NameCensus.

UK surname

Breach

A breach is an opening in a wall or barrier, suggesting the surname may have referred to guarding openings or gaps.

In the 1881 census there were 595 people recorded with the Breach surname, ranking it #5,878 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 682, ranked #7,860, down from #5,878 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, London parishes and Portsmouth, Portsea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Stroud, Maidstone and Waveney.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Breach is 856 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 14.6%.

1881 census count

595

Ranked #5,878

Modern count

682

2016, ranked #7,860

Peak year

1911

856 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Breach had 595 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,878 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 682 in 2016, ranked #7,860.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 856 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Breach surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Breach surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Breach 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 369 #6,443
1861 historical 368 #6,935
1881 historical 595 #5,878
1891 historical 634 #6,101
1901 historical 773 #5,800
1911 historical 856 #5,182
1997 modern 759 #6,818
1998 modern 784 #6,871
1999 modern 789 #6,872
2000 modern 782 #6,899
2001 modern 768 #6,852
2002 modern 779 #6,925
2003 modern 756 #6,975
2004 modern 754 #6,995
2005 modern 729 #7,107
2006 modern 711 #7,269
2007 modern 715 #7,308
2008 modern 717 #7,349
2009 modern 724 #7,434
2010 modern 729 #7,541
2011 modern 723 #7,512
2012 modern 702 #7,589
2013 modern 719 #7,586
2014 modern 714 #7,654
2015 modern 693 #7,783
2016 modern 682 #7,860

Geography

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Where Breachs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, London parishes, Portsmouth, Portsea and Brighton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Stroud, Maidstone, Waveney and Wealden. 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 Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew Sussex
2 London parishes London 3
3 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
4 Brighton Sussex
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Stroud 001 Stroud
2 Maidstone 019 Maidstone
3 Waveney 005 Waveney
4 Waveney 006 Waveney
5 Wealden 018 Wealden

Forenames

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First names often paired with Breach

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Breach

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Breach surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Breach household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Professional Periphery

Within London, Breach is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Breach is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Breach falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Breach 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 Breach, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Breach

The surname "BREACH" is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "brec," which means a break or a rupture. The name likely referred to someone who lived near a break or gap in a hedge, fence, or other boundary.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Brech" and "Brech."

In the 13th century, the name was recorded in various forms, including "Brech," "Breche," and "Breich." It was often associated with place names, such as Breach Farm in Buckinghamshire and Breach Lane in Kent.

Notable individuals with the surname "BREACH" throughout history include:

1. John Breach (c. 1515-1584), an English clergyman and author who served as the Dean of Windsor from 1572 until his death.

2. William Breach (1609-1672), an English Puritan minister and author who was ejected from his parish during the English Civil War.

3. Samuel Breach (1679-1746), an English mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of comets and the calculation of eclipses.

4. Mary Breach (1754-1832), an English author and poet known for her works on moral and religious topics.

5. Thomas Breach (1780-1855), an English architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Church of St. Dunstan-in-the-East.

The name "BREACH" has also been associated with various locations, such as Breach Hill in Gloucestershire and Breach Farm in Somerset. These place names likely derived from the Old English word "brec," indicating a break or gap in the landscape.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Breach families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Breach 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. Sussex leads with 215 Breachs recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.97x.

County Total Index
Sussex 215 21.97x
Surrey 65 2.30x
Middlesex 56 0.96x
Berkshire 51 11.71x
Suffolk 37 5.23x
Wiltshire 36 7.01x
Hampshire 34 2.86x
Kent 19 0.96x
Gloucestershire 18 1.58x
Lancashire 16 0.23x
Yorkshire 15 0.26x
Somerset 13 1.39x
Cheshire 11 0.86x
Cornwall 5 0.76x
Essex 2 0.17x
Norfolk 1 0.11x
Warwickshire 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lowestoft in Suffolk leads with 37 Breachs recorded in 1881 and an index of 110.78x.

