NameCensus.

UK surname

Brame

An English occupational surname for a maker or seller of bridles, saddles, and other horse equipment.

In the 1881 census there were 248 people recorded with the Brame surname, ranking it #11,140 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 700, ranked #7,703, up from #11,140 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Stowmarket and Bradford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ipswich and Bradford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brame is 722 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 182.3%.

1881 census count

248

Ranked #11,140

Modern count

700

2016, ranked #7,703

Peak year

2013

722 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Brame had 248 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,140 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 700 in 2016, ranked #7,703.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 568 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Brame surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Brame surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Brame 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 195 #10,620
1861 historical 204 #11,814
1881 historical 248 #11,140
1891 historical 411 #8,675
1901 historical 448 #8,735
1911 historical 568 #7,120
1997 modern 667 #7,524
1998 modern 690 #7,565
1999 modern 694 #7,567
2000 modern 700 #7,492
2001 modern 677 #7,551
2002 modern 674 #7,736
2003 modern 642 #7,895
2004 modern 659 #7,755
2005 modern 652 #7,751
2006 modern 673 #7,601
2007 modern 664 #7,745
2008 modern 673 #7,701
2009 modern 684 #7,784
2010 modern 713 #7,667
2011 modern 709 #7,627
2012 modern 689 #7,692
2013 modern 722 #7,554
2014 modern 721 #7,598
2015 modern 718 #7,573
2016 modern 700 #7,703

Geography

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Where Brames are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Stowmarket, Bradford and Ipswich St Mary Stoke. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Ipswich and Bradford. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Stowmarket Suffolk
3 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Ipswich St Mary Stoke Suffolk
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Ipswich 003 Ipswich
2 Ipswich 006 Ipswich
3 Bradford 031 Bradford
4 Ipswich 016 Ipswich
5 Ipswich 015 Ipswich

Forenames

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First names often paired with Brame

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Brame

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Brame surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Brame household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Brame 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

Brame is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Brame falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Brame 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Brame

The surname Brame originated in France, where it can be traced back to the early Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French word "brame," which means "to bray" or "to cry out." This suggests that the name may have initially been a nickname for someone with a loud or boisterous voice.

The earliest known record of the name Brame appears in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive land survey commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This document includes several entries for individuals bearing the name Brame or similar spellings, such as Bram or Brahme.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the Brame family was concentrated in the northern regions of France, particularly in Normandy and Brittany. This is evidenced by historical records and the prevalence of place names containing the root "Brame," such as Bramevilliers and Bramevaque.

One notable figure bearing the Brame surname was Jean Brame, a French philosopher and theologian who lived in the late 15th century. He was known for his influential works on moral philosophy and his contributions to the intellectual discourse of the Renaissance period.

In the 17th century, a branch of the Brame family settled in England, where they established themselves as respected landowners and members of the gentry. One prominent English Brame was Sir Thomas Brame (1620-1692), a wealthy merchant and philanthropist who funded the construction of several churches and charitable institutions in his hometown of Bristol.

Another individual of historical significance was Jacques Brame (1745-1821), a French military officer who served under Napoleon Bonaparte. He rose to the rank of General and played a crucial role in several important battles during the Napoleonic Wars.

Over time, the Brame surname spread to other parts of Europe and eventually to the Americas, where it can still be found today. Despite its evolution and geographical dispersal, the name retains its connection to its Old French roots and the legacy of those who bore it throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Brame families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brame 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. Suffolk leads with 78 Brames recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.26x.

County Total Index
Suffolk 78 26.26x
Middlesex 41 1.68x
Norfolk 25 6.67x
Yorkshire 22 0.91x
Lancashire 13 0.45x
Derbyshire 11 2.88x
Gloucestershire 10 2.09x
Kent 9 1.08x
Warwickshire 9 1.46x
Essex 8 1.66x
Surrey 6 0.51x
Buckinghamshire 5 3.39x
Sussex 5 1.22x
Lincolnshire 4 1.03x
Hampshire 2 0.40x
Royal Navy 2 6.88x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bradford in Yorkshire leads with 22 Brames recorded in 1881 and an index of 37.61x.

Place Total Index
Bradford 22 37.61x
Stow Upland 22 2244.90x
Ipswich St Mathew 12 144.23x
St Pancras London 12 6.11x
Litchurch 11 71.61x
Ipswich St Margaret 10 99.21x
Aldeburgh 7 397.73x
Bristol St Augustine 7 90.67x
Chelmsford 7 84.75x
Knockholt 7 1060.61x
Poplar London 7 15.21x
Bury St Edmunds St James 6 75.66x
Diss 6 186.92x
Stonham Earl 6 1132.08x
Toxteth Park 6 6.12x
West Harling 6 6000.00x
Birmingham 5 2.44x
Eton 5 149.70x
Hulme 5 8.28x
Mile End Old Town London 5 9.63x
Thetford St Cuthbert 5 367.65x
Aston 4 2.36x
Gasthorpe 4 5000.00x
Hammersmith London 4 6.66x
St Martin Lincoln 4 110.50x
Bridgham 3 1304.35x
Fulham London 3 8.48x
Hendon 3 34.21x
Littleworth 3 652.17x
Little Stonham 2 769.23x
Lowestoft 2 14.26x
New Shoreham 2 81.30x
Royal Navy 2 8.05x
Ryde 2 18.62x
Southwark St John 2 26.81x
St George Hanover Square 2 4.66x
Stowmarket 2 58.31x
Stretford 2 12.56x
Westhorpe 2 1111.11x
Ashill 1 181.82x
Battisford 1 277.78x
Clapham 1 3.28x
Creeting St Peter 1 500.00x
Gislingham 1 217.39x
Greenwich 1 2.58x
Hampstead London 1 2.63x
Hastings St Clement 1 25.84x
Hove 1 5.54x
Ipswich St Clement 1 13.25x
Ipswich St Helen 1 28.41x
Kensington London 1 0.74x
Knettishall 1 1666.67x
Lambeth 1 0.47x
Lewisham 1 2.25x
Newington 1 1.11x
Shoreditch London 1 0.95x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 2.04x
St Gilesin Fields London 1 48.54x
St Marylebone London 1 0.77x
Subdeanery 1 32.05x
Walton 1 94.34x
West Ham 1 0.94x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 18
John 16
George 12
Arthur 8
Thomas 8
Alfred 6
Frederick 5
Henry 5
Walter 5
Albert 4
Edwin 3
Isaac 3
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Herbert 2
James 2
Richard 2
Robert 2
Samuel 2
Alexander 1
Allen 1
Arnest 1
Charles 1
Chas.Sydney 1
Cristopher 1
Edmund 1
Edward 1
Eustace 1
Fred. 1
Fredrick 1
Geo.B. 1
Hy. 1
Jno. 1
Joseph 1
Josiah 1
Louis 1
Oliver 1
Spencer 1
Tho. 1
Trace 1
Wyndham 1

FAQ

Brame surname: questions and answers

How common was the Brame surname in 1881?

In 1881, 248 people were recorded with the Brame surname. That placed it at #11,140 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Brame surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 700 in 2016. That gives Brame a modern rank of #7,703.

What does the Brame surname mean?

An English occupational surname for a maker or seller of bridles, saddles, and other horse equipment.

What does the Brame map show?

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