NameCensus.

UK surname

Bovell

An English surname derived from a location in Britain.

In the 1881 census there were 20 people recorded with the Bovell surname, ranking it #30,738 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 224, ranked #18,164, up from #30,738 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lambeth, Maidstone and Bishopton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bovell is 248 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1020.0%.

1881 census count

20

Ranked #30,738

Modern count

224

2016, ranked #18,164

Peak year

2010

248 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bovell had 20 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,738 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 224 in 2016, ranked #18,164.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 56 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Bovell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bovell surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bovell 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 37 #26,673
1861 historical 52 #27,369
1881 historical 20 #30,738
1891 historical 56 #29,638
1901 historical 26 #31,152
1911 historical 18 #31,542
1997 modern 169 #19,578
1998 modern 177 #19,523
1999 modern 178 #19,592
2000 modern 174 #19,829
2001 modern 175 #19,484
2002 modern 191 #18,817
2003 modern 201 #18,089
2004 modern 207 #17,821
2005 modern 212 #17,473
2006 modern 214 #17,507
2007 modern 220 #17,377
2008 modern 229 #17,092
2009 modern 234 #17,194
2010 modern 248 #16,886
2011 modern 231 #17,530
2012 modern 222 #17,921
2013 modern 224 #18,080
2014 modern 224 #18,202
2015 modern 224 #18,117
2016 modern 224 #18,164

Geography

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Where Bovells 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 Lambeth, Maidstone, Bishopton, Wandsworth and North Hertfordshire. 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 Lambeth 016 Lambeth
2 Maidstone 009 Maidstone
3 Bishopton Renfrewshire
4 Wandsworth 015 Wandsworth
5 North Hertfordshire 006 North Hertfordshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bovell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bovell

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Bovell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Bovell 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Bovell is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bovell 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

Bovell falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bovell 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Bovell

The surname Bovell has its origins in England, and it can be traced back to the 12th century. The name is believed to have derived from the Old English word "bofel," which means a small dwelling or cottage. It is possible that the name was initially given to someone who lived in a humble abode or worked as a builder of such dwellings.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bovell can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Boville." This entry suggests that the name was already in use during the Norman conquest of England. Over time, the spelling evolved into its current form, Bovell.

In the 13th century, records show that a family by the name of Bovell resided in the village of Bovill, located in the county of Somerset, England. This village likely took its name from the family, further reinforcing the connection between the surname and its geographic origins.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, several notable individuals bearing the Bovell surname emerged. One such figure was John Bovell (1554-1618), a renowned English clergyman and theologian who served as the Bishop of Norwich. Another was William Bovell (1624-1692), a distinguished English lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Warwickshire.

In the 18th century, the Bovell name gained prominence in the literary world with the birth of Samuel Bovell (1734-1804), an English poet and writer. His works, though not widely celebrated today, were influential in their time and contributed to the cultural landscape of the period.

Crossing the Atlantic, the Bovell name found its way to the American colonies in the late 17th century. One of the earliest recorded instances was that of Thomas Bovell (1658-1725), a wealthy merchant and landowner who settled in Virginia. His descendants went on to establish themselves as influential figures in various fields, including politics and business.

Another notable figure in American history was James Bovell (1817-1892), a skilled architect who designed several prestigious buildings in Philadelphia, including the Academy of Music and the Philadelphia City Hall. His contributions to the architectural heritage of the city earned him widespread recognition and respect.

Throughout its long history, the surname Bovell has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including clergymen, lawyers, writers, merchants, and architects. While the name may have originated from humble beginnings, it has left an indelible mark on the annals of history across multiple countries and centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bovell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bovell 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. Devon leads with 5 Bovells recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.33x.

County Total Index
Devon 5 12.33x
Lanarkshire 3 4.76x
Middlesex 3 1.54x
Hampshire 2 5.01x
Somerset 2 6.38x
Angus 1 5.54x
Kent 1 1.50x
Nottinghamshire 1 3.81x
Sussex 1 3.04x
Yorkshire 1 0.52x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. East Ogwell in Devon leads with 5 Bovells recorded in 1881 and an index of 25000.00x.

Place Total Index
East Ogwell 5 25000.00x
Christchurch 2 229.89x
Govan 2 12.83x
Walcot 2 119.76x
Brighton 1 15.08x
Chelsea London 1 17.04x
East Retford 1 434.78x
Glasgow 1 8.94x
Harrow On The Hill 1 256.41x
Inner Temple London 1 10000.00x
Lewisham 1 28.17x
Liff Benvie 1 36.50x
St Mary 1 769.23x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 2
Sarah 2
Caroline 1
Edith 1
Harriet 1
Louisa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 2
Ambrose 1
Arthur 1
Frederick 1
George 1
James 1
William 1

Top occupations

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 Bovell households.

FAQ

Bovell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bovell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 20 people were recorded with the Bovell surname. That placed it at #30,738 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bovell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 224 in 2016. That gives Bovell a modern rank of #18,164.

What does the Bovell surname mean?

An English surname derived from a location in Britain.

What does the Bovell map show?

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