NameCensus.

UK surname

Carol

A surname derived from the Old French word "caroler" meaning to dance or sing.

In the 1881 census there were 135 people recorded with the Carol surname, ranking it #16,515 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 162, ranked #22,512, down from #16,515 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Marykirk, St Pancras and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Denbighshire, Hillingdon and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Carol is 189 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 20.0%.

1881 census count

135

Ranked #16,515

Modern count

162

2016, ranked #22,512

Peak year

1861

189 bearers

Map years

4

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Carol had 135 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,515 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 162 in 2016, ranked #22,512.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 189 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Carol surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Carol surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Carol 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 110 #16,093
1861 historical 189 #12,570
1881 historical 135 #16,515
1891 historical 87 #25,802
1901 historical 55 #28,064
1911 historical 19 #31,416
1997 modern 59 #31,734
1998 modern 67 #31,282
1999 modern 65 #31,605
2000 modern 54 #32,710
2001 modern 48 #33,129
2002 modern 60 #32,388
2003 modern 52 #33,160
2004 modern 64 #32,286
2005 modern 59 #33,008
2006 modern 69 #32,343
2007 modern 79 #31,628
2008 modern 74 #32,460
2009 modern 89 #31,235
2010 modern 95 #31,000
2011 modern 126 #26,060
2012 modern 136 #24,830
2013 modern 128 #26,336
2014 modern 140 #24,977
2015 modern 138 #25,103
2016 modern 162 #22,512

Geography

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Where Carols are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Marykirk, St Pancras, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Manchester and Fyvie. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Denbighshire, Hillingdon, Newcastle upon Tyne and Brent. 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 Marykirk Kincardine
2 St Pancras London (North Districts)
3 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Fyvie Aberdeen

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Denbighshire 016 Denbighshire
2 Hillingdon 001 Hillingdon
3 Newcastle upon Tyne 022 Newcastle upon Tyne
4 Brent 005 Brent
5 Hillingdon 002 Hillingdon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Carol

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Carol

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Carol 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

Carol 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

Carol falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Carol

The surname Carol originated in medieval France and England, deriving from the Old French word "carole" which referred to a type of circular dance or song associated with Christmas festivities. The name likely originated as a descriptive surname, given to individuals who were known for their participation or expertise in these traditional carol dances or songs.

The earliest known record of the Carol surname dates back to the 13th century in England. One notable early bearer of this name was John le Carol, who was mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275. The "le" prefix in this spelling indicates that it was a descriptive surname at the time.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various spellings, such as Carole, Caroule, and Carolle, reflecting the evolution of the name's spelling over time. One example is Nicholas Carole, recorded in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire in 1379.

The Carol surname can also be traced back to place names in areas such as Carolles, a commune in Normandy, France. It is possible that some bearers of the Carol surname derived their name from these locales.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Carol surname was John Carol, who was born in Wiltshire, England, around 1450. He was a notable figure in the Wars of the Roses and served as a supporter of the House of York.

In the 16th century, the Carol surname gained prominence with individuals like Richard Carol (1558-1620), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the Dean of Worcester Cathedral.

Another notable bearer of the Carol surname was John Carol (1629-1666), an English Protestant minister and writer who was active during the English Civil War and the Interregnum period.

During the 17th century, the Carol surname also appeared in Scotland, with individuals like Robert Carol (1637-1690), a Scottish lawyer and judge who served as the Lord Advocate of Scotland.

In the 18th century, one notable figure was Jean-Baptiste Carol (1734-1799), a French architect and urban planner who was responsible for designing several notable buildings in Paris, including the Théâtre Feydeau.

As the centuries progressed, the Carol surname continued to be found across various regions, with bearers contributing to various fields, including literature, politics, and the arts.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Carol families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Carol 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 29 Carols recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.90x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 29 1.90x
Middlesex 17 1.32x
Durham 13 3.39x
Staffordshire 12 2.76x
Aberdeenshire 10 8.39x
Angus 7 5.87x
Northumberland 6 3.13x
Glamorgan 5 2.23x
Dunbartonshire 4 11.56x
Kirkcudbrightshire 4 21.46x
Lanarkshire 4 0.96x
Denbighshire 3 6.17x
Kent 3 0.68x
Ayrshire 2 2.08x
Devon 2 0.75x
Gloucestershire 2 0.79x
Yorkshire 2 0.16x
Midlothian 1 0.58x
Royal Navy 1 6.52x
Surrey 1 0.16x
Sussex 1 0.46x
Warwickshire 1 0.31x
Wigtownshire 1 5.85x
Worcestershire 1 0.59x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Fyvie in Aberdeenshire leads with 10 Carols recorded in 1881 and an index of 512.82x.

Place Total Index
Fyvie 10 512.82x
Dundee 7 15.72x
Haslingden 7 110.58x
Manchester 7 10.19x
Wolstanton 7 53.03x
Rock 6 5454.55x
Accrington 5 36.00x
Bedford 5 156.25x
Bromley London 5 17.66x
St Pancras London 5 4.82x
Balmaghie 4 975.61x
Bonhill 4 72.07x
Sunderland 4 59.17x
Walsall Foreign 4 17.82x
Stockton On Tees 3 16.25x
Swansea Town 3 16.32x
Woolwich 3 18.48x
Wrexham Abbot 3 245.90x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 2 8.41x
Chorlton On Medlock 2 8.24x
Govan 2 1.94x
Islington London 2 1.60x
Kyo 2 111.11x
Oldham 2 4.06x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 9.69x
Riccarton Hurlford 2 118.34x
St Anne Soho London 2 27.21x
Westminster St James 2 15.11x
Barony 1 0.95x
Birmingham 1 0.92x
Colwich 1 97.09x
Dawdon 1 21.23x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 1.44x
Escomb 1 56.82x
Hastings St Mary 1 18.52x
Holy Trinity 1 3.26x
Kirkleatham 1 58.14x
Leswalt 1 85.47x
Llanwonno 1 12.42x
Monkwearmouth Shore 1 13.37x
Neath 1 21.93x
Oldbury 1 12.09x
Rutherglen 1 16.37x
Salford 1 2.23x
St Andrew Holborn London 1 17.95x
Tanfield 1 21.98x
Wandsworth 1 8.07x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 11
Ellen 5
Margaret 5
Bridget 3
Rose 3
Alice 2
Elizabeth 2
Maria 2
(Mrs) 1
Catherin 1
Catherine 1
Cathrine 1
Elizth.Ann 1
Esther 1
Harriet 1
Jane 1
Jesse 1
Julia 1
Rosanna 1
Sarah 1
Theresa 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 8
James 7
Michael 6
Thomas 5
Edward 4
Joseph 3
Patrick 2
Thos. 2
William 2
(Mr) 1
Auguste 1
Burnet 1
Charles 1
Denis 1
George 1
Herbert 1
Jas. 1
Martin 1
Richard 1
Stephen 1

FAQ

Carol surname: questions and answers

How common was the Carol surname in 1881?

In 1881, 135 people were recorded with the Carol surname. That placed it at #16,515 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Carol surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 162 in 2016. That gives Carol a modern rank of #22,512.

What does the Carol surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old French word "caroler" meaning to dance or sing.

What does the Carol map show?

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