NameCensus.

UK surname

Byrd

An English occupational surname referring to someone who hunted birds or kept birds.

In the 1881 census there were 239 people recorded with the Byrd surname, ranking it #11,446 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 511, ranked #9,834, up from #11,446 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Castle Church, London parishes and Bretforton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wychavon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Byrd is 511 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 113.8%.

1881 census count

239

Ranked #11,446

Modern count

511

2016, ranked #9,834

Peak year

2016

511 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Byrd had 239 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,446 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 511 in 2016, ranked #9,834.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 324 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Byrd surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Byrd surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Byrd 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 148 #13,028
1861 historical 143 #15,906
1881 historical 239 #11,446
1891 historical 244 #12,983
1901 historical 315 #11,263
1911 historical 324 #10,814
1997 modern 467 #9,788
1998 modern 483 #9,853
1999 modern 500 #9,661
2000 modern 494 #9,717
2001 modern 478 #9,783
2002 modern 466 #10,151
2003 modern 481 #9,770
2004 modern 474 #9,889
2005 modern 453 #10,155
2006 modern 459 #10,088
2007 modern 453 #10,281
2008 modern 473 #10,056
2009 modern 475 #10,242
2010 modern 498 #10,091
2011 modern 488 #10,135
2012 modern 489 #10,039
2013 modern 503 #9,979
2014 modern 508 #9,972
2015 modern 506 #9,916
2016 modern 511 #9,834

Geography

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Where Byrds are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Castle Church, London parishes, Bretforton, Sheffield and Bridgwater, Goathurst, Durleigh, Wembdon, Chilton Trinity. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wychavon. 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 Castle Church Staffordshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Bretforton Worcestershire
4 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Bridgwater, Goathurst, Durleigh, Wembdon, Chilton Trinity Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wychavon 013 Wychavon
2 Wychavon 016 Wychavon
3 Wychavon 019 Wychavon
4 Wychavon 011 Wychavon
5 Wychavon 015 Wychavon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Byrd

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Byrd

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Byrd is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Byrd 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

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

Meaning and origin of Byrd

The surname Byrd is of English origin and can be traced back to the early 12th century. It derives from the Old English words "brid" or "bridd", meaning a young bird or nestling. The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname for a small or young person, or perhaps someone who exhibited bird-like qualities or behaviors.

The earliest known record of the name Byrd appears in the Pipe Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1195, where a William Brid is mentioned. In the 13th century, the name is found in various forms such as Bryd, Byrde, and Bride in different parts of England, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Byrd is found in the Hundred Rolls of Buckinghamshire in 1273, which mentions a William Bryd. The Byrd family is also mentioned in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, indicating their presence in the region.

During the medieval period, the name Byrd was often associated with place names such as Bridstow or Birdlip, which may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time. The Domesday Book of 1086 does not contain any direct references to the surname Byrd, but it does mention several places with similar names, such as Brid and Bridham.

In the 16th century, a notable figure with the surname Byrd was William Byrd (1539/40 - 1623), an English composer of the Renaissance period. He is considered one of the greatest composers of the late Renaissance and is known for his sacred and secular music.

Another prominent individual with the surname Byrd was Richard Evelyn Byrd (1888 - 1957), an American naval officer and explorer who claimed to be the first person to fly over the North Pole in 1926. He also led expeditions to Antarctica in the late 1920s and 1930s.

Harry F. Byrd (1887 - 1966) was an influential American politician who served as the 33rd Governor of Virginia and later as a United States Senator. He was a member of the Democratic Party and played a significant role in Virginia politics for over four decades.

In the field of literature, Robert Byrd (1915 - 1959) was an American novelist and short story writer, known for his works that explored the lives of ordinary people in the American South.

William Byrd II (1674 - 1744) was a prominent figure in colonial Virginia and served as a member of the House of Burgesses and the Governor's Council. He founded the city of Richmond and was a wealthy planter and slave owner.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Byrd families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Byrd 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. Worcestershire leads with 58 Byrds recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.05x.

