NameCensus.

UK surname

Burnard

A locational surname originating from a place meaning "burnt area".

In the 1881 census there were 498 people recorded with the Burnard surname, ranking it #6,796 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 598, ranked #8,735, down from #6,796 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and Thame. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Torridge and Plymouth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Burnard is 743 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 20.1%.

1881 census count

498

Ranked #6,796

Modern count

598

2016, ranked #8,735

Peak year

1901

743 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Burnard had 498 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,796 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 598 in 2016, ranked #8,735.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 743 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Burnard surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Burnard surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Burnard 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 390 #6,155
1861 historical 524 #5,005
1881 historical 498 #6,796
1891 historical 734 #5,406
1901 historical 743 #5,985
1911 historical 740 #5,795
1997 modern 607 #8,081
1998 modern 660 #7,816
1999 modern 661 #7,845
2000 modern 621 #8,225
2001 modern 595 #8,348
2002 modern 607 #8,387
2003 modern 591 #8,428
2004 modern 580 #8,543
2005 modern 576 #8,512
2006 modern 586 #8,431
2007 modern 594 #8,418
2008 modern 595 #8,474
2009 modern 584 #8,761
2010 modern 592 #8,874
2011 modern 603 #8,660
2012 modern 587 #8,746
2013 modern 608 #8,651
2014 modern 608 #8,709
2015 modern 603 #8,704
2016 modern 598 #8,735

Geography

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Where Burnards are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, Thame and Hartland. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Torridge and Plymouth. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Thame Oxfordshire
5 Hartland Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 003 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 004 Cornwall
3 Torridge 008 Torridge
4 Plymouth 013 Plymouth
5 Plymouth 014 Plymouth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Burnard

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Burnard

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Burnard, 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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Burnard surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Burnard household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Burnard 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

Burnard is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Burnard falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Burnard

The surname Burnard originated in Normandy, France during the early medieval period. It is derived from the Old French words "brun" meaning brown and "ard" meaning hardy or brave, essentially translating to "the hardy brown one." The name likely referred to someone with a dark complexion or hair color.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname Burnard can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Burnardus" in this historical document, indicating its presence in England following the Norman Conquest.

In the 12th century, the name was documented in various forms such as "Burnard" and "Burnarde" in records from the county of Gloucestershire, England. This suggests that the name had established roots in this region during that time period.

Notable individuals with the surname Burnard include Sir John Burnard (1520-1592), an English diplomat and member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another prominent figure was Thomas Burnard (1617-1685), a British naval officer and explorer who made significant contributions to early maritime navigation.

In the literary realm, Mary Everett Burnard (1876-1962) was an American author and educator known for her children's books and short stories published in the early 20th century.

Moving forward in history, Sir Harry Burnard (1905-1991) was a British civil servant and diplomat who served as the Governor of the Leeward Islands and the British Virgin Islands from 1960 to 1964.

Lastly, Robert Burnard (1935-2008) was a renowned British artist and sculptor whose works can be found in various public collections and galleries throughout the United Kingdom.

It is worth noting that while the surname Burnard has its roots in Normandy, it has since spread across various regions and countries, with individuals bearing this name making significant contributions in various fields throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Burnard families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Burnard 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. Cornwall leads with 116 Burnards recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.84x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 116 20.84x
Devon 96 9.38x
Middlesex 93 1.89x
Buckinghamshire 32 10.77x
Surrey 32 1.34x
Oxfordshire 24 7.90x
Yorkshire 16 0.33x
Durham 14 0.96x
Somerset 13 1.64x
Glamorgan 11 1.29x
Hampshire 11 1.09x
Essex 9 0.93x
Gloucestershire 8 0.83x
Kent 6 0.36x
Channel Islands 4 2.75x
Cheshire 3 0.28x
Derbyshire 3 0.39x
Berkshire 2 0.54x
Hertfordshire 2 0.59x
Sussex 2 0.24x
Cumberland 1 0.24x
Renfrewshire 1 0.26x
Royal Navy 1 1.71x
Staffordshire 1 0.06x
Warwickshire 1 0.08x
Wiltshire 1 0.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Thame in Oxfordshire leads with 23 Burnards recorded in 1881 and an index of 416.67x.

