NameCensus.

UK surname

Bromage

A surname derived from the Old English word "brom" meaning broom, likely referring to a maker or seller of brooms.

In the 1881 census there were 337 people recorded with the Bromage surname, ranking it #8,981 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 694, ranked #7,758, up from #8,981 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Brilley, London parishes and Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Barnsley, Nuneaton and Bedworth and Stafford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bromage is 778 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 105.9%.

1881 census count

337

Ranked #8,981

Modern count

694

2016, ranked #7,758

Peak year

1998

778 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bromage had 337 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,981 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 694 in 2016, ranked #7,758.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 526 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Bromage surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bromage surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Bromage 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 222 #9,597
1861 historical 249 #9,904
1881 historical 337 #8,981
1891 historical 398 #8,910
1901 historical 493 #8,133
1911 historical 526 #7,543
1997 modern 704 #7,217
1998 modern 778 #6,912
1999 modern 764 #7,039
2000 modern 739 #7,190
2001 modern 719 #7,214
2002 modern 750 #7,108
2003 modern 725 #7,183
2004 modern 709 #7,320
2005 modern 701 #7,338
2006 modern 712 #7,265
2007 modern 716 #7,302
2008 modern 712 #7,380
2009 modern 741 #7,319
2010 modern 741 #7,439
2011 modern 708 #7,642
2012 modern 710 #7,527
2013 modern 725 #7,535
2014 modern 707 #7,712
2015 modern 699 #7,719
2016 modern 694 #7,758

Geography

Back to top

Where Bromages are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Brilley, London parishes, Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick and St Werburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Barnsley, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Stafford, Herefordshire and Rhondda Cynon Taf. 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 Brilley Radnorshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick Worcestershire
4 London parishes London 3
5 St Werburgh Derbyshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Barnsley 014 Barnsley
2 Nuneaton and Bedworth 007 Nuneaton and Bedworth
3 Stafford 002 Stafford
4 Herefordshire 012 Herefordshire, County of
5 Rhondda Cynon Taf 009 Rhondda Cynon Taf

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Bromage

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Bromage

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Bromage 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

Bromage 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

Bromage falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bromage 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 Bromage, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Bromage

The surname Bromage originated in England, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "brom," meaning "broom," and the suffix "-age," indicating a place or location. This suggests that the name may have referred to someone who lived near or worked with brooms, possibly in a broom-making occupation.

One of the earliest known references to the Bromage surname can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1296, which lists a William de Bromhagge. This suggests that the name may have originated in Sussex or the surrounding areas. Other early spellings of the name include Bromhagge, Bromhage, and Bromhedge.

In the 14th century, records show a John de Bromage being mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Lancashire in 1346. This indicates that the name had spread to other regions of England by that time.

Throughout the medieval period, the Bromage surname appears sporadically in various historical records, such as the Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire from 1379, which mention a Thomas Bromage. This suggests that the name had established roots in different parts of the country.

One notable early bearer of the Bromage surname was Sir John Bromage, a member of the landed gentry who lived in Shropshire in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. He was born around 1460 and is mentioned in several historical documents, including the Heraldic Visitations of Shropshire in 1584.

Another significant figure was Robert Bromage, a merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers in London, who lived from circa 1550 to 1620. He was involved in trade with the Netherlands and is mentioned in several historical records related to his business dealings.

In the 17th century, the Bromage surname continued to appear in various records, such as the Hearth Tax Rolls of Staffordshire from 1666, which list several individuals with the name, including William Bromage and Edward Bromage.

One interesting historical reference is the mention of a George Bromage in the Proceedings of the Old Bailey from 1735, where he is recorded as being tried and convicted for highway robbery.

