UK surname
A surname derived from the word "brickle", meaning brittle or fragile.
In the 1881 census there were 48 people recorded with the Brickle surname, ranking it #26,869 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 56, ranked #34,562, down from #26,869 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, St Dunstan Stepney and Swaffham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brickle is 117 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 16.7%.
1881 census count
48
Ranked #26,869
Modern count
56
2016, ranked #34,562
Peak year
1891
117 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Brickle surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Brickle surname density by area, 1891 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 | 71 | #20,875 |
| 1861 | historical | 90 | #22,312 |
| 1881 | historical | 48 | #26,869 |
| 1891 | historical | 117 | #21,658 |
| 1901 | historical | 55 | #28,064 |
| 1911 | historical | 81 | #24,719 |
| 1997 | modern | 68 | #30,810 |
| 1998 | modern | 70 | #30,968 |
| 1999 | modern | 59 | #32,174 |
| 2000 | modern | 64 | #31,735 |
| 2001 | modern | 60 | #31,985 |
| 2002 | modern | 72 | #31,269 |
| 2003 | modern | 65 | #31,979 |
| 2004 | modern | 66 | #32,079 |
| 2005 | modern | 67 | #32,196 |
| 2006 | modern | 65 | #32,743 |
| 2007 | modern | 65 | #33,045 |
| 2008 | modern | 63 | #33,498 |
| 2009 | modern | 66 | #33,538 |
| 2010 | modern | 60 | #34,205 |
| 2011 | modern | 62 | #34,045 |
| 2012 | modern | 63 | #34,095 |
| 2013 | modern | 61 | #34,317 |
| 2014 | modern | 61 | #34,343 |
| 2015 | modern | 62 | #34,233 |
| 2016 | modern | 56 | #34,562 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, St Dunstan Stepney, Swaffham, Cheltenham and Lawrenney. 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 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 2 | St Dunstan Stepney | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | Swaffham | Norfolk |
| 4 | Cheltenham | Gloucestershire |
| 5 | Lawrenney | Pembrokeshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Brickle 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 Brickle, 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 Brickle surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Brickle 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, Brickle 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 Brickle is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Brickle, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Brickle has its origins in England and can be traced back to the late 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "brycce," which means "bridge," indicating that the earliest bearers of this name may have lived near a bridge or were involved in bridge construction or maintenance.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Brickle can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Sussex, dated 1285, where it appears as "Brykele." This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time, reflecting the changes in language and pronunciation.
In the 14th century, the Brickle name appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, suggesting that the family had established a presence in that region. This record also provides insight into the occupation of some Brickles, who were listed as "bridgemakers" or "bridgewardens," further reinforcing the connection between the name and bridge-related activities.
During the 16th century, the Brickle family had spread to various parts of England, as evidenced by records in the parish registers of Staffordshire, Lincolnshire, and Gloucestershire. One notable individual from this period was William Brickle (1536-1602), a prominent landowner in the village of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.
In the 17th century, the Brickle name can be found in the court records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, which dealt with wills and probate matters. One such entry from 1642 mentions a Thomas Brickle, a merchant from the city of London.
As the centuries progressed, the Brickle family continued to contribute to various fields and professions. Notable individuals include:
1. John Brickle (1785-1857), a renowned architect from Gloucestershire, known for designing several churches and public buildings in the region.
2. Elizabeth Brickle (1820-1892), a pioneering educator and founder of one of the first schools for girls in Manchester.
3. Sir Henry Brickle (1852-1931), a distinguished military officer who served in the British Army during the Boer War and World War I.
4. George Brickle (1879-1954), a renowned botanist and professor at Oxford University, who made significant contributions to the study of plant genetics.
5. Mary Brickle (1912-1998), a celebrated author and journalist, known for her insightful works on social issues and women's rights.
Throughout its history, the Brickle surname has maintained a strong connection to its origins, reflecting the significance of bridges and bridge-related occupations in the lives of its bearers.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brickle 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. Suffolk leads with 17 Brickles recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.45x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Suffolk | 17 | 30.45x |
| Pembrokeshire | 11 | 75.50x |
| Middlesex | 9 | 1.96x |
| Lanarkshire | 6 | 4.05x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 1.25x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.18x |
| Somerset | 1 | 1.36x |
| Sussex | 1 | 1.29x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Thurston in Suffolk leads with 17 Brickles recorded in 1881 and an index of 15454.55x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Thurston | 17 | 15454.55x |
| Pembroke St Michael | 7 | 3333.33x |
| Govan | 6 | 16.37x |
| Bromley London | 5 | 49.60x |
| Monckton | 4 | 1538.46x |
| Bedminster | 1 | 14.43x |
| Blaenhonddan | 1 | 270.27x |
| Chelsea London | 1 | 7.24x |
| Chorlton On Medlock | 1 | 11.57x |
| Clerkenwell London | 1 | 9.24x |
| Islington London | 1 | 2.25x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 2.71x |
| Wivelsfield | 1 | 333.33x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Brickle 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 Brickle 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 Brickle households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 7 |
| Labourer | 6 |
| Assistant Surveyor | 1 |
| Cook Dom Serv | 1 |
| Engine Driver | 1 |
| Farm House Attendant | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| House Decorator (Painter) | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Machinist (S) | 1 |
| Metropolitan Police Constable | 1 |
| Monthly Nurse (SM) | 1 |
| Sciences Teacher Geolgy | 1 |
| Seamstress | 1 |
| Trunkmaker (Wd Box) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 48 people were recorded with the Brickle surname. That placed it at #26,869 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 56 in 2016. That gives Brickle a modern rank of #34,562.
A surname derived from the word "brickle", meaning brittle or fragile.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Brickle 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.