UK surname
A locational surname originating from a place name meaning "small stream or brook".
In the 1881 census there were 37 people recorded with the Bourns surname, ranking it #28,418 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 20, ranked #36,679, down from #28,418 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Hartlebury, Manchester and Hythe St Leonard, Cheriton, Newington, Saltwood, West Hythe, Burmarsh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bourns is 153 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 45.9%.
1881 census count
37
Ranked #28,418
Modern count
20
2016, ranked #36,679
Peak year
1891
153 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bourns surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bourns 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 | 67 | #21,440 |
| 1861 | historical | 67 | #25,342 |
| 1881 | historical | 37 | #28,418 |
| 1891 | historical | 153 | #18,078 |
| 1901 | historical | 30 | #30,724 |
| 1911 | historical | 41 | #28,802 |
| 1997 | modern | 27 | #35,016 |
| 1998 | modern | 23 | #35,603 |
| 1999 | modern | 24 | #35,514 |
| 2000 | modern | 24 | #35,498 |
| 2001 | modern | 21 | #35,646 |
| 2002 | modern | 20 | #35,894 |
| 2003 | modern | 22 | #35,740 |
| 2004 | modern | 23 | #35,786 |
| 2005 | modern | 27 | #35,588 |
| 2006 | modern | 23 | #36,054 |
| 2007 | modern | 21 | #36,290 |
| 2008 | modern | 20 | #36,443 |
| 2009 | modern | 23 | #36,313 |
| 2010 | modern | 23 | #36,400 |
| 2011 | modern | 20 | #36,587 |
| 2012 | modern | 24 | #36,288 |
| 2013 | modern | 27 | #36,150 |
| 2014 | modern | 22 | #36,496 |
| 2015 | modern | 20 | #36,653 |
| 2016 | modern | 20 | #36,679 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Hartlebury, Manchester, Hythe St Leonard, Cheriton, Newington, Saltwood, West Hythe, Burmarsh, Oxted and St Marylebone. 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 | Hartlebury | Worcestershire |
| 2 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 3 | Hythe St Leonard, Cheriton, Newington, Saltwood, West Hythe, Burmarsh | Kent |
| 4 | Oxted | Surrey |
| 5 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bourns 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 Bourns, 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 Bourns surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bourns 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, Bourns 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 Bourns is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bourns, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Bourns has its origins in England, where it first emerged in the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "burna," which means "stream" or "brook." This suggests that the name may have been originally given to someone who lived near a small stream or watercourse.
The earliest recorded instances of the name date back to the 13th century. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was John de Burne, who was mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1274. Another early record is that of William de la Bourne, who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327.
In the 14th century, the name appeared in various spellings, such as Bourne, Burn, and Burne, reflecting the lack of standardized spelling at the time. One notable figure from this period was John Bourne, a prominent English scholar who lived from around 1380 to 1451. He was a fellow of New College, Oxford, and served as the Chancellor of the University of Cambridge from 1444 to 1451.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname Bourns continued to be found in various parts of England. One notable bearer of the name was Samuel Bourne, an English clergyman and author who lived from 1648 to 1719. He was the vicar of Wye in Kent and wrote several works on religious and philosophical topics.
In the 18th century, the name was associated with the town of Bournemouth in Dorset, which derived its name from a nearby stream called the Bourne Stream. This may have contributed to the spelling variation "Bourns" becoming more prevalent in that region.
One notable figure from this period was Reuben Bourne, an English artist and engraver who lived from 1759 to 1811. He was known for his landscape paintings and engravings, and his works were highly regarded during his lifetime.
Another significant bearer of the surname was William Sturges Bourne, an English statesman and writer who lived from 1769 to 1845. He served as a Member of Parliament and held various government positions, including that of President of the Board of Trade.
As the centuries progressed, the surname Bourns continued to be found in various parts of England, with bearers of the name making their mark in various fields, from academia to the arts and politics.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bourns 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. Lancashire leads with 7 Bourns' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.73x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 7 | 1.73x |
| Surrey | 5 | 3.01x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 1.17x |
| Worcestershire | 4 | 8.98x |
| Essex | 3 | 4.45x |
| Staffordshire | 3 | 2.60x |
| Wiltshire | 3 | 9.94x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 2.66x |
| Sussex | 2 | 3.48x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 1.87x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.99x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ardwick in Lancashire leads with 5 Bourns' recorded in 1881 and an index of 136.99x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Ardwick | 5 | 136.99x |
| Oxted | 5 | 2500.00x |
| Kings Norton | 3 | 75.00x |
| Kingswinford | 3 | 71.77x |
| Warminster | 3 | 454.55x |
| Brighton | 2 | 17.23x |
| Paddington London | 2 | 15.94x |
| Clent | 1 | 833.33x |
| Ferryhill | 1 | 285.71x |
| Great Burstead | 1 | 400.00x |
| Hillingdon | 1 | 91.74x |
| Monks Coppenhall | 1 | 35.21x |
| Smisby | 1 | 3333.33x |
| South Shoebury | 1 | 370.37x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 5.49x |
| Stockport | 1 | 25.77x |
| Stretford | 1 | 44.84x |
| West Ham | 1 | 6.72x |
| Wigan | 1 | 17.67x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bourns 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 Bourns 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 Bourns households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 2 |
| ... Hawker | 1 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Brickmaker | 1 |
| Confectioners Assistant | 1 |
| Cotton Weaver | 1 |
| Engine Driver Colliery | 1 |
| From... | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| General Labourer Wife | 1 |
| Horse Keeper | 1 |
| House Carpenter | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Iron Dresser In Foundry | 1 |
| Maltster | 1 |
| Nursery Maid | 1 |
| Pauper | 1 |
| Pedlar | 1 |
| Physician & Surgeon | 1 |
| Physicians Wife | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Sewing Machinist | 1 |
| Silker | 1 |
| Soldiers Wife | 1 |
| Surgeon Major Att Corps | 1 |
| Tailor 18/- | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 37 people were recorded with the Bourns surname. That placed it at #28,418 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 20 in 2016. That gives Bourns a modern rank of #36,679.
A locational surname originating from a place name meaning "small stream or brook".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bourns 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.