UK surname
An English surname derived from the word "brine", possibly referring to someone involved with salt production.
In the 1881 census there were 21 people recorded with the Brines surname, ranking it #30,609 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 82, ranked #32,895, down from #30,609 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Halifax and Cardross. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brines is 141 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 290.5%.
1881 census count
21
Ranked #30,609
Modern count
82
2016, ranked #32,895
Peak year
1861
141 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Brines surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Brines 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 | 30 | #27,891 |
| 1861 | historical | 141 | #16,072 |
| 1881 | historical | 21 | #30,609 |
| 1891 | historical | 108 | #22,828 |
| 1901 | historical | 50 | #28,590 |
| 1911 | historical | 13 | #32,172 |
| 1997 | modern | 61 | #31,526 |
| 1998 | modern | 64 | #31,562 |
| 1999 | modern | 65 | #31,605 |
| 2000 | modern | 68 | #31,380 |
| 2001 | modern | 67 | #31,297 |
| 2002 | modern | 72 | #31,269 |
| 2003 | modern | 73 | #31,186 |
| 2004 | modern | 73 | #31,403 |
| 2005 | modern | 73 | #31,616 |
| 2006 | modern | 73 | #31,954 |
| 2007 | modern | 74 | #32,190 |
| 2008 | modern | 71 | #32,753 |
| 2009 | modern | 75 | #32,733 |
| 2010 | modern | 74 | #33,167 |
| 2011 | modern | 73 | #33,230 |
| 2012 | modern | 82 | #32,701 |
| 2013 | modern | 80 | #33,058 |
| 2014 | modern | 81 | #33,061 |
| 2015 | modern | 82 | #32,911 |
| 2016 | modern | 82 | #32,895 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Halifax, Cardross, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. 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 | Halifax | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 3 | Cardross | Dunbarton |
| 4 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 5 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Brines 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 Brines, 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 Brines surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Brines 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, Brines 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 Brines is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Brines, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Brines originates from England, first appearing in the historical records of the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "burn" or "bourne," meaning a small stream or brook, and the word "ness," which denotes a promontory or headland. Thus, the name likely referred to someone who lived near a small stream or brook on a promontory or headland.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1190, where it appears as "Geoffry de la Burne." This early spelling variation highlights the connection to the Old English word "burn" or "bourne."
In the 13th century, the surname appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire as "Isaak de la Burne." This record, dated 1273, further solidifies the association between the name and its geographical origins.
The Domesday Book, one of the most significant historical records from the 11th century, does not contain any direct references to the surname Brines. However, it does mention several place names that incorporate the elements "burn" or "bourne," such as Burnham in Buckinghamshire and Bournemouth in Dorset, indicating the prevalence of these Old English words in place names at the time.
One notable individual bearing the surname Brines was John Brines, a merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol in the late 16th century. He was born around 1540 and served as the Mayor of Bristol in 1597.
Another prominent figure was Sir Richard Brines, a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament for Worcestershire in the 17th century. He was born in 1620 and played an active role in local politics and governance.
In the 18th century, the name appears in the records of the Society of Friends (Quakers) with the mention of Mary Brines, who was born in 1734 in Buckinghamshire.
The 19th century saw the emergence of Robert Brines, a notable architect from Gloucestershire, who was responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in the region. He was born in 1812 and lived until 1888.
Lastly, one cannot overlook the contribution of the American poet, Joseph Brines, who was born in 1923 and gained recognition for his poetic works, including the collection "Insomnia and the Aunt" in 1968. He passed away in 2009 at the age of 86.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brines 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. Midlothian leads with 6 Brines' recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.87x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Midlothian | 6 | 21.87x |
| Lanarkshire | 3 | 4.53x |
| Renfrewshire | 3 | 18.90x |
| Essex | 2 | 4.95x |
| Buckinghamshire | 1 | 8.08x |
| Dunbartonshire | 1 | 18.18x |
| Durham | 1 | 1.64x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.41x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 3.28x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 3.62x |
| Surrey | 1 | 1.00x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Duddingston in Midlothian leads with 6 Brines' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1090.91x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Duddingston | 6 | 1090.91x |
| Barony | 3 | 17.90x |
| Renfrew | 3 | 576.92x |
| West Ham | 2 | 22.40x |
| Bermondsey | 1 | 16.39x |
| Cardross | 1 | 151.52x |
| Cocken | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Great Linford | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Preston | 1 | 15.38x |
| Snenton | 1 | 92.59x |
| Wallsend | 1 | 103.09x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Brines 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 Brines 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 Brines households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Brewer | 1 |
| Chemical Labourer | 1 |
| Cotton Weaver | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Lace Dresser | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 21 people were recorded with the Brines surname. That placed it at #30,609 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 82 in 2016. That gives Brines a modern rank of #32,895.
An English surname derived from the word "brine", possibly referring to someone involved with salt production.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Brines 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.