NameCensus.

UK surname

Beel

A Germanic surname possibly derived from the occupational term "bell" referring to a bell maker or bell ringer.

In the 1881 census there were 215 people recorded with the Beel surname, ranking it #12,249 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 319, ranked #14,121, down from #12,249 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Kingsdon, Lincoln St Botolph and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Lincolnshire, Cornwall and North East Lincolnshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Beel is 507 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 48.4%.

1881 census count

215

Ranked #12,249

Modern count

319

2016, ranked #14,121

Peak year

1891

507 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Beel had 215 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,249 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 319 in 2016, ranked #14,121.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 507 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Beel surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Beel surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Beel 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 164 #12,116
1861 historical 214 #11,365
1881 historical 215 #12,249
1891 historical 507 #7,349
1901 historical 378 #9,862
1911 historical 341 #10,468
1997 modern 278 #14,210
1998 modern 284 #14,402
1999 modern 310 #13,672
2000 modern 296 #14,044
2001 modern 287 #14,131
2002 modern 305 #13,865
2003 modern 300 #13,823
2004 modern 294 #14,055
2005 modern 289 #14,166
2006 modern 293 #14,116
2007 modern 306 #13,862
2008 modern 302 #14,069
2009 modern 298 #14,480
2010 modern 311 #14,345
2011 modern 306 #14,410
2012 modern 304 #14,388
2013 modern 318 #14,160
2014 modern 322 #14,113
2015 modern 321 #14,062
2016 modern 319 #14,121

Geography

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Where Beels are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Kingsdon, Lincoln St Botolph, London parishes, Osgodby with Kirkby and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Lincolnshire, Cornwall, North East Lincolnshire and Test Valley. 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 Kingsdon Somerset
2 Lincoln St Botolph Lincolnshire
3 London parishes London 1
4 Osgodby with Kirkby Lincolnshire
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Lincolnshire 022 North Lincolnshire
2 Cornwall 048 Cornwall
3 North East Lincolnshire 001 North East Lincolnshire
4 North Lincolnshire 011 North Lincolnshire
5 Test Valley 007 Test Valley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Beel

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Beel

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

Beel is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Beel falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Beel is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Beel, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Beel

The surname Beel originated in England, with its earliest known spelling appearing as 'Bele' in the late 11th century after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word 'bel', meaning 'bell', likely referring to an occupation or place of residence associated with bell-making or bell-ringing.

Early records of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as 'Bele' in reference to landholders in various counties across England. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was William Bele, recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire in 1195.

The surname spread throughout England in subsequent centuries, with various spelling variations emerging, such as Beel, Beele, Beale, and Beal. These variations often reflected regional dialects and scribal interpretations.

Notable historical figures bearing the Beel surname include Robert Beel, a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of London during the 15th century. In the 16th century, Thomas Beel (1490-1558) was a renowned English clergyman and theologian who served as the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield.

During the English Civil War in the 17th century, Sir John Beel (1610-1678) was a distinguished military commander who fought for the Parliamentarian forces under Oliver Cromwell. He later served as a Member of Parliament and was knighted for his services.

In the 18th century, William Beel (1737-1815) was a noted English architect and surveyor who designed several prominent buildings in London, including the Royal Mint and the Church of St. Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe.

Another notable figure was Sir Edward Beel (1789-1867), a British naval officer and explorer who served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars and later led several expeditions to the Arctic regions in search of the Northwest Passage.

The Beel surname has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as Beal in Northumberland, Beeley in Derbyshire, and Beelsmill in Kent, further reflecting its long-standing presence in the country.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Beel families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Beel 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. Cornwall leads with 45 Beels recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.04x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 45 19.04x
Lincolnshire 41 12.28x
Yorkshire 39 1.89x
Somerset 25 7.44x
Middlesex 11 0.53x
Nottinghamshire 6 2.13x
Fife 5 4.05x
Durham 4 0.64x
Hampshire 4 0.93x
Norfolk 4 1.25x
Surrey 4 0.39x
Derbyshire 3 0.92x
Devon 3 0.69x
Lancashire 3 0.12x
Northamptonshire 3 1.53x
Warwickshire 3 0.57x
Cheshire 2 0.43x
Perthshire 2 2.13x
Staffordshire 2 0.28x
Dorset 1 0.73x
Essex 1 0.24x
Gloucestershire 1 0.24x
Hertfordshire 1 0.70x
Kent 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ladock in Cornwall leads with 23 Beels recorded in 1881 and an index of 3432.84x.

