NameCensus.

UK surname

Probert

One meaning of the surname PROBERT is an English occupational name for a prober or inspector.

In the 1881 census there were 2,362 people recorded with the Probert surname, ranking it #1,885 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,774, ranked #1,791, up from #1,885 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Torfaen, Pembrokeshire and Powys.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Probert is 3,924 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 59.8%.

1881 census count

2,362

Ranked #1,885

Modern count

3,774

2016, ranked #1,791

Peak year

1999

3,924 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Probert had 2,362 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,885 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,774 in 2016, ranked #1,791.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,438 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Probert surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Probert surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Probert 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 1,694 #1,704
1861 historical 1,294 #2,204
1881 historical 2,362 #1,885
1891 historical 2,356 #1,992
1901 historical 3,191 #1,759
1911 historical 3,438 #1,527
1997 modern 3,743 #1,733
1998 modern 3,896 #1,725
1999 modern 3,924 #1,738
2000 modern 3,877 #1,741
2001 modern 3,841 #1,725
2002 modern 3,899 #1,738
2003 modern 3,822 #1,741
2004 modern 3,826 #1,736
2005 modern 3,742 #1,750
2006 modern 3,751 #1,750
2007 modern 3,769 #1,751
2008 modern 3,769 #1,761
2009 modern 3,846 #1,762
2010 modern 3,901 #1,779
2011 modern 3,855 #1,778
2012 modern 3,784 #1,777
2013 modern 3,858 #1,778
2014 modern 3,875 #1,774
2015 modern 3,798 #1,791
2016 modern 3,774 #1,791

Geography

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Where Proberts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick, London parishes and Abergavenny. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Torfaen, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick Worcestershire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Abergavenny Monmouthshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Torfaen 001 Torfaen
2 Pembrokeshire 011 Pembrokeshire
3 Powys 020 Powys
4 Herefordshire 021 Herefordshire, County of
5 Monmouthshire 005 Monmouthshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Probert

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Probert

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Probert is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Probert is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Probert falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Probert 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 Probert, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Probert

The surname Probert has its origins in Wales, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Welsh personal name "Robert," which in turn comes from the Germanic elements "hrod" (fame) and "berht" (bright). The name is thought to have first emerged in the border regions of Wales and England, where cultural and linguistic influences intermingled.

One of the earliest known references to the Probert surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Proberta." This record suggests that the name had already taken root in England by the late 11th century, likely through Norman influence or Welsh migration.

In the 13th century, records from Pembrokeshire, Wales, mention a "William Probert" as a landowner and influential figure in the region. This early usage of the surname indicates its establishment within Welsh communities during the Middle Ages.

The Probert name has also been linked to various place names and their older spellings, such as "Proberta" in Gloucestershire, England, and "Prober" in Monmouthshire, Wales. These connections hint at the surname's geographical origins and potential migration patterns.

Notable individuals with the Probert surname throughout history include:

1. John Probert (c. 1520 - c. 1585), a Welsh Member of Parliament and lawyer during the Tudor period. 2. William Probert (1628 - 1684), a Welsh clergyman and author of religious works in the 17th century. 3. Edward Probert (1786 - 1853), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and later became a colonial administrator in Australia. 4. Henry Probert (1857 - 1935), a Welsh-born Australian politician and trade unionist, active in the early 20th century labor movement. 5. Kevin Probert (born 1959), a former professional ice hockey player from Canada, known for his physical style of play in the National Hockey League.

The Probert surname has endured over centuries, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Wales and the migration patterns that have dispersed this name across various regions and continents. Its longevity and association with notable figures underscore the significance of understanding the historical roots and evolution of surnames.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Probert families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Probert 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. Herefordshire leads with 341 Proberts recorded in 1881 and an index of 36.09x.

County Total Index
Herefordshire 341 36.09x
Monmouthshire 337 20.23x
Brecknockshire 216 46.88x
Lancashire 164 0.60x
Gloucestershire 145 3.21x
Shropshire 129 6.48x
Glamorgan 110 2.74x
Warwickshire 108 1.86x
Staffordshire 97 1.25x
Worcestershire 90 2.99x
Middlesex 89 0.39x
Flintshire 70 11.30x
Radnorshire 68 36.58x
Yorkshire 59 0.26x
Cheshire 47 0.92x
Somerset 45 1.21x
Surrey 34 0.30x
Kent 24 0.31x
Essex 20 0.44x
Northumberland 16 0.47x
Devon 15 0.31x
Ayrshire 14 0.81x
Cardiganshire 12 2.14x
Denbighshire 12 1.38x
Lanarkshire 12 0.16x
Durham 11 0.16x
Caernarfonshire 9 0.97x
Carmarthenshire 8 0.82x
Cornwall 8 0.31x
Northamptonshire 8 0.37x
Sussex 8 0.21x
Midlothian 7 0.23x
Hampshire 6 0.13x
Derbyshire 5 0.14x
Berkshire 4 0.23x
Oxfordshire 4 0.28x
Buckinghamshire 3 0.22x
Lincolnshire 3 0.08x
Wiltshire 2 0.10x
Leicestershire 1 0.04x
Royal Navy 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. Bedwellty in Monmouthshire leads with 72 Proberts recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.48x.

