UK surname
A locational surname referring to a person from a location called Harbage or a surname derived from an old English word meaning "lodging place."
In the 1881 census there were 82 people recorded with the Harbage surname, ranking it #21,957 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 75, ranked #33,377, down from #21,957 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Fenny Compton, Great Malvern, Madresfield and Ratley and Upton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Harbage is 107 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 8.5%.
1881 census count
82
Ranked #21,957
Modern count
75
2016, ranked #33,377
Peak year
1901
107 bearers
Map years
2
1901 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Harbage surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Harbage 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 | 76 | #20,127 |
| 1861 | historical | 67 | #25,342 |
| 1881 | historical | 82 | #21,957 |
| 1891 | historical | 91 | #25,239 |
| 1901 | historical | 107 | #21,955 |
| 1911 | historical | 104 | #22,209 |
| 1997 | modern | 78 | #29,785 |
| 1998 | modern | 80 | #29,966 |
| 1999 | modern | 79 | #30,243 |
| 2000 | modern | 72 | #30,977 |
| 2001 | modern | 72 | #30,813 |
| 2002 | modern | 72 | #31,269 |
| 2003 | modern | 66 | #31,879 |
| 2004 | modern | 68 | #31,880 |
| 2005 | modern | 65 | #32,387 |
| 2006 | modern | 62 | #33,043 |
| 2007 | modern | 59 | #33,634 |
| 2008 | modern | 66 | #33,217 |
| 2009 | modern | 65 | #33,611 |
| 2010 | modern | 69 | #33,560 |
| 2011 | modern | 67 | #33,704 |
| 2012 | modern | 75 | #33,263 |
| 2013 | modern | 82 | #32,903 |
| 2014 | modern | 82 | #32,992 |
| 2015 | modern | 75 | #33,425 |
| 2016 | modern | 75 | #33,377 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Fenny Compton, Great Malvern, Madresfield, Ratley and Upton, Hanley Castle and Cropredy. 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 | Fenny Compton | Warwickshire |
| 2 | Great Malvern, Madresfield | Worcestershire |
| 3 | Ratley and Upton | Oxfordshire |
| 4 | Hanley Castle | Worcestershire |
| 5 | Cropredy | Oxfordshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Harbage 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 Harbage, 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 Harbage surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Harbage 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, Harbage 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 Harbage is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Harbage, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Harbage has its origins in England and can be traced back to medieval times. It is believed to have originated around the 13th century in rural counties such as Warwickshire and Worcestershire, areas that were known for agricultural activities. The name Harbage likely has Anglo-Saxon roots, deriving from the Old English words "heor" meaning "battle" and "beg" or "beag" meaning "ring" or "bracelet", which might indicate a warrior or someone who wore battle rings.
The earliest known recording of the surname Harbage appears in the 1273 Hundred Rolls of Worcestershire, where a John Harbage is listed as a landowner. This record signifies that the name was already established and possibly linked to landholding or local governance. Variants of the name such as Harbidge and Harbidgee also appear in other medieval documents, suggesting slight regional variations in the spelling of the name.
Throughout the 14th and 15th centuries, the surname Harbage continued to appear in various records. In 1381, a William Harbage is mentioned in the Poll Tax Returns of Warwickshire, providing insight into the family’s continued presence and likely agricultural pursuits. Historical references like these offer a glimpse into the life and social status of individuals bearing the Harbage name.
By the 16th century, the name Harbage had further spread across England. One notable figure during this period was Sir Robert Harbage, born in 1523 and died in 1589, who served as a local magistrate in Worcestershire. His involvement in local courts and governance is documented in several legal records and offers an example of the rising prominence of the Harbage family.
In the early 17th century, Thomas Harbage, born in 1602, is recorded as a yeoman farmer in Oxfordshire. His agricultural ventures are listed in manorial rolls, which highlight the family’s continued ties to farming and land management. The consistent presence of the surname in such records indicates stability and a lasting legacy in England’s rural history.
Moving to the 18th century, Elizabeth Harbage, born in 1725, was a known herbalist in Gloucestershire, where her knowledge of medicinal plants and remedies was highly regarded. Her contributions to local healthcare are documented in parish records, recognizing her as an important figure in her community. These records offer a more personal view of the Harbage surname's legacy.
The name Harbage has been carried by various notable individuals throughout history, each contributing to its rich heritage. The historical references and early recordings of the surname provide an extensive picture of its roots and evolution over the centuries, highlighting the enduring presence and influence of the Harbage family in England.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Harbage 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. Warwickshire leads with 57 Harbages recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.26x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Warwickshire | 57 | 28.26x |
| Worcestershire | 16 | 15.32x |
| Staffordshire | 5 | 1.85x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 1.27x |
| Oxfordshire | 2 | 4.05x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ratley in Warwickshire leads with 12 Harbages recorded in 1881 and an index of 10909.09x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Ratley | 12 | 10909.09x |
| Birmingham | 11 | 16.36x |
| Burton Dassett | 8 | 4444.44x |
| Leamington Priors | 8 | 161.29x |
| Welland | 7 | 2916.67x |
| Upperswinford | 5 | 568.18x |
| Wednesbury | 5 | 74.07x |
| Little Compton | 4 | 2857.14x |
| Fenny Compton | 3 | 1875.00x |
| Great Malvern | 2 | 91.74x |
| Neithrop | 2 | 120.48x |
| Alveston | 1 | 384.62x |
| Butlers Marston | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Cheltenham | 1 | 8.26x |
| Fillongley | 1 | 344.83x |
| Gaydon | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Grandborough | 1 | 833.33x |
| Hampton Lucy | 1 | 909.09x |
| Hawling | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Old Stratford | 1 | 87.72x |
| Rowington | 1 | 434.78x |
| Rugby | 1 | 36.63x |
| Stourbridge | 1 | 37.17x |
| Upton On Severn | 1 | 147.06x |
| Warmington | 1 | 909.09x |
| Warwick St Mary | 1 | 57.14x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Harbage 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 Harbage 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 Harbage households.
FAQ
In 1881, 82 people were recorded with the Harbage surname. That placed it at #21,957 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 75 in 2016. That gives Harbage a modern rank of #33,377.
A locational surname referring to a person from a location called Harbage or a surname derived from an old English word meaning "lodging place."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Harbage 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.