NameCensus.

UK surname

Blundell

A habitational surname derived from a place named "Blundell" in Lancashire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 3,524 people recorded with the Blundell surname, ranking it #1,287 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4,801, ranked #1,417, down from #1,287 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, North Meols and Toxteth Park. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Lancashire, Sefton and Wyre.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Blundell is 5,126 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 36.2%.

1881 census count

3,524

Ranked #1,287

Modern count

4,801

2016, ranked #1,417

Peak year

1911

5,126 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Blundell had 3,524 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,287 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 4,801 in 2016, ranked #1,417.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5,126 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Blundell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Blundell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Blundell 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 2,143 #1,360
1861 historical 2,071 #1,394
1881 historical 3,524 #1,287
1891 historical 3,814 #1,263
1901 historical 4,575 #1,243
1911 historical 5,126 #1,025
1997 modern 4,898 #1,336
1998 modern 4,946 #1,378
1999 modern 5,060 #1,359
2000 modern 5,000 #1,364
2001 modern 4,855 #1,373
2002 modern 4,973 #1,370
2003 modern 4,885 #1,351
2004 modern 4,806 #1,376
2005 modern 4,706 #1,380
2006 modern 4,671 #1,400
2007 modern 4,714 #1,398
2008 modern 4,707 #1,410
2009 modern 4,830 #1,405
2010 modern 4,997 #1,393
2011 modern 4,895 #1,402
2012 modern 4,804 #1,401
2013 modern 4,890 #1,403
2014 modern 4,866 #1,414
2015 modern 4,819 #1,411
2016 modern 4,801 #1,417

Geography

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Where Blundells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, North Meols, Toxteth Park, Sefton and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to West Lancashire, Sefton and Wyre. 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 London parishes London 3
2 North Meols Lancashire
3 Toxteth Park Lancashire
4 Sefton Lancashire
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 West Lancashire 003 West Lancashire
2 Sefton 021 Sefton
3 Wyre 002 Wyre
4 Wyre 001 Wyre
5 Sefton 028 Sefton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Blundell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Blundell

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Blundell is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Blundell is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Blundell

The surname Blundell originates from England, dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English words "blund" meaning "yellow" and "hyll" meaning "hill." The name originally referred to someone who lived near a yellowish-colored hill.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the late 12th century, where it appeared as "Blundeville." This spelling variation suggests a connection to a place name, possibly Blundell or Blundell's Hill.

In the 13th century, the name was recorded as "Blundell" in various medieval records, such as the Curia Regis Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1221 and the Feet of Fines for Yorkshire in 1246. These entries indicate that the name had become established in its current spelling by this time.

One notable historical figure bearing the Blundell surname was Sir Francis Blundell (1591-1638), an English landowner and Member of Parliament for Preston during the reign of King Charles I. He played a prominent role in the English Civil War, supporting the Royalist cause.

Another significant individual was William Blundell (1620-1698), a Catholic landowner and diarist from Lancashire. His detailed diaries, known as the "Cavalier's Note Book," provide valuable insights into the life and times of 17th-century England.

In the 18th century, the name Blundell was associated with the Blundell family of Tiverton, Devon. Peter Blundell (1670-1753), a wealthy merchant and philanthropist, established the Blundell's School in Tiverton, which still bears his name today.

The 19th century saw the rise of the Blundell family as prominent landowners and industrialists in Lancashire. One notable member was Reverend Henry Blundell (1804-1877), who became the owner of the Ince Blundell estate and amassed a significant art collection.

Another influential figure was Samuel Blundell (1798-1881), a successful cotton manufacturer and philanthropist in Manchester. He was a prominent member of the Anti-Corn Law League and played a key role in the abolition of the Corn Laws in 1846.

Throughout its history, the Blundell surname has been closely associated with various locations in England, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Devon, where many families bearing this name have resided for centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Blundell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Blundell 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. Lancashire leads with 1,615 Blundells recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.96x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 1,615 3.96x
Middlesex 330 0.96x
Kent 277 2.36x
Surrey 190 1.13x
Warwickshire 173 1.99x
Hampshire 111 1.57x
Worcestershire 105 2.34x
Sussex 88 1.52x
Northamptonshire 85 2.63x
Cheshire 79 1.04x
Nottinghamshire 57 1.23x
Yorkshire 48 0.14x
Staffordshire 40 0.34x
Bedfordshire 35 1.97x
Essex 31 0.46x
Buckinghamshire 27 1.30x
Dorset 27 1.20x
Glamorgan 21 0.35x
Devon 18 0.25x
Gloucestershire 16 0.24x
Suffolk 14 0.33x
Cumberland 13 0.44x
Hertfordshire 12 0.51x
Derbyshire 10 0.19x
Flintshire 10 1.08x
Shropshire 9 0.30x
Denbighshire 8 0.62x
Wiltshire 8 0.26x
Cambridgeshire 7 0.32x
Leicestershire 7 0.18x
Somerset 7 0.13x
Berkshire 6 0.23x
Isle of Man 6 0.94x
Caernarfonshire 5 0.36x
Herefordshire 5 0.35x
Cornwall 4 0.10x
Monmouthshire 4 0.16x
Oxfordshire 4 0.19x
Royal Navy 4 0.98x
Lincolnshire 3 0.05x
Durham 2 0.02x
Norfolk 2 0.04x
Inverness-shire 1 0.10x
Lanarkshire 1 0.01x
Renfrewshire 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. North Meols in Lancashire leads with 313 Blundells recorded in 1881 and an index of 78.34x.

