UK surname
Possibly an occupational surname derived from Old English meaning "one who trims" or "one who cuts."
In the 1881 census there were 80 people recorded with the Brimer surname, ranking it #22,225 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 56, ranked #34,562, down from #22,225 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Gateshead and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brimer is 126 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 30.0%.
1881 census count
80
Ranked #22,225
Modern count
56
2016, ranked #34,562
Peak year
1851
126 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Brimer surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Brimer 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 | 126 | #14,626 |
| 1861 | historical | 106 | #20,147 |
| 1881 | historical | 80 | #22,225 |
| 1891 | historical | 85 | #26,080 |
| 1901 | historical | 97 | #23,227 |
| 1911 | historical | 55 | #27,313 |
| 1997 | modern | 62 | #31,412 |
| 1998 | modern | 60 | #31,931 |
| 1999 | modern | 62 | #31,893 |
| 2000 | modern | 60 | #32,124 |
| 2001 | modern | 61 | #31,891 |
| 2002 | modern | 61 | #32,286 |
| 2003 | modern | 69 | #31,587 |
| 2004 | modern | 68 | #31,880 |
| 2005 | modern | 63 | #32,602 |
| 2006 | modern | 59 | #33,330 |
| 2007 | modern | 57 | #33,800 |
| 2008 | modern | 62 | #33,565 |
| 2009 | modern | 65 | #33,611 |
| 2010 | modern | 68 | #33,632 |
| 2011 | modern | 63 | #33,982 |
| 2012 | modern | 60 | #34,287 |
| 2013 | modern | 59 | #34,435 |
| 2014 | modern | 59 | #34,459 |
| 2015 | modern | 58 | #34,470 |
| 2016 | modern | 56 | #34,562 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Gateshead, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Torryburn. 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 | Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside | Durham |
| 2 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 3 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 4 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| 5 | Torryburn | Fife |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Brimer 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 Brimer, 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 Brimer surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Brimer 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, Brimer 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 Brimer is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Brimer, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname BRIMER is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be a locational name, derived from a place name like Brimmer, Bremer, or Brimmer Hill. These place names may have been derived from the Old English words "bremere" or "brymere," meaning a marshy area or a pond.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname BRIMER can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and property commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, such as Brimere and Bremere, suggesting the name's evolution over time.
In the 13th century, records show a Robert de Bremere residing in Oxfordshire, England. This early mention of the surname provides insight into its geographic distribution and variations in spelling during that period.
During the 16th century, the BRIMER surname gained prominence with the birth of John Brimer (1520-1585), a notable English clergyman and scholar who served as the Dean of Winchester Cathedral. His contributions to religious literature and his influential role in the Church of England have been well-documented.
Another notable figure bearing the BRIMER surname was Sir William Brimer (1675-1742), a wealthy merchant and philanthropist from London. He played a significant role in establishing the Brimer Charity, which provided financial assistance to underprivileged families in the city.
In the 19th century, the BRIMER family had a strong presence in the county of Suffolk, England. Samuel Brimer (1810-1879), a prosperous landowner and magistrate, was a respected figure in the local community and left a lasting legacy through his philanthropic endeavors.
Moving into the 20th century, the name BRIMER gained international recognition with the birth of Edith Brimer (1905-1992), a British-American actress who had a successful career on stage and in films. She is particularly remembered for her roles in several Shakespearean productions and for her work on Broadway.
While the BRIMER surname may not be among the most common in modern times, its rich history and origins can be traced back centuries, providing insights into the lives and accomplishments of those who bore this name throughout various periods of English history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brimer 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. Durham leads with 25 Brimers recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.77x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Durham | 25 | 10.77x |
| Angus | 20 | 27.67x |
| Fife | 7 | 15.15x |
| Lanarkshire | 7 | 2.77x |
| Midlothian | 7 | 6.70x |
| Northumberland | 6 | 5.17x |
| Kent | 2 | 0.75x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.26x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.58x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.11x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.13x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.51x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Westoe in Durham leads with 14 Brimers recorded in 1881 and an index of 106.38x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Westoe | 14 | 106.38x |
| Govan | 7 | 11.22x |
| South Shields | 7 | 338.16x |
| Dundee | 6 | 22.23x |
| Monifieth | 6 | 235.29x |
| Liff Benvie | 5 | 45.58x |
| Dunfermline | 4 | 56.34x |
| Edinburgh Canongate | 4 | 150.38x |
| Stockton On Tees | 4 | 35.75x |
| Twizell In Berwick | 3 | 4285.71x |
| Kirknewton East | 2 | 454.55x |
| Middlesbrough | 2 | 19.86x |
| Torryburn | 2 | 1000.00x |
| Aberlemno | 1 | 370.37x |
| Canterbury St Mary | 1 | 55.87x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 1 | 2.38x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 5.20x |
| Inverkeithing | 1 | 142.86x |
| Maidstone | 1 | 12.61x |
| Manchester | 1 | 2.40x |
| Maryton | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Milverton | 1 | 172.41x |
| Montrose | 1 | 22.83x |
| Morpeth | 1 | 72.99x |
| Nantwich | 1 | 50.00x |
| Norham | 1 | 384.62x |
| North Shields | 1 | 43.10x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Brimer 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 Brimer 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 Brimer households.
FAQ
In 1881, 80 people were recorded with the Brimer surname. That placed it at #22,225 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 56 in 2016. That gives Brimer a modern rank of #34,562.
Possibly an occupational surname derived from Old English meaning "one who trims" or "one who cuts."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Brimer 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.