NameCensus.

UK surname

Bendall

An English variant of the French surname "Bendale" meaning "from the hill valley".

In the 1881 census there were 1,090 people recorded with the Bendall surname, ranking it #3,649 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,413, ranked #4,322, down from #3,649 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Horningsea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Forest of Dean, Pembrokeshire and Mid Suffolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bendall is 1,565 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 29.6%.

1881 census count

1,090

Ranked #3,649

Modern count

1,413

2016, ranked #4,322

Peak year

1911

1,565 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bendall had 1,090 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,649 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,413 in 2016, ranked #4,322.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,565 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Bendall surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bendall surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bendall 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 630 #4,122
1861 historical 736 #3,710
1881 historical 1,090 #3,649
1891 historical 1,243 #3,472
1901 historical 1,428 #3,560
1911 historical 1,565 #3,100
1997 modern 1,507 #3,892
1998 modern 1,559 #3,918
1999 modern 1,555 #3,963
2000 modern 1,541 #3,973
2001 modern 1,496 #3,991
2002 modern 1,518 #4,029
2003 modern 1,492 #4,019
2004 modern 1,460 #4,084
2005 modern 1,460 #4,051
2006 modern 1,458 #4,062
2007 modern 1,468 #4,078
2008 modern 1,478 #4,084
2009 modern 1,477 #4,165
2010 modern 1,517 #4,159
2011 modern 1,506 #4,144
2012 modern 1,439 #4,213
2013 modern 1,437 #4,285
2014 modern 1,436 #4,309
2015 modern 1,415 #4,325
2016 modern 1,413 #4,322

Geography

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Where Bendalls are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Horningsea, Wells St Cuthbert In and Out and Bedwelty. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Forest of Dean, Pembrokeshire, Mid Suffolk and North Somerset. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Horningsea Cambridgeshire
4 Wells St Cuthbert In and Out Somerset
5 Bedwelty Monmouthshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Forest of Dean 009 Forest of Dean
2 Pembrokeshire 013 Pembrokeshire
3 Mid Suffolk 004 Mid Suffolk
4 North Somerset 013 North Somerset
5 Forest of Dean 010 Forest of Dean

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bendall

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bendall

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Bendall surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Bendall household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Bendall 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

Bendall 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

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

Meaning and origin of Bendall

The surname Bendall originated in England during the Anglo-Saxon period. It is derived from the Old English words "ben," meaning a bean or bean plant, and "dæl," meaning a valley or dale. The name likely referred to someone who lived in a valley or area where bean plants were grown or cultivated.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bendall can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Benedale," which supports the theory of its origin from the Old English words.

In the 13th century, the name was sometimes spelled as "Bendale" or "Bendal," reflecting the variations in spelling during that period. One notable figure was John Bendale, a landowner in Warwickshire, who was mentioned in records from 1278.

During the 14th century, the spelling "Bendall" became more prevalent. In 1327, a Robert Bendall was recorded as a resident of the village of Weston-under-Redcastle in Shropshire. Another early bearer of the name was William Bendall, a merchant from Bristol, who lived in the late 15th century.

In the 16th century, the Bendall name appears in various records across England. One notable individual was Robert Bendall, a member of the Merchant Taylors' Company in London, who was born in 1540 and died in 1615.

The 17th century saw the rise of several prominent figures with the Bendall surname. One was Henry Bendall, a wealthy merchant and landowner from Staffordshire, who lived from 1620 to 1695. Another was John Bendall, a clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Compton Abdale in Gloucestershire from 1649 until his death in 1683.

In the 18th century, the name Bendall was associated with several notable individuals. One was Thomas Bendall, a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and was born in 1740. Another was William Bendall, a renowned engraver and artist who lived from 1768 to 1835.

The 19th century saw the Bendall name spread further across England and other parts of the British Isles. One notable figure was Richard Bendall, a British Army officer and explorer who served in India and was born in 1805. Another was John Bendall, a prominent architect and surveyor from Gloucestershire, who was born in 1830 and died in 1895.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bendall families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bendall 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. Gloucestershire leads with 269 Bendalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.90x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 269 12.90x
Somerset 100 5.84x
Cambridgeshire 95 14.11x
Suffolk 81 6.25x
Middlesex 80 0.75x
Surrey 55 1.06x
Kent 43 1.19x
Wiltshire 40 4.25x
Glamorgan 37 2.00x
Hampshire 35 1.61x
Dorset 30 4.30x
Worcestershire 23 1.66x
Essex 20 0.95x
Yorkshire 19 0.18x
Dumfriesshire 16 6.81x
Brecknockshire 13 6.11x
Lincolnshire 13 0.76x
Devon 12 0.54x
Monmouthshire 11 1.43x
Derbyshire 10 0.60x
Berkshire 9 1.13x
Norfolk 9 0.55x
Sussex 9 0.50x
Warwickshire 9 0.34x
Herefordshire 8 1.83x
Staffordshire 7 0.20x
Lancashire 6 0.05x
Nottinghamshire 5 0.35x
Pembrokeshire 5 1.48x
Buckinghamshire 4 0.62x
Northamptonshire 4 0.40x
Bedfordshire 2 0.36x
Cheshire 1 0.04x
Cornwall 1 0.08x
Lanarkshire 1 0.03x
Oxfordshire 1 0.15x
Perthshire 1 0.21x
Royal Navy 1 0.79x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cheltenham in Gloucestershire leads with 34 Bendalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.13x.