As the centuries progressed, the Bromage surname became more widespread throughout England, with individuals bearing the name appearing in various regions and occupations, from farmers and tradesmen to members of the clergy and landed gentry.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Bromage families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bromage 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. Warwickshire leads with 89 Bromages recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.74x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 89 10.74x
Worcestershire 57 13.28x
Staffordshire 35 3.15x
Herefordshire 25 18.55x
Northamptonshire 19 6.15x
Middlesex 18 0.55x
Derbyshire 13 2.53x
Surrey 13 0.81x
Gloucestershire 11 1.71x
Glamorgan 10 1.75x
Monmouthshire 10 4.21x
Lancashire 9 0.23x
Devon 8 1.17x
Yorkshire 6 0.18x
Somerset 5 0.94x
Radnorshire 4 15.08x
Lincolnshire 2 0.38x
Kent 1 0.09x
Oxfordshire 1 0.49x
Wiltshire 1 0.34x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 28 Bromages recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.13x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 28 10.13x
Aston 23 10.08x
Kidderminster Borough 18 71.66x
Derby St Werburgh 12 40.38x
Brilley 10 2222.22x
Northampton St Sepulchre 10 63.57x
Warwick St Nicholas 10 164.47x
West Bromwich 10 15.74x
Leamington Hastings 9 1730.77x
Bedwellty 8 19.07x
Leek Lowe 8 54.20x
Pendleton In Salford 8 17.22x
Hallow 7 333.33x
Roath 7 26.92x
Warwick St Mary 7 97.22x
Weobley 7 707.07x
Worcester St Andrew 7 482.76x
Bradford 6 7.61x
Eckington 6 789.47x
Wellingborough 6 38.59x
Cheltenham 5 10.05x
Frome 5 39.49x
Handsworth 5 18.28x
Hill Croome 5 2272.73x
Lambeth 5 1.74x
Leamington 5 91.07x
Newington 5 4.12x
Tenbury 5 212.77x
Wolverhampton 5 5.86x
Gladestry 4 1052.63x
Hereford St Owen 4 89.89x
Kensington London 4 2.19x
Stoke Damerel 4 8.35x
Clifton Upon Teme 3 588.24x
Newcastle Under Lyme 3 15.28x
Plymouth Charles The 3 9.95x
Rowington 3 322.58x
St George Bloomsbury 3 15.91x
St Pancras London 3 1.13x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 2 3.29x
Cardiff St John 2 10.70x
Crick 2 192.31x
Edgbaston 2 7.78x
Longdon 2 333.33x
Monmouth 2 31.75x
Poplar London 2 3.22x
Sedgley 2 4.85x
St Clement Danes London 2 29.41x
St Marylebone London 2 1.14x
Stamford St Michael 2 134.23x
Sutton Coldfield 2 22.96x
Twickenham 2 14.19x
Alvington 1 227.27x
Battersea 1 0.83x
Bermondsey 1 1.02x
Bromyard 1 56.18x
Charfield 1 158.73x
Cliffe 1 39.53x
Holywell 1 105.26x
Kings Norton 1 2.60x
Kington 1 29.94x
Lichfield St Michael 1 28.74x
Liverpool 1 0.42x
Lower Sapey 1 384.62x
Madley 1 105.26x
Merthyr Tydfil 1 1.82x
Middleton On Hill 1 227.27x
Minchinhampton 1 19.46x
Newent 1 30.49x
Northampton Priory St 1 5.39x
Pershore St Andrew 1 42.19x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 1.90x
Richmond 1 4.46x
Ripley 1 15.72x
Salisbury St Martin 1 33.00x
Stoke Upon Trent 1 0.85x
Upton On Severn 1 35.59x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 34
Sarah 15
Elizabeth 11
Eliza 9
Ellen 8
Alice 7
Emma 7
Jane 6
Lydia 6
Caroline 4
Clara 4
Louisa 4
Amelia 3
Ann 3
Annie 3
Florence 3
Maria 3
Charlotte 2
Elisabeth 2
Emily 2
Fanny 2
Frances 2
Hannah 2
Harriet 2
Harriett 2
Isabel 2
Lily 2
Martha 2
Susan 2
Anna 1
Bertha 1
Catherine 1
Cicely 1
Diana 1
Eleanor 1
Elizth.A. 1
Emeley 1
Emely 1
Esther 1
Gertrude 1
Hariett 1
Helen 1
Jean 1
Kesia 1
Laura 1
Margaret 1
Matilda 1
May 1
Minnie 1
Rachael 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 22
George 15
Thomas 15
John 14
Joseph 11
Henry 9
James 8
Alfred 6
Charles 5
Arthur 4
Frederick 4
Albert 3
Edward 3
Richard 3
Robert 3
Tom 3
Bengaman 2
Harry 2
Reuben 2
Samuel 2
Wm. 2
Alexandra 1
Amos 1
Benjamin 1
Chas. 1
Christopher 1
Edgar 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Enos 1
Gwynne 1
Hawkin 1
Herbert 1
Isaiah 1
Mathew 1
Saml. 1
Stephen 1
Thos. 1
W.H. 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Bromage surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bromage surname in 1881?

In 1881, 337 people were recorded with the Bromage surname. That placed it at #8,981 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bromage surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 694 in 2016. That gives Bromage a modern rank of #7,758.

What does the Bromage surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old English word "brom" meaning broom, likely referring to a maker or seller of brooms.

What does the Bromage map show?

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