NameCensus.

UK surname

Brimfield

A locational surname originating from a place called Brimfield in England.

In the 1881 census there were 105 people recorded with the Brimfield surname, ranking it #19,183 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 230, ranked #17,812, up from #19,183 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, London parishes and Cowley, Iffley (Nuneham Courtney, Berkshire, including Littlemoor Liberty), St Clement. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wrexham, Caerphilly and Winchester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brimfield is 257 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 119.0%.

1881 census count

105

Ranked #19,183

Modern count

230

2016, ranked #17,812

Peak year

2010

257 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Brimfield had 105 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #19,183 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 230 in 2016, ranked #17,812.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 194 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Brimfield surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Brimfield surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Brimfield 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 94 #17,837
1861 historical 54 #27,127
1881 historical 105 #19,183
1891 historical 141 #19,108
1901 historical 182 #16,057
1911 historical 194 #15,250
1997 modern 218 #16,704
1998 modern 220 #17,074
1999 modern 216 #17,364
2000 modern 233 #16,524
2001 modern 228 #16,525
2002 modern 239 #16,332
2003 modern 235 #16,291
2004 modern 240 #16,144
2005 modern 224 #16,876
2006 modern 221 #17,149
2007 modern 230 #16,890
2008 modern 229 #17,092
2009 modern 247 #16,549
2010 modern 257 #16,476
2011 modern 241 #17,057
2012 modern 226 #17,679
2013 modern 233 #17,606
2014 modern 240 #17,387
2015 modern 240 #17,279
2016 modern 230 #17,812

Geography

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Where Brimfields are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, London parishes, Cowley, Iffley (Nuneham Courtney, Berkshire, including Littlemoor Liberty), St Clement, Kidderminster and Bedwelty. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wrexham, Caerphilly and Winchester. 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 Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet, Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Cowley, Iffley (Nuneham Courtney, Berkshire, including Littlemoor Liberty), St Clement Oxfordshire
4 Kidderminster Worcestershire
5 Bedwelty Monmouthshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wrexham 003 Wrexham
2 Caerphilly 010 Caerphilly
3 Winchester 003 Winchester
4 Winchester 006 Winchester
5 Caerphilly 007 Caerphilly

Forenames

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First names often paired with Brimfield

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Brimfield

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Brimfield surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Brimfield 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Brimfield 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

Brimfield is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Brimfield falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Brimfield is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Brimfield

The surname Brimfield originates from England, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name, derived from the village of Brimfield, located in the county of Shropshire. The name itself is composed of two Old English words, "brim" meaning "brook" or "stream," and "feld" meaning "field," suggesting a connection to a field near a stream or brook.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Brimfield can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Brimesfeild." This historical record provides valuable insights into the distribution and prevalence of the name during the Norman conquest of England.

In the 13th century, records show the name Brimfield being used in various parts of England, including Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. The earliest known bearer of the name was Robert de Brimfield, who lived in Shropshire during the reign of King Edward I (1272-1307).

The name Brimfield has also been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was Sir John Brimfield (1350-1420), a distinguished English soldier who served under King Henry V during the Hundred Years' War. Another prominent bearer of the name was William Brimfield (1601-1677), a Puritan clergyman who emigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 17th century.

In the 18th century, the name Brimfield gained further recognition with the birth of James Brimfield (1718-1802), an English botanist and naturalist. His contributions to the study of plants and their classifications were highly regarded during his time.

Moving into the 19th century, we encounter Elizabeth Brimfield (1821-1905), a renowned educator and advocate for women's rights. She founded several schools and worked tirelessly to promote educational opportunities for girls and women.

Another notable figure bearing the Brimfield surname was Sir Thomas Brimfield (1845-1922), a British industrialist and philanthropist. He played a significant role in the development of the steel industry and was also a generous supporter of various charitable causes.

While the surname Brimfield has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, as a result of migration and diaspora. The name continues to hold historical significance and remains a testament to its English origins and the rich tapestry of cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Brimfield families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brimfield 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. Oxfordshire leads with 16 Brimfields recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.30x.

County Total Index
Oxfordshire 16 25.30x
Middlesex 14 1.37x
Monmouthshire 14 18.91x
Herefordshire 12 28.57x
Yorkshire 11 1.08x
Gloucestershire 10 4.98x
Glamorgan 9 5.05x
Lancashire 6 0.49x
Warwickshire 5 1.94x
Worcestershire 4 2.99x
Devon 1 0.47x
Essex 1 0.49x
Shropshire 1 1.13x
Staffordshire 1 0.29x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liversedge in Yorkshire leads with 8 Brimfields recorded in 1881 and an index of 176.99x.

Place Total Index
Liversedge 8 176.99x
Oxford St Aldate 7 1044.78x
St Woollos 7 84.75x
Neath 6 165.29x
Preston 6 18.45x
Tottenham 6 36.79x
Aston 5 7.03x
Gloucester St Mary Crypt 5 1612.90x
Oxford St Clement 5 312.50x
Hammersmith London 4 15.85x
Kidderminster Borough 4 51.09x
Trevethin 4 57.22x
Gloucester St Nicholas 3 322.58x
Kensington London 3 5.27x
Kingsland 3 810.81x
Leysters 3 3750.00x
Bedwellty 2 15.30x
Hartshead 2 444.44x
Newcastle Lower 2 540.54x
Oxford St Giles 2 66.23x
Oxford St Mary Magdalen 2 266.67x
Pembridge 2 434.78x
Bristol St James In 1 33.90x
Eardisland 1 370.37x
Graig 1 303.03x
Harborne 1 9.03x
Kemberton 1 1000.00x
Leominster 1 57.47x
Marshfield 1 185.19x
Newton In Hereford 1 1428.57x
Penarth 1 57.47x
Rowley 1 454.55x
St George Hanover Square 1 5.54x
Staunton On Wye 1 526.32x
Tiverton 1 27.25x
West Ham 1 2.24x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 9
George 5
James 4
John 4
Thomas 4
Henry 3
Alfred 2
Harcourt 2
Samuel 2
Albert 1
Aurther 1
Charles 1
Edwin 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Fredric 1
Horace 1
Hubert 1
Jesse 1
Joseph 1
S.H. 1
Theophilus 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Brimfield surname: questions and answers

How common was the Brimfield surname in 1881?

In 1881, 105 people were recorded with the Brimfield surname. That placed it at #19,183 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Brimfield surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 230 in 2016. That gives Brimfield a modern rank of #17,812.

What does the Brimfield surname mean?

A locational surname originating from a place called Brimfield in England.

What does the Brimfield map show?

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