NameCensus.

UK surname

Bullen

A surname of English origin, derived from the Old English word for bull, likely referring to a bull keeper.

In the 1881 census there were 3,162 people recorded with the Bullen surname, ranking it #1,423 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,968, ranked #1,707, down from #1,423 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Woking and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, South Norfolk and South Cambridgeshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bullen is 4,396 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 25.5%.

1881 census count

3,162

Ranked #1,423

Modern count

3,968

2016, ranked #1,707

Peak year

1911

4,396 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bullen had 3,162 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,423 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,968 in 2016, ranked #1,707.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4,396 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Bullen surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bullen surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bullen 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 1,980 #1,464
1861 historical 1,762 #1,639
1881 historical 3,162 #1,423
1891 historical 3,236 #1,470
1901 historical 4,028 #1,399
1911 historical 4,396 #1,175
1997 modern 4,222 #1,536
1998 modern 4,280 #1,568
1999 modern 4,311 #1,568
2000 modern 4,278 #1,569
2001 modern 4,190 #1,565
2002 modern 4,290 #1,567
2003 modern 4,107 #1,598
2004 modern 4,119 #1,595
2005 modern 4,044 #1,607
2006 modern 3,971 #1,638
2007 modern 3,995 #1,647
2008 modern 4,028 #1,643
2009 modern 4,060 #1,671
2010 modern 4,150 #1,674
2011 modern 4,082 #1,673
2012 modern 3,943 #1,708
2013 modern 4,033 #1,697
2014 modern 4,060 #1,701
2015 modern 4,004 #1,704
2016 modern 3,968 #1,707

Geography

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Where Bullens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Woking, St Pancras and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, South Norfolk, South Cambridgeshire, Canterbury and Waveney. 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 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Woking Surrey
4 St Pancras London (North Districts)
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 048 Cornwall
2 South Norfolk 012 South Norfolk
3 South Cambridgeshire 011 South Cambridgeshire
4 Canterbury 009 Canterbury
5 Waveney 010 Waveney

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bullen

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bullen

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Bullen 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

Bullen 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

Bullen falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Bullen

The surname Bullen has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "bull," referring to the male bovine animal. This name was likely given as a descriptive nickname to someone who was associated with bulls, such as a farmer or a breeder.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in various historical records from the 13th and 14th centuries. One notable example is the mention of a Richard Bullen in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1273. Another early reference is William Bullen, who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1301.

During the 15th century, the name Bullen gained prominence due to its association with the wealthy and influential Bullen family, which originated from the town of Blickling in Norfolk. This family produced several notable figures, including Sir William Bullen (c. 1416-1481), who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1457.

One of the most famous individuals with the surname Bullen was Anne Boleyn (c. 1501-1536), the second wife of King Henry VIII of England. Anne was born into the Bullen family and played a pivotal role in the English Reformation. Her execution in 1536 marked a significant moment in English history.

Other notable individuals with the surname Bullen include Sir Geoffrey Bullen (c. 1454-1505), a prominent lawyer and courtier during the reign of Henry VII, and Edward Bullen (c. 1603-1676), an English clergyman and author.

The name Bullen has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as Bullen Farm in Oxfordshire and Bullen Hill in Gloucestershire. These place names likely originated from individuals bearing the surname who lived or owned land in those areas.

Over time, the spelling of the name has evolved, with variations such as Boleyn, Bullen, and Bulling appearing in historical records. However, the core derivation from the Old English word "bull" remains consistent across these variations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bullen families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bullen 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. Lancashire leads with 574 Bullens recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.56x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 574 1.56x
Middlesex 495 1.60x
Surrey 457 3.03x
Norfolk 364 7.64x
Suffolk 150 3.97x
Cornwall 137 3.91x
Cambridgeshire 126 6.42x
Kent 91 0.86x
Devon 81 1.26x
Sussex 69 1.32x
Durham 59 0.64x
Dorset 51 2.51x
Essex 48 0.78x
Yorkshire 48 0.16x
Hampshire 45 0.71x
Somerset 44 0.88x
Huntingdonshire 38 6.18x
Staffordshire 33 0.32x
Warwickshire 22 0.28x
Nottinghamshire 19 0.46x
Flintshire 18 2.16x
Channel Islands 14 1.53x
Cheshire 14 0.20x
Leicestershire 14 0.41x
Lincolnshire 14 0.28x
Worcestershire 14 0.35x
Glamorgan 12 0.22x
Lanarkshire 12 0.12x
Gloucestershire 11 0.18x
Hertfordshire 11 0.52x
Northumberland 11 0.24x
Midlothian 10 0.24x
Berkshire 9 0.39x
Monmouthshire 9 0.40x
Wiltshire 9 0.33x
Northamptonshire 7 0.24x
Herefordshire 6 0.47x
Oxfordshire 6 0.31x
Pembrokeshire 6 0.61x
Bedfordshire 5 0.31x
Buckinghamshire 4 0.21x
Royal Navy 4 1.08x
Derbyshire 2 0.04x
Rutland 2 0.88x
Cumberland 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. Blackburn in Lancashire leads with 65 Bullens recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.65x.

