NameCensus.

UK surname

Avenell

A locational surname derived from a place name in Hampshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 254 people recorded with the Avenell surname, ranking it #10,949 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 342, ranked #13,398, down from #10,949 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Swindon, Lyddington, London parishes and Wanborough, Little Hinton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lewes, Kingston upon Hull and East Hampshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Avenell is 392 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 34.6%.

1881 census count

254

Ranked #10,949

Modern count

342

2016, ranked #13,398

Peak year

1911

392 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Avenell had 254 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,949 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 342 in 2016, ranked #13,398.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 392 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Avenell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Avenell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Avenell 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 203 #10,291
1861 historical 158 #14,644
1881 historical 254 #10,949
1891 historical 295 #11,255
1901 historical 339 #10,682
1911 historical 392 #9,421
1997 modern 367 #11,751
1998 modern 378 #11,871
1999 modern 376 #11,979
2000 modern 379 #11,855
2001 modern 373 #11,830
2002 modern 361 #12,337
2003 modern 360 #12,152
2004 modern 351 #12,422
2005 modern 360 #12,112
2006 modern 357 #12,253
2007 modern 366 #12,176
2008 modern 366 #12,285
2009 modern 365 #12,558
2010 modern 382 #12,410
2011 modern 373 #12,496
2012 modern 366 #12,520
2013 modern 375 #12,497
2014 modern 370 #12,712
2015 modern 348 #13,221
2016 modern 342 #13,398

Geography

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Where Avenells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Swindon, Lyddington, London parishes, Wanborough, Little Hinton, Farnham and Dunsfold, Bramley, Shalford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Lewes, Kingston upon Hull, East Hampshire, Horsham and Wiltshire. 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 Swindon, Lyddington Wiltshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Wanborough, Little Hinton Wiltshire
4 Farnham Surrey
5 Dunsfold, Bramley, Shalford Surrey

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Lewes 009 Lewes
2 Kingston upon Hull 010 Kingston upon Hull, City of
3 East Hampshire 001 East Hampshire
4 Horsham 008 Horsham
5 Wiltshire 001 Wiltshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Avenell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Avenell

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Avenell is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Avenell is most concentrated in decile 4 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Avenell

The surname Avenell originated in England during the medieval period, specifically in the counties of Dorset and Hampshire. It is derived from the Old English words "afon," meaning river, and "ell," meaning a meadow or clearing, indicating that the name likely referred to a riverside meadow or clearing.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Avenell can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Avenet." This entry suggests that the name was already established in England by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.

In the 12th century, the name appeared in various records as "Avenell," "Avenaill," and "Aveneyl," reflecting the variations in spelling that were common during that period. One notable figure from this time was Sir John Avenell, a knight who fought in the Third Crusade (1189-1192) under King Richard I.

During the 13th century, the name Avenell was associated with several notable individuals. One was Roger Avenell (c. 1220-1287), a wealthy landowner in Dorset who served as Sheriff of Somerset and Dorset. Another was William Avenell (c. 1250-1315), a clergyman who became the Bishop of Carlisle in 1292.

In the 14th century, the name was linked to the village of Avenhall (now known as Avenalls) in Worcestershire. This place name likely derived from the Avenell family, who may have owned land or held influence in the area.

One famous bearer of the name from this period was Sir John Avenell (c. 1330-1395), a distinguished soldier who fought in the Hundred Years' War and was knighted by King Edward III for his valor at the Battle of Crécy in 1346.

In the 15th century, the Avenell family continued to be associated with Dorset and Hampshire. One notable figure was Sir Edmund Avenell (c. 1420-1489), a member of the gentry who served as a Member of Parliament for Dorset in 1472.

As the centuries passed, the name Avenell evolved into various spellings, including Avenall, Avnell, and Avnill, reflecting the ongoing changes in English orthography. Despite these variations, the name's historical roots in the English counties of Dorset and Hampshire remained evident.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Avenell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Avenell 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. Surrey leads with 65 Avenells recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.38x.

County Total Index
Surrey 65 5.38x
Wiltshire 63 28.75x
Middlesex 40 1.61x
Hampshire 22 4.33x
Kent 19 2.25x
Gloucestershire 12 2.47x
Berkshire 8 4.30x
Buckinghamshire 7 4.67x
Sussex 6 1.44x
Hertfordshire 5 2.93x
Yorkshire 5 0.20x
Pembrokeshire 2 2.54x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Swindon in Wiltshire leads with 33 Avenells recorded in 1881 and an index of 194.12x.

Place Total Index
Swindon 33 194.12x
Hackney London 19 13.68x
Wanborough 18 2400.00x
Maidstone 10 39.71x
Aldershot 9 52.91x
Pirbright 9 1475.41x
Erith 8 96.04x
Farnham 8 85.20x
Albury 7 636.36x
Hedsor 7 5384.62x
Portsea 7 7.03x
Shalford 7 522.39x
Ashbury 6 1034.48x
Bethnal Green London 6 5.57x
Ozleworth 6 7500.00x
Stoke 6 105.26x
Abinger 5 500.00x
Draycot Foliatt 5 12500.00x
Puttenham 5 1351.35x
St Albans St Stephen 5 335.57x
Basing 4 421.05x
Battersea 4 4.39x
Nesfield Cum Langbar 4 2666.67x
Ampney Crucis 3 652.17x
Brighton 3 3.56x
Godalming 3 39.47x
Islington London 3 1.25x
Kirdford 3 206.90x
Wonersh 3 198.68x
Chippenham 2 43.48x
Ewhurst 2 263.16x
Northleach 2 277.78x
Portsmouth 2 17.11x
Shoreditch London 2 1.86x
Southwark Christchurch 2 17.23x
St George Hanover Square 2 4.58x
Steynton 2 78.43x
Bermondsey 1 1.36x
Bexley 1 13.39x
Bristol Temple 1 31.25x
Chelsea London 1 1.34x
Clerkenwell London 1 1.71x
Ealing 1 4.52x
Ecclesall Bierlow 1 2.00x
Hampstead London 1 2.59x
Highworth 1 35.71x
Hungerford 1 39.68x
Kingston On Thames 1 3.45x
Little Hinton 1 476.19x
Marlborough St Mary Virgin 1 64.94x
Ramsbury 1 50.51x
Ratcliffe London 1 7.31x
Rotherhithe 1 3.27x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 2.01x
St Botolph Aldersgate 1 35.21x
St Martin In Fields 1 6.74x
St Marylebone London 1 0.76x
Stanford In Vale 1 135.14x
Wroughton 1 52.63x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 23
John 15
Thomas 10
Charles 8
George 8
Henry 8
Albert 5
James 5
Alfred 4
Stephen 3
Arthur 2
Edward 2
Edwin 2
Frank 2
Frederic 2
Richard 2
Walter 2
Alexandra 1
Andrew 1
Chas. 1
E.F. 1
Elijah 1
Eric 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Fredrick 1
Heillyer 1
Horace 1
Joseph 1
Mark 1
Percy 1
Rex 1
Robert 1
Sydney 1
Wallosom 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Avenell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Avenell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 254 people were recorded with the Avenell surname. That placed it at #10,949 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Avenell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 342 in 2016. That gives Avenell a modern rank of #13,398.

What does the Avenell surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name in Hampshire, England.

What does the Avenell map show?

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