NameCensus.

UK surname

Brehaut

A Norman French topographic surname indicating someone who lived near a wood or grove.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Brehaut surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 119, ranked #27,704, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Stockport, Poole and Southend-on-Sea.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brehaut is 122 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 11800.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

119

2016, ranked #27,704

Peak year

2010

122 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Brehaut had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 119 in 2016, ranked #27,704.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 9 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Brehaut surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Brehaut surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Brehaut 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
1861 historical 4 #33,628
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 9 #33,451
1911 historical 9 #32,754
1997 modern 99 #27,039
1998 modern 99 #27,785
1999 modern 103 #27,305
2000 modern 109 #26,381
2001 modern 105 #26,620
2002 modern 95 #28,666
2003 modern 101 #27,561
2004 modern 105 #27,181
2005 modern 100 #28,025
2006 modern 108 #27,015
2007 modern 109 #27,253
2008 modern 112 #27,061
2009 modern 117 #26,927
2010 modern 122 #26,876
2011 modern 115 #27,634
2012 modern 118 #27,250
2013 modern 118 #27,686
2014 modern 120 #27,646
2015 modern 119 #27,684
2016 modern 119 #27,704

Geography

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Where Brehauts 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 Stockport, Poole, Southend-on-Sea, Ashfield and Horsham. 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 Stockport 026 Stockport
2 Poole 011 Poole
3 Southend-on-Sea 017 Southend-on-Sea
4 Ashfield 007 Ashfield
5 Horsham 011 Horsham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Brehaut

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Brehaut

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Brehaut surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Brehaut household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Brehaut 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

Brehaut is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Brehaut falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Brehaut is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Brehaut

The surname Brehaut originated in the British Isles, specifically in the Channel Islands located off the coast of Normandy, France. It is believed to be derived from the Old Norse word "brettr," meaning "plank" or "board," suggesting that the name may have been initially given to someone who worked with wood or lived near a wooden structure.

The earliest recorded instance of the Brehaut name dates back to the late 12th century, when it appeared in the Assize Rolls of Jersey in 1199. This document lists a person named "Richard Brehaut" as a landholder on the island of Jersey.

The name Brehaut has also been found in various medieval records and manuscripts, including the Extente of Jersey from 1337, where it is spelled "Breheut." This variation in spelling was common during that time period, as standardized spelling was not yet established.

One notable person with the Brehaut surname was Thomas Brehaut (1492-1563), a prominent merchant and landowner in Jersey. He was influential in the island's governance and served as the Bailiff of Jersey, a high-ranking judicial and administrative position, from 1535 to 1551.

Another significant figure was Jean Brehaut (1608-1679), a Jerseyman who played a pivotal role in the island's resistance against the Parliamentarian forces during the English Civil War. He fortified and defended several strategic locations, earning him the nickname "The Bulwark of Jersey."

In the 18th century, Philippe Brehaut (1718-1795) was a renowned clockmaker and instrument maker in Jersey. His timepieces and scientific instruments were highly sought after and contributed to the island's reputation for skilled craftsmanship.

Moving to the 19th century, Edouard Brehaut (1837-1914) was a prominent poet and writer from Jersey. He wrote extensively in the Jersey Norman French language, preserving and celebrating the island's rich cultural heritage through his literary works.

Another notable individual was John Brehaut (1847-1922), a civil engineer and surveyor who played a crucial role in the development of Jersey's infrastructure, including the construction of various harbors, roads, and buildings.

Throughout its history, the Brehaut surname has been strongly associated with the Channel Islands, particularly Jersey and Guernsey, where it remains a well-established and respected name to this day.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Brehaut families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brehaut 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. Channel Islands leads with 321 Brehauts recorded in 1881 and an index of 344.86x.

County Total Index
Channel Islands 321 344.86x
Dorset 1 0.49x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Peterinthe Wood in Channel Islands leads with 98 Brehauts recorded in 1881 and an index of 7777.78x.

Place Total Index
St Peterinthe Wood 98 7777.78x
St Peter Port 76 441.35x
St Martin 38 666.67x
Forest 29 4531.25x
St Saviour 20 389.11x
Torteval 18 4390.24x
St Maryde Castro 12 524.02x
St Michaelinthe Vale 11 331.33x
St Andrew 7 569.11x
St Anne 5 301.20x
St Helier 5 16.50x
St Sampson 2 47.73x
Swanage 1 39.37x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 25
Peter 20
Nicholas 16
Thomas 14
William 11
George 10
James 8
Alfred 7
Frederick 7
Henry 5
Ernest 4
Arthur 3
Joseph 3
Walter 3
Edgar 2
Edmund 2
Richard 2
Adolphus 1
Albert 1
Alice 1
Augustus 1
Daniel 1
Edmd.F. 1
Edward 1
Harry 1
Horace 1
Jean 1
Nico 1
Osmond 1
Samuel 1
Wilson 1

FAQ

Brehaut surname: questions and answers

How common was the Brehaut surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Brehaut surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Brehaut surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 119 in 2016. That gives Brehaut a modern rank of #27,704.

What does the Brehaut surname mean?

A Norman French topographic surname indicating someone who lived near a wood or grove.

What does the Brehaut map show?

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