NameCensus.

UK surname

Bratton

Derived from a place name meaning "Bratta's town" in Old English, referring to a settlement founded by someone named Bratta.

In the 1881 census there were 374 people recorded with the Bratton surname, ranking it #8,364 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 809, ranked #6,850, up from #8,364 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, London parishes and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Shropshire, North Lincolnshire and Stafford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bratton is 899 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 116.3%.

1881 census count

374

Ranked #8,364

Modern count

809

2016, ranked #6,850

Peak year

1998

899 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bratton had 374 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,364 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 809 in 2016, ranked #6,850.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 582 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Bratton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bratton surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Bratton 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 255 #8,652
1861 historical 310 #8,175
1881 historical 374 #8,364
1891 historical 383 #9,178
1901 historical 518 #7,842
1911 historical 582 #6,995
1997 modern 835 #6,325
1998 modern 899 #6,167
1999 modern 875 #6,342
2000 modern 860 #6,392
2001 modern 834 #6,438
2002 modern 846 #6,480
2003 modern 816 #6,548
2004 modern 809 #6,609
2005 modern 803 #6,599
2006 modern 810 #6,557
2007 modern 814 #6,590
2008 modern 808 #6,693
2009 modern 815 #6,785
2010 modern 849 #6,699
2011 modern 825 #6,773
2012 modern 799 #6,835
2013 modern 802 #6,938
2014 modern 808 #6,936
2015 modern 804 #6,911
2016 modern 809 #6,850

Geography

Back to top

Where Brattons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, London parishes, Gateshead, Shrewsbury St Alkmond, St Julian, St Mary (pt), Meole Brace and Winteringham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Shropshire, North Lincolnshire, Stafford and Powys. 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 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Shrewsbury St Alkmond, St Julian, St Mary (pt), Meole Brace Shropshire
5 Winteringham Lincolnshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Shropshire 005 Shropshire
2 North Lincolnshire 011 North Lincolnshire
3 North Lincolnshire 013 North Lincolnshire
4 Stafford 015 Stafford
5 Powys 021 Powys

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Bratton

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Bratton

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bratton, 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 Bratton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Bratton 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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Bratton 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

Bratton is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bratton 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 Bratton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Bratton

The surname Bratton is of English origin and is believed to have originated from a place name, specifically a town or village. It is derived from the Old English words "bræd" meaning broad and "tun" meaning an enclosure or settlement, referring to a broad settlement or village.

The name can be traced back to the 11th century and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The Domesday Book mentions several places with the name Bratton, including those in Wiltshire, Somerset, and Gloucestershire.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Bratton was Roger de Bratton, who lived in the 13th century and was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Somerset in 1230. Another early reference is William de Bratton, who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327.

In the 14th century, the name was also found in various spellings, such as Brattun, Brattone, and Breton, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling during that time period.

Bratton has been the surname of several notable individuals throughout history, including:

1. William Bratton (born 1947), an American law enforcement officer who served as the Police Commissioner of Boston and New York City. 2. Benjamin Bratton (born 1970), an American theorist and sociologist known for his work on design philosophy and urban computing. 3. John Bratton (1831-1898), an American lawyer and Confederate general during the American Civil War. 4. Thomas Bratton (1814-1898), an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Maryland. 5. John Bratton (1692-1771), an English playwright and actor during the 18th century.

While the surname Bratton has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through British migration and settlement in various countries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Bratton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bratton 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. Staffordshire leads with 75 Brattons recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.07x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 75 6.07x
Yorkshire 58 1.60x
Kent 52 4.17x
Lincolnshire 46 7.87x
Shropshire 41 12.97x
Surrey 19 1.07x
Durham 15 1.38x
Cheshire 13 1.61x
Middlesex 13 0.36x
Lancashire 10 0.23x
Hertfordshire 7 2.78x
Gloucestershire 6 0.84x
Lanarkshire 6 0.51x
Devon 5 0.66x
Montgomeryshire 3 3.58x
Warwickshire 2 0.22x
Wigtownshire 2 4.12x
Denbighshire 1 0.72x
Royal Navy 1 2.29x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wolverhampton in Staffordshire leads with 28 Brattons recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.49x.

