NameCensus.

UK surname

Brunton

English habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "brown town" or "settlement on brown soil."

In the 1881 census there were 2,426 people recorded with the Brunton surname, ranking it #1,828 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,833, ranked #2,376, down from #1,828 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include IZ21, IZ20 and Pembrokeshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brunton is 2,907 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 16.8%.

1881 census count

2,426

Ranked #1,828

Modern count

2,833

2016, ranked #2,376

Peak year

1999

2,907 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Brunton had 2,426 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,828 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,833 in 2016, ranked #2,376.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,903 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Brunton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Brunton surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Brunton 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 1,428 #2,012
1861 historical 1,441 #1,973
1881 historical 2,426 #1,828
1891 historical 2,456 #1,924
1901 historical 2,903 #1,929
1911 historical 1,878 #2,632
1997 modern 2,763 #2,322
1998 modern 2,827 #2,362
1999 modern 2,907 #2,328
2000 modern 2,898 #2,324
2001 modern 2,822 #2,331
2002 modern 2,902 #2,320
2003 modern 2,755 #2,374
2004 modern 2,745 #2,384
2005 modern 2,726 #2,371
2006 modern 2,731 #2,372
2007 modern 2,751 #2,383
2008 modern 2,761 #2,392
2009 modern 2,780 #2,423
2010 modern 2,856 #2,411
2011 modern 2,839 #2,393
2012 modern 2,776 #2,403
2013 modern 2,832 #2,399
2014 modern 2,848 #2,396
2015 modern 2,847 #2,377
2016 modern 2,833 #2,376

Geography

Back to top

Where Bruntons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon) and East Dereham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to IZ21, IZ20, Pembrokeshire, Arbroath Landward and IZ22. 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 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon) Northumberland
5 East Dereham Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 IZ21 East Lothian
2 IZ20 East Lothian
3 Pembrokeshire 013 Pembrokeshire
4 Arbroath Landward Angus
5 IZ22 East Lothian

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Brunton

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Brunton

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Brunton, 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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Brunton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Brunton household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Brunton is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Brunton is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Brunton

The surname Brunton has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "brun" meaning "brown" and "tun" meaning "farmstead" or "enclosure." This suggests that the name may have referred to someone who lived at or near a farmstead surrounded by brown-colored land or buildings.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Brunton can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Brunton" in Yorkshire. This suggests that the name was already established in northern England by the late 11th century.

Throughout history, the name Brunton has been associated with various places in England, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire, Northumberland, and Durham. For instance, there are villages called Brunton in both Northumberland and Yorkshire, which may have contributed to the spread of the surname.

One notable individual bearing the Brunton surname was Sir Richard Brunton (1711-1788), a British politician who served as a Member of Parliament for the constituency of Guildford in Surrey from 1761 to 1768.

Another historical figure with the Brunton name was Mary Brunton (1778-1818), a Scottish novelist and playwright. She is best known for her novel "Self-Control," published in 1811, which explored themes of family relationships and moral dilemmas.

In the field of science, John Brunton (1842-1917) was a prominent Scottish civil engineer who made significant contributions to the development of bridge construction techniques. He was involved in the design and construction of several notable bridges, including the Forth Bridge in Scotland.

Moving to the arts, John Brunton (1801-1869) was an English actor and theatre manager. He managed several theatres in London and is credited with introducing the playwright William Shakespeare to a wider audience through his productions.

