UK surname
A locational surname of English origin referring to someone living near birch trees.
In the 1881 census there were 121 people recorded with the Birchell surname, ranking it #17,671 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 37, ranked #35,582, down from #17,671 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Dudley, London parishes and Wolstanton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Birchell is 164 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 69.4%.
1881 census count
121
Ranked #17,671
Modern count
37
2016, ranked #35,582
Peak year
1861
164 bearers
Map years
5
1851 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Birchell surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Birchell surname density by area, 1881 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 | 143 | #13,343 |
| 1861 | historical | 164 | #14,188 |
| 1881 | historical | 121 | #17,671 |
| 1891 | historical | 155 | #17,920 |
| 1901 | historical | 140 | #18,795 |
| 1911 | historical | 98 | #22,959 |
| 1997 | modern | 35 | #34,174 |
| 1998 | modern | 39 | #33,967 |
| 1999 | modern | 35 | #34,418 |
| 2000 | modern | 34 | #34,517 |
| 2001 | modern | 34 | #34,356 |
| 2002 | modern | 37 | #34,390 |
| 2003 | modern | 44 | #33,875 |
| 2004 | modern | 37 | #34,640 |
| 2005 | modern | 36 | #34,894 |
| 2006 | modern | 39 | #34,932 |
| 2007 | modern | 34 | #35,410 |
| 2008 | modern | 33 | #35,556 |
| 2009 | modern | 36 | #35,496 |
| 2010 | modern | 38 | #35,514 |
| 2011 | modern | 42 | #35,283 |
| 2012 | modern | 40 | #35,369 |
| 2013 | modern | 37 | #35,582 |
| 2014 | modern | 38 | #35,547 |
| 2015 | modern | 36 | #35,654 |
| 2016 | modern | 37 | #35,582 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Dudley, London parishes, Wolstanton and Wigan. 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 | Dudley | Staffordshire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 3 | Wolstanton | Staffordshire |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Birchell 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 Birchell, 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 Birchell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Birchell 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, Birchell 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 Birchell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Birchell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Birchell originated in England and can be traced back to the late 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "byrce," meaning birch tree, and the suffix "-hill," referring to a hill or elevated land. This suggests that the name may have been a descriptive one, referring to someone who lived near a birch-covered hill or a specific location with this feature.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Birchell can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire from 1199, where a person named Richard de Burchull is mentioned. This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time and the influence of local dialects.
During the 13th century, the name appeared in various records, including the Curia Regis Rolls for Northamptonshire in 1207, which mentions a Richard de Burchill. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also contain references to individuals with the name Birchell or variations of it, such as Robert de Burchull in Huntingdonshire.
In the 14th century, the Birchell family seemed to have established a presence in Lancashire, as evidenced by records from that period. One notable individual was John Birchell, who served as the Rector of Wigan Church from 1349 to 1361.
As time progressed, the name continued to appear in various historical records and documents. In the 16th century, a prominent figure named William Birchell (1522-1585) was a Protestant martyr who was burned at the stake in Canterbury for his religious beliefs during the reign of Queen Mary I.
Another noteworthy individual was Sir John Birchell (1605-1681), an English lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Middlesex during the English Civil War and the Commonwealth period. He was also a member of the Council of State and played a significant role in the political affairs of the time.
In the 18th century, Samuel Birchell (1761-1814) was a respected English minister and author who wrote several religious works, including "The Christian's Pocket Companion" and "The Christian's Mirror."
The 19th century saw the rise of John Dearman Birchell (1805-1861), an English architect who designed notable buildings such as the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Pickering, North Yorkshire, and the Wesleyan Chapel in York.
These are just a few examples of individuals with the surname Birchell who have left their mark on history, highlighting the rich tapestry of stories and accomplishments associated with this name over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Birchell 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. Lancashire leads with 41 Birchells recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.93x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 41 | 2.93x |
| Surrey | 12 | 2.09x |
| Staffordshire | 9 | 2.26x |
| Yorkshire | 8 | 0.68x |
| Glamorgan | 7 | 3.41x |
| Middlesex | 7 | 0.59x |
| Worcestershire | 7 | 4.54x |
| Monmouthshire | 5 | 5.86x |
| Wiltshire | 5 | 4.79x |
| Gloucestershire | 3 | 1.30x |
| Sussex | 3 | 1.51x |
| Caernarfonshire | 2 | 4.19x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 0.77x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 0.83x |
| Kent | 2 | 0.50x |
| Warwickshire | 2 | 0.67x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.28x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.43x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 1.23x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.53x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aspull in Lancashire leads with 11 Birchells recorded in 1881 and an index of 334.35x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Birchell 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 Birchell 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 Birchell households.
FAQ
In 1881, 121 people were recorded with the Birchell surname. That placed it at #17,671 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 37 in 2016. That gives Birchell a modern rank of #35,582.
A locational surname of English origin referring to someone living near birch trees.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Birchell 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.