NameCensus.

UK surname

Bessell

An English surname derived from a diminutive form of the given name Bartholomew.

In the 1881 census there were 247 people recorded with the Bessell surname, ranking it #11,173 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 465, ranked #10,558, up from #11,173 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, St James and St Paul and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bridgend, Bristol and Wokingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bessell is 529 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 88.3%.

1881 census count

247

Ranked #11,173

Modern count

465

2016, ranked #10,558

Peak year

1998

529 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bessell had 247 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,173 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 465 in 2016, ranked #10,558.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 436 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Bessell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bessell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bessell 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 219 #9,712
1861 historical 165 #14,112
1881 historical 247 #11,173
1891 historical 383 #9,178
1901 historical 407 #9,374
1911 historical 436 #8,711
1997 modern 495 #9,370
1998 modern 529 #9,195
1999 modern 521 #9,362
2000 modern 505 #9,561
2001 modern 500 #9,464
2002 modern 516 #9,432
2003 modern 492 #9,598
2004 modern 481 #9,779
2005 modern 475 #9,804
2006 modern 472 #9,892
2007 modern 466 #10,070
2008 modern 466 #10,162
2009 modern 478 #10,189
2010 modern 489 #10,228
2011 modern 497 #9,997
2012 modern 477 #10,205
2013 modern 468 #10,516
2014 modern 474 #10,486
2015 modern 459 #10,667
2016 modern 465 #10,558

Geography

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Where Bessells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, St James and St Paul, London parishes, St Philip and Jacob and St Pancras. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bridgend, Bristol and Wokingham. 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 St James and St Paul Gloucestershire
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Philip and Jacob Gloucestershire
5 St Pancras London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bridgend 010 Bridgend
2 Bristol 036 Bristol, City of
3 Bristol 035 Bristol, City of
4 Bristol 038 Bristol, City of
5 Wokingham 018 Wokingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bessell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bessell

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Bessell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Bessell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Bessell is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bessell 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

Bessell falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bessell 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 Bessell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Bessell

The surname Bessell has its origins in England, with records indicating its presence as early as the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "bæsel," which means "little ring" or "collar." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who made or wore small rings or collars, possibly as part of their occupation or social status.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Lincolnshire, compiled in 1273, which mentions a Walter Besill. The Hundred Rolls were administrative records that documented landholdings and taxes in various counties of England.

Another early reference to the name appears in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield, Yorkshire, from the 14th century, where a person named John Besyll is mentioned. These court records provide valuable insights into the lives and activities of individuals living in that region during that time period.

In the 16th century, the name Bessell appears to have been concentrated in the counties of Oxfordshire and Berkshire, as evidenced by records from that era. One notable individual with this surname was John Bessell, who was born in Cuxham, Oxfordshire, in 1555 and later became a renowned clergyman and scholar.

The Bessell surname has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Bessels Green in Kent and Bessels Leigh in Oxfordshire. These place names may have influenced the spelling variations of the surname over time.

Among the notable individuals with the surname Bessell throughout history are:

1. William Bessell (1592-1668), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Rector of Donington-on-Bain in Lincolnshire. 2. Peter Bessell (1621-1676), an English writer and theologian who authored several religious works. 3. Joseph Bessell (1680-1755), an English mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of comets and planetary motion. 4. Thomas Bessell (1710-1785), an English architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in London and the surrounding areas. 5. Edward Bessell (1801-1879), a British naval officer and explorer who conducted surveys and explorations in the Pacific Ocean and the Arctic regions.

