NameCensus.

UK surname

Tribble

An English occupational surname derived from a maker or seller of a type of sieve known as a tribble.

In the 1881 census there were 167 people recorded with the Tribble surname, ranking it #14,443 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 219, ranked #18,422, down from #14,443 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Exeter St David (including Castle Yard), Braintree and Kingswear. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Torbay, Teignbridge and East Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tribble is 273 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 31.1%.

1881 census count

167

Ranked #14,443

Modern count

219

2016, ranked #18,422

Peak year

1911

273 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Tribble had 167 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,443 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 219 in 2016, ranked #18,422.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 273 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Tribble surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tribble surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tribble 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 79 #19,712
1861 historical 91 #22,206
1881 historical 167 #14,443
1891 historical 196 #15,163
1901 historical 239 #13,489
1911 historical 273 #12,177
1997 modern 226 #16,306
1998 modern 217 #17,207
1999 modern 214 #17,494
2000 modern 222 #17,032
2001 modern 221 #16,848
2002 modern 231 #16,677
2003 modern 239 #16,093
2004 modern 243 #16,004
2005 modern 227 #16,730
2006 modern 223 #17,036
2007 modern 227 #17,041
2008 modern 233 #16,885
2009 modern 241 #16,848
2010 modern 236 #17,427
2011 modern 227 #17,733
2012 modern 220 #18,034
2013 modern 228 #17,864
2014 modern 224 #18,202
2015 modern 223 #18,165
2016 modern 219 #18,422

Geography

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Where Tribbles are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Exeter St David (including Castle Yard), Braintree, Kingswear, Plymouth St Charles the Martyr and Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Torbay, Teignbridge, East Devon and Gosport. 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 Exeter St David (including Castle Yard) Devon
2 Braintree Essex
3 Kingswear Devon
4 Plymouth St Charles the Martyr Devon
5 Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Torbay 003 Torbay
2 Teignbridge 008 Teignbridge
3 Teignbridge 009 Teignbridge
4 East Devon 020 East Devon
5 Gosport 003 Gosport

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tribble

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Tribble

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Tribble is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Tribble 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

Tribble 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 Tribble is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Tribble, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Tribble

The surname Tribble originated in England, likely in the northern regions of the country, during the Middle Ages. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "trybbel," which means "a small enclosure or dwelling." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived in a modest or humble abode.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Tribble dates back to the 13th century, where it appeared in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire in 1273. This historical record documented the names of landowners and tenants across various counties in England.

In the 14th century, the Tribble name was found in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire, which were tax records compiled by the English government. This indicates that individuals bearing this surname were present in Yorkshire during that time period.

The Tribble surname is also associated with several place names in England, such as Tribble's Green in Hertfordshire and Tribble's Farm in Gloucestershire. These locations may have been named after individuals with the Tribble surname, or vice versa, reflecting the close connection between surnames and geographical areas.

One notable figure in history with the surname Tribble was John Tribble, a British soldier who fought in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. He was born in 1792 and served in the 42nd Regiment of Foot, also known as the Black Watch.

Another individual of historical significance was William Tribble, an English clergyman born in 1688 who served as the Rector of St. Mary's Church in Warwickshire. He was known for his contributions to the local community and his work in the Church of England.

In the 19th century, Charles Tribble (1822-1897) was a prominent architect based in London. He designed several notable buildings, including the Royal College of Surgeons and the former Holborn Town Hall.

The Tribble surname also has connections to the United States, with one of the earliest recorded instances being that of Thomas Tribble, who arrived in Virginia in 1635. He was among the first settlers in the colony and helped establish a community in the region.

Lastly, Robert Tribble (1916-2001) was an American businessman and philanthropist. He co-founded the Tribble & Stephens Company, a successful construction firm based in St. Louis, Missouri. He was known for his charitable contributions to various educational institutions and organizations throughout his life.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Tribble families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tribble 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 96 Tribbles recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.31x.

County Total Index
Devon 96 28.31x
Gloucestershire 11 3.44x
Essex 10 3.11x
Somerset 10 3.81x
Kent 8 1.44x
Middlesex 7 0.43x
Hampshire 5 1.50x
Surrey 5 0.63x
Leicestershire 4 2.21x
Northamptonshire 3 1.96x
Durham 2 0.41x
Cornwall 1 0.54x
Cumberland 1 0.71x
Hertfordshire 1 0.89x
Lancashire 1 0.05x
Suffolk 1 0.50x
Westmorland 1 2.79x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brixham in Devon leads with 16 Tribbles recorded in 1881 and an index of 407.12x.

Place Total Index
Brixham 16 407.12x
Tormoham 11 76.66x
Bedminster 9 36.53x
Kingswear 9 3333.33x
Plymouth Charles The 8 53.55x
Plymouth St Andrew 8 30.63x
Plympton St Mary 8 408.16x
Exeter St Sidwell 7 90.09x
Modbury 6 689.66x
West Ham 6 8.45x
Clifton 5 30.96x
Exeter St Mary Steps 5 649.35x
Romsey Infra 5 442.48x
Braintree 4 138.41x
Deptford St Paul 4 9.33x
Leicester Newarke 4 425.53x
Tonbridge 4 19.95x
Battersea 3 5.01x
Bristol St George 3 20.30x
North Huish 3 1500.00x
Southwick 3 2000.00x
St Pancras London 3 2.29x
Cheltenham 2 8.11x
Cullompton 2 135.14x
Dodbrooke 2 298.51x
St Giles 2 66.23x
Stonehouse East 2 116.28x
Acton 1 10.47x
Ashburton 1 61.73x
Beerferris 1 151.52x
Bigbury 1 400.00x
Bristol St Michael 1 36.50x
Chelsea London 1 2.04x
Chipstable 1 555.56x
Dean Prior 1 555.56x
Eskdale Wasdale 1 333.33x
Fowey 1 117.65x
Hackney London 1 1.09x
Kentmere 1 1000.00x
Kingsbridge 1 117.65x
Kingston On Thames 1 5.24x
Lambeth 1 0.70x
Lowestoft 1 10.67x
Northlew 1 238.10x
Paignton 1 38.76x
Plymstock 1 56.18x
Salford 1 1.76x
St Augustine Watling 1 1250.00x
Watford 1 11.48x
Wolborough 1 23.31x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 14
William 11
George 7
Charles 4
James 4
Richard 4
Robert 4
Thomas 4
Andrew 3
Edward 3
Alfred 2
Joseph 2
Samuel 2
Wm. 2
Wm.Hy. 2
Alan 1
Albert 1
Albt.J. 1
Arthur 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Fredric 1
Henry 1
Herbert 1
Isaac 1
Peter 1
S. 1
Walter 1
Willy 1

FAQ

Tribble surname: questions and answers

How common was the Tribble surname in 1881?

In 1881, 167 people were recorded with the Tribble surname. That placed it at #14,443 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Tribble surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 219 in 2016. That gives Tribble a modern rank of #18,422.

What does the Tribble surname mean?

An English occupational surname derived from a maker or seller of a type of sieve known as a tribble.

What does the Tribble map show?

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