NameCensus.

UK surname

Bracher

A surname originating from an occupational name for a maker of woven fabrics.

In the 1881 census there were 430 people recorded with the Bracher surname, ranking it #7,569 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 550, ranked #9,280, down from #7,569 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Galston, West Dorset and Chichester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bracher is 580 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 27.9%.

1881 census count

430

Ranked #7,569

Modern count

550

2016, ranked #9,280

Peak year

2014

580 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bracher had 430 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,569 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 550 in 2016, ranked #9,280.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 482 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Bracher surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bracher surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bracher 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 364 #6,509
1861 historical 278 #8,998
1881 historical 430 #7,569
1891 historical 458 #7,974
1901 historical 482 #8,275
1911 historical 447 #8,552
1997 modern 545 #8,727
1998 modern 560 #8,793
1999 modern 577 #8,662
2000 modern 555 #8,883
2001 modern 540 #8,919
2002 modern 543 #9,059
2003 modern 547 #8,872
2004 modern 546 #8,906
2005 modern 512 #9,286
2006 modern 513 #9,305
2007 modern 521 #9,271
2008 modern 516 #9,416
2009 modern 536 #9,356
2010 modern 567 #9,148
2011 modern 557 #9,170
2012 modern 556 #9,092
2013 modern 575 #9,014
2014 modern 580 #9,013
2015 modern 564 #9,119
2016 modern 550 #9,280

Geography

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Where Brachers are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Galston, West Dorset, Chichester, Hartlepool and Birmingham. 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 Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton Devon
4 London parishes London 3
5 Sutton Mandeville Wiltshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Galston East Ayrshire
2 West Dorset 003 West Dorset
3 Chichester 014 Chichester
4 Hartlepool 014 Hartlepool
5 Birmingham 005 Birmingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bracher

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bracher

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

Ageing Communities

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Bracher is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bracher 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

Bracher 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 Bracher 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 Bracher, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Bracher

The surname Bracher has its origins in Germany, emerging during the Middle Ages around the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old German word "brahha," which means a clearing or a small field. This suggests that the name was likely adopted by individuals who lived or worked near such areas.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bracher can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae, a collection of medieval documents from Saxony, dating back to the 13th century. This record mentions a "Henricus Brachter" in the year 1285, indicating the name's presence in the region during that time.

The Bracher name has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One such individual was Johannes Bracher, a German theologian and reformer born in 1524 in Mühlhausen, Thuringia. He played a significant role in the Reformation movement and was a close associate of Martin Luther.

Another prominent figure was Johann Bracher, a 16th-century German architect and sculptor. He was responsible for the design and construction of several notable buildings, including the Alte Kanzlei in Landshut, which was completed in 1581.

In the 17th century, the Bracher name gained recognition through the work of Johann Bracher, a German physician and botanist. He authored several influential works on medicinal plants and their uses, contributing significantly to the field of herbal medicine during his lifetime.

The 18th century saw the rise of Johann Gottfried Bracher, a German composer and organist. Born in 1732 in Zwickau, Saxony, he composed numerous works for organ and choir, many of which were performed in churches throughout Germany.

Moving into the 19th century, the name Bracher was carried by Wilhelm Bracher, a German painter and lithographer. Born in 1809 in Nuremberg, he was known for his landscapes and views of cities, capturing the beauty of his surroundings through his art.

While these historical figures provide glimpses into the Bracher name's legacy, it is important to note that the name's origins and evolution are deeply rooted in the German language and culture, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the Middle Ages.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bracher families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bracher 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. Wiltshire leads with 95 Brachers recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.55x.

County Total Index
Wiltshire 95 25.55x
Middlesex 61 1.45x
Somerset 56 8.28x
Dorset 37 13.41x
Gloucestershire 35 4.24x
Devon 33 3.77x
Hampshire 25 2.90x
Surrey 20 0.98x
Kent 19 1.32x
Essex 17 2.05x
Herefordshire 7 4.06x
Glamorgan 6 0.82x
Bedfordshire 5 2.30x
Buckinghamshire 4 1.57x
Cambridgeshire 2 0.75x
Oxfordshire 2 0.77x
Sussex 2 0.28x
Worcestershire 2 0.36x
Berkshire 1 0.32x
Lancashire 1 0.02x
Royal Navy 1 2.00x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barnstaple in Devon leads with 25 Brachers recorded in 1881 and an index of 181.95x.

