NameCensus.

UK surname

Bubb

A surname derived from the Old English word "byb" meaning a bale or bundle.

In the 1881 census there were 780 people recorded with the Bubb surname, ranking it #4,753 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 861, ranked #6,510, down from #4,753 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, Cheltenham and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tewkesbury, Wychavon and Canterbury.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bubb is 970 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 10.4%.

1881 census count

780

Ranked #4,753

Modern count

861

2016, ranked #6,510

Peak year

1911

970 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bubb had 780 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,753 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 861 in 2016, ranked #6,510.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 970 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Bubb surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bubb surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bubb 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 613 #4,211
1861 historical 605 #4,382
1881 historical 780 #4,753
1891 historical 789 #5,096
1901 historical 908 #5,113
1911 historical 970 #4,661
1997 modern 899 #5,969
1998 modern 928 #6,012
1999 modern 935 #6,026
2000 modern 931 #6,027
2001 modern 922 #5,969
2002 modern 942 #5,968
2003 modern 890 #6,141
2004 modern 885 #6,178
2005 modern 885 #6,099
2006 modern 866 #6,221
2007 modern 870 #6,259
2008 modern 866 #6,318
2009 modern 900 #6,269
2010 modern 917 #6,297
2011 modern 897 #6,335
2012 modern 883 #6,331
2013 modern 925 #6,221
2014 modern 918 #6,282
2015 modern 886 #6,392
2016 modern 861 #6,510

Geography

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Where Bubbs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, Cheltenham, London parishes, Birmingham Town: Birmingham and Birmingham Town: Aston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Tewkesbury, Wychavon, Canterbury, Doncaster and Forest of Dean. 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 Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet, Gloucestershire
2 Cheltenham Gloucestershire
3 London parishes London 2
4 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire
5 Birmingham Town: Aston Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Tewkesbury 006 Tewkesbury
2 Wychavon 011 Wychavon
3 Canterbury 006 Canterbury
4 Doncaster 037 Doncaster
5 Forest of Dean 001 Forest of Dean

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bubb

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bubb

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Bubb surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Bubb household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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, Bubb 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

Bubb 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

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

Meaning and origin of Bubb

The surname Bubb originated in England during the Middle Ages. It is believed to have been derived from the Old English word "bubbe," which was a nickname for someone who was plump or rounded in appearance. The name was likely first used as a descriptive term before becoming a hereditary surname.

One of the earliest known references to the name Bubb can be found in the Cartulary of Oseney Abbey, a medieval manuscript dating back to the 13th century. This document mentions a William Bubbe, who was a landowner in Oxfordshire during that time period.

Another early recording of the name is in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which lists a Johanna Bubbe as a taxpayer. This suggests that the name had spread to different regions of England by the 14th century.

In the 15th century, the surname appears in various forms, such as Bub, Bubbe, and Bubbe, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation common during that era. One notable figure from this time was John Bubbe, a member of the Guild of Weavers in Coventry in the late 1400s.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname continued to be found throughout England, with records showing individuals named Bubb residing in counties like Somerset, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire. One prominent individual was Sir John Bubb, who was born in 1605 and served as a Member of Parliament for Whitchurch in Hampshire.

Another notable figure was Jethro Bubb, born in 1672, who was a renowned writer and philosopher. He authored several works, including "An Essay Towards the Unravelling of the Great Mysteries of the Universe" and "A Dissertation on the Existence of an Eternal Intelligent Being."

In the 18th century, the Bubb surname gained further recognition with the birth of George Bubb Dodington, later known as Lord Melcombe, in 1691. He was a prominent politician and courtier who served as Lord Lieutenant of Somerset and held various other positions in the British government.

While the surname Bubb has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, it has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including landowners, tradesmen, politicians, and writers. Its origins can be traced back to the descriptive nicknames of medieval England, reflecting the rich linguistic heritage of the English language.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bubb families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bubb 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. Gloucestershire leads with 206 Bubbs recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.79x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 206 13.79x
Warwickshire 87 4.53x
Worcestershire 83 8.34x
Middlesex 77 1.01x
Kent 69 2.65x
Herefordshire 47 15.05x
Hampshire 43 2.75x
Wiltshire 29 4.30x
Buckinghamshire 18 3.91x
Cardiganshire 15 8.07x
Lancashire 13 0.14x
Somerset 12 0.98x
Devon 10 0.63x
Oxfordshire 8 1.70x
Derbyshire 7 0.59x
Surrey 6 0.16x
Essex 5 0.33x
Sussex 5 0.39x
Cheshire 4 0.24x
Huntingdonshire 4 2.64x
Montgomeryshire 4 2.29x
Norfolk 4 0.34x
Shropshire 4 0.61x
Berkshire 3 0.52x
Monmouthshire 3 0.54x
Yorkshire 3 0.04x
Aberdeenshire 2 0.28x
Durham 2 0.09x
Lincolnshire 2 0.16x
Staffordshire 2 0.08x
Cornwall 1 0.12x
Hertfordshire 1 0.19x
Royal Navy 1 1.10x
Suffolk 1 0.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cheltenham in Gloucestershire leads with 34 Bubbs recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.49x.