Place Total Index
Bedwellty 72 24.48x
Aston 53 3.31x
Birmingham 40 2.07x
Abergavenny 36 57.71x
Pendleton In Salford 34 10.44x
Islington London 32 1.43x
Llanelly 29 52.60x
Merthyr Tydfil 29 7.52x
Brecknock St John 27 69.50x
Llanover 20 35.16x
Aberdare 19 6.90x
Hope 19 61.67x
Mold Bistree 19 188.68x
Monks Coppenhall 19 9.90x
Ystradyfodwg 19 5.40x
Aberystruth 17 11.58x
Cheltenham 17 4.88x
Oldbury 17 11.48x
Oswestry Town 17 26.67x
Camberwell 16 1.09x
Camerton 16 148.15x
Weobley 16 229.89x
Wolverhampton 16 2.68x
Bilston 15 9.95x
Llanspyddid 15 339.37x
Llanyre 15 271.74x
Panteg 15 57.19x
Shrewsbury St Chad 15 21.47x
Trevethin 15 9.54x
Broughton In Salford 14 5.60x
Llangunider 14 48.78x
Ross 14 37.25x
Burghill 13 121.27x
Dudley 13 3.55x
Llanvair Kilgedin 13 546.22x
Sellack 13 479.70x
Usk 13 94.20x
Barony 12 0.64x
Great Malvern 12 19.11x
Manchester 12 0.98x
Ochiltree 12 101.18x
Wednesbury 12 6.17x
Westbury On Severn East 12 11.75x
Ballingham 11 328.36x
Bedminster 11 3.16x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 11 2.59x
Gateshead 11 2.14x
Hereford All Sts 11 25.42x
Newnham 11 94.75x
Ardwick 10 4.06x
Brecknock St David 10 80.84x
Bristol St James St Paul 10 6.64x
Claines 10 12.11x
Darfield 10 48.12x
Disserth Trecoed 10 246.91x
Kinnerley 10 105.60x
Lower Llanvrechva 10 61.16x
Plymouth Charles The 10 4.73x
Staunton On Wye 10 238.66x
Aberllunvey 9 756.30x
Darton 9 38.49x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 9 10.88x
Goodrich 9 152.28x
Little Bolton 9 2.56x
Llanwonno 9 6.24x
Lydney 9 38.58x
Lyonshall 9 131.39x
Merthyr Cynog 9 155.17x
Oldcastle 9 2307.69x
Bredwardine 8 300.75x
Christchurch 8 15.52x
Hay 8 46.76x
Holmer 8 47.03x
Kensington London 8 0.62x
Linton In Newent 8 109.44x
Llangattock Nigh Usk 8 425.53x
Mold Leeswood 8 57.06x
Rushall 8 17.48x
West Ham 8 0.80x
Yazor 8 467.84x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 185
Elizabeth 108
Sarah 86
Ann 52
Emma 43
Margaret 41
Jane 39
Martha 31
Eliza 30
Emily 28
Annie 26
Ellen 26
Alice 23
Anne 22
Hannah 21
Harriet 17
Charlotte 15
Maria 15
Ada 14
Lucy 14
Louisa 12
Susan 11
Caroline 10
Florence 10
Harriett 10
Catherine 9
Edith 9
Esther 9
Fanny 8
Kate 8
Rachel 6
Rebecca 6
Agnes 5
Clara 5
Elizth. 5
Lydia 5
Amelia 4
Frances 4
Sophia 4
Anna 3
Eleanor 3
Georgina 3
Gertrude 3
Jemima 3
Jessie 3
Julia 3
Leah 3
Margret 3
Margt. 3
Matilda 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 204
John 158
Thomas 113
James 88
George 71
Edward 43
Charles 38
David 36
Richard 35
Henry 33
Joseph 32
Arthur 21
Alfred 19
Albert 17
Samuel 15
Frederick 13
Edwin 12
Walter 10
Wm. 9
Robert 8
Benjamin 7
Harry 7
Evan 6
Herbert 6
Thos. 6
Frank 5
Hugh 5
Roger 5
Ernest 4
Francis 4
Isaac 4
Lewis 4
Earnest 3
Enoch 3
Jacob 3
Leonard 3
Morgan 3
Phillip 3
Price 3
Bertie 2
Clement 2
Cornelius 2
Edwd. 2
Fredrick 2
Henery 2
Isaiah 2
Oliver 2
Rees 2
Richd. 2
Sidney 2

FAQ

Probert surname: questions and answers

How common was the Probert surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,362 people were recorded with the Probert surname. That placed it at #1,885 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Probert surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,774 in 2016. That gives Probert a modern rank of #1,791.

What does the Probert surname mean?

One meaning of the surname PROBERT is an English occupational name for a prober or inspector.

What does the Probert map show?

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