NameCensus.

UK surname

Harber

An English occupational surname referring to a person who makes or sells oats.

In the 1881 census there were 686 people recorded with the Harber surname, ranking it #5,272 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,296, ranked #4,621, up from #5,272 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick, London parishes and Dartford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Horsham, Medway and Cotswold.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Harber is 1,414 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 88.9%.

1881 census count

686

Ranked #5,272

Modern count

1,296

2016, ranked #4,621

Peak year

1999

1,414 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Harber had 686 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,272 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,296 in 2016, ranked #4,621.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,104 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Harber surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Harber surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Harber 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 504 #4,961
1861 historical 585 #4,514
1881 historical 686 #5,272
1891 historical 818 #4,951
1901 historical 1,024 #4,662
1911 historical 1,104 #4,211
1997 modern 1,350 #4,263
1998 modern 1,396 #4,291
1999 modern 1,414 #4,267
2000 modern 1,396 #4,289
2001 modern 1,369 #4,280
2002 modern 1,395 #4,307
2003 modern 1,365 #4,306
2004 modern 1,355 #4,338
2005 modern 1,323 #4,375
2006 modern 1,299 #4,443
2007 modern 1,292 #4,514
2008 modern 1,292 #4,535
2009 modern 1,307 #4,584
2010 modern 1,314 #4,663
2011 modern 1,301 #4,637
2012 modern 1,256 #4,716
2013 modern 1,301 #4,650
2014 modern 1,324 #4,602
2015 modern 1,296 #4,648
2016 modern 1,296 #4,621

Geography

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Where Harbers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick, London parishes, Dartford, Beckenham and All Saints Poplar. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Horsham, Medway, Cotswold, Arun and Elmbridge. 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 Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick Worcestershire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Dartford Kent
4 Beckenham Kent
5 All Saints Poplar London (East Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Horsham 013 Horsham
2 Medway 018 Medway
3 Cotswold 004 Cotswold
4 Arun 004 Arun
5 Elmbridge 017 Elmbridge

Forenames

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First names often paired with Harber

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Harber

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Harber is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Harber is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Harber

The surname HARBER has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "herebeorg," which means "army shelter" or "place of refuge." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who lived near a military encampment or a place of protection during times of conflict.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, a record of landowners and tenants in England, there are several entries that potentially refer to the name HARBER or its variations, such as "Hereberd" and "Herberd." These entries are found in various counties, including Norfolk, Suffolk, and Lincolnshire, indicating that the name was present in different regions of the country.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname HARBER was Robert Harber, who lived in Leicestershire in the late 13th century. Another notable figure was John Harber, a merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers in London, who was active in the 15th century.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the HARBER name appeared in various records, including parish registers and tax rolls. For instance, Thomas Harber was born in Gloucestershire in 1578, while William Harber, a landowner, was recorded in Oxfordshire in the early 1600s.

In the 18th century, the HARBER surname was associated with several notable figures. One such individual was James Harber (1714-1777), an English clergyman and author who wrote on theological subjects. Another was John Harber (1734-1803), a prominent architect responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in London.

Moving into the 19th century, we find individuals like William Harber (1808-1879), a British politician and Member of Parliament for Thetford, and Charles Harber (1841-1914), a businessman and philanthropist who contributed to the development of the city of Birmingham.

Throughout history, the HARBER surname has been subject to various spelling variations, such as Harber, Harbor, Harbur, and Herber, reflecting the regional dialects and scribal practices of different areas. Additionally, the name has been associated with various place names, including Harbury in Warwickshire and Harberton in Devon, which may have influenced its development and distribution.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Harber families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Harber 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 138 Harbers recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.77x.

County Total Index
Worcestershire 138 15.77x
Kent 109 4.77x
Middlesex 106 1.58x
Surrey 88 2.69x
Warwickshire 27 1.60x
Sussex 25 2.21x
Hampshire 23 1.67x
Herefordshire 18 6.55x
Gloucestershire 14 1.07x
Hertfordshire 14 3.03x
Lancashire 14 0.18x
Norfolk 14 1.36x
Essex 11 0.83x
Glamorgan 10 0.86x
Suffolk 10 1.23x
Wiltshire 10 1.69x
Oxfordshire 9 2.17x
Derbyshire 8 0.76x
Berkshire 7 1.39x
Northamptonshire 6 0.95x
Cumberland 5 0.87x
Devon 4 0.29x
Staffordshire 4 0.18x
Cambridgeshire 3 0.71x
Durham 3 0.15x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.16x
Cheshire 1 0.07x
Cornwall 1 0.13x
Lincolnshire 1 0.09x
Monmouthshire 1 0.21x
Royal Navy 1 1.25x
Yorkshire 1 0.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dartford in Kent leads with 26 Harbers recorded in 1881 and an index of 111.21x.

