NameCensus.

UK surname

Burbage

An English habitational surname derived from places in Lancashire and Wiltshire.

In the 1881 census there were 480 people recorded with the Burbage surname, ranking it #6,976 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 345, ranked #13,321, down from #6,976 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Narborough (Narborough), Cosby with Little Thorpe, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Blaby, West Devon and Northampton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Burbage is 562 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 28.1%.

1881 census count

480

Ranked #6,976

Modern count

345

2016, ranked #13,321

Peak year

1911

562 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Burbage had 480 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,976 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 345 in 2016, ranked #13,321.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 562 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Burbage surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Burbage surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Burbage 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 309 #7,449
1861 historical 364 #7,023
1881 historical 480 #6,976
1891 historical 484 #7,621
1901 historical 538 #7,640
1911 historical 562 #7,170
1997 modern 372 #11,621
1998 modern 392 #11,512
1999 modern 410 #11,246
2000 modern 399 #11,422
2001 modern 391 #11,404
2002 modern 401 #11,429
2003 modern 390 #11,467
2004 modern 361 #12,175
2005 modern 354 #12,270
2006 modern 341 #12,684
2007 modern 342 #12,809
2008 modern 331 #13,237
2009 modern 345 #13,107
2010 modern 359 #12,975
2011 modern 353 #13,004
2012 modern 336 #13,376
2013 modern 342 #13,399
2014 modern 354 #13,153
2015 modern 347 #13,252
2016 modern 345 #13,321

Geography

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Where Burbages are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Narborough (Narborough), Cosby with Little Thorpe, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes, Nottingham St Mary and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Blaby, West Devon, Northampton and Harborough. 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 Narborough (Narborough), Cosby with Little Thorpe Leicestershire
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire
5 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Blaby 012 Blaby
2 West Devon 006 West Devon
3 Blaby 010 Blaby
4 Northampton 029 Northampton
5 Harborough 004 Harborough

Forenames

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First names often paired with Burbage

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Burbage

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Burbage 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

Burbage is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Burbage falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Burbage is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Burbage

The surname Burbage is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "burh" and "bacce," which together mean "dweller by the small fortified place." This suggests that the name was initially given to someone who lived near a small fortified settlement or a manor house.

One of the earliest recorded references to the surname Burbage can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Burbache." This entry likely refers to a place name rather than a person, as was common practice at the time.

In the 13th century, the surname is documented in various records, including the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "Burbache" and "Burbach." These early spellings highlight the evolution of the name over time.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Burbage was Richard Burbage, a renowned English actor and theatre proprietor. He was born in 1567 and is considered one of the most famous actors of the Elizabethan era, having performed in several of William Shakespeare's plays.

Another notable person with the surname Burbage was James Burbage, born around 1530. He was an actor and theatre owner who established one of the first permanent theatres in London, known as "The Theatre." This venue played a significant role in the development of English Renaissance theatre.

In the 16th century, the surname Burbage was also associated with the village of Burbage in Wiltshire, England. The place name itself is derived from the same Old English words that gave rise to the surname, further reinforcing the connection between the name and fortified settlements.

During the 17th century, the surname Burbage is recorded in various parish registers and legal documents, indicating its continued use across England. One notable figure from this period was Robert Burbage, an English actor born in 1579, who was the son of the aforementioned James Burbage and brother of Richard Burbage.

Another individual with the surname Burbage was Henry Burbage, a 17th-century English clergyman and author who served as the rector of Mablethorpe in Lincolnshire. He published several religious works during his lifetime.

Throughout its history, the surname Burbage has maintained its association with England and the English language, reflecting the country's rich cultural heritage and the significance of fortified settlements in medieval times.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Burbage families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Burbage 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. Leicestershire leads with 96 Burbages recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.45x.

County Total Index
Leicestershire 96 18.45x
Dorset 50 16.24x
Wiltshire 47 11.33x
Middlesex 34 0.72x
Surrey 34 1.49x
Cambridgeshire 26 8.75x
Hampshire 21 2.18x
Northamptonshire 20 4.53x
Nottinghamshire 20 3.16x
Worcestershire 20 3.26x
Lincolnshire 19 2.53x
Warwickshire 18 1.52x
Lancashire 16 0.29x
Somerset 13 1.72x
Essex 9 0.97x
Angus 6 1.38x
Berkshire 5 1.42x
Buckinghamshire 5 1.76x
Yorkshire 4 0.09x
Bedfordshire 3 1.23x
Durham 3 0.21x
Huntingdonshire 3 3.22x
Monmouthshire 3 0.88x
Derbyshire 2 0.27x
Kent 2 0.12x
Royal Navy 1 1.79x
Rutland 1 2.90x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cosby in Leicestershire leads with 59 Burbages recorded in 1881 and an index of 3664.60x.

