UK surname
English surname derived from a nickname for a small, furry mammal.
In the 1881 census there were 190 people recorded with the Bunny surname, ranking it #13,270 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 43, ranked #35,285, down from #13,270 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Newbury and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bunny is 207 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 77.4%.
1881 census count
190
Ranked #13,270
Modern count
43
2016, ranked #35,285
Peak year
1901
207 bearers
Map years
6
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bunny surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bunny surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 162 | #12,215 |
| 1861 | historical | 195 | #12,263 |
| 1881 | historical | 190 | #13,270 |
| 1891 | historical | 159 | #17,636 |
| 1901 | historical | 207 | #14,803 |
| 1911 | historical | 139 | #18,745 |
| 1997 | modern | 31 | #34,582 |
| 1998 | modern | 30 | #34,833 |
| 1999 | modern | 36 | #34,323 |
| 2000 | modern | 46 | #33,458 |
| 2001 | modern | 42 | #33,658 |
| 2002 | modern | 37 | #34,390 |
| 2003 | modern | 37 | #34,432 |
| 2004 | modern | 35 | #34,783 |
| 2005 | modern | 32 | #35,191 |
| 2006 | modern | 35 | #35,191 |
| 2007 | modern | 33 | #35,461 |
| 2008 | modern | 29 | #35,808 |
| 2009 | modern | 34 | #35,608 |
| 2010 | modern | 36 | #35,620 |
| 2011 | modern | 28 | #36,071 |
| 2012 | modern | 36 | #35,595 |
| 2013 | modern | 39 | #35,483 |
| 2014 | modern | 41 | #35,396 |
| 2015 | modern | 40 | #35,422 |
| 2016 | modern | 43 | #35,285 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Newbury, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes and Nottingham St Nicholas and St Peter. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) | Glamorganshire |
| 2 | Newbury | Berkshire |
| 3 | Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard | Nottinghamshire |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | Nottingham St Nicholas and St Peter | Nottinghamshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bunny surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bunny, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Bunny surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bunny household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Bunny is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bunny is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bunny, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Bunny is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "bun" meaning "a hill or high ground." It is believed to have originated in the 12th century as a descriptive name for someone who lived on or near a hill or elevated area.
The earliest recorded instance of the name Bunny can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1170, where it appears as "de Bunny." This indicates that the name was initially used as a locational surname, referring to a person from a place called Bunny.
In the Domesday Book of 1086, the village of Bunny in Nottinghamshire is mentioned as "Bunie," further supporting the name's origins as a place name derived from the Old English word for a hill or elevated land.
One notable bearer of the surname Bunny was Sir Thomas Bunny (c. 1550-1617), an English merchant and ambassador who served as the Governor of the Merchant Adventurers' Company in Hamburg, Germany. He played a significant role in promoting English trade interests in Northern Europe during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Another prominent figure was William Bunny (1542-1618), an English Puritan minister and author. He was a prolific writer and published several works, including "A Book of Christian Exercise" and "A Guide unto Godliness."
In the 17th century, John Bunny (1628-1716) was a respected landowner and local official in Nottinghamshire, England. He served as a Justice of the Peace and was known for his involvement in local affairs.
The surname Bunny also has a connection to the American West. In the late 19th century, Edward Bunny (1844-1919) was a prospector and miner who participated in the Colorado Gold Rush. He later settled in Denver and became a successful businessman.
Another notable figure was Sir John Bunny (1863-1915), an English-born American actor who starred in many silent films during the early years of the motion picture industry. He is considered one of the first great film comedians and is remembered for his performances in movies like "The Bunny Hug" and "Bunny's Little Brother."
While the surname Bunny may have originated as a locational name, it has evolved over time and spread to various parts of the English-speaking world, with bearers contributing to diverse fields such as commerce, religion, politics, and entertainment.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bunny surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Cornwall leads with 45 Bunnys recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.79x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cornwall | 45 | 21.79x |
| Middlesex | 37 | 2.03x |
| Nottinghamshire | 18 | 7.32x |
| Hampshire | 13 | 3.48x |
| Glamorgan | 12 | 3.78x |
| Leicestershire | 12 | 5.93x |
| Yorkshire | 12 | 0.66x |
| Berkshire | 10 | 7.30x |
| Derbyshire | 7 | 2.45x |
| Durham | 3 | 0.55x |
| Surrey | 3 | 0.34x |
| Pembrokeshire | 2 | 3.45x |
| Roxburghshire | 2 | 6.05x |
| Shropshire | 2 | 1.27x |
| Sussex | 2 | 0.65x |
| Warwickshire | 2 | 0.43x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.26x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.28x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.28x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.05x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.16x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Gluvias Penryn in Cornwall leads with 15 Bunnys recorded in 1881 and an index of 909.09x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bunny surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 15 |
| Elizabeth | 8 |
| Sarah | 6 |
| Emma | 5 |
| Alice | 3 |
| Ellen | 3 |
| Susan | 3 |
| Ann | 2 |
| Anne | 2 |
| Annie | 2 |
| Eliza | 2 |
| Esther | 2 |
| Fanny | 2 |
| Harriet | 2 |
| Jane | 2 |
| Louisa | 2 |
| Lucy | 2 |
| Selina | 2 |
| Susannah | 2 |
| ...ne | 1 |
| Ada | 1 |
| Amy | 1 |
| Bessie | 1 |
| Betse | 1 |
| Betsy | 1 |
| C. | 1 |
| Charlotte | 1 |
| Christiana | 1 |
| Edith | 1 |
| Elizth. | 1 |
| Emiline | 1 |
| Emily | 1 |
| Florence | 1 |
| Grace | 1 |
| Hannah | 1 |
| Jessy | 1 |
| Kate | 1 |
| Kathleen | 1 |
| Larch | 1 |
| Laura | 1 |
| Lukey | 1 |
| Lydia | 1 |
| Mabel | 1 |
| Margaret | 1 |
| Maud | 1 |
| Milicent | 1 |
| Minnie | 1 |
| Rose | 1 |
| Sophia | 1 |
| Stedfast | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Bunny surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| William | 14 |
| John | 12 |
| Joseph | 8 |
| Thomas | 8 |
| Albert | 3 |
| Charles | 3 |
| Henry | 3 |
| James | 3 |
| Robert | 3 |
| Ezra | 2 |
| George | 2 |
| Reuben | 2 |
| Walter | 2 |
| Adolphus | 1 |
| Alexander | 1 |
| Alfred | 1 |
| Brice | 1 |
| Charlie | 1 |
| Edward | 1 |
| Edwin | 1 |
| Francis | 1 |
| Fred | 1 |
| Frederick | 1 |
| Heny. | 1 |
| Hernice | 1 |
| Hy. | 1 |
| J. | 1 |
| Phillip | 1 |
| Richard | 1 |
| Samuel | 1 |
| Sarah | 1 |
| Theophilius | 1 |
| Tom | 1 |
| Willm.Hy.Cufhin | 1 |
| Wm.Davies | 1 |
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 Bunny households.
FAQ
In 1881, 190 people were recorded with the Bunny surname. That placed it at #13,270 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 43 in 2016. That gives Bunny a modern rank of #35,285.
English surname derived from a nickname for a small, furry mammal.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bunny bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.