NameCensus.

UK surname

Byard

From the Old English "bēo" and "geard," referring to a bee yard or a place where beehives are kept.

In the 1881 census there were 423 people recorded with the Byard surname, ranking it #7,657 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 672, ranked #7,966, down from #7,657 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Amber Valley, Herefordshire and North East Derbyshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Byard is 714 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 58.9%.

1881 census count

423

Ranked #7,657

Modern count

672

2016, ranked #7,966

Peak year

1999

714 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Byard had 423 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,657 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 672 in 2016, ranked #7,966.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 675 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Byard surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Byard surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Byard 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 228 #9,418
1861 historical 295 #8,555
1881 historical 423 #7,657
1891 historical 540 #6,983
1901 historical 616 #6,930
1911 historical 675 #6,256
1997 modern 671 #7,487
1998 modern 684 #7,613
1999 modern 714 #7,408
2000 modern 681 #7,654
2001 modern 673 #7,587
2002 modern 674 #7,736
2003 modern 674 #7,621
2004 modern 667 #7,699
2005 modern 651 #7,767
2006 modern 666 #7,659
2007 modern 671 #7,688
2008 modern 651 #7,908
2009 modern 691 #7,717
2010 modern 699 #7,787
2011 modern 675 #7,916
2012 modern 662 #7,949
2013 modern 690 #7,817
2014 modern 691 #7,860
2015 modern 682 #7,879
2016 modern 672 #7,966

Geography

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Where Byards are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, London parishes, St Pancras, Newent and Wirksworth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Amber Valley, Herefordshire and North East Derbyshire. 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 Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet, Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Newent Gloucestershire
5 Wirksworth Derbyshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Amber Valley 002 Amber Valley
2 Amber Valley 007 Amber Valley
3 Herefordshire 023 Herefordshire, County of
4 Amber Valley 005 Amber Valley
5 North East Derbyshire 013 North East Derbyshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Byard

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Byard

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Byard is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Byard 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

Byard falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Byard

The surname BYARD is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "byrig" and "geard," which translate to "borough" and "yard" respectively. The combination of these words suggests that the name likely referred to someone who lived near or worked at a town's defensive enclosure or yard.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name BYARD can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name is listed as "Birigard," which aligns with its Old English roots.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name BYARD appeared in various spellings, including Birigard, Byrigard, Byrgard, and Birigarth, reflecting the fluidity of spellings before standardization. These variations were often influenced by the regional dialects and scribes' interpretations.

In the 13th century, a notable individual named Walter BYARD was recorded as a landowner in Lincolnshire, England. Additionally, during the reign of Edward III (1327-1377), a knight named Sir John BYARD fought in the Hundred Years' War against France.

As the surname spread across Britain, it became associated with certain place names. For instance, the village of Byard's Leap in Gloucestershire is believed to be named after an individual with the surname BYARD who lived in the area during the medieval period.

Another prominent figure in history was William BYARD, a 16th-century English lawyer and member of the House of Commons, who was born in 1520 and died in 1600.

During the 17th century, the BYARD surname gained recognition with the accomplishments of John BYARD, a renowned English architect born in 1633 and known for designing several churches and buildings in London.

In the 18th century, a notable bearer of the name was Thomas BYARD, an English poet and playwright who lived from 1701 to 1766 and authored several works, including the play "The Gamester."

As the name spread throughout the British Isles and beyond, it has been carried by many other individuals across various fields, contributing to its rich history and legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Byard families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Byard 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. Derbyshire leads with 120 Byards recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.58x.

County Total Index
Derbyshire 120 18.58x
Gloucestershire 74 9.14x
Middlesex 67 1.62x
Herefordshire 31 18.32x
Nottinghamshire 22 3.96x
Surrey 16 0.80x
Staffordshire 15 1.08x
Essex 13 1.60x
Hampshire 9 1.06x
Leicestershire 7 1.53x
Worcestershire 7 1.30x
Berkshire 5 1.61x
Lancashire 5 0.10x
Monmouthshire 5 1.68x
Somerset 5 0.75x
Warwickshire 5 0.48x
Yorkshire 5 0.12x
Kent 4 0.28x
Oxfordshire 2 0.78x
Renfrewshire 2 0.63x
Cheshire 1 0.11x
Hertfordshire 1 0.35x
Huntingdonshire 1 1.22x
Lincolnshire 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wirksworth in Derbyshire leads with 37 Byards recorded in 1881 and an index of 630.32x.

