UK surname
Derived from a Middle English nickname for a joyful or lively person, from Old French "aignel" meaning "lamb."
In the 1881 census there were 12 people recorded with the Agle surname, ranking it #31,914 among surnames in the records. By 2014, the modern count was 1, ranked #39,020, down from #31,914 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Clarborough, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and Monkwearmouth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Agle is 138 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 91.7%.
1881 census count
12
Ranked #31,914
Modern count
1
2014, ranked #39,020
Peak year
1861
138 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Agle surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Agle 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 | 46 | #24,985 |
| 1861 | historical | 138 | #16,365 |
| 1881 | historical | 12 | #31,914 |
| 1891 | historical | 47 | #30,566 |
| 1901 | historical | 24 | #31,365 |
| 1911 | historical | 11 | #32,463 |
| 2013 | modern | 1 | #39,008 |
| 2014 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Clarborough, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Monkwearmouth, Ryton and Watford. 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 | Clarborough | Nottinghamshire |
| 2 | Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard | Nottinghamshire |
| 3 | Monkwearmouth | Durham |
| 4 | Ryton | Durham |
| 5 | Watford | Hertfordshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Agle 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 Agle, 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 Agle surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Agle 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, Agle 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 Agle is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Agle, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname AGLE is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, likely derived from the Old English word "aegel," meaning "dweller by the oak trees." It may also have roots in the Middle English word "agle," meaning "icicle" or "ague," a fever or illness.
The earliest known record of the AGLE name can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Aegel" in various counties across England. This suggests that the name was already well-established in the country at the time of the Norman Conquest.
In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Agle," "Agel," and "Agill," reflecting the regional variations in spelling and pronunciation. These variations were common during that era due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions.
One notable bearer of the AGLE surname was John Agle, a Benedictine monk who lived in the late 14th century and authored several religious texts. Another early record is that of William Agle, a landowner in Warwickshire, who was mentioned in court rolls from the 15th century.
During the 16th century, the name AGLE was associated with several prominent families in various parts of England. One such family was the Agles of Staffordshire, who held land and estates in the region. Sir Thomas Agle (1515-1584) was a member of this family and served as a Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
In the 17th century, the AGLE surname was found in various parishes across the country, particularly in the counties of Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Lincolnshire. One notable figure from this period was Richard Agle (1612-1677), a Puritan clergyman and theologian who authored several religious works.
Another significant individual bearing the AGLE surname was Sir Henry Agle (1685-1754), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Gloucestershire. He was involved in various philanthropic endeavors and played a role in the development of the city of Bristol during the 18th century.
As the centuries passed, the AGLE surname continued to be found throughout England, with many bearers contributing to various fields, including agriculture, trade, and local governance. Some notable individuals included John Agle (1790-1865), a prominent farmer and agricultural reformer in Lincolnshire, and William Agle (1810-1889), a successful businessman and mayor of the town of Loughborough in Leicestershire.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Agle 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. Middlesex leads with 5 Agles recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.28x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bishopwearmouth in Durham leads with 3 Agles recorded in 1881 and an index of 100.67x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bishopwearmouth | 3 | 100.67x |
| St George Hanover Square | 3 | 145.63x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 13.40x |
| Castleton | 1 | 72.46x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 54.95x |
| Haverhill | 1 | 769.23x |
| Radley | 1 | 5000.00x |
| St Paul Covent Garden | 1 | 833.33x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Agle 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 Agle 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 Agle households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Dressmaker | 3 |
| Accountant | 1 |
| Bookbinder | 1 |
| Dom Serv | 1 |
| Iron Cutter | 1 |
| Stoker | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 12 people were recorded with the Agle surname. That placed it at #31,914 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2014. That gives Agle a modern rank of #39,020.
Derived from a Middle English nickname for a joyful or lively person, from Old French "aignel" meaning "lamb."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Agle 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.