NameCensus.

UK surname

Breedon

A locational surname derived from a place name referring to an area of broom bushes.

In the 1881 census there were 405 people recorded with the Breedon surname, ranking it #7,903 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 455, ranked #10,716, down from #7,903 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Hucknall Torkard and Nottingham St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ashfield and Cardiff.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Breedon is 529 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 12.3%.

1881 census count

405

Ranked #7,903

Modern count

455

2016, ranked #10,716

Peak year

1911

529 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Breedon had 405 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,903 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 455 in 2016, ranked #10,716.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 529 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Breedon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Breedon surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Breedon 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 272 #8,240
1861 historical 302 #8,393
1881 historical 405 #7,903
1891 historical 423 #8,465
1901 historical 489 #8,180
1911 historical 529 #7,509
1997 modern 501 #9,288
1998 modern 503 #9,547
1999 modern 499 #9,674
2000 modern 500 #9,632
2001 modern 481 #9,743
2002 modern 476 #9,999
2003 modern 457 #10,156
2004 modern 434 #10,619
2005 modern 435 #10,480
2006 modern 438 #10,469
2007 modern 441 #10,513
2008 modern 458 #10,276
2009 modern 474 #10,251
2010 modern 465 #10,618
2011 modern 468 #10,460
2012 modern 439 #10,873
2013 modern 456 #10,722
2014 modern 463 #10,659
2015 modern 457 #10,695
2016 modern 455 #10,716

Geography

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Where Breedons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Hucknall Torkard, Nottingham St Mary, Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Ashfield and Cardiff. 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 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
2 Hucknall Torkard Nottinghamshire
3 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire
4 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Ashfield 011 Ashfield
2 Ashfield 009 Ashfield
3 Ashfield 014 Ashfield
4 Ashfield 016 Ashfield
5 Cardiff 012 Cardiff

Forenames

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First names often paired with Breedon

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Breedon

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

Breedon 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

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

Meaning and origin of Breedon

The surname Breedon has its origins in the historic county of Derbyshire, England. It is derived from the Old English words 'bræd' and 'dun', meaning 'broad hill' or 'broad down'. This suggests that the surname likely originated from a place name referring to a particular geographical feature or settlement located on higher ground.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Breedon can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as 'Breidun'. This ancient manuscript, commissioned by William the Conqueror, documented landholders and their estates across England.

By the 13th century, variations of the name began to emerge, such as 'Breidon' and 'Breydoun', reflecting the evolution of the English language and regional dialects. Records from this period show individuals bearing the surname residing in villages and hamlets across Derbyshire, including the parish of Breedon on the Hill.

A notable figure from the 16th century was Sir John Breedon (c. 1525-1590), a prominent lawyer and Member of Parliament for Derbyshire. He served as a Justice of the Peace and played a significant role in the administration of the county during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

In the 17th century, the surname Breedon gained recognition through the work of Edward Breedon (1600-1672), a respected English clergyman and theologian. He served as the Rector of Walton-on-Trent and authored several religious texts, including a commentary on the Book of Psalms.

The 18th century saw the emergence of Samuel Breedon (1745-1810), a successful merchant and philanthropist from Nottinghamshire. He made significant contributions to the local community, funding the construction of several schools and supporting charitable endeavors.

Another notable figure was the historian and antiquarian, Thomas Breedon (1770-1842), who extensively researched and documented the history of Derbyshire. His work, "The Topographical and Historical Account of Derbyshire," published in 1835, remains a valuable resource for scholars studying the region's past.

Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the surname Breedon continued to be associated with various professions and fields, including education, law, and the military. One such example is John Breedon (1855-1925), a highly decorated British Army officer who served in the Boer War and World War I, earning recognition for his bravery and leadership.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Breedon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Breedon 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. Nottinghamshire leads with 123 Breedons recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.16x.

County Total Index
Nottinghamshire 123 23.16x
Warwickshire 55 5.53x
Derbyshire 48 7.78x
Middlesex 23 0.58x
Surrey 22 1.15x
Yorkshire 22 0.56x
Staffordshire 20 1.50x
Cheshire 14 1.61x
Leicestershire 14 3.20x
Lancashire 11 0.24x
Shropshire 7 2.06x
Essex 6 0.77x
Kent 6 0.45x
Berkshire 5 1.69x
Denbighshire 5 3.36x
Hampshire 5 0.62x
Bedfordshire 4 1.96x
Worcestershire 4 0.78x
Flintshire 2 1.89x
Royal Navy 2 4.26x
Brecknockshire 1 1.27x
Devon 1 0.12x
Lincolnshire 1 0.16x
Midlothian 1 0.19x
Northamptonshire 1 0.27x
Sussex 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Nottingham St Mary in Nottinghamshire leads with 30 Breedons recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.84x.

