NameCensus.

UK surname

Burrill

Habitational surname likely derived from a place name in England.

In the 1881 census there were 334 people recorded with the Burrill surname, ranking it #9,025 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 427, ranked #11,260, down from #9,025 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Kirkby Malzeard, Manchester and St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rochdale, Hambleton and Cherwell.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Burrill is 507 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 27.8%.

1881 census count

334

Ranked #9,025

Modern count

427

2016, ranked #11,260

Peak year

1901

507 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Burrill had 334 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,025 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 427 in 2016, ranked #11,260.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 507 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Burrill surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Burrill surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Burrill 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 304 #7,559
1861 historical 237 #10,359
1881 historical 334 #9,025
1891 historical 443 #8,164
1901 historical 507 #7,969
1911 historical 476 #8,124
1997 modern 430 #10,423
1998 modern 451 #10,393
1999 modern 467 #10,179
2000 modern 456 #10,321
2001 modern 436 #10,500
2002 modern 454 #10,367
2003 modern 446 #10,361
2004 modern 451 #10,301
2005 modern 419 #10,802
2006 modern 433 #10,564
2007 modern 444 #10,445
2008 modern 431 #10,814
2009 modern 454 #10,590
2010 modern 456 #10,784
2011 modern 444 #10,902
2012 modern 438 #10,896
2013 modern 443 #10,968
2014 modern 436 #11,198
2015 modern 434 #11,142
2016 modern 427 #11,260

Geography

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Where Burrills are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Kirkby Malzeard, Manchester, St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles, London parishes and West Ham,Wanstead. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rochdale, Hambleton and Cherwell. 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 Kirkby Malzeard Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles Yorkshire, East Riding
4 London parishes London 2
5 West Ham,Wanstead Essex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rochdale 001 Rochdale
2 Rochdale 004 Rochdale
3 Rochdale 002 Rochdale
4 Hambleton 006 Hambleton
5 Cherwell 011 Cherwell

Forenames

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First names often paired with Burrill

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Burrill

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

Burrill 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

Burrill falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Burrill

The surname Burrill has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "burh" meaning a fortified town or manor, and "hyll" meaning a hill, suggesting that the name may have been originally associated with someone who lived near or on a fortified hill.

The earliest known recorded spelling of the name is found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, dating back to 1273, where it appears as "Burhulle". Other early variations of the spelling include "Burhull" and "Burhill".

In the Domesday Book of 1086, there are several references to places with similar names, such as "Bure" in Dorset and "Bur" in Hertfordshire, which may have been the original locations associated with the surname.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname was John Burrill, who was born in Lincolnshire, England, in the late 14th century. Another notable bearer of the name was William Burrill, a merchant and landowner who lived in Essex in the early 16th century.

During the 17th century, the Burrill family established themselves in colonial America. John Burrill, born in England in 1619, was one of the early settlers of Weymouth, Massachusetts. His descendants played a significant role in the development of the New England colonies.

In the 18th century, James Burrill (1736-1820) was a prominent American jurist and politician who served as the Attorney General of Rhode Island and as a member of the Continental Congress.

Another notable figure with this surname was John Burrill (1784-1858), an English clergyman and author who published several works on theology and education.

Throughout history, the Burrill surname has been associated with various places, including Burhill in Surrey, Burhill Green in Worcestershire, and Burrill in Nottinghamshire.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Burrill families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Burrill 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. Yorkshire leads with 162 Burrills recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.02x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 162 5.02x
Lincolnshire 58 11.13x
Surrey 28 1.76x
Lancashire 19 0.49x
Middlesex 18 0.55x
Durham 8 0.83x
Essex 8 1.24x
Hampshire 6 0.90x
Kent 6 0.54x
Warwickshire 5 0.61x
Buckinghamshire 4 2.03x
Cumberland 2 0.71x
Devon 2 0.29x
Norfolk 2 0.40x
Cheshire 1 0.14x
Gloucestershire 1 0.16x
Hertfordshire 1 0.45x
Midlothian 1 0.23x
Northamptonshire 1 0.33x
Nottinghamshire 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. Windle in Lancashire leads with 16 Burrills recorded in 1881 and an index of 73.56x.

