NameCensus.

UK surname

Bromfield

From a meadow or grassy area near a stream.

In the 1881 census there were 705 people recorded with the Bromfield surname, ranking it #5,155 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,147, ranked #5,141, up from #5,155 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and New Forest (Lady Cross Walk, Whitley Ridge Walk, Rhinefield Walk, Wilverley Walk, Holmesley Walk, Br. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Lincolnshire, South Somerset and Richmondshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bromfield is 1,214 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 62.7%.

1881 census count

705

Ranked #5,155

Modern count

1,147

2016, ranked #5,141

Peak year

2010

1,214 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bromfield had 705 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,155 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,147 in 2016, ranked #5,141.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,095 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Bromfield surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bromfield surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bromfield 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 648 #4,015
1861 historical 611 #4,349
1881 historical 705 #5,155
1891 historical 932 #4,443
1901 historical 788 #5,711
1911 historical 1,095 #4,234
1997 modern 1,067 #5,207
1998 modern 1,169 #4,988
1999 modern 1,196 #4,944
2000 modern 1,182 #4,972
2001 modern 1,171 #4,920
2002 modern 1,192 #4,926
2003 modern 1,164 #4,934
2004 modern 1,171 #4,913
2005 modern 1,152 #4,936
2006 modern 1,150 #4,935
2007 modern 1,176 #4,899
2008 modern 1,187 #4,879
2009 modern 1,179 #5,012
2010 modern 1,214 #4,991
2011 modern 1,183 #5,048
2012 modern 1,153 #5,077
2013 modern 1,167 #5,113
2014 modern 1,169 #5,133
2015 modern 1,159 #5,119
2016 modern 1,147 #5,141

Geography

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Where Bromfields are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, New Forest (Lady Cross Walk, Whitley Ridge Walk, Rhinefield Walk, Wilverley Walk, Holmesley Walk, Br, St George the Martyr and Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Lincolnshire, South Somerset and Richmondshire. 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 New Forest (Lady Cross Walk, Whitley Ridge Walk, Rhinefield Walk, Wilverley Walk, Holmesley Walk, Br Hampshire
4 St George the Martyr London (South Districts)
5 Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Lincolnshire 001 North Lincolnshire
2 South Somerset 017 South Somerset
3 South Somerset 021 South Somerset
4 Richmondshire 001 Richmondshire
5 North Lincolnshire 014 North Lincolnshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bromfield

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bromfield

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Bromfield is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bromfield is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bromfield 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 Bromfield 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 Bromfield, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Bromfield

The surname Bromfield has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English words "brom" meaning "broom" and "feld" meaning "field," suggesting that the name referred to an area overgrown with broom plants.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1286, which mention a John de Bromfeld. This suggests that the surname was already well-established by the late 13th century.

In the 14th century, the Bromfield surname appeared in various historical records, including the Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns of 1379, which listed a Johannes de Bromfeld. This indicates that the name was present in different regions of England during this period.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the Bromfield surname. However, it does mention several place names that may have influenced the development of the surname, such as Bromfield in Shropshire and Bromfield in Cumberland.

One notable figure associated with the Bromfield surname was Sir Thomas Bromfield (1530-1587), an English judge and Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He served as Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench from 1579 until his death.

Another prominent individual with this surname was William Bromfield (1663-1732), an English botanist and physician. He made significant contributions to the study of plant life and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1718.

In the 18th century, Edward Bromfield (1728-1800) was a successful London merchant and banker. He was involved in the East India trade and served as a director of the Bank of England.

The Bromfield surname also appears in the literary world with the author Sir Walter Bromfield (1795-1871), an English author and playwright. He wrote several novels and plays, including "The Gambler's Wife" and "The Haunted Manor."

In the 19th century, John Bromfield (1816-1891) was a notable English architect who designed several churches and public buildings in the Gothic Revival style. Some of his notable works include St. Michael's Church in Coventry and the Hereford Shire Hall.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bromfield families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bromfield 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. Devon leads with 91 Bromfields recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.38x.

County Total Index
Devon 91 6.38x
Hampshire 79 5.63x
Surrey 79 2.37x
Cheshire 55 3.64x
Lancashire 52 0.64x
Warwickshire 46 2.66x
Staffordshire 40 1.73x
Lincolnshire 39 3.56x
Shropshire 36 6.09x
Somerset 36 3.27x
Middlesex 31 0.45x
Worcestershire 22 2.46x
Glamorgan 18 1.51x
Northamptonshire 17 2.64x
Gloucestershire 15 1.12x
Sussex 11 0.95x
Kent 10 0.43x
Herefordshire 4 1.42x
Monmouthshire 4 0.81x
Berkshire 3 0.58x
Cornwall 2 0.26x
Durham 2 0.10x
Angus 1 0.16x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.36x
Channel Islands 1 0.49x
Cumberland 1 0.17x
Essex 1 0.07x
Fife 1 0.25x
Midlothian 1 0.11x
Roxburghshire 1 0.81x
Wiltshire 1 0.17x
Yorkshire 1 0.01x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Burley in Hampshire leads with 44 Bromfields recorded in 1881 and an index of 2953.02x.

