UK surname
An occupational surname likely referring to a baker or brewmaster.
In the 1881 census there were 13 people recorded with the Breth surname, ranking it #31,761 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1, ranked #39,061, down from #31,761 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Duffield, Wood Ditton and Chelborough, East. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Breth is 130 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 92.3%.
1881 census count
13
Ranked #31,761
Modern count
1
2016, ranked #39,061
Peak year
1861
130 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Breth surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Breth surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 17 | #30,267 |
| 1861 | historical | 130 | #17,164 |
| 1881 | historical | 13 | #31,761 |
| 1891 | historical | 88 | #25,677 |
| 1901 | historical | 16 | #32,260 |
| 1911 | historical | 32 | #29,838 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 2016 | modern | 1 | #39,061 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Duffield, Wood Ditton, Chelborough, East, Davington and St Giles Camberwell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duffield | Derbyshire |
| 2 | Wood Ditton | Cambridgeshire |
| 3 | Chelborough, East | Dorset |
| 4 | Davington | Kent |
| 5 | St Giles Camberwell | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Breth surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Breth, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Breth surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Breth household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Breth is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Breth is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Breth, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname BRETH originated in England during the late medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "bræd," which means "broad" or "wide." This suggests that the name was initially a descriptive nickname referring to a person's stature or physical appearance.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name BRETH can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1210, where a certain William Brede is mentioned. This early spelling variation highlights the name's evolution from "Brede" to its current form, "BRETH."
During the 13th century, the BRETH surname appeared in various legal documents and court records across southern England, particularly in the counties of Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wiltshire. This indicates that the name was well-established in the region during that time period.
In the late 14th century, the BRETH name was mentioned in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This entry provides valuable insight into the name's historic significance and its association with land ownership.
Notable individuals bearing the BRETH surname throughout history include:
1. John BRETH (c. 1425-1492), an English MP who represented Somerset in the Parliament of England during the reigns of Henry VI and Edward IV.
2. Thomas BRETH (c. 1580-1648), a prominent merchant and landowner in Bristol, England, who played a significant role in the city's trade with the American colonies.
3. Elizabeth BRETH (c. 1620-1687), one of the first English settlers in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and a founding member of the First Church in Salem.
4. William BRETH (1765-1829), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars and was awarded the Naval General Service Medal for his bravery.
5. Mary BRETH (1845-1921), an influential educator and advocate for women's rights in England, who established several schools for girls in London and campaigned for equal educational opportunities.
While the BRETH surname has its roots in medieval England, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and the diaspora of English settlers. The name's longevity and its association with notable historical figures attest to its enduring legacy.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Breth surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 8 Breths recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.31x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 7 Breths recorded in 1881 and an index of 56.96x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Islington London | 7 | 56.96x |
| Waltham Holy Cross | 5 | 2173.91x |
| Enfield | 1 | 120.48x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Breth surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Breth surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Breth households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 2 |
| Brewers Stoker | 1 |
| Clerk In Gass Company Office | 1 |
| Farmer | 1 |
| Gass Inspector | 1 |
| Genl Servant | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 13 people were recorded with the Breth surname. That placed it at #31,761 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2016. That gives Breth a modern rank of #39,061.
An occupational surname likely referring to a baker or brewmaster.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Breth bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.