Place Total Index
Thame 23 416.67x
Wycombe 22 99.28x
St Pancras London 20 5.05x
St Teath 17 507.46x
Lanteglos 15 583.66x
Blisland 14 1489.36x
St Breward 13 1065.57x
Tintagel 13 860.93x
Bishopwearmouth 12 9.56x
Compton Gifford 10 311.53x
Pyworthy 10 1176.47x
Croydon 9 6.77x
Hartland 9 282.13x
Lambeth 9 2.10x
St George Hanover Square 9 10.39x
West Ham 9 4.20x
Bideford 8 72.99x
Stoke 8 193.24x
Stonehouse East 8 154.14x
Finchley 7 37.14x
Hackney London 7 2.54x
Pancrasweek 7 1272.73x
St Clether 7 1944.44x
Cardiff St John 6 21.46x
Clovelly 6 451.13x
Deptford St Paul 6 4.64x
Edmonton 6 15.15x
Hampstead London 6 7.84x
Kingsbridge 6 233.46x
Shoreditch London 6 2.82x
St Juliot 6 1578.95x
Stoke Newington London 6 15.67x
Chelsea London 5 3.38x
Egloshayle 5 191.57x
Forrabury 5 1000.00x
Islington London 5 1.05x
Llantwit Lower 5 66.49x
Northwood 5 34.84x
Penn 5 270.27x
Portsea 5 2.53x
Rotherhithe 5 8.23x
Stoke Climsland 5 140.85x
Walcot 5 11.86x
Arthington 4 526.32x
Bowling 4 8.29x
Bristol St Paul In 4 15.57x
Camberwell 4 1.27x
Hammersmith London 4 3.30x
Putney 4 17.85x
St Michaelinthe Vale 4 76.92x
Stoke Damerel 4 5.59x
Warbstow 4 1212.12x
West Coker 4 248.45x
Westminster St James 4 7.91x
Withycombe Rawleigh 4 75.05x
Bedminster 3 4.03x
Leeds 3 1.09x
Liscard 3 15.35x
Scarborough 3 6.78x
Towersey 3 508.47x
Whittington 3 28.17x
Bodmin 2 21.72x
Brickendon 2 127.39x
Bridgerule West 2 512.82x
Saltash 2 46.30x
St Marylebone London 2 0.76x
St Thomas Apostle 2 116.96x
St Tudy 2 227.27x
Waddesdon Westcott 2 215.05x
Bradworthy 1 67.11x
Chiswick 1 3.72x
Davidstow 1 144.93x
Farnborough 1 9.45x
New Shoreham 1 20.12x
Northallerton 1 16.08x
Plympton Maurice 1 51.81x
South Petherwin 1 71.94x
St Bartholomew Less 1 39.53x
Totnes 1 16.69x
Westbury On Trym 1 3.06x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 37
Elizabeth 28
Annie 17
Jane 14
Alice 11
Eliza 11
Ellen 11
Emma 11
Sarah 10
Ann 9
Emily 6
Margaret 6
Ada 4
Caroline 4
Catherine 4
Kate 4
Lilian 4
Amelia 3
Bessie 3
Charlotte 3
Edith 3
Fanny 3
Lydia 3
Rosa 3
Agnes 2
Florence 2
Grace 2
Hannah 2
Harriet 2
Harriett 2
Lily 2
Mabel 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Matilda 2
Mildred 2
Sophia 2
Blanche 1
Elizbth. 1
Elizth 1
Elizth. 1
Florrie 1
Jennetta 1
Jenny 1
Jessie 1
Katherine 1
Leah 1
Lidia 1
Lillian 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 42
John 29
Thomas 18
Robert 12
Richard 11
Charles 9
George 9
James 8
Edwin 5
Frederick 5
Albert 4
Edward 4
Frank 4
Joseph 4
Thos. 4
Alfred 2
Edmund 2
Henry 2
Lawrence 2
Philip 2
Samuel 2
Stephen 2
W. 2
Arthure 1
Christopher 1
Cuthbert 1
Daniel 1
Davey 1
Ed. 1
Erwin 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Geo.V. 1
Harry 1
Isaac 1
Isaiah 1
Lewis 1
Mary 1
Matthew 1
Norman 1
Oswald 1
Reginald 1
Saml.Henry 1
Sydney 1
Theophilas 1
W.F. 1
W.H. 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Burnard surname: questions and answers

How common was the Burnard surname in 1881?

In 1881, 498 people were recorded with the Burnard surname. That placed it at #6,796 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Burnard surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 598 in 2016. That gives Burnard a modern rank of #8,735.

What does the Burnard surname mean?

A locational surname originating from a place meaning "burnt area".

What does the Burnard map show?

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