NameCensus.

UK surname

Burrett

A variant spelling of the English occupational surname for a maker of coarse woolen cloth.

In the 1881 census there were 236 people recorded with the Burrett surname, ranking it #11,540 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 462, ranked #10,607, up from #11,540 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Mary Magdalen Bermondsey and Battersea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North East Lincolnshire, Rhins South and Uttlesford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Burrett is 580 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 95.8%.

1881 census count

236

Ranked #11,540

Modern count

462

2016, ranked #10,607

Peak year

1911

580 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Burrett had 236 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,540 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 462 in 2016, ranked #10,607.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 580 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Burrett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Burrett surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Burrett 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 250 #8,788
1861 historical 428 #6,002
1881 historical 236 #11,540
1891 historical 548 #6,901
1901 historical 355 #10,329
1911 historical 580 #7,013
1997 modern 474 #9,693
1998 modern 505 #9,518
1999 modern 503 #9,618
2000 modern 504 #9,575
2001 modern 498 #9,498
2002 modern 490 #9,771
2003 modern 480 #9,782
2004 modern 489 #9,652
2005 modern 491 #9,566
2006 modern 493 #9,578
2007 modern 483 #9,816
2008 modern 484 #9,877
2009 modern 499 #9,879
2010 modern 502 #10,029
2011 modern 488 #10,135
2012 modern 455 #10,574
2013 modern 467 #10,544
2014 modern 474 #10,486
2015 modern 470 #10,480
2016 modern 462 #10,607

Geography

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Where Burretts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Mary Magdalen Bermondsey, Battersea and Reading St Giles, Shinfield (East and West Side, Hartley Dammer), Sonning (Early),. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North East Lincolnshire, Rhins South, Uttlesford and Luton. 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 Mary Magdalen Bermondsey London (South Districts)
4 Battersea London (South Districts)
5 Reading St Giles, Shinfield (East and West Side, Hartley Dammer), Sonning (Early), Berkshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North East Lincolnshire 012 North East Lincolnshire
2 Rhins South Dumfries and Galloway
3 Uttlesford 004 Uttlesford
4 Uttlesford 008 Uttlesford
5 Luton 012 Luton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Burrett

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Burrett

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Burrett is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Burrett 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

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

Meaning and origin of Burrett

The surname Burrett is believed to have originated in England, with its roots tracing back to the early medieval period, around the 11th or 12th century. The name is thought to derive from the Old English word "burh," meaning a fortified town or a borough, and the suffix "-ett," indicating a diminutive form, suggesting a connection to someone from a small town or settlement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Burhett," potentially referring to an individual from a small fortified settlement or a borough.

During the Middle Ages, the spelling of the name varied, with forms such as "Burret," "Burrett," and "Burrit" being used interchangeably. This variation in spelling was common at the time due to the lack of standardized orthography and the influence of local dialects.

The Burrett surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest recorded bearers was Sir John Burrett (c. 1280-1349), a prominent English knight who served under King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War. He was known for his bravery and military prowess in battles against the French.

Another notable figure was William Burrett (1570-1641), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the Rector of Acton in Middlesex. He was renowned for his translations of classical texts and his contributions to the study of theology and philosophy.

In the 17th century, Thomas Burrett (1635-1697) was a renowned English physician and naturalist. He made significant contributions to the field of botany and was a Fellow of the Royal Society, the prestigious scientific academy in England.

Moving forward, Elizabeth Burrett (1784-1862) was a prominent English philanthropist and social reformer. She dedicated her life to improving the living conditions of the poor and advocating for education and social welfare initiatives in her community.

More recently, Sir Eric Burrett (1922-2010) was a distinguished British diplomat and civil servant who served as the Ambassador to several countries, including Spain and the Soviet Union, during his illustrious career.

While the Burrett surname may not be as widely recognized as some other English surnames, its history spans centuries and encompasses individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, reflecting the rich tapestry of English heritage and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Burrett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Burrett 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. Middlesex leads with 67 Burretts recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.94x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 67 2.94x
Berkshire 60 35.02x
Surrey 39 3.51x
Yorkshire 17 0.75x
Hampshire 8 1.71x
Lancashire 7 0.26x
Staffordshire 7 0.91x
Lanarkshire 6 0.81x
Norfolk 6 1.71x
Kent 5 0.64x
Gloucestershire 4 0.89x
Suffolk 3 1.08x
Sussex 2 0.52x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.72x
Essex 1 0.22x
Lincolnshire 1 0.27x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Reading St Giles in Berkshire leads with 20 Burretts recorded in 1881 and an index of 118.98x.

Place Total Index
Reading St Giles 20 118.98x
Wokingham 19 485.93x
Bermondsey 15 22.08x
Islington London 15 6.78x
Eversley 8 1481.48x
Mile End Old Town London 8 16.47x
Newington 8 9.49x
Bow London 7 24.09x
Brightside Bierlow 7 15.78x
Hackney London 7 5.47x
Kensington London 7 5.52x
Barony 6 3.21x
Clayton 6 108.30x
Finchampstead 6 1153.85x
Tilehurst 5 144.51x
Westminster St John 5 17.99x
Battersea 4 4.76x
Bethnal Green London 4 4.03x
Lambeth 4 2.01x
Oldham 4 4.58x
Southwark St George Martyr 4 8.71x
West Bromwich 4 9.07x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 3 7.12x
Colwich 3 163.93x
Doncaster 3 18.16x
East Swallowfield 3 1250.00x
Fulham London 3 9.06x
Heigham 3 15.92x
St George In East London 3 13.97x
Brighton 2 2.58x
Cawston 2 232.56x
Halesworth 2 101.52x
Kirkdale 2 4.39x
Lewisham 2 4.82x
Speen 2 71.43x
Sunninghill 2 84.03x
Wandsworth 2 9.10x
Westminster St James 2 8.53x
Woolwich 2 6.95x
Banham 1 112.36x
Bray 1 19.88x
Clerkenwell London 1 1.86x
Coulsdon 1 49.51x
Friern Barnet 1 19.88x
Fulmer 1 303.03x
Great Grimsby 1 4.32x
Hadlow 1 51.81x
Isleworth 1 9.85x
Leyton 1 12.89x
Metfield 1 217.39x
Pangbourn 1 172.41x
Putney 1 9.62x
St Andrew Holborn London 1 10.12x
St George Hanover Square 1 2.49x
St Giles In Fields London 1 8.93x
Wargrave 1 68.03x
West Derby 1 1.26x
Westbury On Severn East 1 9.88x
York St Mary 1 10.67x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 16
James 12
William 10
John 6
Joseph 6
Charles 4
Henry 4
Thomas 4
Alfred 3
Edwin 3
Robert 3
Arnold 2
Arthur 2
Benjamin 2
David 2
Edward 2
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Mark 2
Richard 2
Albert 1
Archibald 1
Benjimin 1
C. 1
Daniel 1
Francis 1
Frederick 1
Geo. 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Jas. 1
Jermiah 1
Joel 1
Josiah 1
Rasart... 1
Roland 1
Sidney 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Burrett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Burrett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 236 people were recorded with the Burrett surname. That placed it at #11,540 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Burrett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 462 in 2016. That gives Burrett a modern rank of #10,607.

What does the Burrett surname mean?

A variant spelling of the English occupational surname for a maker of coarse woolen cloth.

What does the Burrett map show?

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