UK surname
A surname derived from the French word "broche" meaning a pointed tool or brooch.
In the 1881 census there were 15 people recorded with the Broch surname, ranking it #31,451 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 34, ranked #35,768, down from #31,451 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Asheldham, Dengie, Faulkbourn and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Broch is 116 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 126.7%.
1881 census count
15
Ranked #31,451
Modern count
34
2016, ranked #35,768
Peak year
1861
116 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Broch surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Broch surname density by area, 1861 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 | 116 | #18,751 |
| 1881 | historical | 15 | #31,451 |
| 1891 | historical | 61 | #29,103 |
| 1901 | historical | 40 | #29,678 |
| 1911 | historical | 66 | #26,249 |
| 1997 | modern | 37 | #33,964 |
| 1998 | modern | 36 | #34,246 |
| 1999 | modern | 37 | #34,248 |
| 2000 | modern | 37 | #34,217 |
| 2001 | modern | 37 | #34,082 |
| 2002 | modern | 40 | #34,133 |
| 2003 | modern | 42 | #34,040 |
| 2004 | modern | 39 | #34,477 |
| 2005 | modern | 36 | #34,894 |
| 2006 | modern | 32 | #35,392 |
| 2007 | modern | 36 | #35,278 |
| 2008 | modern | 34 | #35,502 |
| 2009 | modern | 36 | #35,496 |
| 2010 | modern | 39 | #35,451 |
| 2011 | modern | 36 | #35,613 |
| 2012 | modern | 33 | #35,767 |
| 2013 | modern | 36 | #35,643 |
| 2014 | modern | 36 | #35,662 |
| 2015 | modern | 35 | #35,702 |
| 2016 | modern | 34 | #35,768 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Asheldham, Dengie, Faulkbourn, Edinburgh, Wells St Cuthbert In and Out and Glasgow. 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 | Asheldham, Dengie | Essex |
| 2 | Faulkbourn | Essex |
| 3 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 4 | Wells St Cuthbert In and Out | Somerset |
| 5 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Broch 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 Broch, 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 Broch surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Broch 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, Broch 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 Broch is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Broch, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname BROCH is believed to have originated in the German states, likely derived from the Old German word 'brok' meaning a marsh or swamp. This suggests the name may have initially been a topographic name, referring to someone who lived near a marshy area.
The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century in various parts of Germany. One of the earliest known bearers was Johannes Broch, who was mentioned in records from the town of Lübeck in 1278. Another early example is Henricus Broch, from the city of Cologne, whose name appears in a document dated 1311.
In the 14th century, the name began to spread to other parts of Europe, including the Low Countries and Scandinavia. This was likely due to migration and trade routes. One of the earliest known Dutch bearers was Willem van den Broch, who was born in Utrecht around 1350.
During the Middle Ages, the name also made its way to England, where it was anglicized to various spellings such as Broche, Broach, and Brooke. One notable bearer from this period was Robert Broche, a wealthy merchant and landowner who lived in London in the late 15th century.
As the name spread across Europe, it also gave rise to various place names, such as Bruchsal in Germany, which was originally known as 'Bruchsala' in the 8th century, derived from the Old High German words for 'marsh' and 'hall'.
Some notable historical figures with the surname BROCH include:
1. Olav Broch (1867-1961), a Norwegian mathematician and physicist who made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics. 2. Hermann Broch (1886-1951), an Austrian writer and philosopher, best known for his novels 'The Sleepwalkers' and 'The Death of Virgil'. 3. Johan Broch (1744-1816), a Danish-Norwegian naval officer who played a crucial role in the Battle of Copenhagen during the Napoleonic Wars. 4. Max Broch (1870-1916), a German philosopher and writer, known for his works on ethics and aesthetics. 5. Theodor Broch (1783-1856), a Norwegian businessman and politician who served as the Mayor of Trondheim in the mid-19th century.
Overall, the surname BROCH has a rich history spanning several centuries and countries, with its origins deeply rooted in the German language and geography. Despite its humble beginnings as a topographic name, it has been borne by many notable figures throughout history, across various fields and professions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Broch 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. Lanarkshire leads with 9 Brochs recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.05x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lanarkshire | 9 | 19.05x |
| Glamorgan | 2 | 7.86x |
| Aberdeenshire | 1 | 7.39x |
| Devon | 1 | 3.29x |
| Perthshire | 1 | 15.24x |
| Surrey | 1 | 1.41x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 5 Brochs recorded in 1881 and an index of 42.81x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Govan | 5 | 42.81x |
| Barony | 2 | 16.72x |
| Glasgow | 2 | 23.84x |
| Llandaff | 2 | 235.29x |
| Aberdeen St Nicholas | 1 | 39.53x |
| Crieff | 1 | 416.67x |
| Monkleigh | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Southwark St George Martyr | 1 | 34.01x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Broch surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Broch 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 Broch households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Farmers Laborer | 1 |
| Mason | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 15 people were recorded with the Broch surname. That placed it at #31,451 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 34 in 2016. That gives Broch a modern rank of #35,768.
A surname derived from the French word "broche" meaning a pointed tool or brooch.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Broch 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.