NameCensus.

UK surname

Brandford

From an English place name meaning "broad ford" or "broad crossing".

In the 1881 census there were 55 people recorded with the Brandford surname, ranking it #25,862 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 104, ranked #30,317, down from #25,862 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lewisham, Coventry and Leicester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brandford is 105 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 89.1%.

1881 census count

55

Ranked #25,862

Modern count

104

2016, ranked #30,317

Peak year

2014

105 bearers

Map years

2

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Brandford had 55 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #25,862 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 104 in 2016, ranked #30,317.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 94 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Brandford surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Brandford surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Brandford 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 56 #23,235
1861 historical 68 #25,196
1881 historical 55 #25,862
1891 historical 94 #24,820
1901 historical 71 #26,277
1911 historical 89 #23,922
1997 modern 93 #27,932
1998 modern 103 #27,141
1999 modern 92 #28,833
2000 modern 84 #29,706
2001 modern 78 #30,168
2002 modern 83 #30,070
2003 modern 82 #30,206
2004 modern 84 #30,244
2005 modern 81 #30,740
2006 modern 86 #30,425
2007 modern 89 #30,383
2008 modern 87 #30,999
2009 modern 96 #30,239
2010 modern 94 #31,111
2011 modern 96 #30,721
2012 modern 99 #30,442
2013 modern 104 #30,076
2014 modern 105 #30,204
2015 modern 105 #30,092
2016 modern 104 #30,317

Geography

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Where Brandfords are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Lewisham, Coventry, Leicester, Bristol and Spelthorne. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Lewisham 006 Lewisham
2 Coventry 035 Coventry
3 Leicester 019 Leicester
4 Bristol 016 Bristol, City of
5 Spelthorne 002 Spelthorne

Forenames

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First names often paired with Brandford

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Brandford

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Brandford is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Brandford 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

Brandford falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Brandford 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 Brandford, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Brandford

The surname Brandford has its origins in the English county of Warwickshire, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "brænd" meaning "burnt" and "ford" meaning "a shallow river crossing." This suggests that the name may have originated from a location where a ford or crossing was situated near a burnt area, perhaps after a fire or other incident.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Warwickshire from 1332, which mention a John de Brandeford. This indicates that the name was already well-established in the region by the 14th century.

In the 15th century, the Brandford surname appears in various historical records, such as the Feet of Fines for Warwickshire from 1455, which references a William Brandford. Additionally, the Brandford family is mentioned in the Visitation of Warwickshire from 1619, suggesting their continued presence in the area.

Notable individuals with the surname Brandford include Sir John Brandford (1483-1558), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Stratford-upon-Avon, who served as the town's bailiff in 1527. Another prominent figure was Thomas Brandford (1621-1695), a scholar and clergyman who became the rector of Chislet in Kent.

In the 18th century, the name appears in the parish records of Warwickshire, with entries such as the baptism of Mary Brandford in 1712 at Stratford-upon-Avon. Additionally, the marriage of George Brandford and Elizabeth Smith is recorded in the same parish in 1764.

Moving into the 19th century, the Brandford surname can be found in various locations across England. One notable individual was William Brandford (1789-1867), a successful businessman and philanthropist from Leamington Spa, who made significant contributions to the town's development.

Throughout its history, the Brandford surname has also been associated with several place names, such as Branford in Oxfordshire and Bransford in Worcestershire, which may share a similar linguistic origin.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Brandford families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brandford 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. Cambridgeshire leads with 32 Brandfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 92.54x.

County Total Index
Cambridgeshire 32 92.54x
Kent 4 2.15x
Middlesex 4 0.73x
Yorkshire 4 0.74x
Wigtownshire 3 41.38x
Norfolk 2 2.38x
Shropshire 2 4.24x
Devon 1 0.88x
Nottinghamshire 1 1.36x
Suffolk 1 1.50x
Surrey 1 0.38x
Worcestershire 1 1.40x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Coveney in Cambridgeshire leads with 16 Brandfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 17777.78x.

Place Total Index
Coveney 16 17777.78x
Mepal 11 15714.29x
Witcham 5 7142.86x
Knottingley 4 421.05x
Ludlow St Lawrence 2 212.77x
St Marylebone London 2 6.86x
Whithorn 2 363.64x
Burgh Castle 1 1000.00x
Charlton Next Woolwich 1 51.55x
Eastry 1 384.62x
Faversham 1 56.18x
Glasserton 1 454.55x
Hammersmith London 1 7.43x
Holbeck 1 2000.00x
Lakenham 1 84.03x
Milton In Milton 1 126.58x
Richmond 1 26.81x
St George Hanover Square 1 10.40x
Swanton Morley 1 769.23x
Tenbury 1 256.41x
Totnes 1 151.52x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 4
Emma 2
Hannah 2
Mary 2
Adelaide 1
Ann 1
Beatrice 1
Eliza 1
Elizabeth 1
Elizebeth 1
Fanny 1
Helen 1
Jane 1
Louisa 1
Maria 1
Rebeckah 1
Ruth 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 7
George 6
John 4
Thomas 2
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Harry 1
Issaac 1
James 1
Jesse 1
Richard 1
Walter 1

Top occupations

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 Brandford households.

FAQ

Brandford surname: questions and answers

How common was the Brandford surname in 1881?

In 1881, 55 people were recorded with the Brandford surname. That placed it at #25,862 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Brandford surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 104 in 2016. That gives Brandford a modern rank of #30,317.

What does the Brandford surname mean?

From an English place name meaning "broad ford" or "broad crossing".

What does the Brandford map show?

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