NameCensus.

UK surname

Brickman

An occupational surname referring to a brickmaker, bricklayer, or someone who worked with bricks.

In the 1881 census there were 51 people recorded with the Brickman surname, ranking it #26,428 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 90, ranked #32,202, down from #26,428 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Anne Soho, St George in the East and St James Clerkenwell. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hertsmere, Harrow and Kensington and Chelsea.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brickman is 142 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 76.5%.

1881 census count

51

Ranked #26,428

Modern count

90

2016, ranked #32,202

Peak year

1891

142 bearers

Map years

3

1891 to 1911

Key insights

  • Brickman had 51 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #26,428 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 90 in 2016, ranked #32,202.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 142 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Brickman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Brickman surname density by area, 1911 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Brickman 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 43 #25,518
1861 historical 98 #21,388
1881 historical 51 #26,428
1891 historical 142 #18,995
1901 historical 129 #19,735
1911 historical 127 #19,749
1997 modern 96 #27,490
1998 modern 90 #28,920
1999 modern 90 #29,056
2000 modern 99 #27,845
2001 modern 98 #27,672
2002 modern 102 #27,596
2003 modern 96 #28,381
2004 modern 96 #28,605
2005 modern 93 #29,133
2006 modern 91 #29,725
2007 modern 84 #31,067
2008 modern 88 #30,857
2009 modern 91 #30,944
2010 modern 94 #31,111
2011 modern 91 #31,442
2012 modern 83 #32,611
2013 modern 90 #32,146
2014 modern 94 #31,909
2015 modern 92 #32,075
2016 modern 90 #32,202

Geography

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Where Brickmans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Anne Soho, St George in the East, St James Clerkenwell, Edinburgh and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hertsmere, Harrow, Kensington and Chelsea, Brighton and Hove and Bournemouth. 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 St Anne Soho London (Central Districts)
2 St George in the East London (East Districts)
3 St James Clerkenwell London (Central Districts)
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hertsmere 007 Hertsmere
2 Harrow 023 Harrow
3 Kensington and Chelsea 009 Kensington and Chelsea
4 Brighton and Hove 032 Brighton and Hove
5 Bournemouth 012 Bournemouth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Brickman

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Brickman

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Brickman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Brickman 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Brickman 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

Brickman is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Brickman falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Brickman is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Brickman

The surname Brickman is of English origin and dates back to the medieval period. It is an occupational surname derived from the Old English words "bric" meaning brick and "mann" meaning man, referring to someone who was a brickmaker or bricklayer by trade.

The Brickman surname is believed to have emerged in the 13th or 14th century when the use of surnames became more widespread in England. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in various historical records, such as parish registers and tax rolls.

One of the earliest known references to the name Brickman is in the Feet of Fines for Essex, a legal record from 1285, which mentions a John Brickman. Another early mention is in the Subsidy Rolls for Yorkshire from 1301, where a Robert Brickman is listed.

In the 15th century, the Brickman surname appeared in various forms, including Brikman, Brycman, and Brickeman. These variations reflect the inconsistent spelling conventions of the time and regional dialects.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Brickman surname became more firmly established, and several notable individuals bearing the name emerged. One example is John Brickman (c. 1550-1625), a bricklayer from London who is recorded as working on the construction of Hampton Court Palace.

Another prominent figure was William Brickman (1635-1708), an English architect and bricklayer who designed several churches and buildings in London, including the Church of St. Mary Woolnoth.

In the 18th century, the Brickman surname continued to be associated with the bricklaying and construction trades. One notable individual from this period was Thomas Brickman (1758-1834), a master bricklayer who worked on several significant architectural projects in London, including the construction of Buckingham Palace.

In the 19th century, the Brickman surname spread to other parts of the English-speaking world through emigration. One example is Samuel Brickman (1812-1892), an English bricklayer who emigrated to Australia and became a prominent builder in Sydney.

Another notable figure from this period was Joseph Brickman (1837-1911), an American bricklayer and trade union leader who played a significant role in organizing workers in the construction industry in the United States.

While the Brickman surname has its origins in England, it has since spread to various parts of the world, and individuals with this name can be found in many countries today.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Brickman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brickman 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. Middlesex leads with 27 Brickmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.15x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 27 6.15x
Midlothian 5 8.51x
Durham 3 2.30x
Kent 3 2.00x
Somerset 2 2.83x
Surrey 2 0.94x
Hampshire 1 1.11x
Northumberland 1 1.53x
Wiltshire 1 2.58x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Marylebone London in Middlesex leads with 6 Brickmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.61x.

Place Total Index
St Marylebone London 6 25.61x
Edinburgh St Georges 5 409.84x
Islington London 4 9.41x
St Luke London 4 56.82x
Hammersmith London 3 27.75x
Hartlepool 3 161.29x
Cheriton 2 327.87x
Isleworth 2 102.56x
St George In East London 2 48.43x
Walcot 2 53.19x
Dover St Mary Virgin 1 68.97x
Fordingbridge 1 204.08x
Hackney London 1 4.07x
Hornsey 1 18.02x
North Bradley 1 357.14x
North Shields 1 76.92x
Paddington London 1 6.20x
Reigate Borough 1 204.08x
Spitalfields London 1 30.30x
St Andrew Holborn London 1 52.63x
St George Martyr London 1 112.36x
Sutton 1 64.52x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Jane 3
Ellen 2
Mary 2
Sophia 2
Ann 1
Anne 1
Elizabeth 1
Emma 1
Gladys 1
H. 1
Louisa 1
Marsha 1
Martha 1
Phoebe 1
R. 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Robert 4
Thomas 4
William 2
Christopher 1
Edward 1
Frederick 1
George 1
John 1
Peter 1
Simeon 1
W.H.R. 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 Brickman households.

FAQ

Brickman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Brickman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 51 people were recorded with the Brickman surname. That placed it at #26,428 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Brickman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 90 in 2016. That gives Brickman a modern rank of #32,202.

What does the Brickman surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a brickmaker, bricklayer, or someone who worked with bricks.

What does the Brickman map show?

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