NameCensus.

UK surname

Axell

A Scandinavian surname derived from the given name Axel, meaning "father of peace".

In the 1881 census there were 55 people recorded with the Axell surname, ranking it #25,862 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 91, ranked #32,109, down from #25,862 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Heathfield, Waldron and Leigh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wealden.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Axell is 106 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 65.5%.

1881 census count

55

Ranked #25,862

Modern count

91

2016, ranked #32,109

Peak year

1901

106 bearers

Map years

2

1901 to 1911

Key insights

  • Axell had 55 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #25,862 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 91 in 2016, ranked #32,109.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 106 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Axell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Axell surname density by area, 1911 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Axell 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 29 #28,082
1861 historical 34 #29,685
1881 historical 55 #25,862
1891 historical 68 #28,300
1901 historical 106 #22,076
1911 historical 105 #22,064
1997 modern 93 #27,932
1998 modern 88 #29,131
1999 modern 88 #29,287
2000 modern 94 #28,573
2001 modern 90 #28,793
2002 modern 98 #28,243
2003 modern 95 #28,536
2004 modern 100 #27,964
2005 modern 104 #27,369
2006 modern 98 #28,621
2007 modern 99 #28,852
2008 modern 99 #29,181
2009 modern 102 #29,286
2010 modern 100 #30,225
2011 modern 101 #29,938
2012 modern 98 #30,612
2013 modern 96 #31,381
2014 modern 92 #32,132
2015 modern 88 #32,421
2016 modern 91 #32,109

Geography

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Where Axells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Heathfield, Waldron, Leigh, Coulsdon and Headcorn. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wealden. 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 Heathfield Sussex
2 Waldron Sussex
3 Leigh Essex
4 Coulsdon Surrey
5 Headcorn Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wealden 010 Wealden
2 Wealden 015 Wealden
3 Wealden 011 Wealden
4 Wealden 016 Wealden
5 Wealden 014 Wealden

Forenames

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First names often paired with Axell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Axell

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Axell is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Axell is most concentrated in decile 3 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Axell

The surname Axell is of English origin, derived from a place name. It is believed to have originated in the county of Northumberland in the 12th century. The name is likely derived from the Old English words "æx" meaning "ash tree" and "hyll" meaning "hill," suggesting that the original bearers of the name lived near an ash-covered hill.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Axell can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Northumberland from 1195, where it appears as "Axhyll." This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time. Another early record is in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it is spelled "Axhill."

The name Axell has been linked to several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest recorded was Sir Robert Axell, a knight who fought in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 during the Hundred Years' War. Another prominent figure was William Axell (1590-1657), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament during the reign of Charles I.

In the 18th century, John Axell (1723-1784) was a renowned English cartographer and surveyor who produced several influential maps of the British Isles. His work greatly contributed to the advancement of cartography during his time.

The name Axell can also be found in literary circles. Samuel Axell (1785-1848) was an English poet and playwright whose works were widely published in the early 19th century. Additionally, Elizabeth Axell (1812-1887) was a notable English novelist and author of several popular novels during the Victorian era.

While the name Axell is not as common today as it once was, it has left a significant mark on English history and culture. Its origins can be traced back to the northern counties of England, where the name likely originated from a geographic feature and was later adopted as a surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Axell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Axell 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. Sussex leads with 20 Axells recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.12x.

County Total Index
Sussex 20 22.12x
Essex 18 17.00x
Kent 13 7.10x
Surrey 4 1.53x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Rye in Sussex leads with 17 Axells recorded in 1881 and an index of 1976.74x.

Place Total Index
Rye 17 1976.74x
Leigh 11 2972.97x
Prittlewell 7 476.19x
Sittingbourne 6 413.79x
Gravesend 5 322.58x
Lambeth 3 6.41x
Headcorn 2 740.74x
Waldron 2 800.00x
Croydon 1 6.89x
Hastings St Leonards 1 75.19x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 5
Caroline 2
Eliza 2
Emma 2
Grace 2
Louisa 2
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Amealer 1
Amelia 1
Amy 1
Ann 1
Charlotte 1
Elizabeth 1
Fanny 1
Honour 1
Marain 1
Margreter 1
Marther 1
Rachel 1
Rosetta 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 4
Charles 3
John 3
Thomas 2
Walter 2
Aaron 1
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Amos 1
Arthur 1
Henry 1
Herman 1
Norman 1
Sidney 1
Wakins 1

Top occupations

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 Axell households.

FAQ

Axell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Axell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 55 people were recorded with the Axell surname. That placed it at #25,862 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Axell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 91 in 2016. That gives Axell a modern rank of #32,109.

What does the Axell surname mean?

A Scandinavian surname derived from the given name Axel, meaning "father of peace".

What does the Axell map show?

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