NameCensus.

UK surname

Carnell

An English locational surname derived from a place name meaning "rocky hill."

In the 1881 census there were 902 people recorded with the Carnell surname, ranking it #4,226 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,438, ranked #4,263, down from #4,226 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Kingsteignton and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Caerphilly, South Holland and King's Lynn and West Norfolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Carnell is 1,522 in 2003. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 59.4%.

1881 census count

902

Ranked #4,226

Modern count

1,438

2016, ranked #4,263

Peak year

2003

1,522 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Carnell had 902 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,226 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,438 in 2016, ranked #4,263.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,356 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Carnell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Carnell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Carnell 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 500 #5,001
1861 historical 645 #4,162
1881 historical 902 #4,226
1891 historical 1,001 #4,147
1901 historical 1,185 #4,135
1911 historical 1,356 #3,543
1997 modern 1,428 #4,074
1998 modern 1,479 #4,104
1999 modern 1,498 #4,094
2000 modern 1,511 #4,037
2001 modern 1,492 #3,999
2002 modern 1,509 #4,050
2003 modern 1,522 #3,948
2004 modern 1,499 #3,999
2005 modern 1,458 #4,053
2006 modern 1,453 #4,071
2007 modern 1,449 #4,116
2008 modern 1,443 #4,155
2009 modern 1,468 #4,184
2010 modern 1,462 #4,268
2011 modern 1,449 #4,252
2012 modern 1,406 #4,291
2013 modern 1,454 #4,240
2014 modern 1,460 #4,258
2015 modern 1,439 #4,271
2016 modern 1,438 #4,263

Geography

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Where Carnells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Kingsteignton, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and Nottingham St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Caerphilly, South Holland, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Teignbridge and Aylesbury Vale. 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 1
2 Kingsteignton Devon
3 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Caerphilly 014 Caerphilly
2 South Holland 008 South Holland
3 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 013 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
4 Teignbridge 009 Teignbridge
5 Aylesbury Vale 009 Aylesbury Vale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Carnell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Carnell

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Carnell, 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 Carnell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Carnell 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, Carnell 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

Carnell 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

Carnell 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 Carnell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Carnell

The surname Carnell is believed to have originated in England, and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is thought to have derived from the Old English words "carn" meaning a rocky hill or cairn, and "hyll" meaning a hill, thus suggesting that the name was likely given to someone who lived near a rocky hill or cairn.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Carnell can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1195, which mention a Roger de Carnhull. This suggests that the name was initially spelled with an 'h' before evolving to its current form.

During the 13th century, the name appears in various records such as the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire, where a William de Carnel is mentioned in 1272. The Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1279 also reference a John de Carnel.

In the 14th century, the surname is found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, with a John Carnel listed in 1327. The Lay Subsidy Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1380 mention a Thomas Carnell, indicating the spelling had evolved closer to its modern form.

One of the earliest notable figures with the surname Carnell was Sir John Carnell, a Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire in the 16th century, who served in the House of Commons from 1554 to 1555.

In the 17th century, Edward Carnell (1619-1676) was an English clergyman and scholar who served as the Archdeacon of Winchester. He published several works on theology and philosophy during his lifetime.

Sir Thomas Carnell (1670-1747) was a British politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Cambridgeshire from 1708 to 1747. He was also the High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire in 1701.

In the 18th century, Sir John Carnell (1734-1804) was a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolutionary Wars. He attained the rank of Admiral and was knighted for his service.

James Carnell (1805-1875) was a prominent English architect in the 19th century, known for his work on several churches and public buildings in London and the surrounding areas.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Carnell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Carnell 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 197 Carnells recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.71x.

County Total Index
Devon 197 10.71x
Nottinghamshire 131 11.00x
Yorkshire 81 0.92x
Middlesex 53 0.60x
Kent 47 1.56x
Norfolk 45 3.31x
Suffolk 39 3.62x
Essex 38 2.18x
Surrey 38 0.88x
Derbyshire 37 2.67x
Somerset 27 1.90x
Staffordshire 25 0.84x
Gloucestershire 22 1.27x
Hampshire 18 0.99x
Wiltshire 13 1.66x
Leicestershire 12 1.22x
Warwickshire 12 0.54x
Sussex 11 0.74x
Lincolnshire 10 0.71x
Huntingdonshire 9 5.13x
Lancashire 9 0.09x
Cornwall 8 0.80x
Durham 7 0.27x
Carmarthenshire 4 1.07x
Channel Islands 3 1.15x
Cheshire 3 0.15x
Glamorgan 2 0.13x
Royal Navy 2 1.90x
Monmouthshire 1 0.16x
Shropshire 1 0.13x
Worcestershire 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kingsteignton in Devon leads with 37 Carnells recorded in 1881 and an index of 722.66x.

