NameCensus.

UK surname

Brunger

A German surname derived from the German word "brunnen," meaning "well" or "spring."

In the 1881 census there were 199 people recorded with the Brunger surname, ranking it #12,880 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 384, ranked #12,251, up from #12,880 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Rolvenden and Maidstone, Linton, Loddington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Swale, Ashford and Maidstone.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brunger is 429 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 93.0%.

1881 census count

199

Ranked #12,880

Modern count

384

2016, ranked #12,251

Peak year

2000

429 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Brunger had 199 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,880 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 384 in 2016, ranked #12,251.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 328 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Brunger surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Brunger surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Brunger 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 90 #18,317
1861 historical 127 #17,469
1881 historical 199 #12,880
1891 historical 257 #12,476
1901 historical 304 #11,543
1911 historical 328 #10,714
1997 modern 410 #10,800
1998 modern 420 #10,973
1999 modern 416 #11,110
2000 modern 429 #10,834
2001 modern 421 #10,789
2002 modern 427 #10,900
2003 modern 403 #11,210
2004 modern 398 #11,321
2005 modern 369 #11,901
2006 modern 378 #11,714
2007 modern 389 #11,604
2008 modern 400 #11,468
2009 modern 404 #11,636
2010 modern 406 #11,847
2011 modern 407 #11,709
2012 modern 412 #11,479
2013 modern 404 #11,833
2014 modern 413 #11,726
2015 modern 400 #11,909
2016 modern 384 #12,251

Geography

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Where Brungers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Rolvenden, Maidstone, Linton, Loddington, Egerton and Tenterden. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Swale, Ashford and Maidstone. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Rolvenden Kent
3 Maidstone, Linton, Loddington Kent
4 Egerton Kent
5 Tenterden Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Swale 011 Swale
2 Ashford 013 Ashford
3 Maidstone 013 Maidstone
4 Ashford 014 Ashford
5 Swale 010 Swale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Brunger

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Brunger

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Brunger is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Brunger is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Brunger falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Brunger

The surname BRUNGER has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old French word "brunier," which means "brown" or "dark-haired." This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname given to someone with a darker complexion or hair color.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, a census-like record from 1273, where it appears as "Brunger." This spelling variation suggests that the name had already been in use for some time before the 13th century.

During the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Brungger" and "Brungere," in various legal and historical documents from counties like Norfolk and Suffolk. This indicates that the name had spread across different regions of England by that time.

In the 15th century, the surname BRUNGER can be found in the records of the Chancery Court of the Exchequer, which dealt with matters of taxation and revenue. This suggests that individuals bearing this name were involved in various economic activities and held a certain level of prominence in their communities.

One notable figure with the surname BRUNGER was John Brunger (1565-1632), a merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Drapers in London. He was known for his involvement in the cloth trade and his contributions to the city's economy.

Another individual of note was William Brunger (1680-1754), a prominent landowner and farmer from Oxfordshire. His estate and agricultural activities were well-documented in local records, providing insight into the rural life and landholding practices of the time.

In the 18th century, the name BRUNGER appeared in the records of the Church of England, indicating that individuals with this surname were active members of the Anglican faith. One such example is Thomas Brunger (1712-1779), a rector and clergyman who served in various parishes across the country.

During the 19th century, the BRUNGER name gained further recognition through the achievements of individuals like Henry Brunger (1813-1892), a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in London and the surrounding areas.

Throughout its history, the surname BRUNGER has been associated with various occupations, from merchants and landowners to clergymen and architects, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who bore this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Brunger families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brunger 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. Kent leads with 180 Brungers recorded in 1881 and an index of 27.18x.

County Total Index
Kent 180 27.18x
Sussex 9 2.75x
Durham 4 0.69x
Lincolnshire 2 0.64x
Middlesex 2 0.10x
Surrey 2 0.21x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Rolvenden in Kent leads with 37 Brungers recorded in 1881 and an index of 4302.33x.

Place Total Index
Rolvenden 37 4302.33x
Maidstone 20 101.37x
Bethersden 10 1492.54x
Egerton 10 1724.14x
Tenterden 10 427.35x
Pluckley 9 1475.41x
Wouldham 9 1071.43x
Hastings St Andrew 8 683.76x
Biddenden 7 769.23x
Faversham 7 110.76x
Ashford 6 93.02x
Cliffe 6 402.68x
Headcorn 6 606.06x
High Halden 6 1428.57x
Gillingham 5 36.63x
Sittingbourne 5 95.60x
Dunkirk 4 816.33x
Gateshead 4 9.25x
Canterbury St Augustine 3 1250.00x
Canterbury St Peter 3 400.00x
Rodmersham 3 1071.43x
Boughton Under Blean 2 180.18x
Lambeth 2 1.18x
Norton 2 1666.67x
Smarden 2 263.16x
Sutterton 2 322.58x
Tunstall 2 1111.11x
Elmsted 1 344.83x
Hampstead London 1 3.31x
Hastings St Clement 1 32.47x
Iwade 1 625.00x
Kensington London 1 0.93x
Margate St John Baptist 1 8.24x
Minster In Sheppey 1 9.12x
Staplegate 1 588.24x
Throwley 1 243.90x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 12
Elizabeth 7
Alice 5
Annie 5
Emily 5
Eliza 4
Sarah 4
Edith 3
Ellen 3
Fanny 3
Esther 2
Frances 2
Jane 2
Louisa 2
Mercy 2
Ann 1
Anne 1
Bertha 1
Clara 1
Emma 1
Florence 1
Flossy 1
Grace 1
Harriet 1
Harrtel 1
Hetty 1
Jemima 1
Kate 1
Laura 1
Linia 1
Louise 1
Lucy 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1
Minnie 1
Nellie 1
Olive 1
Pheobe 1
Rachael 1
Rose 1
Ruth 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Charles 11
George 11
James 11
John 11
William 11
Alfred 4
Frederick 4
Albert 3
Stephen 3
Thomas 3
Edward 2
Ernest 2
Geo. 2
Horace 2
Joseph 2
Marshall 2
Percy 2
Robert 2
Walter 2
Aaron 1
Alma 1
Anthony 1
Arthur 1
Augustus 1
Daniel 1
Earnest 1
Edgar 1
Edwin 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Infant 1
Jeremiah 1
Jesse 1
Oliver 1
Richard 1
Seamon 1
Tom 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Brunger surname: questions and answers

How common was the Brunger surname in 1881?

In 1881, 199 people were recorded with the Brunger surname. That placed it at #12,880 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Brunger surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 384 in 2016. That gives Brunger a modern rank of #12,251.

What does the Brunger surname mean?

A German surname derived from the German word "brunnen," meaning "well" or "spring."

What does the Brunger map show?

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