Lastly, Richard Henry Brunton (1841-1901) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the state of Delaware from 1899 to 1901.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the surname Brunton throughout history, highlighting the diverse backgrounds and achievements associated with this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Brunton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brunton 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. Yorkshire leads with 316 Bruntons recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.39x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 316 1.39x
Midlothian 269 8.75x
Norfolk 193 5.47x
Lanarkshire 182 2.45x
Lancashire 177 0.65x
Fife 176 12.95x
Durham 137 2.01x
Middlesex 125 0.54x
Northumberland 98 2.87x
Roxburghshire 82 19.72x
Berwickshire 72 25.90x
Peeblesshire 71 65.77x
Selkirkshire 49 23.60x
Surrey 30 0.27x
Sussex 28 0.72x
Renfrewshire 26 1.46x
Essex 22 0.49x
Hertfordshire 22 1.39x
East Lothian 20 6.58x
Derbyshire 17 0.47x
Kent 17 0.22x
West Lothian 17 4.92x
Cumberland 15 0.76x
Lincolnshire 15 0.41x
Warwickshire 15 0.26x
Angus 12 0.56x
Cheshire 12 0.24x
Perthshire 12 1.16x
Stirlingshire 12 1.42x
Dumfriesshire 11 2.17x
Aberdeenshire 9 0.42x
Wigtownshire 9 2.95x
Inverness-shire 8 1.17x
Leicestershire 8 0.31x
Nottinghamshire 8 0.26x
Flintshire 7 1.13x
Worcestershire 7 0.23x
Ayrshire 6 0.35x
Devon 5 0.10x
Montgomeryshire 5 0.95x
Wiltshire 5 0.25x
Hampshire 4 0.09x
Kinross-shire 4 6.89x
Argyllshire 3 0.47x
Dorset 3 0.20x
Cambridgeshire 2 0.14x
Banffshire 1 0.21x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.07x
Cornwall 1 0.04x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.16x
Gloucestershire 1 0.02x
Northamptonshire 1 0.05x
Oxfordshire 1 0.07x
Shetland 1 0.43x
Staffordshire 1 0.01x
Suffolk 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 109 Bruntons recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.81x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 109 8.81x
East Dereham 70 156.99x
Govan 60 3.27x
Cullercoates 51 475.30x
South Leith 45 13.01x
Leeds 35 2.73x
Bishopwearmouth 26 4.44x
Innerleithen 26 90.75x
Dunse 25 94.84x
Habergham Eaves 24 9.64x
Cockpen 22 61.21x
Glasgow 22 1.67x
Traquair 22 367.28x
Galashiels 21 27.35x
Biggar 20 119.19x
Holy Trinity 20 3.66x
Cupar 19 32.15x
Islington London 19 0.85x
St Pancras London 19 1.03x
West Ham 19 1.90x
Huddersfield 18 5.43x
Jedburgh 18 44.17x
Cambusnethan 17 10.31x
Douglas 17 79.44x
Markinch 17 36.85x
Bradford 16 2.91x
Colne 16 19.72x
Liverpool 16 0.97x
Shotts 16 18.01x
West Herrington 16 66.89x
Edinburgh St Stephens 15 24.78x
Church 14 36.40x
Darlington 14 5.31x
Kennoway 14 113.27x
Nenthorn 14 389.97x
Strathmiglo 14 86.21x
Barony 13 0.69x
Burnley 13 5.67x
Great Harwood 13 26.41x
Hamilton 13 6.28x
Smailholm 13 371.43x
Temple 13 106.30x
Tynemouth 13 7.11x
Alverthorpe Cum Thornes 12 14.53x
Attleborough 12 67.30x
Auchterderran 12 35.13x
Borrowdale 12 339.94x
Byers Green 12 62.27x
Crail 12 86.52x
Hunslet 12 3.38x
Lilliesleaf 12 212.77x
North Leith 12 8.43x
Watton 12 108.21x
Weasenham All Sts 12 419.58x
Ancrum 11 102.04x
Bethnal Green London 11 1.10x
Glaisdale 11 126.87x
Armley 10 9.97x
Aston 10 0.63x
Brighton 10 1.28x
Linthorpe 10 7.37x
Peebles 10 31.34x
St George Hanover Square 10 2.47x
Athelstaneford 9 150.25x
Cathcart 9 9.35x
Chirton 9 11.64x
Cottingham 9 18.36x
Dunbar 9 21.12x
Heeley 9 13.02x
Hingham 9 73.65x
Inverkeithing 9 43.95x
Kensington London 9 0.71x
Ormesby 9 14.72x
Richmond 9 25.32x
St Martin In Fields 9 6.55x
Staveley 9 350.19x
Stranraer 9 32.28x
Sutton 9 11.12x
Swaffham 9 31.35x
Thornton In Fylde 9 15.10x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 89
Elizabeth 54
Jane 27
Sarah 27
Ann 25
Margaret 25
Eliza 22
Annie 21
Hannah 21
Ellen 17
Isabella 14
Alice 12
Ada 10
Emily 10
Martha 10
Emma 9
Maria 9
Catherine 8
Florence 7
Charlotte 6
Harriet 6
Louisa 6
Margt. 6
Susan 6
Edith 5
Elizth. 5
Louise 5
Anna 4
Anne 4
Dorothy 4
Eleanor 4
Fanny 4
Frances 4
Gertrude 4
Kate 4
Lydia 4
Rose 4
Amelia 3
Amy 3
Caroline 3
Christina 3
Clara 3
Harriett 3
Janet 3
Lucy 3
Polly 3
Esther 2
Jessie 2
Lilly 2
Lily 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 91
William 72
James 48
Thomas 45
George 37
Robert 35
Henry 32
Joseph 23
Charles 21
Frederick 15
Arthur 14
Walter 12
Alfred 11
Edward 11
Herbert 8
Peter 8
Richard 8
Wm. 6
Frank 5
Andrew 4
Benjamin 4
Harry 4
Matthew 4
Ralph 4
Albert 3
David 3
Ernest 3
Fredrick 3
Isaac 3
Jacob 3
Percival 3
Stephen 3
Arnold 2
Barray 2
Benjn. 2
Christopher 2
Francis 2
Fredick 2
Fredk. 2
Geo. 2
Harold 2
Martin 2
Philip 2
Robt. 2
Thos. 2
Tom 2
Wm.Hy. 2
Basil 1
Dennis 1
Dick 1

FAQ

Brunton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Brunton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,426 people were recorded with the Brunton surname. That placed it at #1,828 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Brunton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,833 in 2016. That gives Brunton a modern rank of #2,376.

What does the Brunton surname mean?

English habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "brown town" or "settlement on brown soil."

What does the Brunton map show?

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