UK surname
A locational surname derived from the English place name Carlisle.
In the 1881 census there were 79 people recorded with the Caryl surname, ranking it #22,357 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 81, ranked #32,971, down from #22,357 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Exeter St David (including Castle Yard) and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Caryl is 117 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 2.5%.
1881 census count
79
Ranked #22,357
Modern count
81
2016, ranked #32,971
Peak year
1911
117 bearers
Map years
1
1911 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Caryl surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Caryl surname density by area, 1911 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 | 39 | #26,319 |
| 1861 | historical | 43 | #28,562 |
| 1881 | historical | 79 | #22,357 |
| 1891 | historical | 82 | #26,494 |
| 1901 | historical | 95 | #23,462 |
| 1911 | historical | 117 | #20,757 |
| 1997 | modern | 77 | #29,874 |
| 1998 | modern | 75 | #30,471 |
| 1999 | modern | 79 | #30,243 |
| 2000 | modern | 73 | #30,881 |
| 2001 | modern | 73 | #30,699 |
| 2002 | modern | 68 | #31,626 |
| 2003 | modern | 75 | #30,994 |
| 2004 | modern | 81 | #30,569 |
| 2005 | modern | 82 | #30,617 |
| 2006 | modern | 82 | #30,933 |
| 2007 | modern | 84 | #31,067 |
| 2008 | modern | 85 | #31,247 |
| 2009 | modern | 84 | #31,842 |
| 2010 | modern | 84 | #32,289 |
| 2011 | modern | 83 | #32,336 |
| 2012 | modern | 92 | #31,528 |
| 2013 | modern | 92 | #31,909 |
| 2014 | modern | 84 | #32,823 |
| 2015 | modern | 84 | #32,782 |
| 2016 | modern | 81 | #32,971 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Exeter St David (including Castle Yard), London parishes, Toxteth Park and Exeter St Paul, Bradninch. 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 | Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff | Gloucestershire |
| 2 | Exeter St David (including Castle Yard) | Devon |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 5 | Exeter St Paul, Bradninch | Devon |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Caryl 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 Caryl, 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 Caryl surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Caryl 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, Caryl 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 Caryl is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Caryl, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Caryl is believed to have originated in England, with the earliest known records dating back to the 13th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "caru," meaning "care" or "sorrow," suggesting that the name may have initially referred to a sorrowful or melancholic person.
One of the earliest known references to the name Caryl can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were a series of administrative records compiled during the reign of King Edward I. The name appears in these rolls as "Caryll," indicating that the spelling has evolved over time.
In the 14th century, the Caryl surname started appearing in various historical documents and records across different regions of England. For instance, in 1327, a John Caryl was recorded as a resident of Gloucestershire, while in 1379, a William Caryl was mentioned in the records of Yorkshire.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Caryl surname became more widely distributed across England, with several notable individuals bearing the name. One of the most prominent figures was Joseph Caryl (1602-1673), an English Congregationalist minister and biblical scholar who served as a member of the Westminster Assembly.
Another noteworthy individual with the Caryl surname was John Caryll (1625-1711), an English Catholic writer and traveler who was part of the court of King James II. He was known for his works on religious topics and his travels across Europe.
In the 18th century, the Caryl surname continued to be found in various parts of England, with several individuals achieving recognition in various fields. For example, John Caryl (1738-1815) was an English physician and author who wrote on medical topics and was a fellow of the Royal Society.
The 19th century saw the Caryl surname spread further across the British Isles and beyond, with individuals bearing the name making their mark in various professions. One notable figure was Ralph Caryll (1808-1888), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Somersetshire.
Throughout its history, the Caryl surname has also been associated with various place names and locations in England. For instance, there is a village called Caryll in Gloucestershire, which may have derived its name from an early holder of the Caryl surname.
Overall, the surname Caryl has a rich and varied history, with its origins tracing back to medieval England. While the name has evolved in spelling and pronunciation over the centuries, it continues to be a part of the diverse tapestry of surnames found across the English-speaking world.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Caryl 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 25 Caryls recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.70x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 25 | 2.70x |
| Devon | 21 | 12.93x |
| Cheshire | 14 | 8.13x |
| Surrey | 7 | 1.84x |
| Kent | 5 | 1.88x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.39x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.26x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 0.76x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.65x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 15 Caryls recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.68x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | 15 | 26.68x |
| Monks Coppenhall | 14 | 215.38x |
| Exeter St Paul | 10 | 3125.00x |
| Battersea | 7 | 24.38x |
| Toxteth Park | 5 | 15.95x |
| West Derby | 5 | 18.46x |
| Exeter Allhallows Onthe | 4 | 5714.29x |
| Wrotham | 4 | 454.55x |
| Brampford Speke | 3 | 2307.69x |
| Richmond | 3 | 247.93x |
| Exeter Holy Trinity | 2 | 312.50x |
| Tottenham | 2 | 16.09x |
| Upper Penn | 2 | 303.03x |
| Canterbury St Dunstan | 1 | 217.39x |
| Colyton | 1 | 161.29x |
| Exeter St David | 1 | 71.94x |
| Gloucester Barton St Mary | 1 | 35.71x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Caryl 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 Caryl 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 Caryl households.
FAQ
In 1881, 79 people were recorded with the Caryl surname. That placed it at #22,357 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 81 in 2016. That gives Caryl a modern rank of #32,971.
A locational surname derived from the English place name Carlisle.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Caryl 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.