NameCensus.

UK surname

Bumford

A humorous or pejorative derived surname referring to someone from the village of Bumford.

In the 1881 census there were 265 people recorded with the Bumford surname, ranking it #10,612 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 322, ranked #14,033, down from #10,612 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Tref-Eglwys. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Powys, Caerphilly and The Vale of Glamorgan.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bumford is 399 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 21.5%.

1881 census count

265

Ranked #10,612

Modern count

322

2016, ranked #14,033

Peak year

1911

399 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bumford had 265 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,612 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 322 in 2016, ranked #14,033.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 399 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Bumford surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bumford surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bumford 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 296 #7,723
1861 historical 230 #10,611
1881 historical 265 #10,612
1891 historical 281 #11,630
1901 historical 355 #10,329
1911 historical 399 #9,298
1997 modern 380 #11,418
1998 modern 375 #11,939
1999 modern 363 #12,290
2000 modern 358 #12,356
2001 modern 349 #12,392
2002 modern 354 #12,490
2003 modern 351 #12,389
2004 modern 340 #12,707
2005 modern 338 #12,698
2006 modern 335 #12,883
2007 modern 342 #12,809
2008 modern 334 #13,142
2009 modern 341 #13,214
2010 modern 354 #13,135
2011 modern 338 #13,435
2012 modern 334 #13,443
2013 modern 330 #13,777
2014 modern 334 #13,749
2015 modern 328 #13,840
2016 modern 322 #14,033

Geography

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Where Bumfords are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Tref-Eglwys, Llanwnog and Merthyr Dovan, Highlight. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Powys, Caerphilly, The Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Tref-Eglwys Montgomeryshire
4 Llanwnog Montgomeryshire
5 Merthyr Dovan, Highlight Glamorganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Powys 006 Powys
2 Caerphilly 018 Caerphilly
3 The Vale of Glamorgan 013 Vale of Glamorgan
4 Bridgend 002 Bridgend
5 Bridgend 005 Bridgend

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bumford

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bumford

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Bumford 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

Bumford 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

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

Meaning and origin of Bumford

The surname Bumford has its origins in England, tracing back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "bum" meaning a hump or small hill, and "ford" referring to a shallow river crossing. This suggests that the name likely originated from a place name, referring to a settlement near a river crossing on a small hill or raised ground.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname appears in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, a census-like record from 1273, which mentions a John de Bumford. This indicates that the name was already established in the region by the late 13th century.

The Bumford surname is also found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, where it is recorded as "Bunford." This variation in spelling was common in medieval times, as standardized spelling conventions had not yet been established.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname appears in various parish records and court documents across England. Notable individuals bearing this name include William Bumford, a merchant from Bristol who was born in 1587 and traded extensively with the American colonies.

In the 18th century, the Bumford surname is associated with the village of Bumford Speke, located in Somerset. This place name likely originated from the same root as the surname, further reinforcing the connection between the name and its geographical origins.

One of the most prominent individuals with the Bumford surname was Sir Edward Bumford (1773-1845), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars. He played a significant role in the Battle of Trafalgar and was later knighted for his service.

Another notable figure was Elizabeth Bumford (1813-1892), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights. She founded one of the first schools for girls in London and campaigned tirelessly for equal educational opportunities.

Other individuals with the Bumford surname include the 19th-century artist John Bumford (1825-1901), known for his landscape paintings, and the writer and poet Emily Bumford (1867-1945), who published several volumes of poetry.

Throughout its history, the Bumford surname has maintained a strong connection to its English roots, reflecting the geographical origins from which it emerged centuries ago.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bumford families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bumford 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. Montgomeryshire leads with 79 Bumfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 133.38x.