Place Total Index
Cheltenham 34 21.13x
Wells St Cuthbert Out 33 239.48x
Horningsea 31 2066.67x
Thornbury 30 210.38x
Lewisham 24 12.41x
St Pancras London 23 2.69x
Bottisham 17 296.17x
Dumfries 16 69.05x
Bridport 15 104.38x
Bristol St George 14 14.52x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 12 6.11x
Hanley Castle 12 144.40x
Newmarket St Mary 12 120.72x
Berkeley 11 94.83x
Westbury On Trym 11 15.57x
Wotton Under Edge 11 89.50x
Cam 10 156.25x
Dursley 10 116.69x
Kensington London 10 1.69x
Stroud 10 24.64x
Bedminster 9 5.60x
Broughton Hackett 9 1551.72x
Cardiff St Mary 9 8.83x
Eastington 9 130.43x
Ely Holy Trinity St Mary 9 30.64x
Margam 9 43.58x
Rattlesden 9 237.47x
St Marylebone London 9 1.59x
Bermondsey 8 2.53x
Hoxne 8 217.98x
Ipswich St Helen 8 52.12x
Painswick 8 54.24x
St Andrewthe Less 8 10.40x
Swaffham Bulbeck 8 295.20x
West Cholderton 8 1333.33x
Westbury On Severn East 8 16.97x
Belper 7 21.69x
Bristol St Augustine 7 20.80x
Guildford Friary 7 429.45x
Islington London 7 0.68x
Minchinhampton 7 42.14x
Romsey Extra 7 54.01x
St George Hanover Square 7 3.74x
Tidenham Beachley 7 309.73x
Trowbridge 7 16.84x
Wells St Cuthbert In 7 267.18x
Bathwick 6 31.68x
Battersea 6 1.53x
Box 6 74.81x
Chesterton 6 28.90x
Chew Magna 6 100.00x
Handsworth 6 6.78x
Kingston On Thames 6 4.82x
Lambeth 6 0.65x
Lawford 6 196.08x
Manningham 6 4.62x
Pettaugh 6 833.33x
Southcoates 6 10.26x
Wells St Cuthbert 6 51.37x
West Ham 6 1.29x
Aberdare 5 3.93x
Ashwick 5 180.51x
Aston 5 0.68x
Bristol St Paul In 5 9.00x
Cantreff 5 694.44x
Chittlehampton 5 91.58x
Diss 5 35.69x
Erith 5 13.99x
Exeter St Thomas The 5 22.16x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 5 13.10x
Greenwich 5 2.95x
Hartpury 5 170.65x
Hereford All Sts 5 25.04x
Kinson 5 36.66x
Leonard Stanley 5 182.48x
Llanelly 5 19.65x
Llanwonno 5 7.52x
Petworth 5 46.69x
Pyrford 5 400.00x
Rodborough 5 49.65x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 53
Sarah 41
Elizabeth 39
Eliza 23
Alice 21
Ellen 21
Emma 20
Emily 19
Annie 18
Ann 17
Edith 15
Florence 14
Jane 14
Fanny 13
Louisa 10
Lucy 9
Harriet 8
Kate 8
Margaret 8
Catherine 7
Clara 7
Hannah 7
Harriett 7
Martha 6
Caroline 5
Charlotte 5
Frances 5
Gertrude 5
Susan 5
Matilda 4
Ada 3
Agnes 3
Amelia 3
Elizth. 3
Julia 3
Lillian 3
Lousia 3
Maud 3
Rosa 3
Sophia 3
Anna 2
Anne 2
Clementina 2
Eleanor 2
Grace 2
Katherine 2
Louise 2
Lydia 2
Maria 2
Nellie 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 63
George 44
John 36
James 29
Charles 26
Thomas 23
Henry 17
Alfred 16
Albert 14
Robert 14
Edward 13
Samuel 12
Arthur 11
Herbert 8
Walter 8
Edwin 7
Frederick 7
Joseph 6
David 5
Ernest 5
Francis 5
Richard 5
Wm. 5
Frank 4
Harry 4
Job 4
Matthew 4
Archibald 3
Isaac 3
J. 3
Abraham 2
Andrew 2
Benjamin 2
Boaz 2
Cecil 2
Edgar 2
Edmund 2
Flanders 2
Joel 2
Jonah 2
Leonard 2
Offwood 2
Saml. 2
Stanley 2
Stephen 2
Sutton 2
Alexander 1
Austin 1
Eli 1
Enoch 1

FAQ

Bendall surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bendall surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,090 people were recorded with the Bendall surname. That placed it at #3,649 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bendall surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,413 in 2016. That gives Bendall a modern rank of #4,322.

What does the Bendall surname mean?

An English variant of the French surname "Bendale" meaning "from the hill valley".

What does the Bendall map show?

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