NameCensus.

UK surname

Bulloch

An English surname likely derived from a place name referring to a bull pasture or meadow.

In the 1881 census there were 613 people recorded with the Bulloch surname, ranking it #5,735 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,011, ranked #5,754, down from #5,735 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hamilton, New Monkland and Dalziel. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hareleeshill, Springburn and Hillside and Calton Hill.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bulloch is 1,016 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 64.9%.

1881 census count

613

Ranked #5,735

Modern count

1,011

2016, ranked #5,754

Peak year

2014

1,016 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bulloch had 613 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,735 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,011 in 2016, ranked #5,754.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 888 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Bulloch surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bulloch surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bulloch 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 464 #5,343
1861 historical 646 #4,158
1881 historical 613 #5,735
1891 historical 888 #4,636
1901 historical 821 #5,503
1911 historical 73 #25,541
1997 modern 966 #5,645
1998 modern 1,010 #5,635
1999 modern 1,002 #5,705
2000 modern 988 #5,745
2001 modern 958 #5,783
2002 modern 994 #5,720
2003 modern 949 #5,838
2004 modern 941 #5,883
2005 modern 977 #5,645
2006 modern 965 #5,717
2007 modern 980 #5,702
2008 modern 981 #5,739
2009 modern 1,001 #5,762
2010 modern 1,013 #5,828
2011 modern 987 #5,879
2012 modern 980 #5,829
2013 modern 999 #5,830
2014 modern 1,016 #5,786
2015 modern 1,011 #5,764
2016 modern 1,011 #5,754

Geography

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Where Bullochs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hamilton, New Monkland, Dalziel, Govan Combination and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hareleeshill, Springburn, Hillside and Calton Hill, Forgewood and Mount Florida. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Hamilton Lanark
2 New Monkland Lanark
3 Dalziel Lanark
4 Govan Combination Lanark
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hareleeshill South Lanarkshire
2 Springburn Glasgow City
3 Hillside and Calton Hill City of Edinburgh
4 Forgewood North Lanarkshire
5 Mount Florida Glasgow City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bulloch

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bulloch

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bulloch, 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 Bulloch surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Bulloch 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Bulloch 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

Bulloch is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bulloch falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Bulloch

The surname BULLOCH is of Scottish origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the place name "Bulloch" or "Bullick," located in the parish of Birse in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The name itself is thought to originate from the Scottish Gaelic words "bul" and "loch," which together translate to "marsh" or "marshy lake."

Early records indicate that the BULLOCH name appeared in various forms, such as Bullock, Bullok, and Bullough, reflecting the different regional spellings and pronunciations that were common in those times. One of the earliest documented references to the name can be found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from the late 13th century, where a certain "William Bullock" is mentioned.

In the 14th century, the BULLOCH name gained prominence through Sir Walter Bulloch, a Scottish knight who fought alongside King Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence. Sir Walter's bravery and loyalty were rewarded with lands in Aberdeenshire, further establishing the family's presence in the region.

The BULLOCH surname continued to be associated with various landed families and notable figures throughout the centuries. In the late 16th century, Robert Bulloch (1533-1591) was a prominent Scottish clergyman who served as the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Another notable individual was William Bulloch (1776-1852), a Scottish-born American Revolutionary War soldier and political figure who served as a member of the Georgia State Senate.

In the literary world, John Bulloch (1789-1858), a Scottish author and poet, gained recognition for his works, including "The Seasons" and "The Bridal of Balgowrie." Another notable BULLOCH was the American historian and author, James D. Bulloch (1823-1901), who wrote extensively on the history of the American Civil War.

The BULLOCH name has also been associated with various places and geographical features, such as Bulloch County in Georgia, United States, which was named after Archibald Bulloch, an early settler and prominent figure in the region.

Throughout its history, the BULLOCH surname has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, including military leaders, clergymen, authors, and politicians, reflecting the rich and varied heritage associated with this Scottish name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bulloch families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bulloch 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. Lanarkshire leads with 351 Bullochs recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.57x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 351 18.57x
Dunbartonshire 110 70.05x
Stirlingshire 30 13.92x
Renfrewshire 20 4.42x
Ayrshire 18 4.12x
Aberdeenshire 14 2.59x
Argyllshire 14 8.61x
Midlothian 12 1.53x
Peeblesshire 9 32.75x
Kent 4 0.20x
Lancashire 4 0.06x
Fife 3 0.87x
Wiltshire 3 0.58x
Durham 2 0.12x
Kirkcudbrightshire 1 1.18x
Middlesex 1 0.02x
Perthshire 1 0.38x
Staffordshire 1 0.05x
West Lothian 1 1.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cumbernauld in Dunbartonshire leads with 55 Bullochs recorded in 1881 and an index of 639.53x.

Place Total Index
Cumbernauld 55 639.53x
Dalserf 51 270.41x
Glasgow 42 12.52x
Hamilton 39 74.00x
Dalziel 34 167.24x
Barony 33 6.90x
Govan 26 5.56x
Kirkintilloch 26 121.89x
Douglas 22 403.67x
Aberdeen Old Machar 14 12.39x
New Monkland 14 25.06x
Carluke 13 75.76x
Campsie 12 101.44x
New Kilpatrick 12 80.32x
Shotts 12 53.07x
Row 11 54.16x
Abbey 9 13.03x
Avondale 9 81.45x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 9 2.86x
Innerleithen 9 123.46x
Bothwell 8 15.61x
Cadder 8 57.31x
St Quivox 8 54.13x
Biggar 7 163.93x
Coylton 7 112.90x
Dunoon Kilmun 7 55.21x
Cambusnethan 6 14.30x
Dunoon 6 179.10x
Larbert 6 46.58x
Rutherglen 6 21.65x
Blantyre 5 25.42x
Cathcart 5 20.41x
Accrington 4 6.35x
Old Monkland 4 5.33x
St Ninians 4 18.73x
Stone In Dartford 4 78.28x
Bishops Cannings 3 157.07x
Crawfordjohn 3 177.51x
Luss 3 205.48x
Maryhill 3 8.11x
Neilston 3 13.20x
Bishopwearmouth 2 1.34x
Burntisland 2 20.68x
Carmunnock 2 137.93x
Covington 2 224.72x
Edinburgh Trinity 2 79.37x
Falkirk 2 3.96x
Kilmarnock 2 3.84x
Old Kilpatrick 2 10.78x
Symington 2 217.39x
Ayr 1 4.85x
Baldernock 1 87.72x
Balfron 1 37.59x
Bathgate 1 5.24x
Bonhill 1 3.97x
Bothkennar 1 15.55x
Carnock 1 47.17x
Church Eaton 1 75.19x
Drymen 1 34.60x
East West Greenock 1 136.99x
Erskine 1 30.40x
Islington London 1 0.18x
Kilmore Kilbride 1 9.69x
Kilsyth 1 7.28x
Kippen 1 34.48x
Liberton 1 8.28x
Paisley Middle Church 1 3.79x
Scone 1 21.46x
Troqueer 1 9.01x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 3
Agnes 1
Allice 1
Eliza 1
Emma 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 4
Francis 1
Harry 1
John 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Bulloch households.

FAQ

Bulloch surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bulloch surname in 1881?

In 1881, 613 people were recorded with the Bulloch surname. That placed it at #5,735 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bulloch surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,011 in 2016. That gives Bulloch a modern rank of #5,754.

What does the Bulloch surname mean?

An English surname likely derived from a place name referring to a bull pasture or meadow.

What does the Bulloch map show?

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