NameCensus.

UK surname

Brathwaite

A locational surname referring to a place in Yorkshire, England, derived from Old Norse words meaning "broad clearing."

In the 1881 census there were 54 people recorded with the Brathwaite surname, ranking it #26,009 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 424, ranked #11,328, up from #26,009 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Dawley, Magna, Kirkby Stephen and Clee. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Oldham, Westminster and Hammersmith and Fulham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brathwaite is 443 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 685.2%.

1881 census count

54

Ranked #26,009

Modern count

424

2016, ranked #11,328

Peak year

2010

443 bearers

Map years

4

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Brathwaite had 54 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #26,009 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 424 in 2016, ranked #11,328.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 162 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Brathwaite surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Brathwaite surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Brathwaite 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 76 #20,127
1861 historical 162 #14,310
1881 historical 54 #26,009
1891 historical 55 #29,744
1901 historical 29 #30,848
1911 historical 68 #26,050
1997 modern 374 #11,574
1998 modern 366 #12,148
1999 modern 364 #12,267
2000 modern 372 #12,020
2001 modern 357 #12,205
2002 modern 371 #12,096
2003 modern 370 #11,919
2004 modern 377 #11,776
2005 modern 380 #11,639
2006 modern 385 #11,556
2007 modern 392 #11,550
2008 modern 402 #11,419
2009 modern 413 #11,436
2010 modern 443 #11,046
2011 modern 417 #11,462
2012 modern 396 #11,807
2013 modern 419 #11,511
2014 modern 417 #11,632
2015 modern 426 #11,320
2016 modern 424 #11,328

Geography

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Where Brathwaites are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Dawley, Magna, Kirkby Stephen, Clee, Egremont and Nottingham St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Oldham, Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham, Islington and Croydon. 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 Dawley, Magna Shropshire
2 Kirkby Stephen Westmorland
3 Clee Lincolnshire
4 Egremont Cumberland
5 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Oldham 022 Oldham
2 Westminster 005 Westminster
3 Hammersmith and Fulham 005 Hammersmith and Fulham
4 Islington 003 Islington
5 Croydon 011 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Brathwaite

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Brathwaite

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Brathwaite surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Brathwaite 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 includes many younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Brathwaite is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Brathwaite 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

Brathwaite 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 Brathwaite 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 Brathwaite, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Brathwaite

The surname Brathwaite is of English origin, derived from a place name meaning "broad clearing in a wood." It is believed to have originated in the county of Yorkshire, where there are several places with similar names, such as Bradwaite and Braithwaite.

The earliest recorded use of the name Brathwaite dates back to the 13th century, with references found in medieval records and manuscripts. One notable entry is in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from 1301, which mentions a certain Robert de Braythwayt.

During the Middle Ages, the name was often spelled in various ways, including Braythwayte, Braithwaite, Braythwait, and Brathwait. These variations reflect the regional dialects and linguistic changes that occurred over time.

In the 16th century, the Brathwaite family gained prominence in the North of England. One notable figure was Richard Brathwait (1588-1673), an English poet and writer who published several works, including "The English Gentleman" and "The Honest Ghost."

Another historical figure bearing this surname was Thomas Whythorne Brathwaite (1588-1644), an English composer and musician who served as a court musician to King James I and King Charles I.

In the 17th century, the Brathwaites were well-established landowners in Yorkshire, with several branches of the family holding estates in the region. One notable member was Sir Thomas Brathwaite (1609-1693), a baronet and Member of Parliament for Northallerton.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Brathwaite name continued to be associated with Yorkshire gentry and landed families. One notable individual was Reverend Richard Brathwaite (1765-1841), a clergyman and poet who wrote several works on religious and moral themes.

Throughout its history, the surname Brathwaite has also been linked to various place names in Yorkshire, such as Braithwaite Hall, Braithwaite Village, and Braithwaite Beck, reflecting the geographical origins of the name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Brathwaite families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brathwaite 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. Middlesex leads with 16 Brathwaites recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.04x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 16 3.04x
Westmorland 8 69.08x
Yorkshire 8 1.53x
Durham 5 3.19x
Cheshire 4 3.44x
Lincolnshire 4 4.75x
Oxfordshire 4 12.30x
Surrey 2 0.78x
Lancashire 1 0.16x
Northumberland 1 1.28x
Suffolk 1 1.56x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Asby in Westmorland leads with 8 Brathwaites recorded in 1881 and an index of 8888.89x.

Place Total Index
Asby 8 8888.89x
Paddington London 5 25.81x
Bromley London 4 34.51x
Great Grimsby 4 74.77x
Keighley 4 71.94x
Latchford 4 519.48x
Cassop 3 2727.27x
Oxford St Thomas 3 197.37x
Shoreditch London 3 13.14x
Brandon Byshottles 2 102.04x
Caton 1 500.00x
Chelsea London 1 6.30x
Elswick 1 16.00x
Godalming 1 61.73x
Hampstead London 1 12.20x
Kensington London 1 3.42x
Lambeth 1 2.18x
Manningham 1 15.55x
Oxford St Aldate 1 294.12x
Sculcoates 1 12.08x
Skelmanthorpe 1 178.57x
Southcoates 1 34.48x
St Sepulchre London 1 129.87x
Walberswick 1 2000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
George 4
James 2
John 2
Joseph 2
Thomas 2
Abraham 1
Alexander 1
Francis 1
Frederick 1
Harry 1
Hodgson 1
Isaac 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
William 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 Brathwaite households.

FAQ

Brathwaite surname: questions and answers

How common was the Brathwaite surname in 1881?

In 1881, 54 people were recorded with the Brathwaite surname. That placed it at #26,009 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Brathwaite surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 424 in 2016. That gives Brathwaite a modern rank of #11,328.

What does the Brathwaite surname mean?

A locational surname referring to a place in Yorkshire, England, derived from Old Norse words meaning "broad clearing."

What does the Brathwaite map show?

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