County Total Index
Worcestershire 58 19.05x
Staffordshire 32 4.07x
Middlesex 29 1.24x
Gloucestershire 28 6.12x
Yorkshire 27 1.17x
Warwickshire 16 2.72x
Somerset 14 3.73x
Shropshire 8 3.97x
Surrey 7 0.62x
Devon 5 1.03x
Cheshire 4 0.78x
Lancashire 4 0.14x
Kent 3 0.38x
Derbyshire 2 0.55x
Oxfordshire 2 1.39x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Evesham All Sts in Worcestershire leads with 23 Byrds recorded in 1881 and an index of 1619.72x.

Place Total Index
Evesham All Sts 23 1619.72x
Bridgewater 14 137.39x
Islington London 14 6.20x
Badsey 12 2608.70x
Bretforton 12 2666.67x
Castle Church 11 232.56x
Chipping Campden 7 469.80x
Leek Wootten 7 2187.50x
Nether Hallam 7 22.40x
Old Stratford 7 210.21x
Stonehouse 6 230.77x
Willersey 6 1935.48x
Bradford 5 8.94x
Kingstanley 5 295.86x
Leeds 5 3.83x
Bristol St James St Paul 4 26.23x
Great Little Hampton 4 784.31x
Hinstock 4 579.71x
Kensington London 4 3.09x
Potter Newton 4 98.04x
Spurstow 4 1111.11x
St George Bloomsbury 4 29.90x
Uffculme 4 275.86x
Uttoxeter 4 99.26x
Wandsworth 4 17.83x
Batley 3 13.67x
Bradley 3 750.00x
Brightside Bierlow 3 6.62x
Evesham St Lawrence 3 185.19x
Gayton 3 1578.95x
Habergham Eaves 3 11.87x
Hackney London 3 2.30x
Lee 3 25.97x
Seighford 3 476.19x
Southwark St Saviour 3 25.04x
Stoke Upon Tern 3 405.41x
Stoke Upon Trent 3 3.60x
Burton Upon Trent 2 10.86x
Checkley 2 98.04x
Neithrop 2 41.32x
Ripley 2 44.35x
Willesden 2 9.10x
Wollaston 2 103.63x
Aston 1 0.62x
Bengeworth 1 95.24x
Bridgnorth St Leonard 1 43.86x
East Stonehouse 1 10.46x
Feckenham 1 28.74x
Hammersmith London 1 1.74x
Ilmington 1 158.73x
Saredon 1 454.55x
St George Hanover Square 1 2.43x
Toxteth Park 1 1.07x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 14
Sarah 12
Elizabeth 8
Eliza 7
Alice 4
Ann 4
Emma 4
Harriet 4
Caroline 3
Catherine 3
Clara 3
Ellen 3
Hannah 3
Louisa 3
Susan 3
Annie 2
Beatrice 2
Edith 2
Emily 2
Fanny 2
Helen 2
Mabel 2
Martha 2
Rebecca 2
Rosa 2
Agnes 1
Agness 1
Amelia 1
Bertha 1
Daisy 1
Dinah 1
Esther 1
Eunice 1
Eva 1
Florance 1
Florence 1
Grace 1
Ida 1
Jane 1
Julia 1
Leah 1
Lucy 1
Margret 1
Marian 1
Marion 1
May 1
Myra 1
Sylvia 1
Tabtha 1
Theodosia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 14
William 14
Thomas 10
Frederick 8
Charles 7
George 6
Henry 6
Alfred 5
Albert 4
Edward 4
Anthony 3
Frank 3
James 3
Joseph 3
Peter 3
Walter 3
Arthur 2
David 2
Samuel 2
Augustus 1
Benjamin 1
Bernard 1
Cornelius 1
Edwd.Berry 1
H. 1
Harry 1
Infant 1
Patrick 1
Sampson 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Byrd surname: questions and answers

How common was the Byrd surname in 1881?

In 1881, 239 people were recorded with the Byrd surname. That placed it at #11,446 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Byrd surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 511 in 2016. That gives Byrd a modern rank of #9,834.

What does the Byrd surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to someone who hunted birds or kept birds.

What does the Byrd map show?

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