UK surname
A surname derived from the Old English word "bercell," meaning "a little meadow."
In the 1881 census there were 80 people recorded with the Barkell surname, ranking it #22,225 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 29, ranked #36,059, down from #22,225 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bovey Tracey, Hennock, Callington and Mary Tavy. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Barkell is 199 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 63.7%.
1881 census count
80
Ranked #22,225
Modern count
29
2016, ranked #36,059
Peak year
1861
199 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Barkell surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Barkell surname density by area, 1901 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 | 88 | #18,569 |
| 1861 | historical | 199 | #12,062 |
| 1881 | historical | 80 | #22,225 |
| 1891 | historical | 124 | #20,818 |
| 1901 | historical | 108 | #21,836 |
| 1911 | historical | 90 | #23,797 |
| 1997 | modern | 40 | #33,666 |
| 1998 | modern | 42 | #33,651 |
| 1999 | modern | 39 | #34,058 |
| 2000 | modern | 39 | #34,066 |
| 2001 | modern | 39 | #33,923 |
| 2002 | modern | 41 | #34,032 |
| 2003 | modern | 44 | #33,875 |
| 2004 | modern | 43 | #34,149 |
| 2005 | modern | 41 | #34,478 |
| 2006 | modern | 41 | #34,788 |
| 2007 | modern | 42 | #34,905 |
| 2008 | modern | 38 | #35,262 |
| 2009 | modern | 41 | #35,221 |
| 2010 | modern | 40 | #35,403 |
| 2011 | modern | 41 | #35,340 |
| 2012 | modern | 34 | #35,711 |
| 2013 | modern | 34 | #35,761 |
| 2014 | modern | 32 | #35,896 |
| 2015 | modern | 33 | #35,803 |
| 2016 | modern | 29 | #36,059 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bovey Tracey, Hennock, Callington, Mary Tavy, London parishes and Bridestow, Coryton. 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 | Bovey Tracey, Hennock | Devon |
| 2 | Callington | Cornwall |
| 3 | Mary Tavy | Devon |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | Bridestow, Coryton | Devon |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Barkell 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 Barkell, 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 Barkell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Barkell 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, Barkell 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 Barkell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Barkell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Barkell originated in England, specifically in the county of Yorkshire. It dates back to the 12th century and is derived from the Old English words "bærc" and "hyll," meaning "a barley hill" or "a hill where barley was grown." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name lived near or on a hill associated with barley cultivation.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Barkell can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire, where a Robert de Barkhill is mentioned in 1194. The name's spelling has evolved over time, with variations such as Barkill, Barkyll, and Barkill appearing in historical records.
In the 13th century, the Barkell family held lands in the village of Barkhill, located near the town of Beverley in East Yorkshire. This place name likely influenced the family's surname, as it was common for people to adopt surnames based on the locations where they lived or originated from.
During the reign of Edward III (1327-1377), a notable figure named John Barkell served as a member of the King's Council. He was born in 1290 and played a significant role in the administration of the kingdom.
Another prominent individual with the surname Barkell was William Barkell, a merchant and landowner who lived in the city of York in the late 15th century. He was born in 1452 and accumulated considerable wealth through his business ventures.
In the 16th century, a branch of the Barkell family settled in the village of Barkhill, near the town of Barwick-in-Elmet, West Yorkshire. This area was once known as "Barckhyll," and the family's presence there further solidified their connection to the surname's origins.
During the English Civil War (1642-1651), a soldier named Thomas Barkell fought for the Parliamentarian forces. He was born in 1618 and participated in several key battles, including the Battle of Marston Moor in 1644.
In the 18th century, a notable figure named Elizabeth Barkell (1712-1789) gained recognition as a skilled embroiderer. Her intricate needlework was highly sought after by the gentry and aristocracy of the time.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Barkell 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. Devon leads with 39 Barkells recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.01x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Devon | 39 | 24.01x |
| Cornwall | 14 | 15.85x |
| Durham | 6 | 2.58x |
| Hampshire | 6 | 3.75x |
| Isle of Man | 3 | 20.70x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.32x |
| Surrey | 3 | 0.79x |
| Buckinghamshire | 2 | 4.24x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.26x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 10.75x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.13x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tavistock in Devon leads with 27 Barkells recorded in 1881 and an index of 1459.46x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Tavistock | 27 | 1459.46x |
| Callington | 10 | 1960.78x |
| Bovey Tracey | 7 | 1228.07x |
| Portsea | 6 | 19.14x |
| Ryhope | 6 | 372.67x |
| Clapham | 3 | 30.74x |
| Oldham | 3 | 10.04x |
| Rushen | 3 | 306.12x |
| Devonport | 2 | 106.95x |
| East Stonehouse | 2 | 62.50x |
| Gulval | 2 | 350.88x |
| Iver | 2 | 327.87x |
| Kenwyn | 2 | 86.58x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 8.23x |
| Headingley Cum Burley | 1 | 20.08x |
| Poplar London | 1 | 6.79x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 12.58x |
| Wolborough | 1 | 48.78x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Barkell 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 Barkell 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 Barkell households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 11 |
| Coal Miner | 4 |
| Butcher | 2 |
| Copper Miner | 2 |
| Seamstress | 2 |
| Tailoress | 2 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| App To Grocer | 1 |
| App To Mason | 1 |
| Apprentice B Smith | 1 |
| Apprentice To Drapery | 1 |
| Basket Maker | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Butcher & Grocer | 1 |
| Captain Of Lead Mines | 1 |
| Cardroom Jobber | 1 |
| Cardroom Tenter | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Certified Schoolmaster | 1 |
| Certified Schoolmistress | 1 |
| Cook (Dom Serv) | 1 |
| Copper Miner (Formerly) | 1 |
| Copper Miner (Unemployed) | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Farmer Of 46 Acres | 1 |
| Farmers Son | 1 |
| Grocer (8 Wk) | 1 |
| Grocers Clerk | 1 |
| Groom | 1 |
| Housemaid (Dom Serv) | 1 |
| Ironmonger | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Leading Stoker | 1 |
| Milliner | 1 |
| Police Constable | 1 |
| Printer Compositor | 1 |
| Stoker | 1 |
| Tailor | 1 |
| Theological Student | 1 |
| Wardroom Servant | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 80 people were recorded with the Barkell surname. That placed it at #22,225 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 29 in 2016. That gives Barkell a modern rank of #36,059.
A surname derived from the Old English word "bercell," meaning "a little meadow."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Barkell 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.