Place Total Index
North Meols 313 78.34x
Liverpool 103 4.16x
Toxteth Park 83 6.01x
Everton 70 5.38x
Ince Blundell 58 930.98x
Litherland 52 60.93x
Halsall 50 310.17x
Portsea 43 3.11x
Leyland 42 59.15x
Preston 42 3.85x
Shoreham 42 251.35x
St Pancras London 42 1.52x
Islington London 41 1.23x
Kirkdale 39 5.68x
West Derby 38 3.18x
Bootle Cum Linacre 35 10.80x
Birkdale 33 31.96x
Croydon 33 3.55x
Downholland 33 585.11x
Nottingham St Mary 33 2.75x
Barrow In Furness 32 5.76x
Hackney London 32 1.66x
Ormskirk 30 38.41x
Welford 30 368.10x
Shoreditch London 28 1.88x
Tonbridge 28 6.62x
Accrington 27 7.28x
Birmingham 25 0.86x
Brighton 24 2.05x
Chelsfield 23 205.17x
Horley 22 78.32x
Mile End Old Town London 22 3.01x
Hindley 20 11.49x
Poole St James 20 23.58x
Tranmere 20 7.17x
Bromley 19 10.62x
Kensington London 18 0.94x
Kings Norton 18 4.47x
Maidstone 18 5.15x
Plumstead 17 4.35x
Thornton In Fylde 17 19.04x
Greenwich 16 2.92x
Redditch 16 17.57x
Aston 15 0.63x
Deptford St Paul 15 1.66x
Snenton 15 8.24x
Hove 14 5.50x
Aughton 13 32.16x
Badby 13 203.13x
Battersea 13 1.03x
Bermondsey 13 1.27x
Halstead 13 229.28x
Little Woolton 13 110.64x
Paddington London 13 1.03x
Stretton On Dunsmore 13 163.73x
Tarleton 13 57.93x
Hutton 12 262.01x
Linslade 12 58.91x
Richmond 12 5.11x
Southampton All Sts 12 9.92x
Southampton St Mary 12 2.71x
Upham 12 155.44x
Walton Le Dale 12 10.94x
Whittle Le Woods 12 88.69x
Camberwell 11 0.50x
Chislehurst 11 17.48x
Clerkenwell London 11 1.35x
Heaton 11 63.92x
Little Bolton 11 2.10x
Luton 11 3.57x
Ridgacre 11 124.58x
Wavertree 11 8.42x
Bow London 10 2.28x
Chelsham 10 189.75x
Coventry Holy Trinity 10 3.86x
Little Crosby 10 152.21x
Maghull 10 59.07x
Manchester 10 0.54x
Runcorn 10 5.71x
Wigan 10 1.75x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 213
Elizabeth 146
Ellen 106
Sarah 103
Alice 95
Ann 85
Jane 78
Margaret 68
Emily 44
Eliza 42
Emma 40
Annie 38
Martha 31
Catherine 23
Hannah 23
Edith 21
Kate 21
Charlotte 20
Caroline 19
Maria 18
Ada 17
Florence 17
Harriet 17
Louisa 15
Rose 15
Isabella 14
Lucy 14
Amelia 12
Anne 11
Betty 11
Fanny 11
Esther 10
Agnes 9
Frances 9
Susan 9
Clara 8
Harriett 8
Susannah 8
Eleanor 7
Julia 7
Matilda 7
Rebecca 7
Elizth. 6
Ethel 6
Gertrude 6
Jessie 6
Laura 6
Amy 5
Helen 5
Jenny 5

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 217
William 203
James 149
Thomas 140
George 115
Henry 96
Joseph 75
Charles 65
Richard 64
Robert 48
Edward 45
Alfred 27
Frederick 27
Arthur 26
Walter 24
Albert 18
Frank 15
Harry 15
Edwin 14
Samuel 14
Gilbert 13
Peter 13
Wm. 13
Stephen 12
Herbert 11
Geo. 10
Miles 10
Ernest 9
Francis 8
Chas. 7
Benjamin 6
David 6
Hugh 6
Thos. 6
Edmund 5
Fredk. 5
Percy 4
Philip 4
Richd. 4
Willm. 4
Andrew 3
Augustus 3
Elijah 3
Fredrick 3
Joshua 3
Michael 3
Willie 3
Leonard 2
Matthew 2
Maurice 2

FAQ

Blundell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Blundell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3,524 people were recorded with the Blundell surname. That placed it at #1,287 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Blundell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 4,801 in 2016. That gives Blundell a modern rank of #1,417.

What does the Blundell surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from a place named "Blundell" in Lancashire, England.

What does the Blundell map show?

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