NameCensus.

UK surname

Brandreth

An English habitation name for someone living near a brand or clearing in the woods.

In the 1881 census there were 296 people recorded with the Brandreth surname, ranking it #9,823 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 472, ranked #10,433, down from #9,823 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Sutton-in-Ashfield, Fulwood, Toxteth Park and Sandbach. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Maidstone, Halton and Gedling.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brandreth is 503 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 59.5%.

1881 census count

296

Ranked #9,823

Modern count

472

2016, ranked #10,433

Peak year

2000

503 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Brandreth had 296 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,823 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 472 in 2016, ranked #10,433.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 443 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Brandreth surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Brandreth surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Brandreth 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 169 #11,832
1861 historical 182 #12,949
1881 historical 296 #9,823
1891 historical 350 #9,836
1901 historical 367 #10,076
1911 historical 443 #8,611
1997 modern 464 #9,831
1998 modern 493 #9,702
1999 modern 487 #9,866
2000 modern 503 #9,589
2001 modern 501 #9,448
2002 modern 498 #9,664
2003 modern 480 #9,782
2004 modern 477 #9,833
2005 modern 459 #10,053
2006 modern 474 #9,855
2007 modern 468 #10,039
2008 modern 455 #10,319
2009 modern 468 #10,354
2010 modern 485 #10,277
2011 modern 483 #10,215
2012 modern 473 #10,279
2013 modern 491 #10,158
2014 modern 487 #10,289
2015 modern 474 #10,418
2016 modern 472 #10,433

Geography

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Where Brandreths are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Sutton-in-Ashfield, Fulwood, Toxteth Park, Sandbach, St Werburgh and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Maidstone, Halton 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 Sutton-in-Ashfield, Fulwood Nottinghamshire
2 Toxteth Park Lancashire
3 Sandbach Cheshire
4 St Werburgh Derbyshire
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Maidstone 018 Maidstone
2 Halton 001 Halton
3 Gedling 008 Gedling
4 Halton 003 Halton
5 Halton 006 Halton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Brandreth

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Brandreth

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Brandreth surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Brandreth 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Brandreth is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Brandreth is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Brandreth 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 Brandreth is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Brandreth

The surname Brandreth is of English origin, derived from a habitation name referring to a place in Staffordshire. It is believed to have originated from the Old English words "bran", meaning burnt or burned, and "ridge", referring to a ridge of land. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a burnt or scorched ridge.

The earliest recorded instances of the name date back to the late 12th century. In the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire from 1199, there is a reference to a Robert de Bronderugge, which is likely an early spelling variation of the name Brandreth.

The Brandreth name appears in various historical records throughout the centuries. In the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire from 1327, a Hugo de Bronderugge is listed. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also mention a William de Bronderugge.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the Brandreth surname was Thomas Brandreth, who lived in the 16th century. He was a prominent merchant and landowner in Staffordshire during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

In the 17th century, Jeremiah Brandreth (1619-1689) was a prominent English lawyer and judge who served as the Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas from 1678 to 1689.

Another notable figure was Jasper Brandreth (1767-1839), an English actor and playwright known for his roles in plays by William Shakespeare and other renowned playwrights of his time.

In the 19th century, Thomas Shaw Brandreth (1788-1873) was a British lawyer and author who wrote several legal treatises and works on various subjects, including the history of Staffordshire.

Giles Brandreth (born 1948) is a contemporary English writer, broadcaster, and former politician who has authored numerous books and served as a member of parliament for the City of Chester from 1992 to 1997.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Brandreth families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brandreth 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. Lancashire leads with 114 Brandreths recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.32x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 114 3.32x
Cheshire 46 7.19x
Nottinghamshire 30 7.68x
Derbyshire 23 5.07x
Leicestershire 20 6.23x
Kent 10 1.01x
Surrey 8 0.57x
Yorkshire 8 0.28x
Middlesex 7 0.24x
Staffordshire 7 0.72x
Worcestershire 5 1.32x
Norfolk 4 0.90x
Warwickshire 3 0.41x
Bedfordshire 2 1.33x
Berkshire 2 0.92x
Northamptonshire 2 0.73x
Somerset 2 0.43x
Dorset 1 0.53x
Gloucestershire 1 0.18x
Monmouthshire 1 0.48x
Sussex 1 0.20x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sutton In Ashfield in Nottinghamshire leads with 17 Brandreths recorded in 1881 and an index of 200.71x.

