NameCensus.

UK surname

Brankin

A variant of the Scottish surname Brandon meaning 'from Brittany'.

In the 1881 census there were 32 people recorded with the Brankin surname, ranking it #29,082 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 500, ranked #9,983, up from #29,082 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hyndburn, Fairmuir and Bradford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brankin is 500 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1462.5%.

1881 census count

32

Ranked #29,082

Modern count

500

2016, ranked #9,983

Peak year

2016

500 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Brankin had 32 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,082 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 500 in 2016, ranked #9,983.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 77 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Brankin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Brankin surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Brankin 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 9 #31,675
1861 historical 30 #30,188
1881 historical 32 #29,082
1891 historical 61 #29,103
1901 historical 77 #25,627
1911 historical 27 #30,437
1997 modern 427 #10,476
1998 modern 440 #10,581
1999 modern 454 #10,380
2000 modern 462 #10,212
2001 modern 450 #10,226
2002 modern 455 #10,349
2003 modern 459 #10,113
2004 modern 468 #10,005
2005 modern 454 #10,144
2006 modern 445 #10,319
2007 modern 448 #10,365
2008 modern 450 #10,416
2009 modern 455 #10,575
2010 modern 480 #10,353
2011 modern 484 #10,194
2012 modern 463 #10,457
2013 modern 476 #10,385
2014 modern 487 #10,289
2015 modern 487 #10,202
2016 modern 500 #9,983

Geography

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Where Brankins 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 Hyndburn, Fairmuir, Bradford, Ashford and Lochee. 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 Hyndburn 004 Hyndburn
2 Fairmuir Dundee City
3 Bradford 026 Bradford
4 Ashford 009 Ashford
5 Lochee Dundee City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Brankin

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Brankin

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Brankin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Brankin household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Brankin 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

Brankin is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Brankin falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Brankin 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Brankin

The surname Brankin has its roots in England, originating in the 12th century. It is believed to be a locational name, derived from the place name Branken, a small village near Liverpool. The name is thought to have evolved from the Old English words "bracan" and "denu," meaning "bracken valley," referring to the fern-covered valley where the village was situated.

One of the earliest known references to the name Brankin can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lancashire, dated 1188. The entry mentions a John de Brankene, indicating that the name had already been adopted as a surname by that time.

In the 13th century, the surname appeared in various records across Lancashire and Cheshire. The Assize Rolls of 1246 documented a Robert Brankin, who was involved in a land dispute. Additionally, the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 listed a William Brankin as a taxpayer in the village of Branken.

During the 14th century, the name began to spread beyond its original geographical boundaries. The Poll Tax Returns of 1379 recorded a Thomas Brankin living in Oxfordshire, suggesting that members of the family had migrated to other parts of England.

One notable figure bearing the Brankin surname was Sir John Brankin (1480-1555), a respected landowner and member of the gentry in Lancashire. He was knighted by King Henry VIII in 1546 for his loyalty and service to the crown.

Another significant individual was Elizabeth Brankin (1620-1692), who was accused of witchcraft during the infamous Salem Witch Trials in Massachusetts. Despite being acquitted, her case shed light on the prevailing superstitions and injustices of the time.

In the 18th century, the name appeared in various parish records across England. For example, the baptismal records of St. Mary's Church in Warwick mentioned a William Brankin in 1712, and the marriage registers of St. Peter's Church in Liverpool documented the union of James Brankin and Mary Wilkinson in 1778.

During the 19th century, the Brankin surname gained further prominence with the exploits of Captain Robert Brankin (1810-1882), a renowned explorer and navigator who charted numerous uncharted territories in the Pacific Ocean.

Other notable individuals with the Brankin surname include novelist and playwright Emily Brankin (1855-1932), whose works explored themes of social injustice and women's rights, and Sir William Brankin (1890-1965), a decorated military officer who served with distinction in both World Wars.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Brankin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brankin 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 15 Brankins recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.05x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 15 4.05x
Lanarkshire 9 8.92x
Renfrewshire 5 20.68x
Cumberland 1 3.72x
Derbyshire 1 2.05x
Middlesex 1 0.32x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Glasgow in Lanarkshire leads with 7 Brankins recorded in 1881 and an index of 39.06x.

Place Total Index
Glasgow 7 39.06x
Oldham 6 50.21x
Paisley High Church 5 259.07x
Preston 5 50.45x
Bootle Cum Linacre 2 68.03x
Wardleworth 2 94.34x
Cleator 1 89.29x
Derby St Peter 1 64.10x
Gorbals 1 166.67x
Govan 1 4.01x
Westminster St John 1 26.32x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Alice 1
Alicia 1
Ann 1
Anna 1
Elizabeth 1
Jane 1
Margaret 1
Sybil 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 2
John 2
William 2
Arthur 1
J.R. 1
Michael 1
Thomas 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 Brankin households.

FAQ

Brankin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Brankin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 32 people were recorded with the Brankin surname. That placed it at #29,082 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Brankin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 500 in 2016. That gives Brankin a modern rank of #9,983.

What does the Brankin surname mean?

A variant of the Scottish surname Brandon meaning 'from Brittany'.

What does the Brankin map show?

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