NameCensus.

UK surname

Prebble

A topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a stream or brook.

In the 1881 census there were 423 people recorded with the Prebble surname, ranking it #7,657 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 370, ranked #12,591, down from #7,657 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Greenwich, London parishes and Dover St James, Dover St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Shepway, Dover and Maidstone.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Prebble is 547 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 12.5%.

1881 census count

423

Ranked #7,657

Modern count

370

2016, ranked #12,591

Peak year

1911

547 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Prebble had 423 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,657 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 370 in 2016, ranked #12,591.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 547 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Prebble surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Prebble surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Prebble 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 285 #7,952
1861 historical 279 #8,979
1881 historical 423 #7,657
1891 historical 429 #8,359
1901 historical 518 #7,842
1911 historical 547 #7,323
1997 modern 422 #10,571
1998 modern 421 #10,954
1999 modern 431 #10,840
2000 modern 422 #10,960
2001 modern 411 #11,003
2002 modern 412 #11,192
2003 modern 392 #11,425
2004 modern 399 #11,297
2005 modern 401 #11,165
2006 modern 391 #11,432
2007 modern 391 #11,570
2008 modern 387 #11,767
2009 modern 380 #12,198
2010 modern 402 #11,949
2011 modern 387 #12,142
2012 modern 361 #12,647
2013 modern 374 #12,521
2014 modern 373 #12,633
2015 modern 368 #12,661
2016 modern 370 #12,591

Geography

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Where Prebbles are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Greenwich, London parishes, Dover St James, Dover St Mary, Swingfield and Hawkinge, Folkestone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Shepway, Dover, Maidstone and Ashford. 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 Greenwich London (South Districts)
2 London parishes London 3
3 Dover St James, Dover St Mary Kent
4 Swingfield Kent
5 Hawkinge, Folkestone Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Shepway 001 Shepway
2 Dover 011 Dover
3 Maidstone 014 Maidstone
4 Ashford 012 Ashford
5 Shepway 002 Shepway

Forenames

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First names often paired with Prebble

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Prebble

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Prebble is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Prebble is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Prebble

The surname Prebble has its origins in England, tracing back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "preb," which referred to a prebendary, a member of a cathedral or collegiate church who received a portion of the revenues or estate.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Prebble appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, where it is spelled "Prebendar." This record suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who held prebendary positions within the church.

In the 14th century, the surname began to appear in various forms, such as "Prebend," "Prebendere," and "Prebender," reflecting the evolution of the name over time. These variations likely stemmed from regional dialects and scribal interpretations.

The Prebble surname has been documented in several historical records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, where it appears as "Prebend." This indicates that the name had spread across different regions of England by that time.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Prebble was John Prebble, who was born in 1514 in Gloucestershire, England. He served as a vicar in the Church of England and is mentioned in parish records from the 16th century.

Another notable figure was William Prebble, born in 1587 in Dorset, England. He was a merchant and landowner, and his name appears in various land deeds and legal documents from the early 17th century.

In the 18th century, the Prebble surname gained prominence with the birth of John Prebble (1718-1798), a renowned clergyman and author from Somerset, England. He wrote several religious texts and sermons, which were widely circulated during his lifetime.

The name Prebble has also been associated with certain place names, such as Prebble Hill in Gloucestershire and Prebble Farm in Somerset. These locations may have been named after individuals bearing the Prebble surname or may have influenced the derivation of the name itself.

Other notable individuals with the Prebble surname include:

1. Thomas Prebble (1745-1825), a wealthy landowner and philanthropist from Wiltshire, England. 2. Elizabeth Prebble (1793-1872), a pioneering educator who established one of the first schools for girls in London. 3. James Prebble (1817-1891), a renowned architect from Yorkshire, England, known for his work on several churches and public buildings. 4. Henry Prebble (1868-1942), a British explorer and naturalist who documented the flora and fauna of various regions in Africa and Asia. 5. John Prebble (1915-2001), a Scottish writer and historian, best known for his works on Scottish history and culture.

While the surname Prebble originated in England and has a rich history spanning several centuries, it has since spread to other parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and New Zealand, carried by individuals who migrated from Britain during various periods of history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Prebble families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Prebble 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. Kent leads with 303 Prebbles recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.32x.