Place Total Index
Cosby 59 3664.60x
Lytchett Matravers 29 2612.61x
Holy Trinity Cambridge 22 681.11x
Cranborne 17 456.99x
Leicester St Margaret 15 11.82x
Battersea 14 8.11x
Nottingham St Mary 14 8.56x
St Pancras London 14 3.71x
Islington London 13 2.86x
Paston 12 638.30x
Bermondsey 11 7.87x
Semington 11 1617.65x
Milverton 10 288.18x
Yeovil 10 65.15x
Walthamstow 9 26.99x
Blatchinworth 8 63.09x
Broughton Astley 8 701.75x
Hallow 8 266.67x
Powick 8 188.68x
Southampton St Mary 8 13.23x
Orcheston St George 7 2258.06x
Peterborough 6 18.78x
Damerham 5 505.05x
Deeping St James 5 188.68x
Grantham 5 51.12x
Hanslope 5 196.08x
Manthorpe Cum Little 5 87.11x
St Maurice Winchester 5 125.00x
Whetstone 5 263.16x
Camberwell 4 1.33x
Keevil 4 655.74x
Lambeth 4 0.98x
Liff Benvie 4 6.06x
Liverpool 4 1.18x
Londonthorpe 4 1379.31x
Paddington London 4 2.32x
Poole St James 4 34.57x
Reading St Mary 4 14.18x
Warminster 4 44.00x
Barnsley 3 6.26x
Chepstow 3 51.90x
Devizes St James 3 54.45x
Enderby 3 111.52x
Gateshead 3 2.87x
Southampton St Michael 3 94.64x
Aldershot 2 6.21x
Bradford On Avon 2 15.06x
Broughton Gifford 2 204.08x
Coventry St Michael 2 5.26x
Dundee 2 1.23x
Granby Sutton 2 312.50x
Hanbury 2 120.48x
Harrold 2 121.95x
Lambley 2 155.04x
Radford 2 6.22x
Scalford 2 181.82x
Shoreditch London 2 0.98x
St Andrewthe Less 2 5.89x
Stoke 2 85.84x
Toxteth Park 2 1.06x
Barton In Clay 1 58.48x
Binley 1 322.58x
Brenchley 1 17.45x
Dartford 1 6.11x
Dewsbury 1 2.10x
Earley 1 17.04x
East Broughton 1 62.89x
East Knoyle 1 70.92x
Long Ashton 1 26.67x
Lower Sapey 1 270.27x
Melksham 1 13.89x
Melton Mowbray 1 10.70x
Monckton Combe 1 41.49x
Oadby 1 35.84x
Solihull 1 11.75x
St Bartholomew Less 1 41.49x
St Giles Cambridge 1 26.04x
Walcot 1 2.49x
Wootton Rivers 1 161.29x
Yaxley 1 45.87x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 34
Sarah 18
Elizabeth 12
Ann 11
Eliza 10
Ada 9
Caroline 9
Jane 9
Alice 8
Ellen 8
Emma 8
Annie 7
Harriet 7
Harriett 7
Charlotte 6
Fanny 5
Martha 5
Louisa 4
Agnes 3
Amy 3
Betsy 3
Edith 3
Frances 3
Maria 3
Rosa 3
Rose 3
Emily 2
Florence 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Lydia 2
Milicent 2
Rebecca 2
Rhoda 2
Susan 2
Dorcas 1
Eda 1
Elizth. 1
Ester 1
Esther 1
Georgina 1
Hanh.Eliz. 1
Jemima 1
Jessy 1
Joice 1
Laura 1
Lizzie 1
Lois 1
Louise 1
Susanah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 36
John 29
James 17
George 12
Henry 12
Thomas 10
Alfred 8
Robert 7
Arthur 6
Charles 6
Edward 6
Joseph 6
Frederick 5
Harry 4
Benjamin 3
Frank 3
Fred 3
Richard 3
Samuel 3
Edgar 2
Isaac 2
Thos. 2
Walter 2
Warren 2
Andrew 1
Christopher 1
David 1
Edmond 1
Edwin 1
Elizabeth 1
Ernest 1
Felix 1
Francis 1
Fredk. 1
Horace 1
Infant 1
Jacob 1
Jessie 1
Jonah 1
Josiah 1
Lawrance 1
Lot 1
Martin 1
Peter 1
Reuben 1
Richd. 1
Robt.E. 1
Roger 1
Simon 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Burbage surname: questions and answers

How common was the Burbage surname in 1881?

In 1881, 480 people were recorded with the Burbage surname. That placed it at #6,976 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Burbage surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 345 in 2016. That gives Burbage a modern rank of #13,321.

What does the Burbage surname mean?

An English habitational surname derived from places in Lancashire and Wiltshire.

What does the Burbage map show?

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