NameCensus.

UK surname

Arkell

A locational surname referring to one who lived near an arched hill or valley.

In the 1881 census there were 635 people recorded with the Arkell surname, ranking it #5,588 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 839, ranked #6,653, down from #5,588 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Forest of Dean, Campbeltown and Swindon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Arkell is 945 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 32.1%.

1881 census count

635

Ranked #5,588

Modern count

839

2016, ranked #6,653

Peak year

1998

945 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Arkell had 635 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,588 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 839 in 2016, ranked #6,653.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 895 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Arkell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Arkell surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Arkell 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 438 #5,615
1861 historical 345 #7,398
1881 historical 635 #5,588
1891 historical 686 #5,710
1901 historical 801 #5,641
1911 historical 895 #4,973
1997 modern 924 #5,846
1998 modern 945 #5,932
1999 modern 928 #6,059
2000 modern 884 #6,252
2001 modern 876 #6,187
2002 modern 899 #6,203
2003 modern 892 #6,134
2004 modern 853 #6,335
2005 modern 822 #6,459
2006 modern 812 #6,534
2007 modern 841 #6,428
2008 modern 851 #6,417
2009 modern 870 #6,450
2010 modern 876 #6,536
2011 modern 864 #6,534
2012 modern 880 #6,349
2013 modern 881 #6,454
2014 modern 880 #6,484
2015 modern 859 #6,543
2016 modern 839 #6,653

Geography

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Where Arkells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, London parishes, St Pancras, Boddington, Staverton and Stratton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Forest of Dean, Campbeltown, Swindon, Cotswold and Cheltenham. 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 Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet, Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Boddington, Staverton Gloucestershire
5 Stratton Wiltshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Forest of Dean 003 Forest of Dean
2 Campbeltown Argyll and Bute
3 Swindon 008 Swindon
4 Cotswold 002 Cotswold
5 Cheltenham 013 Cheltenham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Arkell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Arkell

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Arkell is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Arkell is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Arkell 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 Arkell 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 Arkell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Arkell

The surname Arkell is believed to have originated in England, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "arc," meaning ark or chest, and the suffix "-el," which denotes a diminutive form. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to a maker or seller of small chests or boxes.

The earliest known record of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is spelled "Archel." This entry refers to a landowner in Wiltshire, suggesting that the name was already established in that region by the late 11th century.

During the 12th and 13th centuries, the surname emerged in various spellings, such as Arkill, Arkyll, and Arcull, reflecting regional variations in pronunciation and spelling conventions of the time. The name was particularly prevalent in the counties of Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and Somerset, where it was associated with several notable families.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Sir John Arkell, a prominent landowner and knight from Wiltshire, who lived in the 14th century. He was involved in the Hundred Years' War and served under Edward III.

Another notable figure was Thomas Arkell, a wealthy merchant and benefactor from Bristol, who lived in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. He was instrumental in funding the construction of several churches and charitable institutions in the city.

In the 17th century, the Arkell family established themselves as prominent landowners and members of the gentry in Wiltshire. One notable member was Reginald Arkell (1619-1692), a Member of Parliament and High Sheriff of Wiltshire.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the name became closely associated with the brewing industry, particularly in the town of Swindon, Wiltshire. The Arkell family established the Arkell's Brewery, which became one of the most successful and long-standing breweries in the region. Notable members of this brewing dynasty include Thomas Arkell (1755-1828), the founder of the brewery, and John Stratton Arkell (1815-1888), who significantly expanded the business.

Other notable individuals with the surname Arkell include William Arkell (1830-1909), a prominent Australian politician and landowner, and Thomas Arkell (1833-1905), an English cricketer who played for Gloucestershire.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Arkell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Arkell 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. Gloucestershire leads with 238 Arkells recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.59x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 238 19.59x
Middlesex 128 2.07x
Oxfordshire 32 8.37x
Wiltshire 27 4.93x
Glamorgan 21 1.95x
Surrey 21 0.70x
Cheshire 19 1.39x
Warwickshire 19 1.22x
Hampshire 17 1.34x
Worcestershire 14 1.73x
Buckinghamshire 13 3.47x
Dorset 13 3.20x
Hertfordshire 8 1.87x
Staffordshire 7 0.33x
Essex 6 0.49x
Herefordshire 6 2.36x
Northamptonshire 6 1.03x
Sussex 6 0.57x
Kent 5 0.24x
Monmouthshire 5 1.12x
Lancashire 4 0.05x
Yorkshire 4 0.07x
Berkshire 3 0.65x
Durham 3 0.16x
Northumberland 3 0.33x
Lincolnshire 2 0.20x
Somerset 2 0.20x
Devon 1 0.08x
Flintshire 1 0.60x
Midlothian 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cheltenham in Gloucestershire leads with 43 Arkells recorded in 1881 and an index of 45.88x.

