NameCensus.

UK surname

Brothers

An occupational surname referring to a pair or group of brothers working together in a particular trade.

In the 1881 census there were 576 people recorded with the Brothers surname, ranking it #6,047 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 603, ranked #8,687, down from #6,047 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Coney Weston, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Bridgend and Easterhouse East.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brothers is 664 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 4.7%.

1881 census count

576

Ranked #6,047

Modern count

603

2016, ranked #8,687

Peak year

1901

664 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Brothers had 576 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,047 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 603 in 2016, ranked #8,687.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 664 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Brothers surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Brothers surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Brothers 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 514 #4,864
1861 historical 488 #5,352
1881 historical 576 #6,047
1891 historical 637 #6,081
1901 historical 664 #6,534
1911 historical 637 #6,541
1997 modern 609 #8,057
1998 modern 636 #8,041
1999 modern 634 #8,118
2000 modern 637 #8,054
2001 modern 614 #8,147
2002 modern 642 #8,032
2003 modern 616 #8,159
2004 modern 643 #7,902
2005 modern 619 #8,074
2006 modern 610 #8,182
2007 modern 605 #8,297
2008 modern 601 #8,406
2009 modern 607 #8,517
2010 modern 611 #8,669
2011 modern 604 #8,647
2012 modern 597 #8,640
2013 modern 618 #8,538
2014 modern 626 #8,520
2015 modern 604 #8,692
2016 modern 603 #8,687

Geography

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Where Brothers' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Coney Weston, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and St Pancras. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Bridgend, Easterhouse East, East Riding of Yorkshire and East Hertfordshire. 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 Coney Weston Norfolk
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 London parishes London 1
4 London parishes London 3
5 St Pancras London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 015 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
2 Bridgend 008 Bridgend
3 Easterhouse East Glasgow City
4 East Riding of Yorkshire 018 East Riding of Yorkshire
5 East Hertfordshire 009 East Hertfordshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Brothers

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Brothers

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

Brothers is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Brothers falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Brothers is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Brothers

The surname Brothers is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "brōthor," meaning "brother." It likely originated as a descriptive name for someone who had a close relationship with a brother or was part of a religious brotherhood.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname can be traced back to the late 12th century in various English records, such as the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1190, where a William Brother is mentioned. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also include entries for people with the surname Brothers or variants like le Broder.

In the 13th century, the surname Brothers appeared in the Cartulary of St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London, where a Roger le Brodur is listed. This indicates that the name was present in the capital during that time period.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname was John Brothers, born around 1360 in Gloucestershire, England. He was a prominent landowner and served as a Member of Parliament for the borough of Gloucestershire in 1388.

Another notable individual was Richard Brothers, born in 1757 in Placentia, Newfoundland. He was a religious writer and claimed to be a prophet, publishing several works including "A Revealed Knowledge of the Prophecies and Times" in 1794.

In the 16th century, the surname Brothers was associated with the village of Brotherton in Yorkshire, which likely contributed to its popularity in that region. William Brotherton, born around 1520 in Yorkshire, was a wealthy merchant and landowner who left a significant estate upon his death in 1587.

During the English Civil War in the 17th century, a Captain John Brothers fought for the Parliamentarian forces and was involved in several battles, including the Battle of Naseby in 1645.

Another notable bearer of the surname was Samuel Brothers, born in 1675 in London. He was a successful printer and publisher, known for his editions of classical works and religious texts.

Overall, the surname Brothers has a long history in England, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. Its origins can be traced to the Old English word for "brother," reflecting familial or religious connections.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Brothers families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brothers 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 111 Brothers' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.98x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 111 1.98x
Lancashire 57 0.85x
Hertfordshire 51 13.17x
Warwickshire 43 3.03x
Surrey 40 1.46x
Kent 36 1.88x
Gloucestershire 28 2.54x
Norfolk 25 2.89x
Hampshire 22 1.91x
Bedfordshire 21 7.22x
Berkshire 15 3.56x
Suffolk 15 2.19x
Worcestershire 15 2.04x
Staffordshire 12 0.63x
Lanarkshire 11 0.61x
Nottinghamshire 11 1.45x
Wiltshire 10 2.01x
Durham 9 0.54x
Renfrewshire 7 1.61x
Yorkshire 7 0.13x
Derbyshire 5 0.57x
Essex 5 0.45x
Oxfordshire 4 1.15x
Midlothian 3 0.40x
Devon 2 0.17x
Northamptonshire 2 0.38x
Somerset 2 0.22x
Stirlingshire 2 0.97x
Angus 1 0.19x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.29x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.44x
Dorset 1 0.27x
Kirkcudbrightshire 1 1.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Pancras London in Middlesex leads with 32 Brothers' recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.08x.