County Total Index
Kent 303 21.32x
Surrey 39 1.92x
Middlesex 38 0.91x
Lancashire 13 0.26x
Essex 9 1.09x
Hampshire 7 0.82x
Suffolk 5 0.99x
Isle of Man 4 5.17x
Sussex 4 0.57x
Argyllshire 2 1.72x
Devon 1 0.12x
Hertfordshire 1 0.35x
Lincolnshire 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Folkestone in Kent leads with 36 Prebbles recorded in 1881 and an index of 130.58x.

Place Total Index
Folkestone 36 130.58x
Lambeth 16 4.41x
Deptford St Paul 15 13.68x
Elmsted 14 2258.06x
Charlton 13 137.71x
Ashford 12 86.71x
Greenwich 12 18.10x
Camberwell 11 4.13x
Lewisham 11 14.52x
Tonbridge 11 21.46x
Sellinge 10 1075.27x
St Lawrence 10 102.35x
Hackney London 9 3.85x
Blackburn 8 6.08x
Guston 8 1428.57x
Hastingleigh 8 2424.24x
Islington London 8 1.98x
Stanford 8 1904.76x
Swingfield 8 1454.55x
Thanington Wilton In 8 1194.03x
Yalding 8 222.84x
Lydd 7 230.26x
Nonington 7 619.47x
Leyton Low 6 35.91x
Monks Horton 6 2857.14x
Newington 6 3.90x
Barham 5 344.83x
Buckland In Dover 5 106.16x
Canterbury St Mildred 5 148.37x
Dover St Mary Virgin 5 36.36x
Ipswich St Nicholas 5 179.21x
Kensington London 5 2.16x
River 5 555.56x
Thruxton 5 1086.96x
Canterbury St Dunstan 4 163.27x
East Langdon Oxney 4 851.06x
Ewell Lydden 4 360.36x
Margate St John Baptist 4 15.37x
Mersham 4 388.35x
Onchan 4 17.95x
Plumstead 4 8.44x
Ramsgate 4 17.24x
Stretford 4 14.71x
Sutton 4 2000.00x
Lyminge 3 245.90x
Reigate Foreign 3 13.65x
St Marylebone London 3 1.35x
St Pancras London 3 0.89x
Brabourne 2 186.92x
Campbeltown 2 14.30x
Chartham 2 56.50x
Elham 2 117.65x
Headcorn 2 93.90x
Littlebourne 2 185.19x
Paddington London 2 1.31x
Romford 2 15.38x
Saltwood 2 202.02x
South Bersted 2 33.50x
Westminster St John 2 3.94x
Whitfield 2 444.44x
Willesden 2 5.09x
Battersea 1 0.65x
Charlton Next Woolwich 1 6.75x
Dover St James 1 16.05x
Farnborough 1 11.15x
Goudhurst 1 25.45x
Grantham 1 11.52x
Great Mongeham 1 149.25x
Herne 1 15.90x
Horsham 1 7.33x
Hougham 1 11.83x
Lenham 1 35.21x
Lympne 1 125.00x
Maidstone 1 2.36x
Northam 1 15.82x
Stoke Newington London 1 3.08x
Waltham 1 138.89x
Watford 1 4.49x
West Malling 1 31.25x
Woolwich 1 1.90x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 29
George 25
John 22
Thomas 20
Henry 13
Charles 11
Alfred 10
Edward 8
Frederick 8
James 8
Ernest 6
Walter 6
Albert 5
Philip 3
Richard 3
Stephen 3
Arthur 2
Frank 2
Harry 2
Herbert 2
Percy 2
Samuel 2
Aruther 1
B. 1
Christopher 1
Edion 1
Elgar 1
Elija 1
Francis 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.Thos. 1
Fredrich 1
Fredrick 1
Howard 1
Joseph 1
Michael 1
Richd. 1
Robert 1
Thom 1
Thos. 1
Willm. 1
Wm. 1
Zaph 1

FAQ

Prebble surname: questions and answers

How common was the Prebble surname in 1881?

In 1881, 423 people were recorded with the Prebble surname. That placed it at #7,657 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Prebble surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 370 in 2016. That gives Prebble a modern rank of #12,591.

What does the Prebble surname mean?

A topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a stream or brook.

What does the Prebble map show?

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