NameCensus.

UK surname

Buist

A surname derived from the Scottish dialect word "boast" meaning a small house or dwelling.

In the 1881 census there were 594 people recorded with the Buist surname, ranking it #5,887 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 710, ranked #7,628, down from #5,887 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Kilconquhar and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include IZ13, Carnoustie West and Hilltown.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Buist is 730 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 19.5%.

1881 census count

594

Ranked #5,887

Modern count

710

2016, ranked #7,628

Peak year

1901

730 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Buist had 594 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,887 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 710 in 2016, ranked #7,628.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 730 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Buist surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Buist surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Buist 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 400 #6,040
1861 historical 372 #6,857
1881 historical 594 #5,887
1891 historical 629 #6,149
1901 historical 730 #6,065
1911 historical 217 #14,214
1997 modern 670 #7,495
1998 modern 712 #7,378
1999 modern 725 #7,327
2000 modern 696 #7,523
2001 modern 676 #7,563
2002 modern 708 #7,444
2003 modern 706 #7,331
2004 modern 702 #7,380
2005 modern 702 #7,329
2006 modern 701 #7,342
2007 modern 696 #7,455
2008 modern 703 #7,457
2009 modern 726 #7,418
2010 modern 714 #7,661
2011 modern 708 #7,642
2012 modern 702 #7,589
2013 modern 712 #7,632
2014 modern 720 #7,612
2015 modern 703 #7,693
2016 modern 710 #7,628

Geography

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Where Buists are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Kilconquhar, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Perth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to IZ13, Carnoustie West, Hilltown, Barlanark and Kirriemuir. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 London parishes London 3
2 Kilconquhar Fife
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
5 Perth Perth

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 IZ13 West Dunbartonshire
2 Carnoustie West Angus
3 Hilltown Dundee City
4 Barlanark Glasgow City
5 Kirriemuir Angus

Forenames

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First names often paired with Buist

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Buist

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Buist surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Buist household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Buist 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

Buist 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

Buist 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 Buist is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Buist

The surname Buist has its origins in Scotland, where it emerged in the 15th century as a variant of the name Boist or Boyce. The name is derived from the Old French word "bois," meaning "wood," suggesting that the original bearers of the name may have lived near or worked with wood.

Records show that the name Buist first appeared in the Scottish Lowlands, particularly in the counties of Ayrshire and Lanarkshire. One of the earliest documented instances of the name can be found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from 1480, which mentions a John Buist from Ayrshire.

In the 16th century, the name Buist appeared in various forms, such as Boyst, Boist, and Buyst, reflecting the phonetic variations common in that era. One notable figure from this period was Sir John Buist, a Scottish landowner and courtier who served under King James V in the early 1500s.

As the centuries progressed, the Buist family spread across Scotland and beyond. In the late 17th century, Robert Buist (1640-1714) was a prominent minister and author in the Church of Scotland, known for his writings on theology and ecclesiastical history.

In the 18th century, the name Buist gained prominence in the field of education. George Buist (1730-1805) was a renowned schoolmaster and author of educational texts in Edinburgh, while his son, George Buist (1770-1838), followed in his footsteps and became a respected teacher and writer on educational subjects.

Moving into the 19th century, Robert Buist (1805-1880) was a notable Scottish horticulturist and nurseryman who made significant contributions to the study and cultivation of plants. He established the Buist Nurseries in Philadelphia, which became one of the largest and most influential nurseries in the United States.

Another notable figure from this era was Sir George Buist (1819-1878), a Scottish writer and civil servant who served as the Principal of Lahore College (now University) in British India. He was recognized for his efforts in promoting education and cultural understanding between Britain and India.

As the name spread across the globe, it continued to be associated with various professions and achievements. For instance, Walter Buist (1865-1953) was a Scottish inventor and engineer who made significant contributions to the development of early aviation technology in the early 20th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Buist families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Buist 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. Fife leads with 184 Buists recorded in 1881 and an index of 53.91x.

