NameCensus.

UK surname

Brunt

A surname derived from the Old English word "brunt," meaning a burned or scorched area.

In the 1881 census there were 2,069 people recorded with the Brunt surname, ranking it #2,128 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,132, ranked #2,162, down from #2,128 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Prestbury, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Burslem. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Staffordshire Moorlands, Rotherham and Stafford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brunt is 3,321 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 51.4%.

1881 census count

2,069

Ranked #2,128

Modern count

3,132

2016, ranked #2,162

Peak year

1998

3,321 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Brunt had 2,069 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,128 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,132 in 2016, ranked #2,162.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,012 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Brunt surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Brunt surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Brunt 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 1,499 #1,919
1861 historical 1,172 #2,414
1881 historical 2,069 #2,128
1891 historical 2,174 #2,148
1901 historical 2,701 #2,054
1911 historical 3,012 #1,727
1997 modern 3,100 #2,067
1998 modern 3,321 #2,014
1999 modern 3,321 #2,038
2000 modern 3,252 #2,066
2001 modern 3,201 #2,059
2002 modern 3,308 #2,039
2003 modern 3,194 #2,057
2004 modern 3,156 #2,080
2005 modern 3,116 #2,072
2006 modern 3,087 #2,092
2007 modern 3,096 #2,112
2008 modern 3,130 #2,109
2009 modern 3,184 #2,123
2010 modern 3,238 #2,131
2011 modern 3,228 #2,116
2012 modern 3,117 #2,148
2013 modern 3,162 #2,156
2014 modern 3,165 #2,169
2015 modern 3,156 #2,156
2016 modern 3,132 #2,162

Geography

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Where Brunts are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Staffordshire Moorlands, Rotherham and Stafford. 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 Prestbury Cheshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Burslem Staffordshire
4 Northill, Sandy Bedfordshire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Staffordshire Moorlands 013 Staffordshire Moorlands
2 Staffordshire Moorlands 011 Staffordshire Moorlands
3 Staffordshire Moorlands 010 Staffordshire Moorlands
4 Rotherham 009 Rotherham
5 Stafford 002 Stafford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Brunt

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Brunt

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

Brunt is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Brunt falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Brunt

The surname Brunt originated in England, tracing its roots back to the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "brunt," meaning a steep slope, ridge, or hill. This suggests that the name likely referred to someone who lived near or on a prominent hill or ridge.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Brunt can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership and resources in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared in various spellings, such as "Brunt," "Brunte," and "Bronte."

During the Middle Ages, the Brunt surname was prevalent in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire. Historical records from this period often mention individuals with the surname Brunt, indicating their presence and involvement in local affairs.

One notable figure bearing the Brunt surname was Sir John Brunt, a prominent landowner and military commander who lived in the 14th century. He fought alongside Edward III in the Hundred Years' War against France and was knighted for his bravery on the battlefield.

Another individual of historical significance was William Brunt, a wealthy merchant and landowner from Lincolnshire who lived in the late 15th century. He was known for his successful wool trade business and his involvement in local politics.

In the 16th century, the Brunt surname gained further recognition with the birth of Robert Brunt (1534-1611), a renowned poet and playwright. He was widely acclaimed for his works, which often explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition.

The name Brunt also has connections to various place names in England, such as Brunt Clough in Derbyshire and Brunt's Hill in Staffordshire. These place names likely derived from the same Old English word that gave rise to the surname, further reinforcing its geographical origins.

Throughout history, the Brunt surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including farmers, artisans, merchants, and even nobility. While the name may have evolved in spelling over time, its roots remain firmly planted in the English countryside, where it originated as a descriptor of those living near prominent hills or ridges.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Brunt families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brunt 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. Staffordshire leads with 451 Brunts recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.64x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 451 6.64x
Lancashire 228 0.95x
Yorkshire 221 1.11x
Derbyshire 182 5.78x
Middlesex 132 0.66x
Cheshire 123 2.77x
Somerset 109 3.36x
Warwickshire 81 1.60x
Nottinghamshire 80 2.95x
Bedfordshire 69 6.62x
Shropshire 41 2.36x
Gloucestershire 37 0.94x
Leicestershire 36 1.61x
Montgomeryshire 35 7.59x
Surrey 32 0.33x
Herefordshire 23 2.79x
Radnorshire 23 14.17x
Monmouthshire 20 1.37x
Lincolnshire 16 0.50x
Hampshire 15 0.36x
Glamorgan 13 0.37x
Hertfordshire 13 0.94x
Dorset 9 0.68x
Worcestershire 9 0.34x
Kent 8 0.12x
Lanarkshire 7 0.11x
Sussex 7 0.21x
Durham 6 0.10x
Northamptonshire 6 0.32x
Cumberland 5 0.29x
Devon 4 0.10x
Essex 4 0.10x
Denbighshire 3 0.39x
Berkshire 2 0.13x
Isle of Man 2 0.54x
Royal Navy 2 0.83x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.08x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.08x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.12x
Norfolk 1 0.03x
Northumberland 1 0.03x
Oxfordshire 1 0.08x
Renfrewshire 1 0.06x
Rutland 1 0.68x
Wiltshire 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stoke Upon Trent in Staffordshire leads with 223 Brunts recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.96x.