Place Total Index
St Pancras London 32 7.08x
Islington London 22 4.04x
Wheathampstead 16 357.14x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 14 13.49x
Portsea 13 5.76x
Camberwell 12 3.34x
Coventry Holy Trinity 12 28.36x
Coventry St Michael 12 26.36x
Hackney London 11 3.49x
Kidderminster Borough 11 25.62x
Paddington London 11 5.32x
Biggleswade 10 104.93x
Coney Weston 10 2631.58x
Nottingham St Mary 10 5.11x
Putney 10 39.05x
Birmingham 9 1.91x
Bromley London 9 7.28x
Chipping Barnet 9 132.94x
St Marylebone London 9 3.00x
Blackburn 8 4.51x
Hertford St Andrew 7 146.44x
Livesey 7 59.83x
Ramsgate 7 22.37x
Wilby 7 4117.65x
Ashford 6 32.14x
Barony 6 1.30x
Cam 6 177.51x
Canterbury St Dunstan 6 181.27x
Chorlton On Medlock 6 5.66x
Earsham 6 508.47x
Hungerford 6 105.26x
Hunwick Helmington 6 149.63x
Pleasington 6 674.16x
Ault Hucknall 5 347.22x
Brightside Bierlow 5 4.58x
Canterbury St Mildred 5 109.89x
Cookham 5 38.02x
Egham 5 29.74x
Govan 5 1.11x
Liverpool 5 1.23x
Newton 5 9.73x
St Albans 5 62.97x
Upper Gravenhurst 5 735.29x
Woking 5 30.30x
Fordingbridge 4 63.90x
Kensington London 4 1.28x
Manchester 4 1.33x
Minster In Sheppey 4 12.59x
Neithrop 4 34.31x
Northwold 4 172.41x
Paisley Middle Church 4 15.78x
Tidcombe Fosbury 4 740.74x
Ulverston 4 20.60x
Widnes 4 8.32x
Barningham 3 370.37x
Burton Upon Trent 3 6.76x
Dursley 3 66.23x
Edinburgh St Stephens 3 20.24x
Harborne 3 4.94x
Maidstone 3 5.25x
Neilston 3 13.72x
Princethorpe 3 500.00x
Richmond 3 7.82x
Shillington 3 69.93x
St George Hanover Square 3 3.03x
Ware 3 27.03x
Warwick St Nicholas 3 28.87x
Welwyn 3 89.55x
Attleborough 2 45.87x
Codicote 2 86.58x
Everton 2 0.94x
Exeter Heavitree 2 22.94x
Handsworth 2 4.28x
Harpenden 2 33.84x
Newington 2 0.96x
Norwich St Augustine 2 57.47x
Salisbury St Edmund 2 25.06x
Walton Le Soken 2 75.76x
Weeke 2 57.31x
Yardley 2 10.66x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 45
George 21
Charles 16
James 16
John 14
Alfred 12
Arthur 12
Henry 12
Francis 8
Walter 8
Robert 6
Thomas 6
Frederick 5
Albert 4
Herbert 4
Joseph 4
Samuel 4
Edward 3
Ernest 3
Harry 3
Michael 3
Richard 3
Tom 3
Abraham 2
Colin 2
Horatio 2
Thos. 2
Wm. 2
Amos 1
Barzillai 1
David 1
E.C. 1
Edwin 1
F.D.P. 1
Frank 1
Frederic 1
Hamlet 1
Harold 1
Horace 1
Hy. 1
Lawrence 1
Major 1
Malam 1
Newland 1
Newman 1
Patrick 1
Paul 1
Percy 1
Rd. 1
Robt. 1

FAQ

Brothers surname: questions and answers

How common was the Brothers surname in 1881?

In 1881, 576 people were recorded with the Brothers surname. That placed it at #6,047 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Brothers surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 603 in 2016. That gives Brothers a modern rank of #8,687.

What does the Brothers surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a pair or group of brothers working together in a particular trade.

What does the Brothers map show?

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