NameCensus.

UK surname

Treble

An occupational surname derived from the word "triple" and referring to someone who sang the highest vocal part.

In the 1881 census there were 393 people recorded with the Treble surname, ranking it #8,068 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 359, ranked #12,898, down from #8,068 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to North Molton, Highbray, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Bedminster. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Liverpool, Copeland and Colchester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Treble is 458 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 8.7%.

1881 census count

393

Ranked #8,068

Modern count

359

2016, ranked #12,898

Peak year

1911

458 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Treble had 393 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,068 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 359 in 2016, ranked #12,898.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 458 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Treble surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Treble surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Treble 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 339 #6,922
1861 historical 217 #11,220
1881 historical 393 #8,068
1891 historical 433 #8,301
1901 historical 414 #9,254
1911 historical 458 #8,376
1997 modern 339 #12,464
1998 modern 357 #12,372
1999 modern 364 #12,267
2000 modern 360 #12,309
2001 modern 352 #12,318
2002 modern 365 #12,246
2003 modern 357 #12,233
2004 modern 377 #11,776
2005 modern 368 #11,926
2006 modern 351 #12,420
2007 modern 347 #12,661
2008 modern 349 #12,723
2009 modern 372 #12,383
2010 modern 387 #12,301
2011 modern 370 #12,576
2012 modern 359 #12,698
2013 modern 367 #12,707
2014 modern 363 #12,908
2015 modern 364 #12,768
2016 modern 359 #12,898

Geography

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Where Trebles are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around North Molton, Highbray, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Bedminster and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Liverpool, Copeland, Colchester and Basingstoke and Deane. 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 North Molton, Highbray Devon
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Bedminster Somerset
4 London parishes London 1
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Liverpool 059 Liverpool
2 Copeland 004 Copeland
3 Colchester 017 Colchester
4 Liverpool 019 Liverpool
5 Basingstoke and Deane 020 Basingstoke and Deane

Forenames

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First names often paired with Treble

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Treble

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

Treble is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Treble falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Treble

The surname Treble is of English origin, originating in the medieval period. It is thought to have derived from the Old French word "treble," meaning "triple" or "threefold." This could suggest that the name was initially given as a descriptive nickname to someone who worked with or produced items in threes.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire in 1203, where a Richard Treble is mentioned. The name also appears in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1273, listing a Walter Trebel.

During the 13th century, the name was primarily concentrated in the counties of Staffordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Norfolk. It's possible that the name may have originated from a place name, such as Treble Hills in Norfolk, but there is no definitive evidence to support this theory.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, including Trebel, Trebbel, and Trubble. This variation in spelling was common during this time due to the lack of standardized spellings.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Treble was John Treble, who was born in Cambridgeshire in the late 13th century. He served as a member of the local militia and is mentioned in records from 1312.

Another notable figure was Sir William Treble, a wealthy landowner from Norfolk who lived in the 15th century. He is mentioned in various property records and legal documents from the reign of Henry VI.

In the 16th century, the name continued to be found primarily in the eastern counties of England. One notable individual was Robert Treble, a merchant from Norwich who was born in 1542 and became a successful trader in the wool and cloth industry.

During the 17th century, the spelling of the name became more standardized as Treble. One individual of note was Thomas Treble, a scholar and clergyman who was born in Staffordshire in 1612. He attended Oxford University and later became a rector in his home county.

In the 18th century, the name remained concentrated in the eastern regions of England. A prominent figure was John Treble, a banker and philanthropist from Norwich who lived from 1720 to 1795. He donated a significant portion of his wealth to various charitable causes in the city.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Treble families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Treble 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. Devon leads with 109 Trebles recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.62x.

County Total Index
Devon 109 13.62x
Middlesex 73 1.90x
Surrey 59 3.15x
Somerset 30 4.85x
Wiltshire 22 6.47x
Lancashire 21 0.46x
Gloucestershire 15 1.99x
Yorkshire 11 0.29x
Hampshire 9 1.14x
Durham 7 0.61x
Monmouthshire 7 2.52x
Hertfordshire 6 2.26x
Oxfordshire 6 2.53x
Sussex 5 0.77x
Cornwall 4 0.92x
Northumberland 4 0.70x
Kent 2 0.15x
Berkshire 1 0.35x
Glamorgan 1 0.15x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.82x
Staffordshire 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. North Molton in Devon leads with 28 Trebles recorded in 1881 and an index of 1794.87x.