Place Total Index
Barnstaple 25 181.95x
St Pancras London 15 4.43x
Sutton Mandeville 14 4242.42x
West Ham 14 7.64x
Chelsea London 13 10.26x
Taunton St Mary 13 104.67x
Fisherton Anger 11 159.88x
Walcot 11 30.52x
Andover 10 122.85x
Bristol St James St Paul 10 36.38x
Gillingham 10 210.97x
Willesden 10 25.23x
Bower Chalk 9 1500.00x
Charlton Next Woolwich 9 60.16x
Salisbury St Martin 9 232.56x
Bedminster 8 12.58x
Greenwich 8 11.95x
Tormoham 8 21.60x
Wincanton 8 229.89x
Eye 7 693.07x
Motcombe 7 344.83x
Cheltenham 6 9.43x
Fovant 6 740.74x
Hampreston 6 300.00x
Sixpenny Handley 6 444.44x
Battersea 5 3.23x
Bristol St Paul In 5 22.76x
Croydon 5 4.40x
Lambeth 5 1.36x
Sedghill 5 1785.71x
St George In East London 5 12.65x
Turvey 5 362.32x
Anstey 4 952.38x
Bristol St George 4 10.49x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 4 53.26x
Etchilhampton 4 1666.67x
Freshford 4 689.66x
Semley 4 404.04x
Southampton All Sts 4 27.05x
St George Hanover Square 4 5.40x
Swansea Town 4 6.66x
Teffont Evias 4 2352.94x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 3 3.86x
Eling 3 34.36x
Fonthill Gifford 3 434.78x
Hanwell 3 40.27x
Lillingstone Dayrell 3 750.00x
Ludgershall 3 422.54x
Lyncombe Widcombe 3 16.93x
Newington 3 1.93x
Saffron Walden 3 34.21x
Yeovil 3 21.82x
Bermondsey 2 1.60x
Bourton 2 165.29x
Cardiff St Mary 2 4.96x
Cranborne 2 59.88x
Donhead St Andrew 2 175.44x
Dover St James 2 31.80x
East Tisbury 2 156.25x
Evesham St Lawrence 2 68.49x
Frome 2 12.35x
Oxford St Giles 2 16.14x
Potterne 2 119.76x
Sherborne 2 24.60x
Southampton St Mary 2 3.69x
St Andrewthe Less 2 6.57x
St George Martyr London 2 23.47x
St Marylebone London 2 0.89x
St Stephen Coleman Street 2 135.14x
Wardour 2 183.49x
Westminster St Margaret 2 9.86x
Weston Super Mare 2 11.70x
Bathford 1 71.94x
Bristol St Mary Le Port 1 666.67x
Christchurch 1 5.35x
Downton 1 20.53x
East Holme 1 769.23x
Hackney London 1 0.42x
Reading St Giles 1 3.23x
Warminster 1 12.27x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 27
William 23
John 17
Edward 10
Henry 10
Charles 8
James 8
Frederick 7
Walter 7
Alfred 6
Thomas 6
Edwin 5
Frank 4
Joseph 4
Reuben 4
Tom 4
Fred 3
Jesse 3
Morgan 3
Thos. 3
Arthur 2
Francis 2
Harry 2
Ivon 2
Phillip 2
Richard 2
Silas 2
Chas. 1
Daniel 1
Ebenezer 1
Eliry 1
F. 1
Fred. 1
Fredrick 1
Harold 1
Henery 1
Herbert 1
Jas. 1
Jethro 1
Matthew 1
Matthias 1
Percy 1
Philip 1
Robert 1
Rueben 1
Saml. 1
Samuel 1
Stephen 1
Theodore 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Bracher surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bracher surname in 1881?

In 1881, 430 people were recorded with the Bracher surname. That placed it at #7,569 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bracher surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 550 in 2016. That gives Bracher a modern rank of #9,280.

What does the Bracher surname mean?

A surname originating from an occupational name for a maker of woven fabrics.

What does the Bracher map show?

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