Place Total Index
Burley 44 2953.02x
Southwark St George Martyr 21 15.24x
Madeley 20 92.21x
Coventry St Michael 19 34.25x
Newington 18 7.12x
Coventry Holy Trinity 16 31.03x
Liverpool 15 3.04x
Eydon 14 1333.33x
Monks Coppenhall 13 22.79x
Camberwell 11 2.51x
Dalwood 11 1134.02x
Holdenhurst 10 27.17x
Chorlton On Medlock 9 6.97x
Honiton 9 114.07x
Hove 9 17.77x
Leek Lowe 9 29.27x
Bermondsey 8 3.92x
Burgh In Marsh 8 299.63x
Hackney London 8 2.08x
Lambeth 8 1.34x
Minshull Vernon 8 1038.96x
Stapleton 8 31.40x
Burslem 7 10.57x
Churchstanton 7 400.00x
Clee With Weelsby 7 29.20x
Clevedon 7 61.08x
Everton 7 2.70x
Harbridge 7 804.60x
Tipton 7 9.89x
Weston In Nantwich 7 573.77x
Barrow In Furness 6 5.43x
Birmingham 6 1.04x
Clerkenwell London 6 3.71x
Combe Raleigh 6 1111.11x
Gainsborough 6 23.25x
Greenwich 6 5.50x
Hemingby 6 638.30x
Hockworthy 6 833.33x
Otterford 6 631.58x
Southwark St Saviour 6 17.05x
Wolstanton 6 8.55x
Bedminster 5 4.83x
Branscombe 5 256.41x
Brockenhurst 5 205.76x
Buglawton 5 137.36x
Cotleigh 5 1250.00x
Dudley 5 4.60x
Stoodleigh 5 485.44x
Swansea Town 5 5.12x
Tiverton 5 20.37x
Washfield 5 537.63x
Whitchurch 5 43.55x
Widworthy 5 1612.90x
Withington 5 19.10x
Donington On Bain 4 360.36x
Dunchurch 4 169.49x
Higher Bebington 4 41.32x
Kensington London 4 1.05x
Lilleshall 4 44.25x
Newport 4 56.02x
Roath 4 7.39x
St John Near Swansea 4 27.14x
Upton On Severn 4 68.26x
Wembdon 4 122.70x
Witton Cum Twambrooks 4 29.74x
Wolstanton Chesterton 4 33.87x
Ystradyfodwg 4 3.82x
Bristol St Augustine 3 13.84x
Cheetham 3 4.95x
Colyton 3 54.84x
Earley 3 35.05x
Fitzhead 3 483.87x
Frimley 3 31.58x
Islington London 3 0.45x
Milton In Gravesend 3 8.56x
Northampton Priory St 3 7.76x
Portsea 3 1.09x
Severn Stoke 3 184.05x
Tarrington 3 256.41x
Upottery 3 175.44x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 44
Elizabeth 27
Sarah 26
Ann 19
Emma 14
Jane 14
Annie 11
Eliza 9
Ellen 9
Emily 9
Martha 9
Alice 8
Florence 7
Harriet 7
Louisa 7
Charlotte 6
Margaret 6
Ada 5
Beatrice 5
Fanny 5
Frances 5
Hannah 5
Kate 5
Agnes 4
Catherine 4
Maria 4
Maud 4
Caroline 3
Edith 3
Esther 3
Harriett 3
Isabella 3
Jessie 3
Lucy 3
Susannah 3
Anne 2
Bessie 2
Betsy 2
Clara 2
Elizth. 2
Eva 2
Gertrude 2
Laura 2
Rebecca 2
Rosa 2
Susan 2
Bessy 1
Elzth 1
Erica 1
Hessia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 42
William 33
James 26
Henry 23
Thomas 21
George 20
Charles 17
Joseph 14
Harry 9
Samuel 9
Edward 8
Frederick 7
Arthur 6
Frank 6
Alfred 5
Robert 5
Walter 5
Isaac 4
Richard 4
Benjamin 3
Herbert 3
Saml. 3
Tom 3
Albert 2
Alexander 2
Ben 2
Ernest 2
Hermon 2
Mark 2
Reginald 2
Thos. 2
Victor 2
Archibald 1
Arnold 1
Benjmn. 1
Christopher 1
Daniel 1
Fred. 1
Fredk. 1
Fredric 1
Fredrick 1
Jonathan 1
Larington 1
Lewis 1
Llewellyn 1
Lot 1
Owen 1
Percy 1
Peter 1
Phillip 1

FAQ

Bromfield surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bromfield surname in 1881?

In 1881, 705 people were recorded with the Bromfield surname. That placed it at #5,155 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bromfield surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,147 in 2016. That gives Bromfield a modern rank of #5,141.

What does the Bromfield surname mean?

From a meadow or grassy area near a stream.

What does the Bromfield map show?

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