Place Total Index
Cheltenham 43 45.88x
St Pancras London 29 5.82x
Islington London 22 3.66x
Stratton St Margaret 22 261.90x
Tranmere 18 35.82x
Oxford St Ebbe 16 142.10x
Churchdown 14 578.51x
Chesham 13 94.20x
Hammersmith London 12 7.86x
Leckhampton 12 160.43x
Limehouse London 12 17.65x
Iron Acton 11 448.98x
Battersea 10 4.39x
Hackney London 10 2.88x
Bibury 9 612.24x
Lechlade 9 361.45x
Cirencester 8 48.63x
Lambeth 8 1.48x
Ampney Crucis 7 608.70x
Dursley 7 140.00x
Kempsford 7 397.73x
Longborough 7 522.39x
Miserdine 7 760.87x
Newnham 7 921.05x
Portsea 7 2.81x
Winterborne Stickland 7 686.27x
Aston 6 1.39x
Birmingham 6 1.15x
Boddington 6 689.66x
Brize Norton 6 368.10x
Dowdeswell 6 566.04x
Fairford 6 185.19x
Neithrop 6 46.66x
Northampton Priory St 6 17.16x
Roath 6 12.25x
South Hamlet 6 79.79x
Swansea Town 6 6.79x
Bishops Cleeve 5 162.34x
Brampton Abbotts 5 1111.11x
Cutsdean 5 1388.89x
Donnington 5 1562.50x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 5 22.49x
Hatherop 5 675.68x
Lodsworth 5 344.83x
Maisemore 5 480.77x
Merthyr Tydfil 5 4.82x
Oldbury On Hill 5 609.76x
Rockfield 5 1020.41x
Stafford St Mary 5 16.89x
Ashleworth 4 373.83x
Great Bedwin 4 102.83x
Hornsey 4 5.11x
Leamington Priors 4 10.41x
St Mary Le Strand London 4 176.99x
Stoke Talmage 4 1818.18x
Stroud 4 16.92x
West Ham 4 1.48x
Yanworth 4 1379.31x
Alton 3 31.35x
Badgeworth 3 140.85x
Bishopwearmouth 3 1.90x
Cardiff St Mary 3 5.05x
Cheshunt 3 20.11x
Chorlton On Medlock 3 2.57x
Clerkenwell London 3 2.05x
Daglingworth 3 422.54x
Gloucester Holy Trinity 3 285.71x
Great Malvern 3 17.77x
Hendon 3 13.46x
Kensington London 3 0.87x
Lewisham 3 2.66x
Sherborne 3 247.93x
St George Bloomsbury 3 8.44x
St Marylebone London 3 0.91x
Tottenham 3 3.04x
Tynemouth 3 6.08x
Warwick St Mary 3 22.12x
Watford 3 9.06x
Westminster St Margaret 3 10.04x
Wickwar 3 153.85x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 25
Elizabeth 20
Sarah 19
Eliza 15
Ann 13
Jane 13
Ellen 10
Emily 10
Margaret 10
Emma 9
Annie 8
Sophia 7
Alice 6
Charlotte 6
Louisa 6
Maria 6
Ada 4
Anne 4
Caroline 4
Florence 4
Hannah 4
Harriet 4
Rose 4
Esther 3
Fanny 3
Harriett 3
A. 2
Agnes 2
Amy 2
Catherine 2
Clara 2
Edith 2
Eleanor 2
Eva 2
Evelyn 2
Frances 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Martha 2
Matilda 2
Mildred 2
Susan 2
Bertha 1
Blanch 1
Elizebeth 1
Elizth. 1
Ethel 1
Harriette 1
Helen 1
Winnifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 42
John 32
Thomas 29
Henry 27
Charles 23
James 18
Edward 12
Frederick 12
Alfred 9
Arthur 9
Joseph 9
Albert 7
Daniel 6
George 6
Richard 6
Robert 6
Alexander 5
Samuel 4
Edwin 3
Frank 3
Fred 3
Harry 3
Lionel 3
Oliver 3
Walter 3
Augustus 2
Edmund 2
Ernest 2
Fred. 2
Geo.Wm. 2
Arnie 1
Benjeman 1
Bertram 1
Chales 1
Chas. 1
Christopher 1
E. 1
Earnest 1
Edgar 1
Elijah 1
Francis 1
Gotterell 1
Hubert 1
Hy. 1
J. 1
Jas. 1
Jno. 1
Job 1
Nathaniel 1
Wm.R.J. 1

FAQ

Arkell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Arkell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 635 people were recorded with the Arkell surname. That placed it at #5,588 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Arkell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 839 in 2016. That gives Arkell a modern rank of #6,653.

What does the Arkell surname mean?

A locational surname referring to one who lived near an arched hill or valley.

What does the Arkell map show?

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