NameCensus.

UK surname

Swarbrick

An English surname derived from the Old Norse Suartrbrekka, meaning a person from a dark ridge.

In the 1881 census there were 1,173 people recorded with the Swarbrick surname, ranking it #3,433 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,767, ranked #3,556, down from #3,433 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Poulton, Lytham and Preston. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wyre and Preston.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Swarbrick is 1,842 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 50.6%.

1881 census count

1,173

Ranked #3,433

Modern count

1,767

2016, ranked #3,556

Peak year

2002

1,842 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Swarbrick had 1,173 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,433 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,767 in 2016, ranked #3,556.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,618 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Swarbrick surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Swarbrick surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Swarbrick 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 670 #3,877
1861 historical 744 #3,665
1881 historical 1,173 #3,433
1891 historical 1,330 #3,272
1901 historical 1,618 #3,193
1911 historical 1,557 #3,112
1997 modern 1,745 #3,417
1998 modern 1,775 #3,491
1999 modern 1,792 #3,492
2000 modern 1,833 #3,410
2001 modern 1,792 #3,402
2002 modern 1,842 #3,393
2003 modern 1,822 #3,366
2004 modern 1,788 #3,415
2005 modern 1,765 #3,431
2006 modern 1,758 #3,444
2007 modern 1,773 #3,455
2008 modern 1,784 #3,457
2009 modern 1,808 #3,492
2010 modern 1,833 #3,512
2011 modern 1,774 #3,572
2012 modern 1,706 #3,633
2013 modern 1,781 #3,565
2014 modern 1,787 #3,565
2015 modern 1,761 #3,580
2016 modern 1,767 #3,556

Geography

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Where Swarbricks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Poulton, Lytham, Preston, Bispham and Dalton-in-Furness. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wyre and Preston. 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 Poulton Lancashire
2 Lytham Lancashire
3 Preston Lancashire
4 Bispham Lancashire
5 Dalton-in-Furness Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wyre 009 Wyre
2 Preston 001 Preston
3 Wyre 007 Wyre
4 Wyre 004 Wyre
5 Wyre 006 Wyre

Forenames

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First names often paired with Swarbrick

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Swarbrick

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Swarbrick, 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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Swarbrick surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Swarbrick household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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, Swarbrick 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

Swarbrick is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Swarbrick falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Swarbrick

The surname Swarbrick originates from the Lancashire region of England, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to derive from the Old English words "swart" meaning "dark" and "brycg" meaning "bridge," likely referring to a dark-colored bridge or a person living near such a structure. Variations of the spelling include Swarbrick, Swarbreck, Swarbrook, and Swarbroc.

Records from the 14th century show the name Swarbrick appearing in the Lancashire Inquests and the Lancashire Wills and Inventories. One of the earliest known references is to Adam del Swarthebroc in 1332. The name is also found in the Lancashire Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1332, mentioning Henry del Swarthebroc.

The Swarbrick name is closely tied to the Lancashire town of Swarbreck, which was once a thriving village. The name "Swarbreck" likely evolved from the Old English "Swartabryc," meaning "the dark brook or stream." This place name connection further reinforces the surname's origins.

Notable individuals with the Swarbrick surname include William Swarbrick (1765-1838), a British artist and engraver known for his landscape paintings. John Swarbrick (1751-1825) was a renowned mathematician and astronomer who contributed to the development of calculus and celestial mechanics.

Another prominent figure was Sir Henry Swarbrick (1845-1912), a British businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to education and social welfare in Lancashire. Elizabeth Swarbrick (1873-1945) was a pioneering female architect and one of the first women to be elected as a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

In the literary world, Thomas Swarbrick (1807-1887) was a notable poet and author from Lancashire, known for his works celebrating the region's industrial heritage and working-class life. His poems and essays provide valuable insights into the social and cultural landscape of 19th-century Lancashire.

These examples highlight the rich history and diverse contributions of individuals bearing the Swarbrick surname, which has its roots firmly planted in the Lancashire region of England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Swarbrick families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Swarbrick 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. Lancashire leads with 1,078 Swarbricks recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.97x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 1,078 7.97x
Yorkshire 23 0.20x
Lanarkshire 11 0.30x
Middlesex 10 0.09x
Midlothian 9 0.59x
Cheshire 8 0.32x
Derbyshire 8 0.45x
Northamptonshire 7 0.65x
Shropshire 4 0.41x
Durham 2 0.06x
Fife 2 0.30x
Staffordshire 2 0.05x
Buteshire 1 1.45x
Glamorgan 1 0.05x
Kent 1 0.03x
Norfolk 1 0.06x
Northumberland 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Preston in Lancashire leads with 243 Swarbricks recorded in 1881 and an index of 67.12x.

