NameCensus.

UK surname

Bramble

A locational surname referring to someone who lived near a prickly thicket or an area overgrown with brambles.

In the 1881 census there were 555 people recorded with the Bramble surname, ranking it #6,219 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 891, ranked #6,345, down from #6,219 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Edmonton, London parishes and Eccles. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Lakeland, Portsmouth and Hackney.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bramble is 910 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 60.5%.

1881 census count

555

Ranked #6,219

Modern count

891

2016, ranked #6,345

Peak year

2010

910 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bramble had 555 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,219 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 891 in 2016, ranked #6,345.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 736 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Bramble surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bramble surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bramble 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 452 #5,452
1861 historical 396 #6,476
1881 historical 555 #6,219
1891 historical 590 #6,478
1901 historical 696 #6,314
1911 historical 736 #5,831
1997 modern 794 #6,573
1998 modern 832 #6,548
1999 modern 850 #6,487
2000 modern 858 #6,406
2001 modern 827 #6,488
2002 modern 852 #6,448
2003 modern 842 #6,383
2004 modern 846 #6,376
2005 modern 820 #6,477
2006 modern 850 #6,321
2007 modern 860 #6,315
2008 modern 872 #6,282
2009 modern 904 #6,243
2010 modern 910 #6,335
2011 modern 908 #6,281
2012 modern 865 #6,435
2013 modern 895 #6,370
2014 modern 903 #6,358
2015 modern 890 #6,372
2016 modern 891 #6,345

Geography

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Where Brambles are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Edmonton, London parishes, Eccles, Kingston Deverill and Preston-next-Faversham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Lakeland, Portsmouth, Hackney, Gravesham and Gedling. 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 Edmonton Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
2 London parishes London 3
3 Eccles Lancashire
4 Kingston Deverill Wiltshire
5 Preston-next-Faversham Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Lakeland 011 South Lakeland
2 Portsmouth 002 Portsmouth
3 Hackney 019 Hackney
4 Gravesham 003 Gravesham
5 Gedling 002 Gedling

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bramble

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bramble

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Bramble surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Bramble 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Bramble is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bramble 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

Bramble falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bramble is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Bramble

The surname Bramble is believed to have originated in England, with its earliest known use dating back to the 13th century. The name is derived from the Old English word "bræmbel," meaning a thorny bush or bramble plant. It is likely that the name was initially given as a nickname or descriptive name to someone who lived near a bramble bush or worked with brambles.

The Bramble surname can be traced back to various regions of England, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk. Early recorded instances of the name include Roger de Brambel in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1166, and William Brambel in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296.

One of the earliest known references to the Bramble surname is found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, which mentions a Thomas Bramble. The Hundred Rolls were administrative records compiled in England during the reign of King Edward I, providing valuable insights into the names and occupations of individuals at that time.

In the 14th century, the Bramble surname appeared in various forms, such as Brambell, Brambill, and Brambyll, reflecting the variations in spelling common during that period. One notable example is John Brambell, recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Warwickshire in 1332.

Over the centuries, several individuals with the Bramble surname have gained recognition in various fields. One such person was Sir John Bramble (1594-1668), an English politician and member of Parliament during the English Civil War. Another notable figure was John Bramble (1757-1827), an English actor and playwright known for his comedic roles.

Other notable Brambles include: - William Bramble (1786-1868), an English artist and engraver. - Reuben Bramble (1805-1875), an American politician and lawyer from Ohio. - Emily Bramble (1857-1932), an English author and journalist. - James Bramble (1920-1992), a British actor and screenwriter best known for his work on TV series like Z-Cars.

The Bramble surname has endured throughout the centuries, with its roots firmly planted in the English language and history. While its origins may have been humble, this name has been carried by individuals who have left their mark across various domains, from politics and the arts to literature and entertainment.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bramble families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bramble 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. Hampshire leads with 118 Brambles recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.50x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 118 10.50x
Kent 104 5.56x
Middlesex 72 1.31x
Gloucestershire 40 3.72x
Lancashire 33 0.51x
Norfolk 28 3.32x
Cornwall 25 4.03x
Surrey 19 0.71x
Essex 16 1.48x
Durham 13 0.80x
Devon 12 1.05x
Glamorgan 11 1.15x
Northumberland 10 1.23x
Buckinghamshire 8 2.41x
Lincolnshire 8 0.91x
Wiltshire 8 1.65x
Royal Navy 6 9.18x
Suffolk 6 0.90x
Sussex 5 0.54x
Warwickshire 5 0.36x
Dorset 4 1.11x
Somerset 4 0.45x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.27x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.29x
Cheshire 1 0.08x
Hertfordshire 1 0.26x
Rutland 1 2.48x
Yorkshire 1 0.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Portsea in Hampshire leads with 49 Brambles recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.25x.

