UK surname
A surname derived from the Old English word "timbrian," meaning a builder or worker with timber.
In the 1881 census there were 42 people recorded with the Timber surname, ranking it #27,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 29, ranked #36,059, down from #27,721 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Upton with Chalvey, Poole St James and Dartford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Timber is 140 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 31.0%.
1881 census count
42
Ranked #27,721
Modern count
29
2016, ranked #36,059
Peak year
1861
140 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Timber surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Timber surname density by area, 1861 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 | 35 | #27,037 |
| 1861 | historical | 140 | #16,169 |
| 1881 | historical | 42 | #27,721 |
| 1891 | historical | 95 | #24,694 |
| 1901 | historical | 52 | #28,377 |
| 1911 | historical | 51 | #27,708 |
| 1997 | modern | 6 | #37,704 |
| 1998 | modern | 6 | #37,703 |
| 1999 | modern | 6 | #37,696 |
| 2000 | modern | 7 | #37,430 |
| 2001 | modern | 7 | #37,293 |
| 2002 | modern | 7 | #37,379 |
| 2003 | modern | 7 | #37,397 |
| 2004 | modern | 7 | #37,496 |
| 2005 | modern | 5 | #37,885 |
| 2006 | modern | 4 | #38,130 |
| 2007 | modern | 4 | #38,169 |
| 2008 | modern | 5 | #38,027 |
| 2009 | modern | 7 | #37,816 |
| 2010 | modern | 8 | #37,769 |
| 2011 | modern | 9 | #37,598 |
| 2012 | modern | 20 | #36,570 |
| 2013 | modern | 18 | #36,787 |
| 2014 | modern | 23 | #36,417 |
| 2015 | modern | 25 | #36,297 |
| 2016 | modern | 29 | #36,059 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Upton with Chalvey, Poole St James, Dartford, Manchester and St Marylebone. 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 | Upton with Chalvey | Buckinghamshire |
| 2 | Poole St James | Dorset |
| 3 | Dartford | Kent |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Timber 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 Timber, 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 Timber surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Timber 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, Timber 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 Timber is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Timber, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname TIMBER is of English origin, and its roots can be traced back to the 14th century. It is derived from the Old English word "timbrian," which means "to build with wood." This suggests that the name was initially associated with occupations related to timber or woodwork, such as carpenters, woodcutters, or lumberjacks.
The earliest recorded instance of the surname TIMBER can be found in the Hearth Tax Rolls of Yorkshire in 1379, where a certain John Tymbre is mentioned. This spelling variation highlights the evolving nature of surnames during that era. Additionally, the Subsidy Rolls of Derbyshire from 1381 list a person named Thomas Tymber.
In the 16th century, the surname TIMBER appeared in various records, including the Parish Registers of Lancashire, where a Thomas Tymber was documented in 1591. The Pipe Rolls of Wiltshire from 1601 also mention a John Tymber, indicating the presence of the name across different regions of England.
Interestingly, the surname TIMBER has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such person was Sir John Timber (1590-1657), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Gatton during the reign of Charles I. Another prominent figure was William Timber (1635-1718), a respected Anglican clergyman and author who wrote extensively on theological subjects.
In the 18th century, the TIMBER surname gained further prominence with the birth of Charles Timber (1730-1804), a renowned British architect who designed several notable buildings, including the St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Another individual of note was James Timber (1765-1842), a successful merchant and philanthropist who contributed significantly to the development of his local community.
Towards the latter part of the 19th century, the TIMBER name continued to be associated with accomplished individuals, such as Elizabeth Timber (1845-1921), a pioneering educator who advocated for women's education and established several prestigious schools in England.
While the surname TIMBER may have originated from occupations related to timber or woodwork, its history is rich and interwoven with the stories of many accomplished individuals who have left their mark across various fields, from politics and religion to architecture and education.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Timber 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. Surrey leads with 16 Timbers recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.02x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Upton Cum Chalvey in Buckinghamshire leads with 12 Timbers recorded in 1881 and an index of 1212.12x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Upton Cum Chalvey | 12 | 1212.12x |
| Reigate Foreign | 7 | 324.07x |
| North Walsham | 5 | 1111.11x |
| Penge | 5 | 190.84x |
| Kingston On Thames | 3 | 62.63x |
| Gillingham | 2 | 69.44x |
| Hampstead London | 2 | 31.35x |
| Great Yarmouth | 1 | 19.16x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 4.39x |
| Shincliffe | 1 | 714.29x |
| St George Hanover | 1 | 18.69x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 3.03x |
| Streatham | 1 | 32.89x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Timber 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 Timber 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 Timber households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 7 |
| Bricklayer | 3 |
| Laundress | 2 |
| Servt Dom | 2 |
| Boot Maker | 1 |
| Bricklayer Labr | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Dairyman | 1 |
| Dairyman Wife | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Housemaid (Domestic) | 1 |
| Journeyman Butcher | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Master Butcher | 1 |
| Master Butcher Daur | 1 |
| Master Butcher Son | 1 |
| Master Butcher Wife | 1 |
| Railway Clerk | 1 |
| Railway Engine Fireman | 1 |
| Wife Of Agent For French Wines | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 42 people were recorded with the Timber surname. That placed it at #27,721 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 29 in 2016. That gives Timber a modern rank of #36,059.
A surname derived from the Old English word "timbrian," meaning a builder or worker with timber.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Timber 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.