BEACH

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

Beach

The surname Beach is of English origin and is derived from various place names in England, predominantly found in the counties of Essex, Warwickshire, and Norfolk. The name likely refers to a person who lived near a beach or by a beech tree.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname dates back to the 12th century, when one Robert de la Beche was documented in the Pipe Rolls of Essex in 1163. Over time, the surname has evolved in spelling, including variations such as Beech, Beche, and Beach.

The Beach family has been associated with various notable individuals throughout history, including artists, academics, and politicians. One particularly famous figure with the surname Beach was Sylvia Beach (1887-1962), an American-born bookseller and publisher who founded the iconic Shakespeare and Company bookshop in Paris, known for its association with famous authors such as James Joyce and Ernest Hemingway.

Today, the surname Beach remains relatively common in England and has spread to other English-speaking countries as well. It continues to represent a diverse group of individuals united by a shared ancestral connection to the lands near a beach or beech tree.

There are approximately 4,210 people named Beach in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,220th most common surname in Britain. Around 65 in a million people in Britain are named Beach.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

Andrew
Christopher
David
Ian
James
John
Michael
Paul
Richard
Robert
Stephen

Female

Carolyn
Elizabeth
Emma
Joan
Julie
Karen
Margaret
Mary
Nicola
Patricia
Sarah
Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.