Place Total Index
Kingsteignton 37 722.66x
Hilgay 34 665.36x
Nottingham St Mary 32 10.39x
Basford 30 54.64x
Great Wratting 30 2521.01x
Sidmouth 23 218.42x
Darley 21 375.67x
Ottery St Mary 21 173.99x
Littleham 18 133.83x
Camberwell 17 3.01x
Ecclesall Bierlow 17 9.54x
Plumstead 16 15.92x
Stoke Upon Trent 16 5.06x
Portsea 15 4.23x
Exeter St Sidwell 13 30.86x
Ashdon 11 433.07x
Boreham 11 365.45x
Kingston 11 384.62x
Ratcliffe Upon Trent 11 367.89x
St Pancras London 11 1.55x
Gittisham 10 735.29x
Keighley 10 10.71x
Awliscombe 9 555.56x
Bitton Oldland 9 50.79x
Carlton 9 66.23x
Fisherton Anger 9 62.20x
Lambeth 9 1.17x
West Ham 9 2.34x
Birmingham 8 1.08x
Sheffield 8 2.87x
Uny Lelant 8 147.87x
Broadhembury 7 341.46x
Eagle Hall 7 3333.33x
Godmanchester 7 105.42x
Halifax 7 5.44x
Radford 7 11.57x
Brighton 6 2.00x
Deptford St Paul 6 2.58x
Hammersmith London 6 2.76x
Ilkeston 6 15.47x
Kentisbeare 6 236.22x
Kippax 6 77.92x
Leicester St Margaret 6 2.51x
Mansfield 6 14.56x
Plymouth St Andrew 6 4.23x
Stoke St Gregory 6 138.89x
Thoroton 6 1304.35x
Bingham 5 98.81x
Kneesall 5 581.40x
Loughborough 5 11.25x
Nether Hallam 5 4.22x
Sevenoaks 5 20.45x
St Luke London 5 3.53x
Tonbridge 5 4.60x
Tormoham 5 6.42x
Withycombe Rawleigh 5 52.19x
Wolstanton 5 5.52x
Aston 4 0.65x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 4 2.45x
Chislehurst 4 24.74x
Darlington 4 3.94x
Exeter St David 4 25.45x
Guisbrough 4 20.90x
Newton Abbot St Mary 4 25.92x
Pembrey 4 23.35x
Poplar London 4 2.40x
Salford 4 1.30x
Sowton 4 325.20x
St Giles In Fields London 4 9.23x
Wath On Dearne 4 22.90x
Westbury On Trym 4 6.81x
Battersea 3 0.92x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 3 10.02x
Budby 3 769.23x
Clapham 3 2.72x
East Bridgford 3 110.29x
Heeley 3 11.27x
St Peter Port 3 6.19x
Stanford Le Hope 3 120.00x
Walpole St Andrew 3 141.51x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 51
John 48
Henry 31
George 30
Thomas 21
Edward 19
James 19
Charles 16
Richard 16
Robert 15
Joseph 13
Arthur 10
Samuel 10
Harry 8
Alfred 6
Frederick 6
Albert 5
Frank 5
Edmund 4
Ernest 3
Geo. 3
Thos. 3
Wm. 3
Benjamin 2
David 2
Edwin 2
Horace 2
Hugh 2
Saml. 2
Walter 2
Arther 1
Calvert 1
Chas. 1
Christopher 1
Clarence 1
Elijah 1
Fanny 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Fredrick 1
Henery 1
Herbert 1
Hodge 1
Isaac 1
J. 1
Jos. 1
Josheph 1
Lewis 1
Louis 1
Wm.H. 1

FAQ

Carnell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Carnell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 902 people were recorded with the Carnell surname. That placed it at #4,226 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Carnell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,438 in 2016. That gives Carnell a modern rank of #4,263.

What does the Carnell surname mean?

An English locational surname derived from a place name meaning "rocky hill."

What does the Carnell map show?

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