Place Total Index
Lowestoft 37 110.78x
Eastbourne 26 57.74x
Hastings St Mary In The 22 105.36x
Brighton 18 9.12x
Lewes St John Southover 15 228.31x
Steyning 15 451.81x
Westbury On Trym 14 36.30x
Hove 13 30.27x
Bedminster 12 13.67x
Hackney London 11 3.38x
Battersea 10 4.68x
Deptford St Paul 10 6.55x
Eastdean 10 1724.14x
Reading St Giles 10 23.40x
Acton 9 26.45x
Camberwell 9 2.43x
Earley 9 123.97x
Fisherton Anger 9 94.74x
St Pancras London 9 1.93x
Toxteth Park 9 3.86x
Wokingham 9 90.54x
Egham 8 46.08x
Fletching 8 182.65x
Islington London 8 1.42x
Leeds 8 2.46x
Newhaven 8 100.63x
Bentham 7 159.82x
Edington 7 378.38x
Hastings Holy Trinity 7 97.09x
Hastings St Clement 7 76.00x
Lewes St Ann 7 210.21x
Portsea 7 3.00x
Sale 7 44.53x
Thatcham 7 104.32x
Alverstoke 6 13.93x
Croydon 6 3.82x
Hastings St Leonards 6 41.72x
Putney 6 22.68x
Wandsworth 6 10.74x
Bromham 5 216.45x
Chittoe 5 1250.00x
Friston 5 2631.58x
Fulham London 5 5.94x
Lewes All Sts 5 128.21x
Seasalter 5 200.00x
Shanklin 5 141.24x
Willingdon 5 201.61x
Aston Upthorpe 4 1212.12x
Battle 4 60.61x
Bexhill 4 81.97x
Chorlton On Medlock 4 3.66x
Hamsey 4 363.64x
Newington 4 1.87x
Paul 4 33.50x
Poplar London 4 3.65x
Steep 4 336.13x
Subdeanery 4 53.91x
Wilmington 4 816.33x
Basingstoke 3 21.93x
Corsham 3 40.05x
Farlington 3 123.46x
Great Neston 3 70.92x
Greenwich 3 3.25x
Hurst 3 52.63x
Lambeth 3 0.59x
Mortlake 3 23.81x
Streatham 3 6.97x
Yattendon 3 491.80x
East West Challow 2 176.99x
Hastings All Sts 2 21.69x
Horfield 2 17.45x
Laycock 2 85.84x
Lewes St Michael 2 103.09x
Melksham 2 22.45x
Mitcham 2 11.19x
Pevensey 2 273.97x
Shalfleet 2 87.34x
Wargrave 2 53.48x
Westdean 2 740.74x
Withington 2 9.01x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 31
Alice 16
Annie 16
Sarah 16
Ann 15
Caroline 12
Elizabeth 12
Jane 11
Emily 10
Martha 8
Emma 7
Fanny 7
Louisa 7
Ada 6
Eliza 6
Florence 6
Catherine 5
Ellen 5
Hannah 5
Harriett 5
Agnes 4
Edith 4
Harriet 4
Kate 4
Rose 4
Barbara 3
Charlotte 3
Clara 3
Frances 3
Gertrude 3
Helen 3
Lucy 3
Amelia 2
Amy 2
Elizabth. 2
Esther 2
Ethel 2
Florance 2
Julia 2
Mabel 2
Margaret 2
Maria 2
Matilda 2
Phillis 2
Selina 2
Sophia 2
Blanche 1
Carolina 1
Elizth. 1
Zelpha 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 33
George 28
John 26
James 18
Charles 16
Henry 16
Arthur 8
Edward 8
Alfred 7
Edwin 7
Frederick 7
Thomas 7
Albert 6
Harry 6
Walter 6
Benjamin 4
Frank 4
Herbert 4
Mark 4
Ernest 3
Peter 3
Francis 2
Godfrey 2
Joseph 2
Moses 2
Richard 2
Wm. 2
Alexander 1
Beadsman 1
Chas. 1
Christopher 1
Claude 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Earnest 1
Ebenezer 1
Ellen 1
Fredrick 1
Harold 1
Isaac 1
Jame 1
Jasper 1
Jesse 1
Leonard 1
Luke 1
Mathew 1
Osmand 1
Percy 1
Powell 1
Reginald 1

FAQ

Breach surname: questions and answers

How common was the Breach surname in 1881?

In 1881, 595 people were recorded with the Breach surname. That placed it at #5,878 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Breach surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 682 in 2016. That gives Breach a modern rank of #7,860.

What does the Breach surname mean?

A breach is an opening in a wall or barrier, suggesting the surname may have referred to guarding openings or gaps.

What does the Breach map show?

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