NameCensus.

UK surname

Cassell

An English occupational surname for a person who made or sold casings or armor.

In the 1881 census there were 688 people recorded with the Cassell surname, ranking it #5,256 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,101, ranked #5,342, down from #5,256 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Leonard Shoreditch, London parishes and Hinckley (incl. Hydes Pastures). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Salford, Wolverhampton and Mansfield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cassell is 1,103 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 60.0%.

1881 census count

688

Ranked #5,256

Modern count

1,101

2016, ranked #5,342

Peak year

2010

1,103 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Cassell had 688 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,256 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,101 in 2016, ranked #5,342.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 974 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Cassell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cassell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cassell 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 239 #9,092
1861 historical 291 #8,653
1881 historical 688 #5,256
1891 historical 624 #6,199
1901 historical 841 #5,411
1911 historical 974 #4,641
1997 modern 1,048 #5,278
1998 modern 1,083 #5,325
1999 modern 1,083 #5,353
2000 modern 1,091 #5,302
2001 modern 1,042 #5,402
2002 modern 1,092 #5,302
2003 modern 1,039 #5,428
2004 modern 1,051 #5,381
2005 modern 1,000 #5,549
2006 modern 1,025 #5,450
2007 modern 1,028 #5,485
2008 modern 1,040 #5,466
2009 modern 1,074 #5,429
2010 modern 1,103 #5,420
2011 modern 1,085 #5,441
2012 modern 1,063 #5,440
2013 modern 1,098 #5,384
2014 modern 1,089 #5,452
2015 modern 1,092 #5,379
2016 modern 1,101 #5,342

Geography

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Where Cassells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Leonard Shoreditch, London parishes, Hinckley (incl. Hydes Pastures), Portsmouth, Portsea and St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Salford, Wolverhampton, Mansfield, Rotherham and Wycombe. 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 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
2 London parishes London 3
3 Hinckley (incl. Hydes Pastures) Leicestershire
4 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
5 St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Salford 029 Salford
2 Wolverhampton 005 Wolverhampton
3 Mansfield 007 Mansfield
4 Rotherham 009 Rotherham
5 Wycombe 018 Wycombe

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cassell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Cassell

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Cassell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Cassell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Cassell 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

Cassell 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

Cassell falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Cassell

The surname Cassell has its origins in France and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old French word "cassel," which referred to a small castle or fortified house. This name was likely given to someone who lived near or worked in such a structure.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Cassell appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive record of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name is listed as "Casell," which was likely a variation in spelling.

During the Middle Ages, the name Cassell was relatively common in parts of northern France, particularly in the regions of Normandy and Brittany. It is possible that some individuals with this surname may have been among the Norman settlers who accompanied William the Conqueror to England in 1066.

By the 13th century, the name had spread to other parts of Europe, including Germany and the Low Countries. In these regions, the spelling often varied, with forms such as "Cassel" and "Kassell" appearing in historical records.

One notable individual with the surname Cassell was Sir John Cassell (1515-1584), an English courtier and politician who served under Queen Elizabeth I. He was a member of Parliament and played a role in the negotiations with Spain during the Anglo-Spanish War.

Another prominent figure was Sir Richard Cassell (1690-1751), a British naval officer who distinguished himself during the War of the Austrian Succession. He commanded several ships and participated in several battles against the French and Spanish fleets.

In the 19th century, John Cassell (1817-1865) was a successful publisher and entrepreneur in London. He founded the Cassell Publishing Company, which became renowned for producing affordable and educational books for the masses.

Marie Cassell (1842-1928) was a French author and journalist who wrote extensively on social and women's issues. She was a prominent figure in the feminist movement and advocated for greater rights and opportunities for women.

Finally, Gustav Cassell (1872-1946) was a German physician and bacteriologist who made significant contributions to the understanding and treatment of infectious diseases. He is particularly known for his work on the causative agent of syphilis and the development of diagnostic tests for the disease.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Cassell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cassell 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. Hampshire leads with 100 Cassells recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.25x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 100 7.25x
Surrey 96 2.93x
Middlesex 86 1.28x
Kent 68 2.96x
Lancashire 46 0.58x
Yorkshire 32 0.48x
Gloucestershire 31 2.35x
Warwickshire 29 1.71x
Somerset 18 1.66x
Worcestershire 18 2.05x
Berkshire 17 3.36x
Wiltshire 16 2.69x
Staffordshire 15 0.66x
Durham 13 0.65x
Norfolk 13 1.26x
Lanarkshire 11 0.51x
Northamptonshire 11 1.74x
Shropshire 10 1.72x
Sussex 10 0.88x
Devon 8 0.57x
Cumberland 6 1.04x
Nottinghamshire 6 0.66x
Hertfordshire 5 1.08x
Leicestershire 5 0.67x
Glamorgan 4 0.34x
Cheshire 3 0.20x
Herefordshire 2 0.72x
Northumberland 2 0.20x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.16x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.25x
Channel Islands 1 0.50x
Dorset 1 0.23x
Essex 1 0.08x
Isle of Man 1 0.80x
Perthshire 1 0.33x
Renfrewshire 1 0.19x
Royal Navy 1 1.25x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Portsea in Hampshire leads with 38 Cassells recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.05x.

