NameCensus.

UK surname

Brittin

An English habitational surname derived from a placename referring to someone from Brittany, France.

In the 1881 census there were 151 people recorded with the Brittin surname, ranking it #15,419 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 117, ranked #28,033, down from #15,419 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Cromhall Abbots. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Fenland, Milton Keynes and East Northamptonshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brittin is 195 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 22.5%.

1881 census count

151

Ranked #15,419

Modern count

117

2016, ranked #28,033

Peak year

1911

195 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Brittin had 151 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,419 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 117 in 2016, ranked #28,033.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 195 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Brittin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Brittin surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Brittin 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 125 #14,700
1861 historical 114 #19,011
1881 historical 151 #15,419
1891 historical 100 #24,045
1901 historical 135 #19,203
1911 historical 195 #15,197
1997 modern 145 #21,571
1998 modern 145 #22,139
1999 modern 134 #23,378
2000 modern 139 #22,855
2001 modern 130 #23,457
2002 modern 128 #24,150
2003 modern 124 #24,378
2004 modern 127 #24,224
2005 modern 124 #24,529
2006 modern 121 #25,133
2007 modern 120 #25,606
2008 modern 119 #26,067
2009 modern 120 #26,496
2010 modern 118 #27,404
2011 modern 113 #27,967
2012 modern 118 #27,250
2013 modern 121 #27,255
2014 modern 122 #27,358
2015 modern 119 #27,684
2016 modern 117 #28,033

Geography

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Where Brittins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Cromhall Abbots and Leckhampstead. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Fenland, Milton Keynes, East Northamptonshire, South Hams and Luton. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Cromhall Abbots Gloucestershire
4 Leckhampstead Buckinghamshire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Fenland 011 Fenland
2 Milton Keynes 002 Milton Keynes
3 East Northamptonshire 007 East Northamptonshire
4 South Hams 005 South Hams
5 Luton 001 Luton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Brittin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Brittin

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Brittin, 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 Brittin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Brittin 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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Brittin 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

Brittin 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

Brittin 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 Brittin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Brittin

The surname Brittin is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "britt" or "bryten," which referred to the ancient Britons or the British people. This suggests that the name may have been initially used as a descriptive term for someone of British descent or with ties to the native inhabitants of Britain.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Brictuin" and "Britton." This vital historical record, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides valuable insights into the distribution and prevalence of surnames during the Norman era in England.

The name Brittin has undergone various spelling variations throughout history, including Britten, Britton, Brittain, and Brittyn. These variations likely resulted from regional dialects, scribal errors, and the evolving nature of the English language over time.

One notable figure bearing the surname Brittin was John Brittin, a English composer and organist born in the late 16th century. His works, primarily composed for the church, were widely admired and performed during his lifetime.

In the 17th century, records show a William Brittin, born in 1625, who was a prominent landowner and merchant in the county of Hampshire. His estate, known as Brittin Manor, remained in the family's possession for several generations.

During the 18th century, the name Brittin appeared in various parish records and legal documents across England. One such individual was Thomas Brittin, born in 1742, who served as a captain in the British Navy and played a role in the ongoing conflicts with the French and Spanish fleets.

Another notable figure was Elizabeth Brittin, born in 1789, who was a renowned author and poet in her time. Her collection of poems, titled "Voices from the Past," was widely celebrated and praised for its lyrical beauty and poignant reflections on life and nature.

In the 19th century, the name Brittin continued to be found in various parts of England, with some families migrating to other parts of the British Empire, including Australia and Canada. One such individual was Charles Brittin, born in 1822, who was a successful businessman and landowner in the colony of New South Wales, Australia.

Throughout its history, the surname Brittin has been associated with various occupations, from landowners and merchants to military personnel and artists, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who bore this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Brittin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brittin 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. Cambridgeshire leads with 21 Brittins recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.22x.

County Total Index
Cambridgeshire 21 22.22x
Northamptonshire 17 12.11x
Buckinghamshire 16 17.73x
Staffordshire 16 3.18x
Cheshire 14 4.25x
Middlesex 9 0.60x
Wiltshire 9 6.82x
Lancashire 8 0.45x
Derbyshire 7 3.00x
Huntingdonshire 6 20.25x
Somerset 6 2.50x
Westmorland 6 18.29x
Shropshire 4 3.10x
Gloucestershire 3 1.03x
Warwickshire 3 0.80x
Bedfordshire 2 2.59x
Norfolk 2 0.87x
Sussex 2 0.79x
Hertfordshire 1 0.97x
Surrey 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chelveston Cum Caldecott in Northamptonshire leads with 16 Brittins recorded in 1881 and an index of 7272.73x.

Place Total Index
Chelveston Cum Caldecott 16 7272.73x
Chatteris 10 414.94x
Leckhampstead 9 5294.12x
Stoke Upon Trent 9 16.85x
Tranmere 8 66.06x
Knapwell 7 7000.00x
Wednesbury 7 55.60x
Wolverton 7 374.33x
Monks Coppenhall 6 48.27x
Ormside 6 5454.55x
Bedminster 5 22.15x
Old Hurst 5 8333.33x
Pentrich 5 381.68x
Salford 5 9.60x
Shoreditch London 5 7.73x
Chelsea London 4 8.89x
St Martin 4 277.78x
Haseley 3 2500.00x
Liddiard Millicent 3 666.67x
Arlesey 2 204.08x
Broadwater 2 34.66x
Cliffe Pypard 2 500.00x
Cromhall Cromhall Lygon 2 1250.00x
Damerham 2 625.00x
Grantchester 2 338.98x
Kirkdale 2 6.71x
Pleasley 2 338.98x
Purton 2 170.94x
Bristol St Augustine 1 21.19x
Broxbourne 1 49.02x
Byfleet 1 153.85x
Ely Holy Trinity St Mary 1 24.27x
Farnworth 1 9.43x
Hunstanton 1 129.87x
March 1 31.65x
Peterborough 1 9.84x
Radstock 1 63.29x
Stow Bardolph 1 147.06x
Warboys 1 116.28x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 8
Elizabeth 5
Emma 5
Hannah 4
Alice 3
Jane 3
Caroline 2
Eliza 2
Ellen 2
Florence 2
Harriet 2
Louisa 2
Martha 2
Matilda 2
Rachel 2
Rebecca 2
Aletta 1
Anna 1
Clara 1
Clementina 1
Dinah 1
Dora 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Ellenor 1
Emily 1
Emmiley 1
Eunice 1
Fanny 1
Hanah 1
Ida 1
Isabella 1
Janet 1
Jessie 1
Julianna 1
Laurel 1
Lousia 1
Margret 1
Maria 1
Phebe 1
Rosa 1
Sarah 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 18
William 12
George 10
Joseph 6
Thomas 5
Charles 4
Alfred 3
Arthur 2
Fred 2
James 2
Alfd. 1
Alfd.S. 1
Dingley 1
Earnest 1
Harry 1
Henery 1
Isaac 1
Job 1
Richard 1
Sampson 1
Samuel 1
Solomon 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Brittin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Brittin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 151 people were recorded with the Brittin surname. That placed it at #15,419 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Brittin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 117 in 2016. That gives Brittin a modern rank of #28,033.

What does the Brittin surname mean?

An English habitational surname derived from a placename referring to someone from Brittany, France.

What does the Brittin map show?

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