Place Total Index
Dartford 26 111.21x
Worcester St John 25 239.23x
Croydon 24 13.24x
Poplar London 21 16.60x
Lambeth 18 3.08x
Aston 15 3.22x
Bromley London 15 10.17x
Feckenham 15 149.70x
Paddington London 15 6.09x
Ventnor 13 99.54x
Bexley 11 54.43x
Deptford St Paul 11 6.24x
East Malling 10 183.15x
Aylesford 9 141.96x
Barnes 9 65.17x
Birmingham 9 1.60x
Finchley 9 35.03x
Tetsworth 9 918.37x
Worcester St Peter 9 54.35x
Broadway 8 212.77x
Brooke 8 493.83x
Claines 8 33.31x
Hanbury 8 337.55x
Kempsey 8 240.96x
Litchurch 8 18.95x
Plumstead 8 10.50x
Sutton At Hone 8 168.78x
Tooting Graveney 8 88.01x
Worth 8 97.56x
Castlemorton 7 409.36x
Clapham 7 8.36x
Leyton Low 7 26.03x
Llandaff 7 18.03x
Norton By Kempsey 7 366.49x
Sawbridgeworth 7 100.14x
Westbury On Severn East 7 23.56x
Cheltenham 6 5.92x
Lower Beeding 6 200.00x
Rodbourne Cheney 6 131.00x
Ryde 6 20.33x
St George Bloomsbury 6 15.60x
Sutton Courtney 6 288.46x
Upton Bishop 6 372.67x
Weedon Beck 6 132.74x
Bromley 5 14.35x
Bungay St Mary 5 123.76x
Dorking 5 22.80x
East Horsley 5 746.27x
Kidderminster Borough 5 9.76x
Redenhall 5 125.00x
St Marylebone London 5 1.40x
Worcester Blockhouse 5 103.95x
Wrentham 5 221.24x
Bethnal Green London 4 1.37x
Burton Upon Trent 4 7.56x
Clifton Upon Teme 4 388.35x
Crayford 4 40.04x
Godalming 4 19.46x
Greenwich 4 3.75x
Grimley 4 242.42x
Hulme 4 2.41x
Much Cowarne 4 350.88x
St Cuthbert W O 4 14.22x
St Pancras London 4 0.74x
Swanscombe 4 38.95x
Swindon 4 8.70x
West Derby 4 1.72x
Westminster St James 4 5.81x
Bengeo 3 55.97x
Bow London 3 3.52x
Bromyard 3 82.87x
Everton 3 1.18x
Hartlepool 3 10.59x
Inkberrow 3 84.75x
Islington London 3 0.46x
Plymouth St Andrew 3 2.79x
Ratcliffe London 3 8.11x
Subdeanery 3 35.01x
Worcester All Sts 3 59.17x
Worcester St Martin 3 25.40x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 51
John 28
Thomas 23
George 21
Henry 19
James 18
Charles 17
Alfred 10
Arthur 9
Edward 9
Frederick 9
Joseph 9
Stephen 7
Walter 7
Richard 6
Ernest 5
Frank 5
Wm. 5
Albert 4
Benjamin 4
Francis 4
Geo. 4
Herbert 4
Robert 4
Chas. 3
Maurice 3
Samuel 3
Abel 2
Augustus 2
Emanuel 2
Fredrick 2
Godfrey 2
Harry 2
Josiah 2
Louis 2
Percy 2
Shadrach 2
Thos. 2
Cameron 1
Cyrus 1
David 1
Harald 1
Harrold 1
Jno.Thom. 1
Laban 1
Laurence 1
Leonard 1
Luke 1
Marks 1
Nathan 1

FAQ

Harber surname: questions and answers

How common was the Harber surname in 1881?

In 1881, 686 people were recorded with the Harber surname. That placed it at #5,272 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Harber surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,296 in 2016. That gives Harber a modern rank of #4,621.

What does the Harber surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to a person who makes or sells oats.

What does the Harber map show?

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