County Total Index
Fife 184 53.91x
Angus 137 25.65x
Middlesex 58 1.01x
Midlothian 56 7.25x
Perthshire 31 11.98x
Lanarkshire 25 1.34x
Lancashire 20 0.29x
Surrey 18 0.64x
Durham 10 0.58x
Hampshire 9 0.76x
Aberdeenshire 7 1.31x
Glamorgan 7 0.70x
Clackmannanshire 5 10.50x
Peeblesshire 5 18.44x
Roxburghshire 4 3.83x
Selkirkshire 3 5.75x
Essex 2 0.18x
Kent 2 0.10x
Leicestershire 2 0.31x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.65x
Lincolnshire 1 0.11x
Renfrewshire 1 0.22x
Royal Navy 1 1.46x
Suffolk 1 0.14x
West Lothian 1 1.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liff Benvie in Angus leads with 47 Buists recorded in 1881 and an index of 57.97x.

Place Total Index
Liff Benvie 47 57.97x
Dundee 42 21.06x
Dysart 40 174.06x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 26 8.37x
Abbotshall 19 149.02x
St Vigeans 19 65.90x
Govan 17 3.69x
Dunfermline 14 26.68x
Hampstead London 14 15.59x
Burntisland 13 136.27x
Lambeth 13 2.59x
St Andrews 11 70.83x
Edinburgh St Marys 10 66.62x
Eldon 10 367.65x
Markinch 10 86.28x
Monifieth 10 52.99x
Forgan 9 137.61x
Lundie 9 1428.57x
Perth East Church 9 36.89x
Stoke Newington London 9 20.04x
Kilconquhar 8 197.04x
Kinglassie 8 307.69x
Westminster St John 8 11.39x
Cardiff St John 7 21.35x
Cupar 7 47.17x
Falkland 7 130.35x
Perth West Church 7 57.00x
South Leith 7 8.05x
St George Hanover Square 7 6.89x
Bromley London 6 4.73x
Dunbog 6 1395.35x
Kinnoull 6 88.24x
Liverpool 6 1.44x
Monzievaird Strowan 6 431.65x
Strathmiglo 6 147.06x
Alloa 5 21.65x
Barry 5 78.00x
Everton 5 2.29x
Leslie 5 57.87x
Aberdeen Old Machar 4 3.59x
Hamilton 4 7.69x
Kirkdale 4 3.48x
North Leith 4 11.19x
Northwood 4 23.77x
Peebles 4 49.94x
Portsea 4 1.73x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 3 3.00x
Bedrule 3 566.04x
Cameron 3 151.52x
Crail 3 86.21x
Creich 3 394.74x
Edinburgh St Georges 3 18.71x
Galashiels 3 15.56x
Islington London 3 0.54x
Kirkcaldy 3 17.72x
Lasswade 3 16.99x
Shoreditch London 3 1.20x
Southwark St George Martyr 3 2.59x
Withington 3 13.61x
Ashton Under Lyne 2 1.34x
Auchterderran 2 23.31x
Barony 2 0.42x
Bexley 2 11.50x
Forfar 2 6.92x
Kemback 2 118.34x
Scoonie 2 27.06x
St Marylebone London 2 0.65x
West Ham 2 0.80x
Westminster St Margaret 2 7.19x
Balmerino 1 76.34x
Chelsea London 1 0.58x
Dairsie 1 72.46x
Dumbarton 1 4.64x
Glasgow 1 0.30x
Harrow On The Hill 1 8.68x
Inverkeillor 1 30.21x
Jedburgh 1 9.78x
Southampton St Mary 1 1.35x
Tealing 1 66.67x
Tibbermore 1 26.95x

Top female names

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

Name Count
James 7
John 7
William 7
George 6
Henry 6
Thomas 4
Andrew 2
Charles 2
Harry 2
Hugh 2
Laurence 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Alexander 1
Allen 1
Arthur 1
Chas. 1
Claude 1
Edward 1
Louis 1
Milton 1
Reginald 1
Richard 1
Richd. 1
Robert 1
Robt.Gray 1
Samuel 1
W. 1

FAQ

Buist surname: questions and answers

How common was the Buist surname in 1881?

In 1881, 594 people were recorded with the Buist surname. That placed it at #5,887 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Buist surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 710 in 2016. That gives Buist a modern rank of #7,628.

What does the Buist surname mean?

A surname derived from the Scottish dialect word "boast" meaning a small house or dwelling.

What does the Buist map show?

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