Place Total Index
Portsea 38 14.05x
Camberwell 20 4.65x
Deptford St Paul 20 11.29x
Aston 18 3.85x
Brook 17 3777.78x
St Lawrence 17 107.66x
Shoreditch London 16 5.48x
Mile End Old Town London 13 9.07x
Tilney Cum Islington 13 1940.30x
Liverpool 12 2.47x
Newington 12 4.83x
Dallington 11 295.70x
Kingston On Thames 11 13.96x
Lambeth 11 1.87x
Willersey 11 1208.79x
Eling 10 71.58x
Hunsworth 10 285.71x
Stranton 10 14.83x
Taunton St James 10 63.29x
Walsall Foreign 10 8.52x
Madeley 9 42.21x
Manchester 9 2.51x
Ramsgate 9 24.01x
Stoke 9 58.14x
Hackney London 8 2.12x
St Marylebone London 8 2.23x
Battersea 7 2.83x
Birmingham 7 1.24x
Bray 7 47.17x
Broadway 7 185.19x
East Tisbury 7 341.46x
Freshwater 7 111.11x
Govan 7 1.30x
Horley 7 127.27x
Sherborne 7 530.30x
Bethnal Green London 6 2.05x
Brighton 6 2.62x
Clapham 6 7.13x
Eccleston In Prescot 6 14.96x
Evesham St Lawrence 6 128.48x
Gillingham 6 12.67x
Godshill 6 188.68x
Openshaw 6 16.04x
Petham 6 377.36x
Radford 6 13.02x
Shorwell 6 425.53x
Southwark St George Martyr 6 4.43x
Spotland 6 6.76x
St Cuthbert W O 6 21.24x
St Luke London 6 5.56x
Stoke Damerel 6 6.12x
Alverstoke 5 10.01x
Batley 5 7.89x
Bishops Cannings 5 227.27x
Feckenham 5 49.70x
Ilminster 5 66.05x
Moreton In Marsh 5 151.06x
Reading St Giles 5 10.09x
Cheshunt 4 24.66x
Gomersal 4 12.85x
Guildford Holy Trinity 4 64.00x
Hampton London 4 36.17x
Hinckley 4 22.60x
Kensington London 4 1.07x
Leeds 4 1.06x
Swansea Town 4 4.16x
Thornbury 4 44.35x
Westminster St Margaret 4 12.32x
Bradford 3 1.86x
Brading 3 16.36x
Great Neston 3 61.10x
Greencroft 3 81.74x
Mottistone 3 909.09x
Rotherhithe 3 3.61x
St Clement Danes London 3 21.54x
St George In East London 3 4.74x
St Martin In Fields 3 7.44x
Everton 2 0.79x
Leamington Priors 2 4.79x
Taunton St Mary 2 10.06x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 39
Sarah 27
Ellen 19
Emma 16
Elizabeth 13
Jane 12
Eliza 11
Ann 10
Annie 8
Edith 8
Emily 8
Maria 8
Alice 6
Catherine 6
Florence 6
Kate 6
Louisa 6
Martha 6
Agnes 5
Clara 5
Harriett 5
Fanny 4
Hannah 4
Isabella 4
Anne 3
Eleanor 3
Margaret 3
Sophia 3
Ada 2
Elizth. 2
Esther 2
Hellen 2
Jessie 2
Lucy 2
Maud 2
Minnie 2
Anna 1
Betsy 1
Caroline 1
Celia 1
Eliz. 1
Elizth 1
Ella 1
Grace 1
Halvey 1
Harriet 1
Heilner 1
Helenor 1
Isabel 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 37
William 37
Henry 26
George 24
James 19
Thomas 18
Charles 15
Richard 14
Edward 13
Frederick 11
Alfred 10
Joseph 10
Walter 8
Arthur 7
Ernest 7
Harry 6
Herbert 6
Samuel 6
Frank 5
Albert 4
Robert 4
Edgar 3
Francis 3
Abraham 2
Edmund 2
Fredk. 2
Jno. 2
Martin 2
Moses 2
Robt. 2
Wm. 2
Chas. 1
Edwd. 1
Edwin 1
Fred 1
Fred.C. 1
Geo. 1
Gourov 1
Hy. 1
Issac 1
Louis 1
M.H. 1
Major 1
Mark 1
Matthew 1
Michael 1
Nathaniel 1
Owen 1
Peter 1
Reginald 1

FAQ

Cassell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cassell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 688 people were recorded with the Cassell surname. That placed it at #5,256 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cassell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,101 in 2016. That gives Cassell a modern rank of #5,342.

What does the Cassell surname mean?

An English occupational surname for a person who made or sold casings or armor.

What does the Cassell map show?

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