UK surname
From a fair stream or spring.
In the 1881 census there were 84 people recorded with the Fairbourn surname, ranking it #21,690 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 27, ranked #36,189, down from #21,690 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Halifax, London parishes and Easingwold. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fairbourn is 109 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 67.9%.
1881 census count
84
Ranked #21,690
Modern count
27
2016, ranked #36,189
Peak year
1911
109 bearers
Map years
1
1911 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Fairbourn surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Fairbourn surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 66 | #21,617 |
| 1861 | historical | 88 | #22,554 |
| 1881 | historical | 84 | #21,690 |
| 1891 | historical | 92 | #25,109 |
| 1901 | historical | 76 | #25,734 |
| 1911 | historical | 109 | #21,611 |
| 1997 | modern | 28 | #34,904 |
| 1998 | modern | 32 | #34,633 |
| 1999 | modern | 34 | #34,528 |
| 2000 | modern | 34 | #34,517 |
| 2001 | modern | 32 | #34,537 |
| 2002 | modern | 37 | #34,390 |
| 2003 | modern | 35 | #34,609 |
| 2004 | modern | 34 | #34,868 |
| 2005 | modern | 33 | #35,119 |
| 2006 | modern | 31 | #35,467 |
| 2007 | modern | 33 | #35,461 |
| 2008 | modern | 31 | #35,670 |
| 2009 | modern | 30 | #35,871 |
| 2010 | modern | 34 | #35,730 |
| 2011 | modern | 32 | #35,831 |
| 2012 | modern | 35 | #35,645 |
| 2013 | modern | 34 | #35,761 |
| 2014 | modern | 32 | #35,896 |
| 2015 | modern | 31 | #35,939 |
| 2016 | modern | 27 | #36,189 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Halifax, London parishes, Easingwold, Manchester and St Mary Castlegate. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Halifax | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Easingwold | Yorkshire, North Riding |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | St Mary Castlegate | Yorkshire, East Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Fairbourn surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Fairbourn, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Fairbourn surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Fairbourn household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Fairbourn is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Fairbourn is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Fairbourn, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Fairbourn has its origins rooted in England, tracing back to the medieval era. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "faeger" and "burna," which translate to "fair stream" or "pleasant brook." This suggests that the name's bearers may have initially resided near a picturesque watercourse.
One of the earliest documented instances of the Fairbourn name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records a landowner named Alured de Fayreburne in Oxfordshire. This ancient record provides evidence of the name's existence in England during the Norman Conquest.
During the 13th century, the Fairbourn name appeared in various spellings, including Fairburne, Fayrebourne, and Fayrebourn, reflecting the fluid nature of name spellings in that era. These variations were likely influenced by local dialects and scribal interpretations.
In the 14th century, the Fairbourn family held lands in Derbyshire, where they established themselves as respected landowners and members of the gentry. Notable individuals from this period include Sir John Fairbourn, a knight who fought alongside King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453).
The 16th century witnessed the rise of a prominent Fairbourn family in Yorkshire. Thomas Fairbourn (1521-1587), a wealthy merchant and landowner, made significant contributions to the local community by funding the construction of several churches and schools.
In the 17th century, the Fairbourn name gained recognition through the works of the poet and clergyman, Robert Fairbourn (1611-1674). His celebrated poetry collection, "Pious Musings," earned him a reputation as one of the most influential religious writers of his time.
The 18th century saw the birth of Sir William Fairbourn (1729-1808), a renowned military officer who served with distinction during the American Revolutionary War. His valor and leadership earned him knighthood and a place in the annals of British military history.
As the centuries progressed, the Fairbourn name continued to spread across England, with various branches establishing themselves in different regions. Notable figures from the 19th century include the inventor and engineer, Sir George Fairbourn (1819-1892), whose innovations in steam engine technology revolutionized industrial manufacturing.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fairbourn surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Yorkshire leads with 60 Fairbourns recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.39x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 60 | 7.39x |
| Lancashire | 14 | 1.44x |
| Surrey | 6 | 1.50x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.12x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 0.91x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.72x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 0.93x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tadcaster West in Yorkshire leads with 14 Fairbourns recorded in 1881 and an index of 2187.50x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Tadcaster West | 14 | 2187.50x |
| Broughton In Salford | 10 | 112.49x |
| Langfield | 8 | 563.38x |
| Leeds | 7 | 15.27x |
| York St Michael Le | 7 | 2692.31x |
| Battersea | 6 | 19.91x |
| Garforth | 5 | 806.45x |
| Asenby | 3 | 6000.00x |
| Haslingden | 3 | 74.63x |
| Horton In Bradford | 3 | 23.66x |
| Dalton In Thirsk | 2 | 2857.14x |
| Middlesbrough | 2 | 18.92x |
| Wetherby | 2 | 377.36x |
| Wortley In Bramley | 2 | 31.10x |
| Bishopton | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Dalton In Huddersfield | 1 | 54.95x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 1 | 2.27x |
| Hastings St Mary In The | 1 | 33.90x |
| Howden | 1 | 181.82x |
| Oldbury | 1 | 19.01x |
| Owthorne | 1 | 666.67x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 2.29x |
| Welwick | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Whittingham | 1 | 232.56x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Fairbourn surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Fairbourn surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Fairbourn households.
FAQ
In 1881, 84 people were recorded with the Fairbourn surname. That placed it at #21,690 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 27 in 2016. That gives Fairbourn a modern rank of #36,189.
From a fair stream or spring.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Fairbourn bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.