Place Total Index
Sutton In Ashfield 17 200.71x
Salford 13 12.86x
Leicester St Margaret 11 14.04x
Pendleton In Salford 11 26.86x
Peover Superior 10 1666.67x
Altrincham 9 80.57x
Ardwick 9 29.02x
Glossop Dale 9 42.37x
Leicester All Sts 9 142.63x
Prescot 9 144.69x
Blackley 8 132.67x
Little Meolse 8 879.12x
Everton 7 6.39x
Goostrey Cum Barnshaw 7 1944.44x
North Meols 7 20.80x
Lambley 6 750.00x
Standish With Langtree 6 141.84x
Toxteth Park 6 5.15x
Chatham 5 18.39x
Derby St Werburgh 5 19.09x
Fairfield 5 165.02x
Handsworth 5 20.75x
Kidderminster Borough 5 22.58x
Kirkdale 5 8.65x
Layton With Warbreck 5 39.62x
Stoke Newington London 5 22.15x
Warrington 5 12.27x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 4 40.73x
Dickleburgh 4 487.80x
Heap 4 21.94x
Snenton 4 26.08x
Beswick 3 34.13x
Charlton 3 45.66x
Chrtltn Cdngtn Nwtn 3 588.24x
Nottingham St Mary 3 2.97x
Preston 3 3.26x
Putney 3 22.73x
Ashborne 2 64.94x
Bedminster 2 4.56x
Canterbury St Gregory 2 153.85x
Edgbaston 2 8.83x
Houghton Regis 2 83.68x
Keighley 2 6.54x
Latchford 2 47.06x
Limpsfield 2 148.15x
Northampton St Giles 2 19.27x
Sandhurst 2 47.51x
St Pancras London 2 0.86x
Stockport 2 6.08x
Stoke Upon Trent 2 1.93x
Wandsworth 2 7.17x
West Derby 2 1.99x
Ashford 1 149.25x
Ashton Under Lyne 1 1.33x
Aston 1 0.50x
Blackden 1 714.29x
Broughton In Salford 1 3.18x
Bury 1 2.55x
Clifton 1 3.48x
Ditton 1 70.92x
Gorton 1 3.09x
Helsby 1 123.46x
Hove 1 4.67x
Hurdsfield 1 25.38x
Knutsford Nether 1 25.84x
Lyme Regis 1 43.86x
Mitchel Troy 1 294.12x
Offcote Underwood 1 212.77x
Ormskirk 1 15.20x
Otley 1 14.35x
Penge 1 5.40x
Pontefract 1 16.18x
Sandbach 1 18.35x
Thornton In Fylde 1 13.30x
Tottington Lower End 1 6.12x
Walton On Hill 1 5.37x
Windle 1 5.17x
Worsley 1 4.72x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Elizabeth 14
Sarah 10
Hannah 7
Jane 6
Ann 5
Annie 5
Ellen 5
Alice 4
Catherine 4
Eliza 4
Martha 4
Caroline 3
Harriet 3
Margaret 3
Ada 2
Adeline 2
Amelia 2
Charlotte 2
Edith 2
Eleanor 2
Elizth. 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Eva 2
Florence 2
Frances 2
Harriett 2
Janet 2
Lizzie 2
Lucy 2
Winifred 2
Alberta 1
Anne 1
Bertila 1
Carlotta 1
Clara 1
Constance 1
E.F.C. 1
Eliz.Gert. 1
Ethel 1
Eugenie 1
Gertrude 1
Henrietta 1
Julia 1
Kathleen 1
Louisa 1
Louise 1
Madeline 1
Maggie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 27
John 22
Thomas 15
Henry 12
Samuel 6
Charles 5
James 4
Joseph 4
Peter 4
Alfred 3
Arthur 3
Benjamin 3
Robert 3
Albert 2
Francis 2
George 2
Thos.G. 2
Walter 2
Brougham 1
Colin 1
Daubeney 1
Edgar 1
Ernest 1
Fred.V. 1
Frederic 1
Geo.E. 1
H.C.G. 1
H.F. 1
Harry 1
Homer 1
Horace 1
Hugh 1
Humphrey 1
Lewis 1
Lyall 1
Roland 1
Rowland 1
Thos. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Brandreth surname: questions and answers

How common was the Brandreth surname in 1881?

In 1881, 296 people were recorded with the Brandreth surname. That placed it at #9,823 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Brandreth surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 472 in 2016. That gives Brandreth a modern rank of #10,433.

What does the Brandreth surname mean?

An English habitation name for someone living near a brand or clearing in the woods.

What does the Brandreth map show?

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