Place Total Index
Ladock 23 3432.84x
St Stephen In Brannel 16 740.74x
Kingsdon 8 3200.00x
St Mark Lincoln 8 1126.76x
Hibaldstow 7 1228.07x
Somerton 7 510.95x
Great Grimsby 6 28.33x
North Ferriby 6 1764.71x
Nottingham St Mary 6 8.25x
St Swithin Lincoln 6 114.29x
Stanghow 6 714.29x
Abdie 5 714.29x
Acomb 4 370.37x
Holy Trinity 4 8.04x
Immingham 4 2105.26x
North Curry 4 350.88x
St Maurice Winchester 4 224.72x
Stradsett 4 4000.00x
Whitechapel London 4 19.45x
Camberwell 3 2.25x
Darlington 3 12.51x
Everton 3 3.80x
Hessle In Sculcoates 3 163.93x
Islington London 3 1.48x
Kenwyn 3 48.54x
Kingsthorpe 3 137.61x
Leamington Priors 3 23.17x
Shapwick 3 937.50x
Skelton In Guisbrough 3 53.57x
Wootton 3 731.71x
Brightside Bierlow 2 4.93x
Huddersfield 2 6.64x
Limber Magna 2 571.43x
Long Sutton 2 317.46x
Normanton 2 72.46x
Patrington 2 204.08x
Perth East Church 2 22.65x
Ratcliffe London 2 17.35x
Sale 2 35.40x
St Enoder 2 250.00x
Stokenham 2 163.93x
Swinton In Rotherham 2 36.56x
Binbrooke 1 120.48x
Bishopwearmouth 1 1.88x
Claxby In Caistor 1 434.78x
Codnor Park 1 129.87x
Colchester St Giles 1 24.57x
Ellerton Upon Swale 1 833.33x
Gillingham 1 6.81x
Grantham 1 22.99x
Handsworth 1 5.76x
Hertford St John 1 46.73x
Humbleton Flinton 1 344.83x
Lofthouse 1 32.36x
Louth 1 13.07x
Marldon 1 277.78x
Probus 1 103.09x
Richmond 1 7.02x
Sculcoates 1 3.05x
Shepton Mallet 1 26.53x
Sherborne 1 24.81x
St George Hanover Square 1 2.72x
Stokesley 1 77.52x
Ulceby 1 123.46x
Westbury On Trym 1 7.21x
Willesden 1 5.08x
Wolstanton 1 4.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 13
John 11
Charles 9
George 8
Edward 4
James 4
Frederick 3
Robert 3
Samuel 3
Thomas 3
Aaron 2
Edwin 2
Fredrick 2
Harry 2
Henry 2
Joseph 2
Richard 2
Stephen 2
Walter 2
Adam 1
Albert 1
Barnott 1
Bartholemew 1
Bartholomew 1
Caleb 1
Carn 1
David 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Herbert 1
Jno.W. 1
Jonathan 1
Kenny 1
Matthew 1
Paul 1
Sewly 1
Sheppard 1
Sidney 1
Tim 1
Wm. 1
Zacheus 1

FAQ

Beel surname: questions and answers

How common was the Beel surname in 1881?

In 1881, 215 people were recorded with the Beel surname. That placed it at #12,249 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Beel surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 319 in 2016. That gives Beel a modern rank of #14,121.

What does the Beel surname mean?

A Germanic surname possibly derived from the occupational term "bell" referring to a bell maker or bell ringer.

What does the Beel map show?

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