NameCensus.

UK surname

Burtt

A surname derived from the Old French word "burt," meaning an unyielding or stubborn person.

In the 1881 census there were 242 people recorded with the Burtt surname, ranking it #11,333 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 204, ranked #19,320, down from #11,333 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Greenwich, London parishes and St Leonard Shoreditch. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Largs Central and Cumbrae, South Kesteven and Purbeck.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Burtt is 314 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 15.7%.

1881 census count

242

Ranked #11,333

Modern count

204

2016, ranked #19,320

Peak year

1911

314 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Burtt had 242 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,333 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 204 in 2016, ranked #19,320.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 314 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Burtt surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Burtt surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Burtt 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 193 #10,704
1861 historical 203 #11,865
1881 historical 242 #11,333
1891 historical 279 #11,698
1901 historical 296 #11,749
1911 historical 314 #11,077
1997 modern 221 #16,565
1998 modern 208 #17,693
1999 modern 222 #17,080
2000 modern 226 #16,840
2001 modern 221 #16,848
2002 modern 229 #16,771
2003 modern 218 #17,131
2004 modern 209 #17,706
2005 modern 204 #17,893
2006 modern 206 #17,945
2007 modern 214 #17,688
2008 modern 204 #18,403
2009 modern 214 #18,220
2010 modern 212 #18,726
2011 modern 212 #18,575
2012 modern 198 #19,340
2013 modern 201 #19,454
2014 modern 202 #19,575
2015 modern 201 #19,494
2016 modern 204 #19,320

Geography

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Where Burtts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Greenwich, London parishes, St Leonard Shoreditch and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Largs Central and Cumbrae, South Kesteven, Purbeck, North Lincolnshire and Scarborough. 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 Greenwich London (South Districts)
2 London parishes London 1
3 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
4 London parishes London 3
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Largs Central and Cumbrae North Ayrshire
2 South Kesteven 001 South Kesteven
3 Purbeck 005 Purbeck
4 North Lincolnshire 003 North Lincolnshire
5 Scarborough 002 Scarborough

Forenames

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First names often paired with Burtt

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Burtt

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

Burtt is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Burtt

The surname BURTT originated in England, specifically in the counties of Wiltshire and Somerset, during the Anglo-Saxon era. It is derived from the Old English word "burh," meaning a fortified town or manor. The name was likely used to identify someone who lived in or near a fortified settlement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name BURTT can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Burt" and "Burte." This suggests that the name had already been established in England by the time of the Norman Conquest.

During the Middle Ages, the name BURTT was often associated with certain place names. For example, the village of Burt in Somerset was once known as "Burt-on-Trent," indicating a connection between the name and the nearby River Trent.

In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the BURTT surname was John Burtt, a landowner and member of the gentry in Wiltshire. He was born around 1320 and is mentioned in several historical records from that period.

Another prominent individual with the BURTT name was Sir William Burtt, a military officer who served during the English Civil War in the 17th century. He fought for the Royalist cause and was knighted for his service in 1645.

In the 18th century, the botanist and explorer William Burtt (1735-1792) made significant contributions to the study of plant life in India and Southeast Asia. He was employed by the East India Company and is credited with discovering several new plant species.

During the Victorian era, the novelist and playwright Mary Burtt (1820-1898) achieved recognition for her works, which often explored themes of social justice and the role of women in society.