County Total Index
Montgomeryshire 79 133.38x
Warwickshire 63 9.66x
Staffordshire 31 3.55x
Shropshire 28 12.54x
Yorkshire 16 0.62x
Radnorshire 11 52.76x
Monmouthshire 9 4.82x
Nottinghamshire 8 2.30x
Worcestershire 6 1.78x
Glamorgan 3 0.67x
Middlesex 3 0.12x
Caernarfonshire 2 1.91x
Lancashire 2 0.07x
Bedfordshire 1 0.75x
Cornwall 1 0.34x
Devon 1 0.19x
Surrey 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 35 Bumfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.11x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 35 16.11x
Newtown 17 448.55x
Warwick St Nicholas 15 313.81x
Brightside Bierlow 14 27.87x
Shrewsbury St Julian 12 217.39x
Knighton 9 532.54x
Upper Llanvrechva 9 310.34x
Wednesbury 9 41.27x
Hucknall Torkard 8 90.60x
Llanllwchaiarn 8 311.28x
Llanwnog 8 645.16x
Manafon 8 1428.57x
Sedgley 8 24.68x
Bettws 6 1176.47x
Moughtrey 6 1333.33x
Sutton Under Brailes 6 3750.00x
Cemmes 5 595.24x
Churchstoke 5 446.43x
Neen Savage 5 1724.14x
Stretton On Foss 5 1470.59x
West Bromwich 5 10.01x
Wednesfield 4 31.15x
Worthen 4 168.78x
Atcham 3 833.33x
Kerry 3 168.54x
Llandyssil 3 468.75x
Tref Eglwys 3 185.19x
Wolverhampton 3 4.47x
Ystradyfodwg 3 7.60x
Guilsfield 2 93.02x
Linthorpe 2 13.08x
Llanwyddelan 2 588.24x
Northfield 2 31.25x
Rowley Regis 2 8.22x
Wrockwardine 2 40.73x
Ynyscynhaiarn 2 41.07x
Abbey Cwm Hir 1 232.56x
Berriew 1 61.35x
Blockley 1 52.36x
Dawley 1 12.30x
Dudley 1 2.44x
Exeter St John 1 263.16x
Falmouth 1 9.65x
Great Little Marsden 1 7.12x
Hendon 1 10.75x
Kempston 1 32.89x
Leighton 1 294.12x
Little Compton 1 227.27x
Llanbrynmair 1 71.43x
Ludlow St Lawrence 1 22.52x
North Meols 1 3.33x
Old Radnor Ednoll 1 2000.00x
Oldbury 1 6.02x
Paddington London 1 1.05x
Richmond 1 5.67x
Rock 1 74.07x
Shoreditch London 1 0.89x
Sutton Coldfield 1 14.60x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 18
Sarah 17
Elizabeth 12
Jane 11
Ann 5
Anne 4
Annie 4
Catherine 4
Agnes 3
Caroline 3
Clara 3
Edith 3
Eliza 3
Emma 3
Margaret 3
Martha 3
Alice 2
Amy 2
Emily 2
Hannah 2
Louisa 2
Amelia 1
Bertha 1
Dinah 1
Elen 1
Elizth. 1
Ellen 1
Eve 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Harriet 1
Hetty 1
Lord 1
Lucy 1
Matilda 1
May 1
Nancy 1
Naomi 1
Penelope 1
Priscilla 1
Rachel 1
Rosanna 1
Rose 1
Sophia 1
Trefeaner 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 27
William 13
Richard 10
Thomas 7
Edward 6
Charles 5
George 5
Joseph 5
Alfred 4
James 3
Arthur 2
Benjamin 2
Bowen 2
Edwin 2
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Henry 2
Hubert 2
Mark 2
Robert 2
Samuel 2
Thos. 2
Abraham 1
Andrew 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Ebenezer 1
Edwd. 1
Emanuel 1
Emmanuel 1
Frederick 1
Griffith 1
Harry 1
Hugh 1
Jacharia 1
Jachariah 1
Job 1
Luther 1
Misias 1
Owen 1
Phoebe 1
Rendel 1
Wilford 1

FAQ

Bumford surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bumford surname in 1881?

In 1881, 265 people were recorded with the Bumford surname. That placed it at #10,612 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bumford surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 322 in 2016. That gives Bumford a modern rank of #14,033.

What does the Bumford surname mean?

A humorous or pejorative derived surname referring to someone from the village of Bumford.

What does the Bumford map show?

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