NameCensus.

UK surname

Britz

A topographic surname derived from a German or Low German word meaning "brushwood" or "thicket".

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Britz surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 101, ranked #30,929, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Neath Port Talbot, Maidstone and Monmouthshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Britz is 108 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 4950.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

101

2016, ranked #30,929

Peak year

2014

108 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Britz had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 101 in 2016, ranked #30,929.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 24 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Britz surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Britz surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Britz 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
1861 historical 3 #33,861
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1901 historical 15 #32,383
1911 historical 24 #30,800
1997 modern 49 #32,776
1998 modern 51 #32,816
1999 modern 58 #32,268
2000 modern 58 #32,317
2001 modern 59 #32,080
2002 modern 67 #31,723
2003 modern 79 #30,549
2004 modern 76 #31,125
2005 modern 75 #31,400
2006 modern 70 #32,240
2007 modern 85 #30,954
2008 modern 85 #31,247
2009 modern 94 #30,538
2010 modern 96 #30,854
2011 modern 102 #29,759
2012 modern 99 #30,442
2013 modern 100 #30,773
2014 modern 108 #29,658
2015 modern 106 #29,895
2016 modern 101 #30,929

Geography

Back to top

Where Britz' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Neath Port Talbot, Maidstone, Monmouthshire, Richmond upon Thames and East Lindsey. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Neath Port Talbot 005 Neath Port Talbot
2 Maidstone 008 Maidstone
3 Monmouthshire 002 Monmouthshire
4 Richmond upon Thames 004 Richmond upon Thames
5 East Lindsey 006 East Lindsey

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Britz

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Britz

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Britz surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Britz 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Britz 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

Britz is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Britz falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Britz is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Britz

The surname Britz is of German origin, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the late 16th century. It is derived from the Old German word "bruz," which means "to break" or "to burst." This could suggest that the name may have initially been applied to someone who worked in a profession that involved breaking or bursting, such as a miller or a brewer.

The name Britz is believed to have originated in the region of Saxony, specifically in the town of Britz, located near the city of Leipzig. In fact, one of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the church records of Britz from the year 1589, where a certain Johannes Britz was listed as a resident.

Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, the name Britz began to spread across various parts of Germany, with several notable individuals bearing this surname. One such person was Johann Britz (1670-1738), a renowned German composer and organist who served at the court of the Elector of Saxony in Dresden.

Another historical figure with the surname Britz was Friedrich Britz (1779-1846), a Prussian military officer who fought in the Napoleonic Wars and later became a respected military strategist and author of several books on tactics and warfare.

In the 19th century, the name Britz gained some prominence in the field of education. August Britz (1818-1892) was a German educator and school administrator who played a significant role in reforming the education system in Prussia.

As the 20th century dawned, the name Britz continued to be associated with notable individuals. One such person was Erich Britz (1901-1976), a German scientist and engineer who made significant contributions to the field of chemical engineering and held several patents for his innovative processes.

It is worth noting that while the name Britz has its roots in Germany, it has since spread to various parts of the world, particularly through immigration and migration patterns. However, the earliest and most significant historical references to the surname can be traced back to its German origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Britz families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Britz 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. Middlesex leads with 2 Britz' recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.37x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 2 10.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kensington London in Middlesex leads with 2 Britz' recorded in 1881 and an index of 186.92x.

Place Total Index
Kensington London 2 186.92x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Gottfried 1

Top occupations

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 Britz households.

Occupation Count
Cabinet Maker 1

FAQ

Britz surname: questions and answers

How common was the Britz surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Britz surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Britz surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 101 in 2016. That gives Britz a modern rank of #30,929.

What does the Britz surname mean?

A topographic surname derived from a German or Low German word meaning "brushwood" or "thicket".

What does the Britz map show?

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