NameCensus.

UK surname

Behl

A locational surname likely originating from a geographic region in Germany.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Salford, Hillingdon and Redbridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Behl is 116 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

104

2016, ranked #30,317

Peak year

2010

116 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 104 in 2016, ranked #30,317.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Behl surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Behl surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Behl 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
1861 historical 5 #33,418
1891 historical 4 #34,098
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 55 #32,114
1998 modern 64 #31,562
1999 modern 65 #31,605
2000 modern 68 #31,380
2001 modern 66 #31,394
2002 modern 71 #31,351
2003 modern 74 #31,091
2004 modern 76 #31,125
2005 modern 76 #31,267
2006 modern 86 #30,425
2007 modern 88 #30,515
2008 modern 103 #28,519
2009 modern 104 #28,982
2010 modern 116 #27,704
2011 modern 116 #27,477
2012 modern 107 #29,017
2013 modern 109 #29,209
2014 modern 112 #28,934
2015 modern 104 #30,269
2016 modern 104 #30,317

Geography

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Where Behls are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Salford, Hillingdon, Redbridge and Birmingham. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Salford 023 Salford
2 Hillingdon 030 Hillingdon
3 Redbridge 035 Redbridge
4 Hillingdon 031 Hillingdon
5 Birmingham 060 Birmingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Behl

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Behl

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Behl, 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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Behl surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Behl household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Behl 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

Behl is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Behl falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Behl is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Behl

The surname Behl is of German origin, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Middle High German word "bühel," which means a small hill or a mound. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near or on a small hill or elevated terrain.

The name Behl can be traced back to various regions of Germany, particularly in the southern and central parts of the country. Some of the areas where the name was common include Bavaria, Hesse, and Saxony. It is also possible that the name had variations in its spelling, such as "Bühel" or "Bühl," which were more closely aligned with the original Middle High German word.

One of the earliest known references to the name Behl can be found in the records of the city of Nuremberg, where a certain Hanns Behl was mentioned in a document dated 1543. This suggests that the name was already in use during the mid-16th century in that region.

Over the centuries, several notable individuals have carried the surname Behl. One such person was Johann Christian Behl (1717-1788), a German theologian and philosopher who lived during the Age of Enlightenment. He was known for his contributions to the field of ethics and his writings on the concept of virtue.

Another prominent figure was Carl Friedrich Behl (1734-1806), a German painter and engraver who specialized in portraiture and landscapes. He was a member of the prestigious Prussian Academy of Arts and is remembered for his work in the Rococo and Neoclassical styles.

In the 19th century, Friedrich Behl (1805-1873) was a German politician and jurist who served as a member of the Prussian House of Representatives and advocated for liberal reforms.

The name Behl has also been associated with certain place names in Germany, such as Bühl, a town located in the state of Baden-Württemberg, which may have influenced the development of the surname in that region.

Furthermore, Johann Gottfried Behl (1762-1830) was a German composer and organist who made significant contributions to the field of church music during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

While the surname Behl has its roots in Germany, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and immigration patterns. However, its origins can be traced back to the Middle High German word "bühel," reflecting the name's connection to the German language and its historical significance in various regions of the country.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Behl surname: questions and answers

How common is the Behl surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 104 in 2016. That gives Behl a modern rank of #30,317.

What does the Behl surname mean?

A locational surname likely originating from a geographic region in Germany.

What does the Behl map show?

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