Place Total Index
North Molton 28 1794.87x
Lambeth 18 5.37x
Hackney London 14 6.50x
Islington London 14 3.76x
Woodford 13 2241.38x
South Molton 12 272.73x
Camberwell 11 4.48x
Wiveliscombe 11 318.84x
Ashwater 10 884.96x
Wandsworth 9 24.32x
Mile End Old Town 8 13.19x
Twyford 8 425.53x
Mynyddyslwyn 7 63.87x
St Marylebone London 7 3.41x
Brixham 6 64.72x
Chelsea London 6 5.18x
Chipping Norton 6 109.29x
Chorlton On Medlock 6 8.28x
Long Ashton 6 195.44x
Richmond 6 22.87x
Westminster St James 6 15.19x
Weston Super Mare 6 38.41x
Whitby 6 46.77x
Berwick St James 5 2000.00x
Bristol St George 5 14.34x
Kenton 5 198.41x
Kings Nympton 5 602.41x
Sowton 5 925.93x
Swimbridge 5 308.64x
Battersea 4 2.83x
Belford 4 327.87x
Brighton 4 3.06x
Broxbourne 4 76.19x
Easington 4 240.96x
Everton 4 2.75x
Morthoe 4 701.75x
Walkhampton 4 519.48x
Barnstaple 3 23.89x
Bridgerule West 3 967.74x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 3 43.67x
Heston 3 23.51x
Holsworthy 3 132.74x
North Wraxall 3 500.00x
Paddington London 3 2.12x
Roystone 3 201.34x
Southwark St Saviour 3 15.19x
Barnsley 2 5.09x
Bath St Peter St Paul 2 72.99x
Bedminster 2 3.44x
Bermondsey 2 1.75x
Bootle Cum Linacre 2 5.52x
Bristol St James In 2 18.03x
Bristol St Stephen 2 102.04x
Chobham 2 60.42x
Croydon 2 1.92x
Dawlish 2 33.50x
Feock 2 73.53x
Fulham London 2 3.59x
Great Crosby 2 16.09x
Hemel Hempstead 2 16.75x
Kensington London 2 0.94x
Manchester 2 0.98x
Rose Ash 2 298.51x
St Botolph Aldersgate 2 45.35x
St Pancras London 2 0.65x
Stranton 2 5.20x
Bristol St James St Paul 1 3.98x
Cardiff St Mary 1 2.71x
Clifton 1 2.62x
Exeter St David 1 14.64x
Exeter St Sidwell 1 5.46x
Hastings St Mary 1 6.20x
Kirkdale 1 1.30x
Lidford 1 27.86x
Portsea 1 0.65x
St Bride London 1 44.84x
Streatham 1 3.51x
Waldridge 1 52.36x
Walmer 1 17.54x
Woking 1 8.86x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 38
Elizabeth 16
Sarah 10
Emily 9
Emma 8
Eliza 7
Jane 7
Ann 6
Annie 6
Alice 4
Anna 4
Charlotte 4
Edith 4
Maria 4
Caroline 3
Hannah 3
Louisa 3
Martha 3
Sophia 3
Susan 3
Ada 2
Amelia 2
Beatrice 2
Bessie 2
Catherine 2
Ellen 2
Fanny 2
Florence 2
Kate 2
Margaret 2
Matilda 2
May 2
Minnie 2
Thurza 2
Beatrix 1
Bertha 1
Celina 1
Elizth. 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Grace 1
Infant 1
Jemima 1
Jessie 1
Julianna 1
Keziah 1
Laura 1
Lilian 1
Lottie 1
Lucy 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 34
John 22
Henry 18
James 12
George 11
Thomas 8
Edward 7
Charles 6
Alfred 5
Richard 5
Edmund 4
Frederic 4
Albert 3
Arthur 3
Frank 3
Frederick 3
Harry 2
Nicholas 2
Robert 2
Walter 2
Willm. 2
Abraham 1
C.F. 1
Chas 1
Edwin 1
Enoch 1
Francis 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Hy. 1
Matthew 1
Michael 1
Peter 1
Philip 1
Reginald 1
Samuel 1
Shilson 1
Sidney 1
Sydney 1
Timothy 1
W.R.J 1
Wilfred 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Treble surname: questions and answers

How common was the Treble surname in 1881?

In 1881, 393 people were recorded with the Treble surname. That placed it at #8,068 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Treble surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 359 in 2016. That gives Treble a modern rank of #12,898.

What does the Treble surname mean?

An occupational surname derived from the word "triple" and referring to someone who sang the highest vocal part.

What does the Treble map show?

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