UK surname
An English habitational surname derived from a place named Brocklesby in Lincolnshire.
In the 1881 census there were 69 people recorded with the Brockelsby surname, ranking it #23,816 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 33, ranked #35,829, down from #23,816 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Binbrook St Mary and St Gabriel, Orford, Boston (incl. Boston allotments) and Eagle, Eagle Hall, Eagle Woodhouse. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brockelsby is 134 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 52.2%.
1881 census count
69
Ranked #23,816
Modern count
33
2016, ranked #35,829
Peak year
1891
134 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Brockelsby surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Brockelsby surname density by area, 1891 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 | 128 | #14,474 |
| 1861 | historical | 86 | #22,810 |
| 1881 | historical | 69 | #23,816 |
| 1891 | historical | 134 | #19,777 |
| 1901 | historical | 66 | #26,794 |
| 1911 | historical | 76 | #25,221 |
| 1997 | modern | 39 | #33,759 |
| 1998 | modern | 43 | #33,557 |
| 1999 | modern | 42 | #33,778 |
| 2000 | modern | 42 | #33,791 |
| 2001 | modern | 41 | #33,753 |
| 2002 | modern | 40 | #34,133 |
| 2003 | modern | 36 | #34,522 |
| 2004 | modern | 40 | #34,387 |
| 2005 | modern | 37 | #34,815 |
| 2006 | modern | 39 | #34,932 |
| 2007 | modern | 37 | #35,215 |
| 2008 | modern | 33 | #35,556 |
| 2009 | modern | 35 | #35,545 |
| 2010 | modern | 33 | #35,794 |
| 2011 | modern | 33 | #35,777 |
| 2012 | modern | 35 | #35,645 |
| 2013 | modern | 37 | #35,582 |
| 2014 | modern | 36 | #35,662 |
| 2015 | modern | 33 | #35,803 |
| 2016 | modern | 33 | #35,829 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Binbrook St Mary and St Gabriel, Orford, Boston (incl. Boston allotments), Eagle, Eagle Hall, Eagle Woodhouse, Lincoln St Mary-le-Wigford and Kegworth. 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 | Binbrook St Mary and St Gabriel, Orford | Lincolnshire |
| 2 | Boston (incl. Boston allotments) | Lincolnshire |
| 3 | Eagle, Eagle Hall, Eagle Woodhouse | Lincolnshire |
| 4 | Lincoln St Mary-le-Wigford | Lincolnshire |
| 5 | Kegworth | Derbyshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Brockelsby 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 Brockelsby, 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 Brockelsby surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Brockelsby 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, Brockelsby 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 Brockelsby is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Brockelsby, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname BROCKELSBY is of English origin and can be traced back to the late 12th century. It is believed to have originated from the village of Brocklesby, located in the county of Lincolnshire, England. The name is derived from the Old English words "brocc" meaning badger and "leah" meaning woodland clearing, essentially translating to "badger's woodland clearing."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1195, which mention a Robert de Brockelsby. This reference suggests that the name was already in use as a locational surname by the late 12th century.
The Brocklesby family was prominent in Lincolnshire during the medieval period, and their name appeared in various historical records and documents. In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a William de Brockelsby is mentioned as holding land in the village of Brocklesby.
The name also appeared in the Domesday Book, the great survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. While the spelling varied slightly, entries such as "Broclesbi" and "Brocleshi" likely referred to the same location and family.
Notable individuals with the surname BROCKELSBY include Sir John Brockelsby (c. 1350 - 1415), a knight who served under King Henry IV during the latter part of the Hundred Years' War. Another notable figure was Thomas Brockelsby (1576 - 1647), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Rector of Brocklesby and later became the Archdeacon of Stow.
In the 16th century, a branch of the Brockelsby family settled in Yorkshire, where they became landowners and influential figures in the region. One prominent member was Sir William Brockelsby (1535 - 1613), who served as a Member of Parliament for Yorkshire and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I.
During the English Civil War, the Brockelsby family supported the Royalist cause, and several members fought alongside King Charles I's forces. One such individual was Captain Robert Brockelsby (1610 - 1670), who fought in several battles and was later granted lands in recognition of his service.
While the surname BROCKELSBY is not as common today as it once was, it continues to hold a significant place in English history, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period and the village of Brocklesby in Lincolnshire.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brockelsby 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. Lincolnshire leads with 55 Brockelsbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 51.11x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lincolnshire | 55 | 51.11x |
| Middlesex | 8 | 1.19x |
| Leicestershire | 3 | 4.02x |
| Nottinghamshire | 3 | 3.31x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bishop Norton in Lincolnshire leads with 12 Brockelsbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 15000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bishop Norton | 12 | 15000.00x |
| Hemswell | 8 | 8888.89x |
| Islington London | 8 | 12.26x |
| Boston | 5 | 152.91x |
| St Maryle Wigford | 5 | 595.24x |
| Wainfleet St Mary | 5 | 3125.00x |
| Eagle | 4 | 3636.36x |
| Kegworth | 3 | 600.00x |
| Miningsby In Boston | 3 | 5000.00x |
| Egmanton | 2 | 4000.00x |
| St Nicholas Lincoln | 2 | 194.17x |
| Whisby | 2 | 6666.67x |
| Willoughton | 2 | 1666.67x |
| Belchford | 1 | 909.09x |
| Kirton In Lindsey | 1 | 232.56x |
| North Kelsey | 1 | 526.32x |
| Sturton | 1 | 833.33x |
| Swineshead | 1 | 285.71x |
| Thornton | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Waddingham | 1 | 625.00x |
| Wainfleet All Sts | 1 | 322.58x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Brockelsby surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Brockelsby 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 Brockelsby households.
FAQ
In 1881, 69 people were recorded with the Brockelsby surname. That placed it at #23,816 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 33 in 2016. That gives Brockelsby a modern rank of #35,829.
An English habitational surname derived from a place named Brocklesby in Lincolnshire.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Brockelsby 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.