Place Total Index
Blackburn 65 6.65x
Islington London 63 2.10x
Lambeth 51 1.89x
Albury 42 305.01x
Kensington London 42 2.44x
Everton 40 3.41x
Kingston On Thames 37 10.20x
St Stephen In Brannel 37 115.63x
Wimpole 37 984.04x
Woking 34 37.37x
Liverpool 32 1.43x
Walmer 32 69.64x
Bethnal Green London 31 2.30x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 31 21.68x
Walton On Hill 29 14.56x
Brighton 28 2.66x
Great Yarmouth 28 7.10x
St Pancras London 28 1.12x
Toxteth Park 28 2.25x
Esher 25 118.26x
Hackney London 23 1.32x
Preston 23 2.34x
Paddington London 21 1.84x
Mile End Old Town London 20 3.03x
Bermondsey 19 2.06x
Leatherhead 19 50.25x
Bow London 18 4.56x
Holywell 18 17.21x
Lifton 18 115.90x
Oulton 18 141.18x
Croston 17 89.52x
Bromley London 16 2.35x
Dorking 16 15.79x
Ince Blundell 16 285.21x
Melbourn 16 83.68x
St Clement 16 43.70x
Beccles 15 24.70x
Pirbright 15 195.57x
Saham Toney 15 116.73x
Shoreditch London 15 1.12x
South Lynn 15 27.90x
Walsall Foreign 15 2.78x
Wigan 15 2.92x
Aston 14 0.65x
Aughton 14 38.45x
Bootle Cum Linacre 14 4.80x
Hulme 14 1.82x
Lathom 14 31.54x
Salford 14 1.29x
St George Hanover Square 14 2.56x
Stoke 14 19.65x
Streatham 14 6.09x
West Ham 14 1.04x
Chelsea London 13 1.39x
Crediton 13 21.27x
Deptford St Paul 13 1.59x
Egham 13 14.03x
Falmouth 13 10.47x
Hammersmith London 13 1.70x
Hornsey 13 3.32x
Tottenham 13 2.63x
Castle Acre 12 84.75x
Fulham London 12 2.67x
Newton Flotman 12 393.44x
Shevington 12 71.39x
Burwell 11 46.79x
Camberwell 11 0.56x
Hampstead London 11 2.28x
Haswell 11 16.65x
Lowestoft 11 6.17x
Mevagissey 11 47.19x
Stradbroke 11 86.27x
Thames Ditton 11 35.08x
Westley 11 647.06x
Ashby De La Zouch 10 12.56x
Southampton All Sts 10 9.18x
St Giles In Fields London 10 6.58x
St Helier 10 3.35x
Stow Bedon 10 290.70x
West Derby 10 0.93x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 216
Elizabeth 125
Sarah 95
Alice 64
Ellen 56
Jane 54
Annie 50
Ann 48
Emma 48
Eliza 46
Emily 46
Margaret 38
Hannah 32
Martha 29
Edith 28
Louisa 26
Maria 25
Susan 23
Caroline 22
Catherine 19
Fanny 17
Harriet 17
Anna 14
Charlotte 14
Anne 13
Florence 13
Kate 13
Clara 12
Frances 12
Harriett 11
Lucy 11
Rose 11
Ada 10
Elizth. 10
Julia 10
Matilda 10
Amelia 9
Mabel 9
Beatrice 8
Gertrude 8
Laura 8
Maud 8
Rosa 8
Agnes 7
Lizzie 7
Lydia 7
Sophia 7
Ethel 6
Isabella 6
Susannah 6

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 191
John 185
James 109
George 101
Henry 87
Thomas 75
Charles 70
Robert 68
Alfred 42
Joseph 39
Arthur 38
Edward 37
Richard 29
Frederick 23
Harry 21
Walter 18
David 16
Samuel 16
Frank 14
Albert 11
Herbert 11
Hugh 11
Benjamin 10
Ernest 9
Isaac 9
Francis 8
Mark 8
Wm. 8
Edwin 6
Stephen 6
Daniel 5
Geo. 5
Jonathan 5
Thos. 5
Christopher 4
Edmund 4
Fredk. 4
Fredrick 4
Percy 4
Peter 4
Philip 4
Chas. 3
Earnest 3
Frederic 3
Horace 3
Jacob 3
Jasper 3
Ralph 3
Victor 3
Willm. 3

FAQ

Bullen surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bullen surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3,162 people were recorded with the Bullen surname. That placed it at #1,423 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bullen surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,968 in 2016. That gives Bullen a modern rank of #1,707.

What does the Bullen surname mean?

A surname of English origin, derived from the Old English word for bull, likely referring to a bull keeper.

What does the Bullen map show?

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