UK surname
An English surname originating from a place name derived from the Old English words "bræm" (brier or bramble) and "ham" (homestead).
In the 1881 census there were 104 people recorded with the Bransom surname, ranking it #19,296 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 63, ranked #34,163, down from #19,296 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Willesden, Hull Holy Trinity and Richmond. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bransom is 169 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 39.4%.
1881 census count
104
Ranked #19,296
Modern count
63
2016, ranked #34,163
Peak year
1901
169 bearers
Map years
3
1881 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bransom surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bransom surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 94 | #17,837 |
| 1861 | historical | 59 | #26,466 |
| 1881 | historical | 104 | #19,296 |
| 1891 | historical | 83 | #26,376 |
| 1901 | historical | 169 | #16,824 |
| 1911 | historical | 112 | #21,274 |
| 1997 | modern | 64 | #31,233 |
| 1998 | modern | 68 | #31,181 |
| 1999 | modern | 64 | #31,692 |
| 2000 | modern | 59 | #32,217 |
| 2001 | modern | 61 | #31,891 |
| 2002 | modern | 59 | #32,468 |
| 2003 | modern | 60 | #32,446 |
| 2004 | modern | 60 | #32,684 |
| 2005 | modern | 48 | #33,932 |
| 2006 | modern | 50 | #34,077 |
| 2007 | modern | 56 | #33,875 |
| 2008 | modern | 58 | #33,918 |
| 2009 | modern | 64 | #33,675 |
| 2010 | modern | 69 | #33,560 |
| 2011 | modern | 68 | #33,613 |
| 2012 | modern | 72 | #33,502 |
| 2013 | modern | 70 | #33,753 |
| 2014 | modern | 68 | #33,898 |
| 2015 | modern | 68 | #33,854 |
| 2016 | modern | 63 | #34,163 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Willesden, Hull Holy Trinity, Richmond, Newton Blossomville and Hendon. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Willesden | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 2 | Hull Holy Trinity | Yorkshire, East Riding |
| 3 | Richmond | Surrey |
| 4 | Newton Blossomville | Buckinghamshire |
| 5 | Hendon | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bransom surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bransom, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Bransom surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bransom household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Bransom is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bransom is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bransom, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Bransom has its origins rooted in medieval England, emerging around the 13th century. This name is believed to have derived from the Old English words "bran" meaning "brand" or "burn" and "sum" meaning "place," suggesting a connection to a place associated with burning or branding.
One potential origin theory traces the name to the village of Bransham in Norfolk, where the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found. In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a record of landowners and tenants, the name is documented as "Robert de Bransham," indicating a person hailing from that particular location.
Another notable early reference to the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, where a "Walter Bransum" is listed. This record provides evidence of the name's presence in different regions of England during the medieval period.
One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing this surname was John Bransom, who lived in the late 14th century and served as a member of the Parliament of England during the reign of King Richard II.
In the 15th century, the name appeared in various historical documents, including the Paston Letters, a collection of correspondences from a prominent Norfolk family. These letters mention a "Thomas Bransom," a clergyman who played a role in the Paston family affairs.
Fast-forwarding to the 16th century, the name gained prominence with Sir John Bransom, a wealthy merchant and landowner from Suffolk. Born around 1520, he was known for his philanthropic efforts, including the establishment of a grammar school in his hometown.
During the 17th century, another notable figure was William Bransom, a prominent lawyer and legal scholar who authored several influential treatises on English law. He was born in Lincolnshire in 1620 and made significant contributions to the development of legal principles during his lifetime.
The 18th century saw the rise of Thomas Bransom, a celebrated architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the renowned St. Martin-in-the-Fields church. Born in 1688, his architectural legacy remains a testament to his skill and talent.
As the centuries progressed, the Bransom surname continued to be associated with individuals who made their mark in various fields, from academia to the arts, further enriching the historical tapestry of this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bransom surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Bedfordshire leads with 26 Bransoms recorded in 1881 and an index of 49.51x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bedfordshire | 26 | 49.51x |
| Middlesex | 21 | 2.07x |
| Buckinghamshire | 16 | 26.09x |
| Surrey | 13 | 2.63x |
| Huntingdonshire | 12 | 59.58x |
| Hertfordshire | 6 | 8.58x |
| Lincolnshire | 4 | 2.47x |
| Essex | 3 | 1.50x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.50x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.08x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.10x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hendon in Middlesex leads with 15 Bransoms recorded in 1881 and an index of 410.96x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hendon | 15 | 410.96x |
| Newton Blossomville | 14 | 15555.56x |
| Leighton Buzzard | 10 | 442.48x |
| Heath Reach | 8 | 2162.16x |
| Great Raveley | 7 | 10000.00x |
| Bushey | 5 | 301.20x |
| Lambeth | 5 | 5.65x |
| Streatham | 5 | 66.40x |
| Colchester St James | 3 | 370.37x |
| Hampton London | 3 | 179.64x |
| Houghton Regis | 3 | 357.14x |
| Long Stow | 3 | 6000.00x |
| Richmond | 3 | 43.29x |
| Sharnbrook | 3 | 1034.48x |
| Alconbury Weston | 2 | 1428.57x |
| Chalgrave | 2 | 666.67x |
| Moulton | 2 | 256.41x |
| St George Hanover Square | 2 | 11.19x |
| Boston | 1 | 20.33x |
| Bradwell | 1 | 116.28x |
| Cheltenham | 1 | 6.51x |
| Ecclesall Bierlow | 1 | 4.89x |
| Eton | 1 | 71.94x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 6.33x |
| Northchurch | 1 | 133.33x |
| Weston | 1 | 344.83x |
| Widnes | 1 | 11.52x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bransom surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Bransom surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Bransom households.
FAQ
In 1881, 104 people were recorded with the Bransom surname. That placed it at #19,296 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 63 in 2016. That gives Bransom a modern rank of #34,163.
An English surname originating from a place name derived from the Old English words "bræm" (brier or bramble) and "ham" (homestead).
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bransom bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.