NameCensus.

UK surname

Brinson

An English habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "Brun's son," referring to a settlement associated with someone named Brun.

In the 1881 census there were 177 people recorded with the Brinson surname, ranking it #13,889 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 150, ranked #23,724, down from #13,889 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes and Netherbury. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sedgemoor, Bromley and West Dorset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brinson is 254 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 15.3%.

1881 census count

177

Ranked #13,889

Modern count

150

2016, ranked #23,724

Peak year

1911

254 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Brinson had 177 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,889 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 150 in 2016, ranked #23,724.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 254 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Brinson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Brinson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Brinson 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 112 #15,913
1861 historical 124 #17,797
1881 historical 177 #13,889
1891 historical 230 #13,494
1901 historical 245 #13,298
1911 historical 254 #12,748
1997 modern 176 #19,091
1998 modern 183 #19,106
1999 modern 170 #20,153
2000 modern 169 #20,199
2001 modern 161 #20,543
2002 modern 161 #20,925
2003 modern 157 #21,026
2004 modern 160 #20,926
2005 modern 148 #21,961
2006 modern 157 #21,322
2007 modern 154 #21,804
2008 modern 158 #21,690
2009 modern 157 #22,271
2010 modern 164 #22,109
2011 modern 156 #22,690
2012 modern 149 #23,372
2013 modern 154 #23,210
2014 modern 153 #23,537
2015 modern 150 #23,718
2016 modern 150 #23,724

Geography

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Where Brinsons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes, Netherbury and Bridport. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sedgemoor, Bromley, West Dorset, Wychavon and Poole. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Netherbury Dorset
5 Bridport Dorset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sedgemoor 003 Sedgemoor
2 Bromley 008 Bromley
3 West Dorset 003 West Dorset
4 Wychavon 011 Wychavon
5 Poole 001 Poole

Forenames

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First names often paired with Brinson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Brinson

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Brinson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Brinson household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Brinson is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Brinson is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Brinson 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 Brinson 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 Brinson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Brinson

The surname Brinson originated in England and has its roots in the Anglo-Saxon era. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "brun," meaning brown or dark, and "tun," which refers to a town or enclosure. This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive term for someone who lived in or near a town with a distinct brown or dark coloration.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Bruneston." This entry refers to a settlement in the county of Suffolk, further reinforcing the name's connection to a specific location.

During the medieval period, the name underwent various spelling variations, including Brunston, Brunson, and Brynston, reflecting the fluidity of English orthography at the time. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and scribal conventions.

Notable individuals bearing the Brinson surname throughout history include William Brinson, a merchant from London who was active in the early 17th century. His name appears in trade records from that era, indicating his involvement in the city's commercial activities.

Another figure of note is John Brinson, born in 1692 in Hampshire, England. He was a renowned clockmaker whose intricate timepieces were highly sought after by the gentry and aristocracy of the time.

In the 18th century, the name gained recognition through the works of author and poet Elizabeth Brinson, whose poems and essays captured the sentiments of her era. She was born in 1732 in Gloucestershire and published several volumes of poetry during her lifetime.

Moving into the 19th century, we find Thomas Brinson, a prominent industrialist from Yorkshire, who played a significant role in the development of the textile industry in the region. He was born in 1802 and his innovative manufacturing methods contributed to the growth of the local economy.

Finally, in the 20th century, the name Brinson was brought to international attention by the American jazz musician and composer James Brinson. Born in 1920 in New Orleans, he was a pioneering figure in the development of modern jazz, known for his unique style and improvisational skills.

While the surname Brinson may have evolved over the centuries, its roots can be traced back to the early days of English history, reflecting the rich tapestry of language, geography, and cultural influences that have shaped the development of surnames in the British Isles.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Brinson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brinson 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. Hampshire leads with 47 Brinsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.06x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 47 13.06x
Dorset 43 37.32x
Middlesex 24 1.37x
Lancashire 22 1.06x
Somerset 12 4.25x
Wiltshire 10 6.44x
Glamorgan 6 1.96x
Staffordshire 6 1.01x
Gloucestershire 3 0.87x
Channel Islands 2 3.84x
Surrey 2 0.23x
Huntingdonshire 1 2.87x
Royal Navy 1 4.78x
Suffolk 1 0.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Christchurch in Hampshire leads with 30 Brinsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 384.62x.

Place Total Index
Christchurch 30 384.62x
Bridport 21 886.08x
Keevil 9 3913.04x
Kirkdale 7 19.97x
Castle Church 6 168.54x
Charmouth 6 1578.95x
Llanishen 6 2142.86x
Maiden Newton 6 1250.00x
Ringwood 6 260.87x
St Pancras London 6 4.25x
Accrington 5 26.40x
Liverpool 5 3.95x
Holdenhurst 4 42.37x
Isle Abbotts 4 1904.76x
Lymington 4 150.94x
Poplar London 4 12.07x
Walton Le Dale 4 71.43x
Willesden 4 24.17x
Bradpole 3 319.15x
Kensington London 3 3.07x
South Petherton 3 205.48x
Beaminster 2 156.25x
Cheltenham 2 7.53x
Frome 2 29.59x
Netherbury 2 210.53x
Wapping London 2 149.25x
Ashill 1 357.14x
Battersea 1 1.55x
Bradford On Avon 1 20.12x
Brading 1 20.92x
Brislington 1 188.68x
Clifton 1 5.74x
Croydon 1 2.11x
Fletton 1 90.09x
Hackney London 1 1.02x
Hornsey 1 4.50x
Islington London 1 0.59x
Lowestoft 1 9.90x
Martock 1 54.35x
Moreton 1 526.32x
Royal Navy 1 5.59x
Sixpenny Handley 1 178.57x
Southampton All Sts 1 16.21x
Southampton St Mary 1 4.42x
St Andrew 1 144.93x
St Giles In Fields London 1 11.61x
St John 1 101.01x
St Marylebone London 1 1.07x
Stoke Abbott 1 303.03x
Walmersley Cum 1 30.03x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 12
Mary 10
Sarah 10
Ann 5
Alice 4
Ellen 4
Jane 4
Lucy 4
Ada 3
Emma 3
Kate 3
Louisa 3
Amelia 2
Caroline 2
Charlotte 2
Eliza 2
Emily 2
Albina 1
Amy 1
Annie 1
Augusta 1
Bessey 1
Clara 1
Edith 1
Elizth. 1
Elsie 1
Evelyn 1
Fanny 1
Flora 1
H. 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Henry 1
Laura 1
Lilly 1
Lizzie 1
Mandi 1
Maria 1
Martha 1
Merina 1
Rosa 1
Ruth 1
Selena 1
Thursa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 11
John 10
James 6
Thomas 5
Albert 4
Alfred 4
George 4
Tom 3
Arthur 2
Benjamin 2
Ernest 2
Henry 2
Robert 2
Walter 2
Archibald 1
Eli 1
Evan 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Herbert 1
Hermon 1
Isaac 1
Ivor 1
Jesse 1
Jessie 1
Lambert 1
Reuben 1
Robt. 1
Sidney 1
Stephen 1
Willie 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Brinson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Brinson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 177 people were recorded with the Brinson surname. That placed it at #13,889 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Brinson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 150 in 2016. That gives Brinson a modern rank of #23,724.

What does the Brinson surname mean?

An English habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "Brun's son," referring to a settlement associated with someone named Brun.

What does the Brinson map show?

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