UK surname
A topographic surname derived from the Old French term "baigneul" meaning little valley or glen.
In the 1881 census there were 107 people recorded with the Bagnal surname, ranking it #18,982 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 12, ranked #37,385, down from #18,982 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Wingrave with Rowsham, Drayton Beauchamp, Buckland and Newcastle All Saints. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bagnal is 110 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 88.8%.
1881 census count
107
Ranked #18,982
Modern count
12
2016, ranked #37,385
Peak year
1851
110 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1881
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bagnal surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bagnal surname density by area, 1881 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 | 110 | #16,093 |
| 1861 | historical | 103 | #20,650 |
| 1881 | historical | 107 | #18,982 |
| 1891 | historical | 59 | #29,325 |
| 1901 | historical | 77 | #25,627 |
| 1911 | historical | 33 | #29,703 |
| 1997 | modern | 5 | #37,891 |
| 1998 | modern | 7 | #37,533 |
| 1999 | modern | 5 | #37,872 |
| 2000 | modern | 7 | #37,430 |
| 2001 | modern | 7 | #37,293 |
| 2002 | modern | 8 | #37,206 |
| 2003 | modern | 8 | #37,248 |
| 2004 | modern | 10 | #37,096 |
| 2005 | modern | 8 | #37,422 |
| 2006 | modern | 11 | #37,118 |
| 2007 | modern | 10 | #37,335 |
| 2008 | modern | 9 | #37,473 |
| 2009 | modern | 9 | #37,573 |
| 2010 | modern | 10 | #37,517 |
| 2011 | modern | 11 | #37,397 |
| 2012 | modern | 12 | #37,292 |
| 2013 | modern | 10 | #37,539 |
| 2014 | modern | 10 | #37,567 |
| 2015 | modern | 12 | #37,371 |
| 2016 | modern | 12 | #37,385 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Wingrave with Rowsham, Drayton Beauchamp, Buckland, Newcastle All Saints, Tring and West Derby. 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 | Wolverhampton | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Wingrave with Rowsham, Drayton Beauchamp, Buckland | Buckinghamshire |
| 3 | Newcastle All Saints | Northumberland |
| 4 | Tring | Hertfordshire |
| 5 | West Derby | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bagnal 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 Bagnal, 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 Bagnal surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bagnal 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, Bagnal 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 Bagnal is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bagnal, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Bagnal has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the village of Bagnall in Staffordshire. The name Bagnall itself comes from the Old English words "bæcc" meaning "ridge" and "halh" meaning "nook" or "haugh," indicating a settlement situated on a ridge or hill.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Badenhale" and "Bagenald." This suggests that the name had already established itself in various spellings by the time of the Norman Conquest.
In the 13th century, records show the name spelled as "Bagenhulle" and "Bagenhalgh," further reflecting its locational origins. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 mention a "Roger de Bagenhulle," indicating the surname's use as a hereditary name during that time.
The Bagnal family held lands in Staffordshire for several centuries, with notable members including Sir Ralph Bagnal, who served as Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer in the 16th century. Another prominent figure was Sir Henry Bagnal, an English soldier and statesman who served as Marshal of the Army in Ireland during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603).
In the 17th century, the name appears in various spellings, such as "Bagnall" and "Bagnoll." One notable bearer of the name was John Bagnall (1590-1645), an English churchman who served as the Archdeacon of Derry in Ireland.
During the 18th century, the Bagnal family continued to hold significant influence in Staffordshire. William Bagnal (1709-1798) was a prominent landowner and Member of Parliament for the county.
The 19th century saw the name Bagnal spread across England and beyond, with individuals bearing the surname making contributions in various fields. One such individual was Sir Samuel Bagnal (1838-1918), an English industrialist and philanthropist who played a significant role in the development of the city of Birmingham.
Throughout its history, the surname Bagnal has been associated with several place names, such as Bagnall Heath and Bagnall Manor in Staffordshire, further reinforcing its locational origins.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bagnal 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. Staffordshire leads with 34 Bagnals recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.83x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Staffordshire | 34 | 9.83x |
| Lancashire | 19 | 1.56x |
| Buckinghamshire | 9 | 14.53x |
| Hertfordshire | 9 | 12.75x |
| Shropshire | 7 | 7.91x |
| Warwickshire | 7 | 2.71x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 0.49x |
| Worcestershire | 4 | 2.99x |
| Cumberland | 3 | 3.40x |
| Durham | 3 | 0.98x |
| Northumberland | 3 | 1.97x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.44x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.49x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tring in Hertfordshire leads with 9 Bagnals recorded in 1881 and an index of 478.72x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Tring | 9 | 478.72x |
| West Derby | 9 | 25.31x |
| Wingrave | 9 | 2812.50x |
| West Bromwich | 8 | 40.42x |
| Birmingham | 7 | 8.13x |
| Hulme | 7 | 27.59x |
| Barlaston | 6 | 2068.97x |
| Hinstock | 6 | 2000.00x |
| Kingswinford | 5 | 39.84x |
| Wolstanton | 5 | 47.62x |
| Cheddleton | 4 | 555.56x |
| Kidderminster Borough | 4 | 51.09x |
| St Cuthbert W O | 3 | 69.77x |
| Brightside Bierlow | 2 | 10.05x |
| Newcastle On Tyne All Sts | 2 | 21.98x |
| Rowley Regis | 2 | 20.77x |
| Sheffield | 2 | 6.19x |
| Bradford | 1 | 4.07x |
| Broseley | 1 | 63.69x |
| Burton Extra | 1 | 50.51x |
| Cheetham | 1 | 11.03x |
| Corsenside | 1 | 416.67x |
| Dunham Massey | 1 | 144.93x |
| Gateshead | 1 | 4.38x |
| Manchester | 1 | 1.83x |
| Newton | 1 | 10.67x |
| Stockton On Tees | 1 | 6.81x |
| Stoke Upon Trent | 1 | 2.73x |
| Trentham | 1 | 34.01x |
| West Ham | 1 | 2.24x |
| Whickham | 1 | 35.71x |
| Wolverhampton | 1 | 3.76x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bagnal 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 Bagnal 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 Bagnal households.
FAQ
In 1881, 107 people were recorded with the Bagnal surname. That placed it at #18,982 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 12 in 2016. That gives Bagnal a modern rank of #37,385.
A topographic surname derived from the Old French term "baigneul" meaning little valley or glen.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bagnal 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.