Place Total Index
Cheltenham 34 29.49x
Birmingham 26 4.06x
Aston 25 4.73x
St Pancras London 21 3.42x
Exbury 19 2111.11x
St Lawrence 16 89.54x
Upton Cum Chalvey 16 87.19x
Aberystwith 15 93.75x
Claines 13 47.62x
Great Somerford 13 909.09x
Mickleton 13 659.90x
St Marylebone London 13 3.20x
Bredwardine 12 1363.64x
Herne 12 104.26x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 11 40.23x
Upton Bishop 11 597.83x
Ross 10 80.45x
Aston Blank 9 1153.85x
Clent 9 344.83x
Gloucester St John Baptist 9 93.26x
Hackington St Stephen 9 538.92x
Hackney London 9 2.11x
Lye 9 54.35x
Portsea 9 2.94x
Badgeworth 8 305.34x
Draycot Cerne 8 2105.26x
Leamington 8 62.84x
Lower Swell 8 754.72x
Stonehouse 8 94.23x
Faversham 7 28.24x
Gloucester Barton St 7 79.91x
Lighthorne 7 744.68x
South Littleton 7 823.53x
Woolaston 7 309.73x
Worcester St Peter 7 37.17x
Bedminster 6 5.21x
Bourton On The Water 6 197.37x
Eardisley 6 265.49x
East Stonehouse 6 19.21x
Elklstone 6 967.74x
Inkberrow 6 149.25x
Leckhampton 6 65.15x
Manchester 6 1.48x
Oxford St Ebbe 6 43.32x
Paddington London 6 2.14x
St George Martyr London 6 38.89x
Brighton 5 1.93x
Bromley London 5 2.98x
Clifford 5 241.55x
Daglingworth 5 574.71x
Devizes St James 5 55.87x
Frampton On Severn 5 198.41x
Hoath 5 568.18x
Littleworth 5 344.83x
Measham 5 114.16x
Ramsgate 5 11.78x
Sevenhampton 5 378.79x
Southampton St Mary 5 5.09x
West Ham 5 1.51x
Alveston 4 188.68x
Bidford 4 97.32x
Brampton 4 126.98x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 4 2.84x
Charlton Kings 4 38.68x
Gloucester Kingsholm St 4 71.81x
Gloucester St Nicholas 4 57.80x
Minster In Thanet 4 73.94x
Newtown 4 35.84x
Romsley 4 370.37x
Stow On The Wold 4 120.48x
Studley 4 48.72x
Wotton Ville 4 281.69x
Yardley 4 15.72x
Bowdon 3 44.98x
Chislet 3 102.04x
Clun 3 64.24x
Hillmorton 3 87.46x
Millbrook 3 7.63x
Salford 3 1.13x
St Thomas Winchester 3 27.20x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 44
Sarah 28
Elizabeth 26
Ann 23
Emily 18
Ellen 15
Emma 15
Eliza 14
Jane 14
Alice 12
Harriet 11
Annie 10
Fanny 10
Martha 10
Florence 6
Caroline 5
Hannah 5
Laura 5
Matilda 5
Anne 4
Edith 4
Esther 4
Frances 4
Louisa 4
Amelia 3
Clara 3
Harriett 3
Marion 3
Rosa 3
Rosina 3
Susan 3
Susannah 3
Bertha 2
Betsy 2
Catherine 2
Charlotte 2
Elizth. 2
Ethel 2
Grace 2
Jessie 2
Kate 2
Lucy 2
Maria 2
May 2
Minnie 2
Rebecca 2
Rose 2
Selina 2
Anna 1
Eliva 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 57
George 34
Henry 34
John 30
Thomas 24
Charles 23
James 22
Edward 15
Joseph 13
Richard 13
Alfred 9
Samuel 6
Arthur 5
Frederick 5
Robert 5
Albert 4
Benjamin 4
Edwin 4
Walter 4
Ernest 3
Frank 3
Fredk. 3
Isaac 3
Jno. 3
Tom 3
Anthony 2
David 2
Eli 2
Frederic 2
Herbert 2
Edgar 1
Fred 1
Fredk.Robert 1
Fredk.Wm. 1
G.H. 1
Geo. 1
Harold 1
Henery 1
Hy. 1
Jesse 1
Job 1
Jona 1
Leo 1
Levi 1
Lewis 1
Louis 1
Mrs 1
Osborne 1
Raymond 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Bubb surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bubb surname in 1881?

In 1881, 780 people were recorded with the Bubb surname. That placed it at #4,753 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bubb surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 861 in 2016. That gives Bubb a modern rank of #6,510.

What does the Bubb surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old English word "byb" meaning a bale or bundle.

What does the Bubb map show?

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