Place Total Index
Stoke Upon Trent 223 30.96x
Northill 54 553.85x
Buxton 45 168.73x
Cheadle 41 125.69x
Burslem 34 17.47x
Cheadle 31 36.54x
Macclesfield 30 15.19x
Bedminster 29 9.53x
West Derby 28 4.01x
Kirkby In Ashfield 27 93.07x
Manchester 25 2.33x
Oldham 25 3.24x
Wilnecote 25 171.82x
Blagdon 23 337.24x
Leeds 23 2.04x
Ault Hucknall 22 426.36x
Methley 21 74.79x
Heathylee 20 692.04x
Leek Lowe 18 19.92x
Tref Eglwys 18 143.08x
Kimberworth 17 15.36x
Birmingham 16 0.95x
Brightside Bierlow 16 4.09x
Greasbrough 16 60.74x
Nottingham St Mary 16 2.28x
Poplar London 16 4.21x
St Pancras London 15 0.93x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 14 7.54x
Ecclesall Bierlow 14 3.45x
Quarnford 14 465.12x
Barnsley 13 6.32x
Hampstead London 13 4.15x
Rusholme 13 20.41x
Sheffield 13 2.05x
Portsea 12 1.48x
Rawmarsh 12 17.03x
Shoreditch London 12 1.38x
St Woollos 12 7.39x
Ashby De La Zouch 11 21.27x
Broughton In Salford 11 5.04x
Clunbury 11 162.00x
East Bedfont 11 110.11x
Islington London 11 0.56x
Leicester St Margaret 11 2.02x
Little Bolton 11 3.58x
Llanidloes 11 32.18x
Stone 11 12.66x
Sutton In Ashfield 11 18.69x
Clifton 10 5.01x
Habergham Eaves 10 4.58x
Kensington London 10 0.89x
Newcastle Under Lyme 10 8.32x
Nuneaton 10 17.01x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 9 25.03x
Chapel En Le Frith 9 31.28x
Chesterfield 9 7.62x
Eckington 9 11.76x
Everton 9 1.18x
Gorton 9 4.01x
Horninglow 9 28.13x
Leek Frith 9 159.01x
Llowes 9 430.62x
Mexborough 9 22.74x
Newark Upon Trent 9 9.23x
Pilsley 9 86.54x
Wombwell 9 15.48x
Yetminster 9 183.67x
Beckington 8 125.20x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 8 11.73x
Chilvers Coton 8 38.33x
Culmington 8 208.88x
Doncaster 8 5.49x
Dronfield 8 19.82x
Hackney London 8 0.71x
Mansfield 8 8.52x
Mayfield 8 94.12x
N Lydbury 8 118.34x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 8 8.64x
Watford 8 7.44x
Wildboarclough 8 506.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 133
John 118
Thomas 77
George 72
James 65
Joseph 44
Charles 30
Henry 29
Arthur 28
Samuel 28
Richard 22
Frederick 21
Edward 20
Harry 20
Robert 18
Alfred 15
Walter 15
Albert 13
Isaac 13
Ernest 11
Edwin 10
Frank 9
Francis 8
Herbert 8
David 7
Fred 7
Tom 7
Stephen 6
Thos. 6
Ephraim 5
Josiah 5
Benjamin 4
Leonard 4
Ralph 4
Wm. 4
Abraham 3
Eli 3
Elijah 3
Geo. 3
Mark 3
Saml. 3
Uriah 3
Ambrose 2
Anthony 2
Evan 2
Nathan 2
Oliver 2
Philip 2
Reuben 2
Silas 2

FAQ

Brunt surname: questions and answers

How common was the Brunt surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,069 people were recorded with the Brunt surname. That placed it at #2,128 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Brunt surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,132 in 2016. That gives Brunt a modern rank of #2,162.

What does the Brunt surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old English word "brunt," meaning a burned or scorched area.

What does the Brunt map show?

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