NameCensus.

UK surname

Bullett

A surname likely derived from the Old French word "bulete," meaning a small ball or round object.

In the 1881 census there were 142 people recorded with the Bullett surname, ranking it #16,012 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 237, ranked #17,418, down from #16,012 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Paddington and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mid Suffolk, Babergh and Kirklees.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bullett is 299 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 66.9%.

1881 census count

142

Ranked #16,012

Modern count

237

2016, ranked #17,418

Peak year

1911

299 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bullett had 142 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,012 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 237 in 2016, ranked #17,418.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 299 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Bullett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bullett surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bullett 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 106 #16,512
1861 historical 137 #16,465
1881 historical 142 #16,012
1891 historical 200 #14,913
1901 historical 251 #13,102
1911 historical 299 #11,475
1997 modern 234 #15,939
1998 modern 252 #15,584
1999 modern 250 #15,802
2000 modern 239 #16,239
2001 modern 233 #16,260
2002 modern 244 #16,085
2003 modern 232 #16,447
2004 modern 237 #16,283
2005 modern 229 #16,631
2006 modern 221 #17,149
2007 modern 224 #17,193
2008 modern 225 #17,282
2009 modern 235 #17,151
2010 modern 235 #17,477
2011 modern 229 #17,633
2012 modern 230 #17,479
2013 modern 245 #17,025
2014 modern 245 #17,140
2015 modern 241 #17,235
2016 modern 237 #17,418

Geography

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Where Bulletts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Paddington, London parishes, Bradfield St George and Hessett. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mid Suffolk, Babergh, Kirklees and St Edmundsbury. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Paddington London (West Districts)
3 London parishes London 3
4 Bradfield St George Suffolk
5 Hessett Suffolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mid Suffolk 006 Mid Suffolk
2 Babergh 002 Babergh
3 Mid Suffolk 004 Mid Suffolk
4 Kirklees 053 Kirklees
5 St Edmundsbury 004 St Edmundsbury

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bullett

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bullett

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Bullett is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Bullett is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Bullett

The surname Bullett is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "bule" and "ætt," which together mean "the dweller at the bull pasture." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a field or area where bulls were kept.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bullett can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Bulet." This historical record, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation in England at the time.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name continued to evolve, with variations such as "Bullette" and "Bullett" appearing in various documents and records. It is worth noting that during this period, spellings were often inconsistent due to the lack of standardized orthography.

In the 14th century, a notable individual named John Bullett was recorded as residing in the county of Somerset. Unfortunately, no further details about his life or occupation are available.

The 16th century saw the emergence of a prominent family bearing the surname Bullett in the county of Gloucestershire. One member, William Bullett (1530-1598), was a landowner and respected figure in the local community.

In the 17th century, the name Bullett gained further recognition with the birth of Samuel Bullett (1625-1692), a prominent English theologian and author. He served as a chaplain to King Charles II and published several influential works on religious subjects.

Moving into the 18th century, we find Robert Bullett (1710-1784), a successful merchant and philanthropist from London. He made significant contributions to various charitable organizations and was known for his generosity towards the less fortunate.

The 19th century saw the rise of William Bullett (1816-1879), a renowned architect who designed several noteworthy buildings in London, including the former headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Service.

It is important to note that while these examples provide insights into the historical presence of the surname Bullett, they represent only a small fraction of the individuals who have borne this name throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bullett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bullett 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. Suffolk leads with 68 Bulletts recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.31x.

County Total Index
Suffolk 68 40.31x
Middlesex 21 1.52x
Surrey 15 2.22x
Kent 9 1.90x
Somerset 8 3.59x
Essex 6 2.19x
Derbyshire 5 2.31x
Worcestershire 3 1.66x
Bedfordshire 2 2.79x
Durham 1 0.24x
Lancashire 1 0.06x
Leicestershire 1 0.65x
Norfolk 1 0.47x
Sussex 1 0.43x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hessett in Suffolk leads with 37 Bulletts recorded in 1881 and an index of 18500.00x.

Place Total Index
Hessett 37 18500.00x
Beckenham 9 145.63x
Islington London 9 6.70x
Bradfield St George 8 3809.52x
Kingston On Thames 8 49.35x
Broomfield 6 3000.00x
Camberwell 5 5.65x
Drinkstone 5 2272.73x
Ealing 5 40.39x
Rougham 5 1282.05x
Winshill 5 362.32x
Laxfield 4 952.38x
Droitwich St Nicholas 3 447.76x
Hammersmith London 3 8.79x
Springfield 3 250.00x
Bath St James 2 85.84x
Battersea 2 3.92x
Bedford St Paul 2 40.65x
St Marylebone London 2 2.70x
Thurston 2 606.06x
Bradfield St Clare 1 833.33x
Bury St Edmunds St James 1 22.17x
Bury St Edmunds St Mary 1 31.55x
Colchester St Giles 1 37.04x
Gedding 1 2000.00x
Great Coggeshall 1 70.42x
Hackney London 1 1.29x
Hove 1 9.76x
Little Claybrooke 1 357.14x
Little Leighs 1 1666.67x
Nowton 1 1111.11x
Oldham 1 1.89x
Paddington London 1 1.96x
Preston 1 714.29x
Rockland St Mary 1 476.19x
Thornley 1 67.11x
Woolpit 1 204.08x

Top female names

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

FAQ

Bullett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bullett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 142 people were recorded with the Bullett surname. That placed it at #16,012 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bullett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 237 in 2016. That gives Bullett a modern rank of #17,418.

What does the Bullett surname mean?

A surname likely derived from the Old French word "bulete," meaning a small ball or round object.

What does the Bullett map show?

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