NameCensus.

UK surname

Bulpitt

An English surname originating from locations called Bulpit or Bulpitt, derived from Old English words meaning "bull" and "enclosure."

In the 1881 census there were 222 people recorded with the Bulpitt surname, ranking it #12,022 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 435, ranked #11,084, up from #12,022 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bramley, London parishes and South Stoneham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Test Valley, Vale of White Horse and Stafford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bulpitt is 513 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 95.9%.

1881 census count

222

Ranked #12,022

Modern count

435

2016, ranked #11,084

Peak year

1999

513 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bulpitt had 222 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,022 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 435 in 2016, ranked #11,084.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 436 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Bulpitt surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bulpitt surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bulpitt 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 72 #20,720
1861 historical 42 #28,691
1881 historical 222 #12,022
1891 historical 294 #11,288
1901 historical 400 #9,483
1911 historical 436 #8,711
1997 modern 499 #9,315
1998 modern 494 #9,693
1999 modern 513 #9,478
2000 modern 491 #9,762
2001 modern 482 #9,717
2002 modern 499 #9,648
2003 modern 470 #9,924
2004 modern 480 #9,793
2005 modern 475 #9,804
2006 modern 475 #9,848
2007 modern 479 #9,873
2008 modern 483 #9,890
2009 modern 489 #10,034
2010 modern 481 #10,332
2011 modern 468 #10,460
2012 modern 447 #10,720
2013 modern 457 #10,705
2014 modern 458 #10,749
2015 modern 441 #10,994
2016 modern 435 #11,084

Geography

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Where Bulpitts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bramley, London parishes, South Stoneham and Millbrook. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Test Valley, Vale of White Horse and Stafford. 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 Bramley Hampshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 South Stoneham Hampshire
4 Millbrook Hampshire
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Test Valley 003 Test Valley
2 Vale of White Horse 016 Vale of White Horse
3 Test Valley 002 Test Valley
4 Test Valley 005 Test Valley
5 Stafford 008 Stafford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bulpitt

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bulpitt

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Bulpitt is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bulpitt is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bulpitt 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 Bulpitt is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Bulpitt

The surname Bulpitt originates from England, with records dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "bul" meaning bull and "pyt" meaning a pit or hole, suggesting it may have originally referred to a person living near a pit where bulls were kept or fought.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the parish records of Haughton, Staffordshire, where a Richard Bulpitt was listed in 1566. Another early reference is in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1598, which mentions a John Bulpytt.

The name appears to have been particularly concentrated in the West Midlands and southern counties of England, such as Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Sussex. Variations in spelling over time include Bulpitt, Bulpit, Bulpytt, and Bullpitt.

One notable bearer of the name was Robert Bulpitt (1686-1756), an English architect and surveyor who worked on several churches and public buildings in London during the early 18th century. He was also involved in the construction of the Radcliffe Camera in Oxford.

Another individual of note was William Bulpitt (1791-1867), a British Army officer who served in the Napoleonic Wars and later became a Member of Parliament for Doncaster.

In the 19th century, John Bulpitt (1815-1895) was a successful businessman and philanthropist in Birmingham, known for his support of various educational and charitable causes in the city.

Thomas Bulpitt (1859-1939) was a renowned English cricketer who played for Gloucestershire County Cricket Club and was part of the team that won the County Championship in 1876.

Another notable figure was Edith Bulpitt (1892-1978), a British artist and illustrator whose work was featured in several books and magazines during the early 20th century.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have borne the surname Bulpitt throughout history, showcasing its enduring presence and varied backgrounds.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bulpitt families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bulpitt 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. Hampshire leads with 130 Bulpitts recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.29x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 130 29.29x
Surrey 28 2.65x
Lancashire 27 1.05x
Warwickshire 9 1.65x
Middlesex 8 0.37x
Oxfordshire 6 4.49x
Worcestershire 6 2.12x
Berkshire 4 2.46x
Sussex 2 0.55x
Dorset 1 0.70x
Kent 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Millbrook in Hampshire leads with 16 Bulpitts recorded in 1881 and an index of 143.11x.

Place Total Index
Millbrook 16 143.11x
Pemberton 16 156.25x
Basingstoke 15 294.12x
Wigan 11 30.63x
Battersea 10 12.55x
Bermondsey 10 15.51x
Ellisfield 10 5263.16x
South Stoneham 10 103.84x
Birmingham 9 4.95x
Southampton St Mary 9 32.25x
Basing 8 963.86x
Portsea 8 9.20x
Seale 8 1176.47x
Southampton All Sts 7 91.86x
Whitchurch 7 496.45x
Wonston 7 1346.15x
Caversham 6 224.72x
Sherfield Upon Loddon 6 1250.00x
Yardley 6 82.99x
Alverstoke 5 31.13x
Andover 5 119.33x
Nether Wallop 5 862.07x
Reading St Mary 4 30.72x
Bishopstoke 3 263.16x
Kensington London 3 2.49x
Brighton 2 2.72x
Paddington London 2 2.51x
Southampton St Michael 2 136.99x
Barton Stacey 1 243.90x
Durley 1 285.71x
Islington London 1 0.48x
Northwood 1 15.82x
Nursling 1 140.85x
Pamber 1 196.08x
Sixpenny Handley 1 142.86x
St George Hanover Square 1 2.62x
St Mary Extra 1 28.01x
St Pancras London 1 0.57x
St Pauls Cray 1 175.44x
St Thomas Winchester 1 31.95x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Sarah 11
Ann 7
Emily 6
Jane 6
Annie 5
Alice 4
Elizabeth 4
Louisa 4
Susan 4
Edith 3
Eliza 3
Emma 3
Kate 3
Caroline 2
Catherine 2
Ellen 2
Frances 2
Rosina 2
Amelia 1
Augusta 1
Barbara 1
Beatrice 1
Charlotte 1
Chatrine 1
Emelia 1
Emlay 1
Emmeline 1
Ethel 1
Eveline 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Helen 1
Helena 1
Julia 1
Laura 1
Leah 1
Maria 1
Marrian 1
Martha 1
Maud 1
Milly 1
Rosa 1
Rosetta 1
Ruth 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 15
Charles 11
George 11
James 9
Alfred 5
John 5
Joseph 5
Daniel 4
Frederick 4
Henry 4
Thomas 4
Harry 3
Arthur 2
David 2
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Stephen 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Edwd. 1
Eli 1
Fred 1
Fredrick 1
Jacob 1
Jesse 1
Richard 1
Silas 1
Thos. 1
Thos.A. 1
Tom 1
Wm.Charles 1
Zachariah 1

FAQ

Bulpitt surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bulpitt surname in 1881?

In 1881, 222 people were recorded with the Bulpitt surname. That placed it at #12,022 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bulpitt surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 435 in 2016. That gives Bulpitt a modern rank of #11,084.

What does the Bulpitt surname mean?

An English surname originating from locations called Bulpit or Bulpitt, derived from Old English words meaning "bull" and "enclosure."

What does the Bulpitt map show?

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