Place Total Index
Preston 243 67.12x
Blackburn 53 14.72x
Thornton In Fylde 44 148.65x
Layton With Warbreck 38 76.52x
Walton Le Dale 37 101.76x
Everton 30 6.96x
Lytham 28 135.53x
Kirkham 25 139.74x
Barrow In Furness 23 12.50x
Salford 23 5.78x
Out Rawcliffe 19 590.06x
West Derby 19 4.80x
Great Eccleston 18 731.71x
Liverpool 18 2.19x
Garstang 17 555.56x
Clitheroe 16 40.17x
Hambleton 16 1052.63x
Leyland 16 67.97x
Stalmine With Staynall 16 816.33x
Euxton 15 334.08x
Nether Wyresdale 15 632.91x
Accrington 14 11.38x
Lea Ashton Ingol 14 155.90x
Chorlton On Medlock 13 6.05x
Great Bolton 12 6.70x
Little Bolton 12 6.90x
Poulton Le Fylde 12 250.00x
Manchester 11 1.81x
Wigan 11 5.82x
Marton 10 111.11x
Aighton Bailey 9 138.04x
Ellel 9 128.94x
Lancaster 9 11.18x
Ratho 9 126.40x
Ardwick 8 6.55x
Barnacre With Bonds 8 223.46x
Bilsborrow 8 1000.00x
Carnforth 8 107.67x
Chorley 8 10.54x
Elswick 8 833.33x
Fulwood 8 54.72x
Hamilton 8 7.78x
Hulme 8 2.83x
Little Harwood 8 326.53x
Greenhalgh With 7 472.97x
Inskip With Sowerby 7 328.64x
Latchford 7 41.87x
Lower Darwen 7 39.41x
Myerscough 7 466.67x
Northampton All Sts 7 19.23x
Billington 6 108.70x
Burnley 6 5.27x
Kirkdale 6 2.64x
Nesfield Cum Langbar 6 869.57x
Upper Rawcliffe With 6 247.93x
Wavertree 6 13.85x
Bispham With Norbreck 5 176.06x
Cheetham 5 4.95x
Keighley 5 4.15x
Oswaldtwistle 5 10.46x
Tottenham 5 2.75x
Worsley 5 5.99x
Barton Upon Irwell 4 3.93x
Litton 4 140.85x
Ludlow St Lawrence 4 20.41x
Nateby 4 261.44x
Tideswell 4 51.61x
Treales Roseacre 4 182.65x
Bentham 3 34.84x
Clayton Le Woods 3 238.10x
Dutton 3 297.03x
Leeds 3 0.47x
Maryhill 3 4.16x
Newton 3 2.88x
Ribby With Wray 3 191.08x
St Pancras London 3 0.33x
Gorton 2 1.57x
Islington London 2 0.18x
Livesey 2 8.42x
Stranton 2 1.75x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 99
Elizabeth 71
Margaret 46
Jane 39
Sarah 37
Alice 36
Ellen 35
Ann 30
Annie 21
Agnes 14
Isabella 11
Hannah 10
Emily 9
Martha 7
Anne 6
Dorothy 5
Emma 5
Maria 5
Florence 4
Margt. 4
Betsy 3
Betty 3
Catherine 3
Eleanor 3
Elizth. 3
Fanny 3
Grace 3
Lucy 3
Margery 3
Nancy 3
Rachel 3
Ruth 3
Ada 2
Agness 2
Eliza 2
Esther 2
Janet 2
Julia 2
Lily 2
Rebecca 2
Rose 2
Susan 2
Bridget 1
Caroline 1
Elena 1
Elinor 1
Eliz. 1
Ida 1
Isabel 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 86
William 74
James 64
Thomas 63
Robert 38
Richard 33
George 32
Joseph 24
Henry 18
Edward 14
Thos. 7
Wm. 7
Charles 6
Peter 5
Robt. 5
Alfred 4
Francis 4
Willm. 4
Jas. 3
Miles 3
Samuel 3
Albert 2
Alexander 2
Arthur 2
Daniel 2
David 2
Frederick 2
Harry 2
Mathew 2
Richd. 2
Timothy 2
Andrew 1
Benj. 1
Edgar 1
Elizabeth 1
Fredrick 1
Ge.W.F. 1
Geo. 1
Gilbert 1
Herbert 1
Hubert 1
Hugh 1
Jonathan 1
Mark 1
Matthew 1
Nicholas 1
Phillip 1
Reuben 1
Saml. 1
Squire 1

FAQ

Swarbrick surname: questions and answers

How common was the Swarbrick surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,173 people were recorded with the Swarbrick surname. That placed it at #3,433 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Swarbrick surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,767 in 2016. That gives Swarbrick a modern rank of #3,556.

What does the Swarbrick surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Old Norse Suartrbrekka, meaning a person from a dark ridge.

What does the Swarbrick map show?

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