 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 840 #3,231
1861 historical 927 #2,998
1881 historical 796 #4,675
1891 historical 907 #4,545
1901 historical 912 #5,094
1911 historical 931 #4,819
1997 modern 481 #9,584
1998 modern 502 #9,562
1999 modern 510 #9,517
2000 modern 487 #9,819
2001 modern 470 #9,906
2002 modern 461 #10,228
2003 modern 459 #10,113
2004 modern 435 #10,600
2005 modern 420 #10,781
2006 modern 418 #10,861
2007 modern 414 #11,072
2008 modern 419 #11,058
2009 modern 428 #11,112
2010 modern 440 #11,101
2011 modern 436 #11,053
2012 modern 421 #11,245
2013 modern 417 #11,556
2014 modern 424 #11,463
2015 modern 418 #11,516
2016 modern 421 #11,388

Geography

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Where Bottoms are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Silkstone, London parishes, Kirkheaton, Sheffield and Huddersfield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Barnsley, Sheffield and North East Derbyshire. 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 Silkstone Yorkshire, West Riding
2 London parishes London 3
3 Kirkheaton Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Huddersfield Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Barnsley 019 Barnsley
2 Barnsley 016 Barnsley
3 Sheffield 065 Sheffield
4 North East Derbyshire 014 North East Derbyshire
5 Barnsley 024 Barnsley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bottom

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bottom

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Bottom surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Bottom 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Bottom 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

Bottom 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

Bottom falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bottom is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 20-25 mbit/s.

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

4
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Bottom

The surname BOTTOM is of English origin, and it is believed to have originated in the northern regions of England during the medieval period, specifically around the 13th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Old English word "botm," which means "valley" or "bottom land."

The earliest recorded use of the surname BOTTOM can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it was listed as "de Bothem." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near the bottom of a valley or in a low-lying area. Over time, the spelling evolved to its modern form, BOTTOM.

In the 14th century, the surname BOTTOM appeared in various historical records, such as the Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns of 1379, where it was recorded as "Bothum." This indicates that the name had spread to different parts of northern England and had taken on various spellings.

One notable individual bearing the surname BOTTOM was John Bottom, who was born in Yorkshire, England, in the late 15th century. He was a prominent merchant and landowner, and his name appeared in several legal documents and property records from that era.

Another historical figure with the surname BOTTOM was William Bottom, who lived in the 16th century. He was a member of the clergy and served as the rector of St. Michael's Church in Alnwick, Northumberland, from 1548 to 1568.

In the 17th century, the surname BOTTOM gained recognition through the work of Samuel Bottom, an English playwright and actor. He was born in 1600 and is best known for his contributions to the Restoration theater in London.

During the 18th century, the name BOTTOM was associated with the village of Bottom, located in the West Riding of Yorkshire. This place name likely derived from the same Old English word that gave rise to the surname, further reinforcing the connection between the name and geographic features.

One of the most famous individuals with the surname BOTTOM was Sir Samuel Bottom, an English politician and landowner who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He served as a Member of Parliament and was actively involved in local affairs in Yorkshire.

While the surname BOTTOM may have originated in the northern regions of England, it eventually spread to other parts of the country and even abroad, as people migrated and established new settlements. Today, the name can be found in various countries around the world, serving as a reminder of its long and fascinating history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bottom families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bottom 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. Yorkshire leads with 371 Bottoms recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.80x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 371 4.80x
Derbyshire 75 6.15x
Lancashire 57 0.62x
Middlesex 43 0.55x
Staffordshire 38 1.44x
Surrey 29 0.76x
Cheshire 25 1.45x
Kent 23 0.86x
Herefordshire 21 6.57x
Leicestershire 17 1.97x
Hertfordshire 15 2.79x
Cambridgeshire 14 2.84x
Northamptonshire 12 1.64x
Rutland 11 19.22x
Durham 10 0.43x
Warwickshire 9 0.46x
Berkshire 6 1.03x
Norfolk 5 0.42x
Nottinghamshire 5 0.48x
Hampshire 4 0.25x
Lincolnshire 2 0.16x
Sussex 2 0.15x
Bedfordshire 1 0.25x
Essex 1 0.07x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.65x
Suffolk 1 0.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sheffield in Yorkshire leads with 56 Bottoms recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.78x.