Place Total Index
Wolverhampton 28 29.49x
Winteringham 20 2380.95x
Holy Trinity 15 17.21x
Stoke Upon Trent 15 11.46x
Gnosall 12 402.68x
Shrewsbury St Julian 11 140.67x
Gateshead 10 12.27x
Shrewsbury St Chad 9 81.15x
Wellington 9 50.68x
Ash Next Ridley 8 1012.66x
Lambeth 8 2.51x
Oxton 8 175.05x
Gravesend 7 66.23x
Scarcroft 7 1944.44x
Swanscombe 7 124.78x
Whitley Upper 7 1346.15x
Kingsdown In Dartford 6 1153.85x
Sedgley 6 13.08x
Stainton Le Vale 6 3000.00x
Sutton At Hone 6 231.66x
Totteridge 6 759.49x
Westminster St James 6 15.96x
York St Mary 6 39.97x
Barony 5 1.67x
Doddleston 5 1351.35x
Edgmond 5 143.68x
Great Grimsby 5 13.47x
Newcastle Under Lyme 5 22.88x
Newington 5 50.10x
Rusholme 5 43.18x
Southwark St George Martyr 5 6.79x
Stranton 5 13.65x
Battersea 4 2.97x
Bigby 4 888.89x
Castleford 4 30.30x
Drypool 4 72.07x
Hackthorn 4 1142.86x
Langtree 4 434.78x
York St Maurice 4 58.57x
Chorlton On Medlock 3 4.35x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 3 22.85x
Greenwich 3 5.15x
Pool 3 47.47x
Stafford St Mary 3 17.16x
Woolwich 3 6.51x
Wrotham 3 72.64x
Beckenham 2 12.26x
Dawley 2 17.39x
High Offley 2 196.08x
Newport 2 52.49x
Plumstead 2 4.81x
St Helen Bishopsgate 2 555.56x
Wickenby 2 588.24x
Aston 1 0.39x
Bilton In Wetherby 1 333.33x
Clitheroe 1 7.82x
Edgbaston 1 3.50x
Forton 1 147.06x
Hawerby With Beesby 1 1000.00x
Horton In Bradford 1 1.77x
Hunmanby 1 59.17x
Islington London 1 0.28x
Kensington London 1 0.49x
Madeley 1 8.63x
Maidstone 1 2.69x
Margate St John Baptist 1 4.38x
Paddington London 1 0.74x
Painswick 1 19.72x
Salford 1 0.78x
Sandon 1 156.25x
Shrewsbury St Mary 1 8.02x
South Ferriby 1 107.53x
Southfleet 1 86.21x
Stapleton 1 7.35x
Stoke Upon Tern 1 85.47x
Stoneykirk 1 28.82x
Walsall Foreign 1 1.57x
Walton In Wetherby 1 400.00x
Washingborough 1 109.89x
Wouldham 1 62.89x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 22
Elizabeth 21
Sarah 14
Jane 11
Ann 10
Emma 8
Louisa 7
Alice 6
Eliza 6
Annie 5
Ellen 5
Martha 5
Emily 4
Isabella 4
Charlotte 3
Edith 3
Fanny 3
Susan 3
Agnes 2
Amy 2
Florence 2
Frances 2
Hannah 2
Harriett 2
Jessie 2
Lucy 2
Margaret 2
Matilda 2
Sophia 2
Anne 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Christina 1
Clara 1
Cora 1
Eleanor 1
Enid 1
Eva 1
Flora 1
Helen 1
Hephzibah 1
Hilda 1
Isabel 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Margt. 1
Maria 1
Marth 1
Maud 1
Treza 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 25
John 23
Thomas 21
George 11
James 11
Henry 6
Richard 6
Charles 5
Frederick 5
Edward 4
Robert 4
Harry 3
Joseph 3
Robt. 3
Samuel 3
Walter 3
Wm. 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Edwin 2
Mark 2
Archibald 1
Barr 1
Ernest 1
Florian 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrik 1
Herbert 1
Jno. 1
Joe 1
Luke 1
Oscar 1
Peter 1
R. 1
Snowden 1
T. 1
Thos.W. 1
Tredgold 1
Waltar 1
Willie 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Bratton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bratton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 374 people were recorded with the Bratton surname. That placed it at #8,364 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bratton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 809 in 2016. That gives Bratton a modern rank of #6,850.

What does the Bratton surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "Bratta's town" in Old English, referring to a settlement founded by someone named Bratta.

What does the Bratton map show?

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