Place Total Index
Nottingham St Mary 30 21.84x
Hucknall Torkard 29 215.29x
Birmingham 20 6.04x
Codnor Park 19 1310.34x
Aston 16 5.85x
Edgbaston 15 48.67x
Bethnal Green London 11 6.43x
Brightside Bierlow 11 14.36x
Alfreton 10 53.36x
Barnby In Willows 9 3103.45x
Radford 9 33.35x
Stockport 9 20.10x
Claylane 7 81.59x
Lowdham 7 700.00x
Sedgley 7 14.17x
Bermondsey 6 5.11x
Chirbury 6 298.51x
Kirkby In Ashfield 6 105.63x
Lambeth 6 1.75x
Leicester St Margaret 6 5.63x
Tipton 6 14.73x
Toxteth Park 6 3.79x
Unstone 6 246.91x
Cropwell Butler 5 684.93x
Hammersmith London 5 5.15x
Sheffield 5 4.02x
Wrexham Regis 5 45.21x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 4 11.00x
Bedford St Peter 4 75.47x
Chorlton On Medlock 4 5.38x
Deptford St Paul 4 3.86x
Hackney London 4 1.81x
Leatherhead 4 83.16x
Portsea 4 2.53x
Reading St Mary 4 16.88x
Walthamstow 4 14.29x
Wednesfield 4 20.43x
Birkenhead 3 4.33x
Camberwell 3 1.19x
Greasley 3 25.04x
Harborne 3 7.04x
Heage 3 92.02x
Kings Norton 3 6.50x
Radcliffe On Trent 3 400.00x
Snenton 3 14.37x
Southwell 3 77.52x
Upton 3 447.76x
Cheadle 2 12.03x
East Markham 2 198.02x
Leicester St Mary 2 5.67x
Mansfield 2 10.88x
Mold 2 20.81x
Royal Navy 2 4.98x
Southwark St George Martyr 2 2.52x
Wessington 2 240.96x
Chesterfield 1 4.32x
Devonport 1 10.60x
Gotham 1 72.46x
Harewood 1 103.09x
Herne 1 16.81x
Kensington London 1 0.46x
Kirkdale 1 1.27x
Lenton 1 7.99x
Little Stanmore 1 85.47x
Long Whatton 1 105.26x
Mansfield Woodhouse 1 28.33x
Nottingham St Nicholas 1 13.83x
Nottingham St Peter 1 16.89x
Portsmouth 1 5.38x
Prittlewell 1 9.28x
Queensferry 1 185.19x
Sheepshed 1 16.69x
Smeeton 1 192.31x
Spittlegate 1 11.47x
Stoke Prior 1 31.55x
Sutton In Ashfield 1 8.67x
Warmfield Cum Heath 1 75.76x
Warwick St Mary 1 11.59x
West Bridgford 1 188.68x
Wilnecote 1 35.09x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 29
Sarah 26
Elizabeth 16
Ann 8
Eliza 8
Emma 8
Ellen 6
Jane 6
Harriet 5
Ada 4
Alice 4
Annie 4
Charlotte 4
Clara 4
Emily 4
Hannah 4
Matilda 4
Rebecca 4
Florence 3
Kate 3
Louisa 3
Martha 3
Agnes 2
Anne 2
Elizth. 2
Fanny 2
Isabella 2
Minnie 2
Rose 2
Catherine 1
Celia 1
Edith 1
Elh. 1
Elisabeth 1
Ethel 1
Evelyn 1
Frances 1
Harriett 1
Helen 1
J.E. 1
Jessie 1
Letusha 1
Mabel 1
Maria 1
Marian 1
Penelope 1
Pheobe 1
Phoebe 1
Rachel 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 36
John 22
Thomas 22
Henry 16
George 15
James 8
Joseph 8
Samuel 8
Arthur 7
Charles 6
Chas. 3
Frank 3
Walter 3
Alfred 2
Edward 2
Edwin 2
Ernest 2
Frederick 2
Jeremiah 2
Robert 2
Wm. 2
Abraham 1
Albert 1
Amos 1
Christopher 1
Cornish 1
Edwd. 1
Ephraim 1
Fred 1
Fredk.A. 1
Fredric 1
Herbert 1
Horace 1
Isaac 1
J.R. 1
Jake 1
Jno. 1
Mark 1
Matthew 1
P.H. 1
Peter 1
Robt. 1
Stephen 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1
Willm. 1
Zacharias 1

FAQ

Breedon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Breedon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 405 people were recorded with the Breedon surname. That placed it at #7,903 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Breedon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 455 in 2016. That gives Breedon a modern rank of #10,716.

What does the Breedon surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name referring to an area of broom bushes.

What does the Breedon map show?

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