NameCensus.

UK surname

Bredin

A locational surname originally referring to those from the town of Bredon in Worcestershire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 33 people recorded with the Bredin surname, ranking it #28,965 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 176, ranked #21,298, up from #28,965 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Carnwadric East, North Barlanark and Easterhouse South and East Cambridgeshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bredin is 180 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 433.3%.

1881 census count

33

Ranked #28,965

Modern count

176

2016, ranked #21,298

Peak year

2014

180 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bredin had 33 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,965 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 176 in 2016, ranked #21,298.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 43 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Bredin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bredin surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bredin 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 29 #28,082
1861 historical 7 #33,053
1881 historical 33 #28,965
1891 historical 34 #31,604
1901 historical 43 #29,380
1911 historical 32 #29,838
1997 modern 153 #20,868
1998 modern 159 #20,916
1999 modern 154 #21,455
2000 modern 155 #21,341
2001 modern 146 #21,857
2002 modern 152 #21,723
2003 modern 154 #21,308
2004 modern 144 #22,379
2005 modern 139 #22,887
2006 modern 149 #22,013
2007 modern 142 #23,025
2008 modern 136 #24,004
2009 modern 139 #24,161
2010 modern 157 #22,800
2011 modern 157 #22,574
2012 modern 168 #21,516
2013 modern 174 #21,401
2014 modern 180 #21,115
2015 modern 175 #21,372
2016 modern 176 #21,298

Geography

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Where Bredins 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 Carnwadric East, North Barlanark and Easterhouse South, East Cambridgeshire, IZ01 and Cambridge. 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 Carnwadric East Glasgow City
2 North Barlanark and Easterhouse South Glasgow City
3 East Cambridgeshire 011 East Cambridgeshire
4 IZ01 West Dunbartonshire
5 Cambridge 011 Cambridge

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bredin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bredin

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bredin, 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 Bredin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Bredin 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Bredin is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bredin is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bredin falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bredin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Bredin

The surname BREDIN originated in Ireland and dates back to the 12th century. It is believed to be an anglicized version of the Gaelic name "O'Braidean," which means "descendant of Braidean." The name Braidean itself is derived from the Old Irish word "braid," meaning "hostage or pledge."

The BREDIN name was first found in County Kilkenny, where the clan was based for centuries. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire, dated 1191, which mentions a Robert Bredin.

In the 14th century, the BREDIN family held lands in Enniscorthy, County Wexford. A notable figure from this era was Sir John Bredin, who served as the High Sheriff of County Wexford in 1378.

During the 16th century, the name BREDIN appeared in various records, including the Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns and the Hearth Money Rolls. One notable figure from this period was Thomas Bredin, who was born in 1540 and served as the Constable of Carlow Castle.

The 17th century saw the BREDIN family establish themselves in other parts of Ireland, including County Antrim and County Down. A prominent individual from this time was Reverend William Bredin, who was born in 1660 and served as the Rector of Drumgath in County Down.

In the 18th century, the name BREDIN was well-established in Ireland, and several individuals made significant contributions. One such figure was John Bredin (1714-1795), who was a renowned architect and designed several notable buildings, including the Palladian-style Ardbraccan House in County Meath.

As the centuries progressed, the BREDIN name spread to other parts of the world, particularly through emigration. Notable individuals with this surname include Sir Robert Algernon Bredin (1888-1957), a British diplomat and author, and John Bredin (1916-1968), an American writer and historian who authored several books on American history and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bredin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bredin 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 8 Bredins recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.10x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 8 2.10x
Renfrewshire 5 20.06x
Surrey 5 3.19x
Kent 3 2.73x
Yorkshire 3 0.94x
Middlesex 2 0.62x
Northamptonshire 2 6.61x
Berkshire 1 4.14x
Durham 1 1.05x
Gloucestershire 1 1.59x
Hampshire 1 1.52x
Northumberland 1 2.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. West Derby in Lancashire leads with 6 Bredins recorded in 1881 and an index of 53.72x.

Place Total Index
West Derby 6 53.72x
Inverkip 5 847.46x
Camberwell 3 14.60x
Kirkby Moorside 3 1500.00x
Chart Sutton 2 2500.00x
Lambeth 2 7.13x
Liverpool 2 8.63x
Warkworth 2 740.74x
Chelsea London 1 10.32x
Clifton 1 31.35x
Deptford St Paul 1 11.82x
Gateshead 1 13.97x
Portsea 1 7.74x
Sandhurst 1 212.77x
Westgate 1 33.78x
Westminster St John 1 25.51x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 5
Ethel 2
Margaret 2
Alice 1
Isabella 1
Kate 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 2
William 2
Alexander 1
Alven 1
Andrew 1
Edgar 1
Edward 1
Francis 1
Frederick 1
Henry 1
Howard 1
Jno. 1
John 1
Richard 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 Bredin households.

FAQ

Bredin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bredin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 33 people were recorded with the Bredin surname. That placed it at #28,965 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bredin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 176 in 2016. That gives Bredin a modern rank of #21,298.

What does the Bredin surname mean?

A locational surname originally referring to those from the town of Bredon in Worcestershire, England.

What does the Bredin map show?

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