Place Total Index
Portsea 49 22.25x
Preston Next Faversham 20 454.55x
St Pancras London 15 3.40x
Crawley 12 1411.76x
Hoo 12 483.87x
Madron Penzance 11 48.74x
Toxteth Park 11 4.99x
Beaulieu 10 571.43x
Bromley London 10 8.29x
Condicote 10 3125.00x
Lenham 10 268.10x
Oulton 10 1408.45x
St Marylebone London 10 3.42x
Badlesmere 9 3103.45x
Christchurch 8 32.83x
Lambeth 8 1.67x
Littleton 8 2162.16x
Maidstone 8 14.36x
Minchinhampton 8 93.35x
Boughton Under Blean 7 223.64x
Camberwell 7 2.00x
Graveney 7 1489.36x
Swindon 7 18.61x
Weeke 7 205.88x
Ash Next Ridley 6 504.20x
Elswick 6 9.22x
Newton Cap 6 237.15x
Plymouth St Andrew 6 6.83x
Royal Navy 6 10.75x
St Austell 6 28.29x
St Erth 6 159.57x
St George Martyr London 6 54.05x
Upton Cum Chalvey 6 45.42x
Whippingham 6 70.51x
Chelsea London 5 3.03x
Clifton 5 9.20x
Happisburgh 5 476.19x
Landkey 5 446.43x
New Sealford 5 277.78x
Romford 5 29.22x
Ystradyfodwg 5 5.97x
Birmingham 4 0.87x
Bishopwearmouth 4 2.86x
Cirencester 4 27.47x
Faversham 4 22.42x
Gorton 4 6.54x
Heydon 4 975.61x
Hornsey 4 5.77x
Leyton 4 21.46x
Llanwonno 4 11.66x
Plumstead 4 6.42x
Shoreditch London 4 1.68x
Strood 4 37.49x
Ashton In Makerfield 3 16.20x
Boughton 3 681.82x
Broadwater 3 14.15x
Carisbrooke 3 19.23x
Chingford 3 114.94x
Coates 3 344.83x
East Ruston 3 240.00x
Everton 3 1.45x
Fritton 3 638.30x
Gateshead 3 2.46x
Ipswich St Clement 3 17.68x
Kensington London 3 0.98x
Liverpool 3 0.76x
Martin In Sleaford 3 194.81x
Newcastle On Tyne St 3 7.10x
Newport 3 49.18x
Pendleton In Salford 3 3.87x
Portsmouth 3 11.60x
Sopley 3 194.81x
Staines 3 34.56x
Blackley 2 17.54x
Bodmin 2 19.47x
Leaveland 2 833.33x
Nottingham St Mary 2 1.05x
Portishead 2 30.49x
St Luke London 2 2.27x
West Ham 2 0.84x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 34
William 31
James 22
George 20
Charles 18
Thomas 18
Henry 16
Edward 15
Joseph 13
Richard 8
Samuel 6
Arthur 5
Frederick 5
Walter 4
Wm. 4
Albert 3
Alfred 3
Benjamin 3
Bartram 2
David 2
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Geo. 2
Lance 2
Reuben 2
Robert 2
Bartholomew 1
Bertram 1
Bruce 1
Charley 1
Charlotte 1
Chris.James 1
Daniel 1
Delhi 1
E. 1
Edmund 1
Edwd. 1
Fred 1
Fredrick 1
Heny.Richd. 1
Herbert 1
Hy. 1
Jno. 1
Job 1
Jos.N.C. 1
Mark 1
Martin 1
Morgan 1
Moses 1
Wm.E. 1

FAQ

Bramble surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bramble surname in 1881?

In 1881, 555 people were recorded with the Bramble surname. That placed it at #6,219 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bramble surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 891 in 2016. That gives Bramble a modern rank of #6,345.

What does the Bramble surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone who lived near a prickly thicket or an area overgrown with brambles.

What does the Bramble map show?

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