Place Total Index
Wirksworth 37 630.32x
Gloucester St John Baptist 19 363.29x
Linton In Newent 19 1450.38x
St Pancras London 19 5.72x
Newent 17 413.63x
Mile End Old Town London 16 18.22x
Fradley 13 2407.41x
West Ham 13 7.23x
Cheltenham 12 19.22x
Ashleyhay 11 3548.39x
Nottingham St Mary 11 7.65x
Matlock 10 115.34x
Kingsclere 9 233.16x
Mark Eaton 9 927.84x
Southwark St George Martyr 9 10.84x
Crich 8 189.57x
Derby St Werburgh 8 21.45x
Limehouse London 8 17.66x
Shottle Postern 8 2162.16x
Wingerworth 8 1379.31x
Maisemore 7 1014.49x
Gloucester St Nicholas 6 160.00x
Much Marcle 6 491.80x
Aberystruth 5 19.02x
Bath St Michael 5 148.81x
Claylane 5 55.68x
Gradley 5 192.31x
Lenton 5 38.17x
St Giles In Fields London 5 24.70x
St Marylebone London 5 2.27x
Westminster St James 5 11.79x
Weston Under Penyard 5 420.17x
Alderwasley 4 727.27x
Ashby De La Zouch 4 37.74x
Beddington 4 51.41x
Belper 4 31.95x
Birmingham 4 1.15x
Gloucester Kingsholm St 4 132.45x
Brightside Bierlow 3 3.74x
Lewisham 3 4.00x
Pentrich 3 82.42x
Wokingham 3 42.43x
Broughton In Salford 2 4.47x
Chorlton On Medlock 2 2.57x
Clifton 2 4.89x
Gloucester St Catherine 2 87.72x
Gloucester St Mary Lode 2 105.26x
Hackney London 2 0.86x
Leigh 2 30.58x
Mansfield 2 10.39x
Newington 2 1.31x
Paddington London 2 1.32x
Paisley Middle Church 2 10.74x
Ripley 2 25.03x
Southwell 2 49.38x
St George Hanover Square 2 2.75x
Syston 2 46.73x
Aldenham 1 38.61x
Anwick 1 204.08x
Ashampstead 1 204.08x
Billesdon 1 84.03x
Carlton In Skipton 1 41.84x
Church Gresley 1 9.73x
Cornbury Park 1 1666.67x
Croydon 1 0.90x
Culham 1 131.58x
Gravesend 1 8.39x
Kempley 1 250.00x
Kensington London 1 0.44x
Little Paxton 1 256.41x
Liverpool 1 0.34x
Nottingham Standard 1 70.42x
Pipe Hill 1 416.67x
Rugby 1 7.10x
Sonning 1 29.24x
St George Martyr London 1 11.96x
Sutton In Macclesfield 1 10.58x
Turnastone 1 1250.00x
Wessington 1 114.94x
Westbury On Severn East 1 5.47x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 24
Sarah 19
Ellen 12
Eliza 11
Elizabeth 11
Jane 9
Ann 8
Annie 7
Emma 7
Maria 7
Amelia 6
Alice 5
Hannah 5
Clara 4
Emily 4
Fanny 4
Lydia 4
Martha 4
Charlotte 3
Edith 3
Susan 3
Ada 2
Anne 2
Elizth. 2
Ethel 2
Flora 2
Helena 2
Jessie 2
Kate 2
Letitia 2
Louisa 2
Catherine 1
Eleanor 1
Ernestine 1
Eva 1
Flory 1
Frances 1
Grace 1
Harriet 1
Harriot 1
Janetta 1
Jeannie 1
Jemima 1
Julia 1
Laura 1
Lilian 1
Maggie 1
Margaret 1
Matilda 1
Tilley 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 26
John 20
Thomas 17
Henry 13
James 12
George 10
Joseph 8
Arthur 7
Charles 6
Edwin 5
Frederick 5
Richard 5
Robert 5
Albert 4
Alfred 4
Fredrick 4
Walter 4
Andrew 3
Harry 3
Herbert 3
Abraham 2
Edward 2
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Horatio 2
Samuel 2
Amos 1
Douglas 1
Edgar 1
Frances 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Geo. 1
Gervase 1
Gilbert 1
Heber 1
Horace 1
Jacob 1
Jno. 1
Joshua 1
Laurence 1
Leonard 1
Levi 1
Maurice 1
Napoleon 1
Peter 1
Reuben 1
Robt. 1
Solomon 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Byard surname: questions and answers

How common was the Byard surname in 1881?

In 1881, 423 people were recorded with the Byard surname. That placed it at #7,657 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Byard surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 672 in 2016. That gives Byard a modern rank of #7,966.

What does the Byard surname mean?

From the Old English "bēo" and "geard," referring to a bee yard or a place where beehives are kept.

What does the Byard map show?

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