Place Total Index
Windle 16 73.56x
Horncastle 11 204.46x
Hunslet 11 21.85x
Leeds 11 6.03x
Lambeth 10 3.52x
Bicker 9 1111.11x
Camberwell 9 4.32x
Framwellgate 8 139.37x
Bowling 7 21.89x
Garforth 7 283.40x
Sculcoates 7 13.68x
Chelsea London 6 6.11x
Cottingham 6 86.21x
Eston 6 85.35x
Knottingley 6 105.82x
Laverton 6 1764.71x
Southcoates 6 33.48x
York Holy Trinity 6 215.05x
Aismunderby Cum 5 549.45x
Battersea 5 4.17x
Bromley London 5 6.98x
Easingwold 5 219.30x
Gosberton 5 216.45x
Hampton In Arden 5 694.44x
Middle Rasen 5 505.05x
Middlesbrough 5 11.89x
Minting 5 1282.05x
North Shoebury 5 2272.73x
Ripon 5 66.76x
Bardney 4 258.06x
Clifton In York 4 59.26x
Fulletby 4 1379.31x
Grewelthorpe 4 689.66x
Holy Trinity 4 5.15x
Masham 4 336.13x
Southwark St George Martyr 4 6.10x
St Martin In Fields 4 20.51x
Walcott 4 481.93x
Weedon 4 833.33x
Bramley In Bramley 3 24.27x
Burstwick With 3 638.30x
Cartworth 3 112.36x
Coverham Cum 3 1250.00x
Horsforth 3 42.37x
Portchester 3 348.84x
York St Saviour 3 97.40x
Bradford 2 2.56x
Drypool 2 40.49x
Elham 2 150.38x
Ellenthorpe Humburton 2 1333.33x
Great Grimsby 2 6.05x
Killinghall 2 263.16x
Moss Side 2 9.83x
Pannal 2 64.52x
Penrith 2 19.31x
Portsea 2 1.53x
Romford 2 19.67x
Sedgeford 2 235.29x
Skelton In Guisbrough 2 22.91x
St George Martyr London 2 30.30x
St Swithin Lincoln 2 24.42x
York St Cuthbert 2 67.57x
Aiskew 1 107.53x
Bishop Stortford 1 13.33x
Boston 1 6.33x
Brightside Bierlow 1 1.58x
Bristol St Augustine 1 9.70x
Doncaster 1 4.24x
Fareham 1 12.47x
Grantham 1 14.73x
Great Driffield 1 15.08x
Great Ouseburn 1 178.57x
Hessle In Sculcoates 1 35.09x
Leverton 1 151.52x
North Dalton 1 185.19x
Preston 1 56.18x
Sheffield 1 0.97x
Swingfield 1 232.56x
Tetney 1 111.11x
Woodnesborough 1 98.04x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 24
Alice 10
Annie 9
Sarah 9
Jane 8
Ann 7
Elizabeth 6
Emily 5
Harriet 5
Martha 5
Ellen 4
Caroline 3
Emma 3
Ada 2
Anne 2
Charlotte 2
Eliza 2
Esther 2
Fanny 2
Hannah 2
Harriett 2
Rebecca 2
Susannah 2
Adeline 1
Betty 1
Catey 1
Clara 1
Clarette 1
E. 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Elen 1
Emiley 1
Ethel 1
Flora 1
Florence 1
Infant 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Kittie 1
L. 1
Lavina 1
Lillie 1
Louisa 1
M. 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1
Maud 1
Theresa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 25
William 25
Charles 13
Thomas 9
Henry 8
James 8
Robert 8
George 7
Joseph 6
Frederick 5
Richard 5
Arthur 4
Harry 3
Herbert 3
Walter 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Peter 2
Samuel 2
A. 1
Abel 1
Alfd. 1
Barnabas 1
Byrom 1
Christopher 1
E. 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Everard 1
Flint 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Fredick 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.W. 1
Fredrick 1
Isaac 1
J.B. 1
Jonathan 1
Leonard 1
Molten 1
Percy 1
Robt. 1
Stephen 1
T. 1
Thos. 1
Wilberforce 1
Wm.Geo. 1
Wm.I. 1

FAQ

Burrill surname: questions and answers

How common was the Burrill surname in 1881?

In 1881, 334 people were recorded with the Burrill surname. That placed it at #9,025 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Burrill surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 427 in 2016. That gives Burrill a modern rank of #11,260.

What does the Burrill surname mean?

Habitational surname likely derived from a place name in England.

What does the Burrill map show?

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