Place Total Index
Sheffield 56 22.78x
Huddersfield 37 32.88x
Nether Hallam 25 23.93x
Thornhill 22 97.60x
Mirfield 19 44.81x
Brightside Bierlow 17 11.22x
Silkstone 17 445.03x
Islington London 16 2.12x
Dilwyn 15 535.71x
Barugh 14 214.72x
Melton Mowbray 14 90.09x
Newcastle Under Lyme 14 30.08x
Dukinfield 12 15.09x
Ecclesall Bierlow 12 7.64x
Wisbech St Mary 12 211.64x
Bramley In Bramley 11 37.20x
Dalton In Huddersfield 11 63.58x
Eye 11 314.29x
Holbeck 11 21.50x
Ulcombe 11 628.57x
Heeley 10 42.61x
Aston 9 1.66x
Edale 9 1011.24x
Kimberworth 9 20.99x
Lindley Cum Quarmby 9 46.20x
Lockwood 9 32.39x
Derby St Werburgh 8 11.35x
Eckington 8 26.99x
Hunslet 8 6.64x
Kirkheaton 8 63.85x
Lambeth 8 1.18x
St Albans St Stephen 8 170.21x
Ashton Under Lyne 7 3.46x
Ashwell 7 1076.92x
Battersea 7 2.44x
Lancaster 7 12.72x
Oldham 7 2.35x
Pentrich 7 101.89x
Todmorden Walsden 7 28.25x
Almondbury 6 16.06x
Chorlton On Medlock 6 4.08x
Derby St Peter 6 15.44x
Great Longstone With 6 461.54x
Hatfield In Thorne 6 124.48x
Kingsley 6 122.45x
Longwood 6 48.19x
Ockbrook 6 115.83x
St Albans St Peter 6 33.09x
Toxteth Park 6 1.92x
Wolstanton Knutton 6 37.36x
Barnsley 5 6.28x
Crompton 5 18.98x
Eardisland 5 240.38x
Lepton 5 61.96x
Litchurch 5 10.18x
Rugeley 5 26.48x
St George Hanover Square 5 3.64x
St Luke London 5 4.00x
Stayley 5 25.42x
Alvaston 4 114.94x
Bramley 4 119.40x
Droylsden 4 13.26x
Leeds 4 0.92x
Linthwaite 4 24.65x
Newington 4 1.39x
Norwich St Clement 4 28.80x
Oakham Lordshold 4 66.78x
St Marylebone London 4 0.96x
St Pancras London 4 0.64x
Whitwell 4 82.47x
Wilne 4 143.37x
Batley 3 4.09x
Dawdon 3 10.52x
Deptford St Paul 3 1.46x
Kingston On Thames 3 3.29x
Milton In Gravesend 3 7.52x
Minster In Sheppey 3 6.81x
Openshaw 3 6.93x
Portsea 3 0.96x
Tintwistle 3 32.64x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 59
Sarah 37
Elizabeth 28
Emma 21
Martha 18
Alice 14
Annie 14
Ann 13
Eliza 12
Hannah 12
Emily 11
Jane 10
Clara 7
Ellen 7
Louisa 7
Margaret 7
Maria 6
Ada 5
Catherine 5
Charlotte 5
Frances 5
Harriet 5
Lucy 5
Amelia 4
Edith 4
Florence 4
Harriett 4
Kate 4
Matilda 4
Bertha 3
Amy 2
Caroline 2
Elizth. 2
Esther 2
Eva 2
Honor 2
Marion 2
Rebecca 2
Selina 2
Sophia 2
Susan 2
Anne 1
Betty 1
Elenor 1
Emila 1
Janet 1
Jeanetta 1
Jennet 1
Julia 1
Zipah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 49
William 41
Henry 24
George 21
Joseph 20
Charles 19
Thomas 18
James 15
Edward 11
Arthur 9
Frederick 9
Harry 9
Albert 7
Alfred 7
Herbert 6
Mark 6
Samuel 6
Geo. 5
Wm. 5
David 4
Jno. 4
Walter 4
Elijah 3
Frank 3
Fred 3
Fredk. 3
Joe 3
Richard 3
Sam 3
Thos. 3
Benjamin 2
Dan 2
Daniel 2
Francis 2
Harold 2
Jos. 2
Josiah 2
Richd. 2
Robert 2
Tom 2
Wright 2
Arculus 1
Chas. 1
Ernest 1
G. 1
Jim 1
Jno.O. 1
Jno.W. 1
Job 1
Zech. 1

FAQ

Bottom surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bottom surname in 1881?

In 1881, 796 people were recorded with the Bottom surname. That placed it at #4,675 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bottom surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 421 in 2016. That gives Bottom a modern rank of #11,388.

What does the Bottom surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to someone living at the base of a hill or valley.

What does the Bottom map show?

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