NameCensus.

UK surname

Brisco

A topographic surname derived from the Old Norse word "birki," meaning "birch wood" or "birch copse."

In the 1881 census there were 178 people recorded with the Brisco surname, ranking it #13,840 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 276, ranked #15,673, down from #13,840 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wigton, London parishes and West Derby. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Flintshire, Telford and Wrekin and Hertsmere.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brisco is 283 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 55.1%.

1881 census count

178

Ranked #13,840

Modern count

276

2016, ranked #15,673

Peak year

1999

283 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Brisco had 178 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,840 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 276 in 2016, ranked #15,673.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 239 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Brisco surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Brisco surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Brisco 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 146 #13,157
1861 historical 77 #23,975
1881 historical 178 #13,840
1891 historical 234 #13,352
1901 historical 238 #13,528
1911 historical 239 #13,321
1997 modern 260 #14,880
1998 modern 261 #15,241
1999 modern 283 #14,501
2000 modern 263 #15,228
2001 modern 258 #15,194
2002 modern 266 #15,156
2003 modern 262 #15,150
2004 modern 268 #14,995
2005 modern 259 #15,294
2006 modern 255 #15,521
2007 modern 269 #15,123
2008 modern 271 #15,182
2009 modern 272 #15,475
2010 modern 272 #15,811
2011 modern 273 #15,606
2012 modern 262 #16,001
2013 modern 279 #15,574
2014 modern 278 #15,692
2015 modern 279 #15,527
2016 modern 276 #15,673

Geography

Back to top

Where Briscos are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wigton, London parishes, West Derby, Leigh and Holme Cultram. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Flintshire, Telford and Wrekin, Hertsmere and Walsall. 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 Wigton Cumberland
2 London parishes London 3
3 West Derby Lancashire
4 Leigh Lancashire
5 Holme Cultram Cumberland

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Flintshire 016 Flintshire
2 Telford and Wrekin 003 Telford and Wrekin
3 Hertsmere 006 Hertsmere
4 Flintshire 013 Flintshire
5 Walsall 007 Walsall

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Brisco

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Brisco

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Brisco surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Brisco household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Brisco is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Brisco is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Brisco 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 Brisco is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Brisco

The surname Brisco is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the village of Brisco, located in the county of Cumbria, near the Scottish border. The name is thought to stem from the Old Norse words "brik" and "skogr," meaning "bridge" and "wood" respectively, suggesting that the area was once known for its bridge surrounded by woodland.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Westmorland, dated 1202, which mentions a Walter de Brisco. This indicates that the name was already well-established in the region by the early 13th century. Additionally, the Brisco surname appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Cumberland in 1332, further solidifying its presence in the area during the medieval era.

The name Brisco has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. Sir John Brisco (c. 1570-1636) was a prominent English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Westmorland during the reign of King James I. Another noteworthy figure was Sir Roger Brisco (c. 1610-1669), a Royalist commander during the English Civil War, who fought for King Charles I and was later knighted for his loyalty.

In the literary realm, Robert Brisco (1828-1898) was a renowned English writer and journalist who contributed to various publications, including Punch magazine. He is best known for his humorous sketches and essays depicting life in Victorian England.

Moving forward in time, Sir Lancelot Brisco (1897-1981) was a distinguished British diplomat who served as the Ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 1957 to 1961. His diplomatic efforts played a crucial role in strengthening relations between the two countries during a pivotal period in the Middle East.

Another notable figure with the Brisco surname was Charles Brisco (1884-1964), a British-born American actor who appeared in numerous Hollywood films during the early 20th century, including notable roles in classics such as Gone with the Wind (1939) and The Grapes of Wrath (1940).

While the surname Brisco may have evolved in its spelling and pronunciation over the centuries, its origins can be traced back to the rural landscapes of Cumbria, where it was first recorded as a locational name reflecting the area's distinctive geography. From political figures and military commanders to writers and actors, the Brisco name has left its mark on various chapters of history, spanning multiple centuries and continents.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Brisco families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brisco 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. Lancashire leads with 56 Briscos recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.75x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 56 2.75x
Cumberland 55 37.22x
Middlesex 19 1.11x
Lincolnshire 8 2.91x
Surrey 8 0.96x
Durham 7 1.37x
Derbyshire 5 1.86x
Yorkshire 5 0.29x
Cambridgeshire 3 2.76x
Gloucestershire 2 0.59x
Leicestershire 2 1.05x
Berkshire 1 0.78x
Devon 1 0.28x
Hertfordshire 1 0.85x
Kent 1 0.17x
Royal Navy 1 4.89x
Shropshire 1 0.67x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. West Derby in Lancashire leads with 19 Briscos recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.88x.

Place Total Index
West Derby 19 31.88x
Boston 8 96.04x
Chelsea London 8 15.46x
Pennington In Leigh 8 204.60x
Rickergate 8 255.59x
Crosscanonby 7 143.15x
Low Holme 7 843.37x
Burtonwood 6 800.00x
Hetton Le Hole 6 92.74x
Manchester 6 6.55x
Melling With Wrayton 6 6000.00x
Aspatria 5 352.11x
Chilcote 5 8333.33x
Dean 5 1041.67x
Whittington 5 2500.00x
St Pancras London 4 2.90x
Wetheral 4 204.08x
Caldewgate 3 37.04x
Camberwell 3 2.74x
Dalton In Furness 3 38.17x
Holme Low 3 731.71x
Kimberworth 3 31.78x
Lambeth 3 2.00x
Orton 3 1111.11x
Outwell 3 1500.00x
Shoreditch London 3 4.03x
Whitechapel London 3 17.73x
Newington 2 3.15x
Ossett Cum Gawthorpe 2 32.89x
Penrith 2 36.63x
Ravenstone 2 740.74x
Whitehaven 2 25.38x
Albrighton 1 138.89x
Broughton In Salford 1 5.37x
Cockermouth 1 32.15x
Farningham 1 192.31x
Gloucester St Nicholas 1 64.10x
Great Crosby 1 18.02x
Hemel Hempstead 1 18.76x
Leckhampton 1 48.31x
Millom 1 22.08x
Reading St Mary 1 9.69x
Royal Navy 1 5.72x
St Cuthbert W O 1 13.89x
St George Hanover Square 1 3.31x
St Mary Within 1 54.05x
Stainton 1 204.08x
Stranton 1 5.82x
Thursby 1 322.58x
Tormoham 1 6.61x
Tottington Lower End 1 10.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 15
William 9
Richard 6
Henry 5
Robert 5
Thomas 5
Charles 4
Joseph 4
Alfred 3
James 2
Andrew 1
Benjamin 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Elizabeth 1
Forrester 1
Francis 1
Geo.Henry 1
George 1
Isaac 1
Jno.Thomas 1
Job 1
Musgrave 1
Peter 1
Robt. 1
Stephen 1
Thos. 1
Tom 1
Wartel 1
Wilson 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Brisco surname: questions and answers

How common was the Brisco surname in 1881?

In 1881, 178 people were recorded with the Brisco surname. That placed it at #13,840 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Brisco surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 276 in 2016. That gives Brisco a modern rank of #15,673.

What does the Brisco surname mean?

A topographic surname derived from the Old Norse word "birki," meaning "birch wood" or "birch copse."

What does the Brisco map show?

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