The Bessell surname has a rich history that spans centuries and encompasses various regions of England, with records indicating its presence as early as the 13th century. While the name's origins may be rooted in an occupation or social status, it has evolved and spread across different parts of the country, contributing to the cultural diversity of England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bessell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bessell 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 124 Bessells recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.13x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 124 26.13x
Middlesex 29 1.20x
Surrey 16 1.36x
Lancashire 13 0.45x
Monmouthshire 10 5.72x
Shropshire 10 4.78x
Staffordshire 9 1.10x
Oxfordshire 6 4.02x
Renfrewshire 6 3.20x
Warwickshire 6 0.98x
Denbighshire 4 4.38x
Somerset 4 1.03x
Berkshire 3 1.65x
Cheshire 2 0.37x
Devon 2 0.40x
Kent 2 0.24x
Glamorgan 1 0.24x
Northamptonshire 1 0.44x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bristol St Philip Jacob in Gloucestershire leads with 36 Bessells recorded in 1881 and an index of 80.59x.

Place Total Index
Bristol St Philip Jacob 36 80.59x
Bristol St George 21 95.72x
Bristol St James St Paul 18 113.78x
Bristol St Paul In 13 102.85x
Westbury On Trym 13 80.90x
Handsworth 9 44.71x
Ludlow St Lawrence 9 216.35x
St Pancras London 9 4.62x
Salford 8 9.48x
Shoreditch London 7 6.67x
Clifton Hampden 6 2068.97x
Leamington Priors 6 39.97x
Paisley High Church 6 40.19x
Southwark St John 6 81.08x
Stapleton 6 66.67x
Bitton 5 121.07x
Clifton 5 20.84x
Manchester 5 3.87x
Trevethin 5 30.27x
Upper Llanvrechva 5 183.82x
Bersham 4 102.56x
Hackney London 4 2.95x
Portishead 4 138.41x
Southwark St Saviour 4 32.18x
Bethnal Green London 3 2.85x
Bristol Temple 3 96.15x
Frimley 3 89.29x
Long Wittenham 3 638.30x
Bristol St Michael 2 49.14x
Camberwell 2 1.29x
Chester St Oswald 2 20.68x
Bexley 1 13.70x
Bristol 1 222.22x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 1 23.15x
Devonport 1 17.27x
Gillingham 1 5.88x
Hammersmith London 1 1.68x
Islington London 1 0.43x
Newington 1 1.12x
Northampton St Sepulchre 1 8.64x
St George Hanover Square 1 2.35x
St Luke London 1 2.58x
St Marylebone London 1 0.77x
Stanton Lacy 1 55.25x
Uffculme 1 66.67x
Westminster St James 1 4.02x
Ystradyfodwg 1 2.71x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 16
Elizabeth 11
Annie 8
Eliza 7
Ann 6
Emily 6
Charlotte 5
Sarah 5
Kate 4
Caroline 3
Clara 3
Margaret 3
Ada 2
Alice 2
Edith 2
Ellen 2
Emma 2
Esther 2
Helena 2
Jane 2
Mabel 2
Mildred 2
Agnes 1
Alma 1
Elizebeth 1
Emmas 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Georgiana 1
Grace 1
Jessie 1
Lilly 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
Lydia 1
Martha 1
Prudence 1
Rose 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 16
Charles 12
Henry 12
James 9
John 9
George 8
Thomas 7
Arthur 5
Joseph 5
Albert 3
Edmund 3
Frank 3
Richard 3
Alfred 2
Edward 2
Edwin 2
Elisha 2
Geo. 2
Anthony 1
Arnold 1
Benj. 1
Benjamin 1
Edmond 1
Elizabeth 1
Fred 1
Harry 1
Jacob 1
Jas. 1
Jas.Percival 1
Johisa 1
Matthew 1
Michael 1
Percy 1
Robert 1
Roland 1
Septimus 1
Silas 1
Stephen 1
Walter 1
Wm.C. 1
Wm.Henry 1

FAQ

Bessell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bessell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 247 people were recorded with the Bessell surname. That placed it at #11,173 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bessell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 465 in 2016. That gives Bessell a modern rank of #10,558.

What does the Bessell surname mean?

An English surname derived from a diminutive form of the given name Bartholomew.

What does the Bessell map show?

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