NameCensus.

UK surname

Cumberbatch

A surname of Cumbrian origin referring to a shallow crossing point over a stream or river.

In the 1881 census there were 114 people recorded with the Cumberbatch surname, ranking it #18,324 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 678, ranked #7,909, up from #18,324 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Biddulph, Wolstanton and Astbury. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Lakeland, Staffordshire Moorlands and Wigan.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cumberbatch is 734 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 494.7%.

1881 census count

114

Ranked #18,324

Modern count

678

2016, ranked #7,909

Peak year

2010

734 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Cumberbatch had 114 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,324 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 678 in 2016, ranked #7,909.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 222 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Cumberbatch surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cumberbatch surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cumberbatch 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 37 #26,673
1861 historical 62 #26,041
1881 historical 114 #18,324
1891 historical 150 #18,328
1901 historical 183 #15,996
1911 historical 222 #13,992
1997 modern 571 #8,435
1998 modern 655 #7,854
1999 modern 671 #7,757
2000 modern 677 #7,689
2001 modern 655 #7,758
2002 modern 693 #7,574
2003 modern 671 #7,647
2004 modern 669 #7,682
2005 modern 677 #7,542
2006 modern 666 #7,659
2007 modern 676 #7,651
2008 modern 697 #7,512
2009 modern 723 #7,443
2010 modern 734 #7,498
2011 modern 726 #7,491
2012 modern 691 #7,676
2013 modern 716 #7,605
2014 modern 705 #7,728
2015 modern 692 #7,798
2016 modern 678 #7,909

Geography

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Where Cumberbatchs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Biddulph, Wolstanton, Astbury, Wigan and Bolton-le-Moors. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Lakeland, Staffordshire Moorlands and Wigan. 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 Biddulph Cheshire
2 Wolstanton Staffordshire
3 Astbury Cheshire
4 Wigan Lancashire
5 Bolton-le-Moors Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Lakeland 012 South Lakeland
2 Staffordshire Moorlands 011 Staffordshire Moorlands
3 Wigan 005 Wigan
4 South Lakeland 014 South Lakeland
5 Staffordshire Moorlands 004 Staffordshire Moorlands

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cumberbatch

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Cumberbatch

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Cumberbatch, 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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Cumberbatch surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Cumberbatch 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Cumberbatch is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Cumberbatch is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Cumberbatch falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Cumberbatch is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Cumberbatch, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Cumberbatch

The surname Cumberbatch has its origins in England and dates back to the late medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "cumer" and "bæc," which collectively translate to "a dweller near a bend or curve" or "one who lives by a crooked stream." This suggests that the name likely originated from a location or area characterized by a winding river or stream.

The earliest known recorded instances of the Cumberbatch surname can be traced back to the 13th century in various parts of England, including Yorkshire and Lancashire. In the Domesday Book, compiled in 1086, there are references to settlements such as "Combrebache" and "Cumbrebach," which may have been the original place names from which the surname derived.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Cumberbatch surname was William de Cumbrebache, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1273. Another notable figure was John Cumberbatch, born around 1450, who was a prominent landowner and served as the Sheriff of Cheshire during the reign of King Henry VII.

In the 16th century, the Cumberbatch family established themselves as influential landowners and gentry in the counties of Staffordshire and Cheshire. Sir Thomas Cumberbatch (c. 1528-1589) was a prominent member of this family and served as the High Sheriff of Staffordshire in 1584.

During the English Civil War in the 17th century, several members of the Cumberbatch family played active roles. Robert Cumberbatch (1613-1657), a Royalist officer, fought for King Charles I and was killed in battle. His brother, Thomas Cumberbatch (1611-1688), was a supporter of the Parliamentarian cause and served as a colonel in the Parliamentary army.

In the 18th century, the Cumberbatch family continued to maintain their status as landed gentry, with several members holding positions of influence in local government and the military. One notable figure was Sir Richard Cumberbatch (1721-1797), who served as the Governor of the Bahamas from 1784 to 1791.

Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Cumberbatch surname remained relatively prominent, with individuals from this family achieving success in various fields, including law, academia, and the military. One such example is Sir Henry Cumberbatch (1857-1935), a British lawyer and judge who served as the Chief Justice of the Straits Settlements (now part of Malaysia) from 1913 to 1923.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Cumberbatch families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cumberbatch 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. Staffordshire leads with 61 Cumberbatchs recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.25x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 61 16.25x
Lancashire 23 1.74x
Cheshire 15 6.11x
Middlesex 5 0.45x
Hampshire 4 1.76x
Somerset 4 2.23x
Gloucestershire 1 0.46x
Warwickshire 1 0.36x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wolstanton Knutton in Staffordshire leads with 21 Cumberbatchs recorded in 1881 and an index of 917.03x.

Place Total Index
Wolstanton Knutton 21 917.03x
Wolstanton Oldcott 12 882.35x
Great Bolton 10 57.21x
Audley 8 215.63x
Ashton Under Lyne 6 20.80x
Newbold Astbury 6 2068.97x
Wigan 6 32.54x
Eccleshall 5 352.11x
Wolstanton 5 43.86x
Queen Charlton 4 10000.00x
Wolstanton Golden 4 10000.00x
Brockenhurst 3 769.23x
Chelsea London 3 8.96x
Leek Lowe 3 60.12x
Odd Rode 3 245.90x
Congleton 2 47.17x
Hassall 2 1666.67x
Keele 2 500.00x
St Marylebone London 2 3.37x
Aston 1 1.30x
Cirencester 1 33.90x
Hartley Wintney 1 144.93x
Macclesfield 1 9.17x
Newton 1 263.16x
Salford 1 2.58x
Stoke Upon Trent 1 2.51x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 6
Ellen 4
Hannah 4
Sarah 4
Alice 3
Harriet 3
Jane 3
Martha 3
Rachel 3
Harriett 2
Margaret 2
... 1
Ann 1
Anne 1
Catherine 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Elizabeth 1
Elizth.Ann 1
Elizth.Ellen 1
Emely 1
Ethel 1
Isabella 1
Lilian 1
Maria 1
Pamela 1
Peniford 1
Rose 1
Selina 1
Tamer 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 7
Thomas 7
Joseph 4
Charles 3
James 3
William 3
Edward 2
Edwin 2
Enoch 2
Frank 2
Laurence 2
Samuel 2
Albert 1
Alphonso 1
Arthur 1
Carlton 1
Daniel 1
Elfred 1
Eli 1
Elijah 1
Elisha 1
Elkin 1
Enos 1
Ephraim 1
Ephream 1
Evan 1
Frederick 1
Herbert 1
Isaac 1
R.D. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Cumberbatch surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cumberbatch surname in 1881?

In 1881, 114 people were recorded with the Cumberbatch surname. That placed it at #18,324 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cumberbatch surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 678 in 2016. That gives Cumberbatch a modern rank of #7,909.

What does the Cumberbatch surname mean?

A surname of Cumbrian origin referring to a shallow crossing point over a stream or river.

What does the Cumberbatch map show?

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