Another noteworthy figure was Sir Edward Burtt (1865-1942), a British diplomat who served as Ambassador to Japan in the early 20th century. He played a crucial role in strengthening diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Throughout its history, the BURTT surname has maintained a strong presence in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Wiltshire, Somerset, and Gloucestershire. It has also been found in other regions of the United Kingdom and has spread to other parts of the world through migration and emigration.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Burtt families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Burtt 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 48 Burtts recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.03x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 48 2.03x
Yorkshire 36 1.54x
Lincolnshire 30 7.95x
Surrey 29 2.52x
Dorset 14 9.04x
Lancashire 13 0.46x
Wiltshire 13 6.23x
Durham 11 1.57x
Kent 11 1.37x
Gloucestershire 10 2.16x
Somerset 8 2.11x
Essex 6 1.29x
Nottinghamshire 4 1.26x
Sussex 3 0.75x
Cornwall 2 0.75x
Derbyshire 1 0.27x
Hampshire 1 0.21x
Northumberland 1 0.28x
Suffolk 1 0.35x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 18 Burtts recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.75x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 18 8.75x
Shoreditch London 14 13.68x
Fulbeck 12 2307.69x
Middlesbrough 10 32.83x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 9 106.26x
Islington London 9 3.93x
Swallowcliffe 8 3333.33x
Ackworth 7 388.89x
Bootle Cum Linacre 7 31.47x
York All Sts North 7 603.45x
Curry Mallet 6 1538.46x
East Tilbury 6 1818.18x
Gussage All Sts 6 1764.71x
Hammersmith London 6 10.32x
Hulme 6 10.26x
Welbourn 6 1333.33x
Winterborne Whitechurch 6 1764.71x
Anstey 5 2083.33x
Greenwich 5 13.30x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 5 16.44x
St Giles In Fields London 5 43.18x
Camberwell 4 2.65x
St Pancras London 4 2.11x
Streatham 4 22.84x
Wellingore 4 625.00x
Wooldale 4 100.76x
Billinghay 3 258.62x
Edenbridge 3 189.87x
Hackney London 3 2.27x
Holgate 3 652.17x
Hornsey 3 10.05x
Monkwearmouth 3 44.64x
Radford 3 18.56x
Bayards Leap 2 500.00x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 2 25.00x
Croydon 2 3.13x
Haughton Le Skerne 2 344.83x
Ilminster 2 75.47x
Padstow 2 112.36x
St Andrew Holborn London 2 19.57x
Tonbridge 2 6.88x
York St Mary 2 20.64x
Battersea 1 1.15x
Branston 1 86.21x
Brighton 1 1.25x
Chesterfield 1 7.22x
Coaley 1 166.67x
Dewsbury 1 4.17x
Gillingham 1 37.59x
Hove 1 5.73x
Ipswich St Margaret 1 10.25x
Jesmond 1 20.24x
Lewisham 1 2.33x
Linchmere 1 357.14x
Marston 1 400.00x
Morton In Bourn 1 129.87x
Paddington London 1 1.15x
Ryde 1 9.62x
Strelley 1 500.00x
Willesden 1 4.49x
Wingate 1 20.79x
Winterborne Clenstone 1 1111.11x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 14
Sarah 8
Elizabeth 7
Eliza 5
Annie 4
Caroline 4
Emma 4
Margaret 4
Alice 3
Ann 3
Ellen 3
Ethel 3
Hannah 3
Lucy 3
Susan 3
Cathrine 2
Edith 2
Elizh. 2
Elizth. 2
Emily 2
Fanny 2
Florence 2
Harriet 2
Jane 2
Jessie 2
Louisa 2
Marey 2
Martha 2
Minnie 2
Agnes 1
Amy 1
Anne 1
Bridget 1
Camilla 1
Cecelia 1
Charlotte 1
E.J. 1
Elanor 1
Ermine 1
Frances 1
Francis 1
Harriett 1
Helen 1
Henrietta 1
Katie 1
Lizzie 1
Mabel 1
Margaretta 1
Maria 1
Marian 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 12
George 10
William 10
Edward 7
Walter 6
Henry 5
Joseph 5
Charles 4
James 4
Alfred 3
Edwin 3
Michael 3
Arthur 2
Frederick 2
Pat 2
Thomas 2
Wm. 2
Albert 1
Christopher 1
Cornelius 1
Dennis 1
Elisha 1
Enoch 1
Ernest 1
Frederic 1
Giles 1
Gopsill 1
Grace 1
Hy. 1
Infant 1
Lawrence 1
Lewis 1
Maurice 1
Mick 1
Noah 1
Petchell 1
Philip 1
Richard 1
Rowland 1
Sydney 1
Theodore 1
Wllm. 1

FAQ

Burtt surname: questions and answers

How common was the Burtt surname in 1881?

In 1881, 242 people were recorded with the Burtt surname. That placed it at #11,333 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Burtt surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 204 in 2016. That gives Burtt a modern rank of #19,320.

What does the Burtt surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old French word "burt," meaning an unyielding or stubborn person.

What does the Burtt map show?

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