NameCensus.

UK surname

Cavell

A surname derived from the Norman French "cavill," meaning "horse."

In the 1881 census there were 384 people recorded with the Cavell surname, ranking it #8,195 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 505, ranked #9,919, down from #8,195 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Southampton St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Dover, Bassetlaw and Ashford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cavell is 541 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 31.5%.

1881 census count

384

Ranked #8,195

Modern count

505

2016, ranked #9,919

Peak year

2010

541 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Cavell had 384 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,195 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 505 in 2016, ranked #9,919.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 438 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Cavell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cavell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cavell 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 260 #8,512
1861 historical 248 #9,947
1881 historical 384 #8,195
1891 historical 380 #9,231
1901 historical 326 #10,990
1911 historical 438 #8,684
1997 modern 497 #9,340
1998 modern 527 #9,222
1999 modern 514 #9,466
2000 modern 494 #9,717
2001 modern 490 #9,619
2002 modern 496 #9,697
2003 modern 496 #9,540
2004 modern 498 #9,547
2005 modern 475 #9,804
2006 modern 485 #9,691
2007 modern 495 #9,642
2008 modern 503 #9,590
2009 modern 523 #9,530
2010 modern 541 #9,481
2011 modern 527 #9,584
2012 modern 512 #9,693
2013 modern 521 #9,722
2014 modern 523 #9,770
2015 modern 515 #9,807
2016 modern 505 #9,919

Geography

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Where Cavells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Southampton St Mary 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 Dover, Bassetlaw, Ashford and Thanet. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Southampton St Mary Hampshire
5 St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Dover 003 Dover
2 Bassetlaw 016 Bassetlaw
3 Dover 004 Dover
4 Ashford 002 Ashford
5 Thanet 015 Thanet

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cavell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Cavell

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Cavell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Cavell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Cavell is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Cavell is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Cavell falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Cavell

The surname Cavell originated from a region in Normandy, France, during the Middle Ages. It is believed to be derived from the old French word "cave" meaning hollow or cave, possibly referring to someone who lived near a cave or hollow area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Cavill" or "Cavil." This suggests that the name was already present in England following the Norman Conquest in 1066.

In the 12th century, there are records of a family named Cavell residing in the village of Cavell, located in the county of Norfolk, England. It is likely that the name was adopted from this place name, or that the place was named after the family.

Notable individuals with the surname Cavell include:

1. Edith Cavell (1865-1915), a British nurse who was executed by the Germans during World War I for helping Allied soldiers escape from occupied Belgium. Her execution caused an international outcry and she became a celebrated martyr for the Allied cause.

2. John Cavell (1637-1714), an English composer and organist who served as the organist at the Chapel Royal and St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

3. Mary Cavell (1662-1733), an English teacher and writer who established one of the earliest schools for girls in London.

4. William Cavell (c. 1500-1580), an English Protestant reformer and clergyman who played a significant role in the English Reformation under the reign of Edward VI.

5. Reginald Cavell (1876-1915), a British army officer who was killed in action during World War I at the Battle of Loos.

While the Cavell surname was initially concentrated in Norfolk and surrounding areas, it gradually spread throughout England and other parts of the British Isles over the centuries. The name has also been found in various spellings such as Cavill, Cavill, and Cavill.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Cavell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cavell 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. Kent leads with 124 Cavells recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.65x.

County Total Index
Kent 124 9.65x
Middlesex 63 1.67x
Surrey 46 2.51x
Hampshire 27 3.50x
Gloucestershire 20 2.71x
Lancashire 18 0.40x
Lincolnshire 13 2.16x
Suffolk 12 2.62x
Yorkshire 11 0.29x
Norfolk 7 1.21x
Somerset 7 1.15x
Hertfordshire 6 2.31x
Bedfordshire 4 2.05x
Staffordshire 4 0.31x
Berkshire 3 1.06x
Cornwall 3 0.70x
Dorset 3 1.21x
Northamptonshire 2 0.56x
Oxfordshire 2 0.86x
Sussex 2 0.32x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.44x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.42x
Cumberland 1 0.31x
Durham 1 0.09x
Essex 1 0.13x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.20x
Royal Navy 1 2.23x
Warwickshire 1 0.11x
Worcestershire 1 0.20x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Deal in Kent leads with 64 Cavells recorded in 1881 and an index of 583.94x.

Place Total Index
Deal 64 583.94x
Deptford St Paul 15 15.14x
Kensington London 11 5.25x
Kingston On Thames 11 24.96x
Rotherhithe 11 23.65x
St Pancras London 11 3.63x
Cowpe Lench Newhall Hey 10 209.64x
Bradford 9 9.96x
Edmonton 9 29.66x
Islington London 9 2.47x
Southampton St Mary 9 18.55x
St Lawrence 9 101.93x
Walmer 9 161.29x
Hammersmith London 8 8.63x
Woolwich 8 16.86x
Castleton 7 15.69x
Sutton St Mary 7 123.02x
Staverton 6 1935.48x
Battersea 5 3.61x
Rendham 5 1063.83x
South Stoneham 5 29.87x
Swardeston 5 1136.36x
Ware 5 67.20x
Woodbridge 5 85.32x
Barnes 4 51.55x
Bermondsey 4 3.57x
Bitton 4 62.21x
Croydon 4 3.93x
Fawley 4 163.27x
Luton 4 11.85x
Mile End Old Town London 4 4.99x
Ramsgate 4 19.07x
Redbourne 4 851.06x
Walcot 4 12.39x
Walsall Foreign 4 6.09x
Bristol St George 3 8.78x
Bristol St James St Paul 3 12.19x
Camberwell 3 1.25x
Chatham 3 8.49x
Greenwich 3 5.01x
Limehouse London 3 7.26x
Millbrook 3 15.43x
Parkstone 3 104.17x
Portsea 3 1.98x
Binham 2 322.58x
Bradfield 2 13.91x
Cannington 2 111.11x
Clipston 2 222.22x
Deptford St Nicholas 2 19.61x
Leiston 2 63.49x
Oxford St Mary Magdalen 2 72.46x
Paddington London 2 1.44x
Plumstead 2 4.67x
Reading St Giles 2 7.21x
St Breock 2 86.96x
St George In East London 2 5.65x
St Marylebone London 2 0.99x
Tetbury 2 47.73x
Wandsworth 2 5.52x
All Saints Cambridge 1 59.52x
Beckenham 1 5.96x
Brighton 1 0.78x
Burgh By Sands 1 95.24x
Camborne 1 5.69x
Cheltenham 1 1.76x
Clevedon 1 15.87x
Eling 1 12.79x
Erith 1 7.90x
Great Amwell 1 38.46x
Great Grimsby 1 2.62x
Lambourne 1 90.91x
Lillington 1 81.97x
Margate St John Baptist 1 4.25x
Royal Navy 1 2.61x
Southwark Christchurch 1 5.67x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 1.32x
St Benedict Lincoln 1 123.46x
St Luke London 1 1.66x
St Martin In Fields 1 4.44x
Westbury On Trym 1 4.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 21
Sarah 13
Elizabeth 9
Emily 9
Florence 8
Annie 7
Edith 6
Ellen 6
Ann 5
Harriet 5
Louisa 5
Eliza 4
Hannah 4
Jane 4
Rebecca 4
Agnes 3
Alice 3
Emma 3
Ethel 3
Fanny 3
Frances 3
Harriett 3
Jessie 3
Rose 3
Ada 2
Amelia 2
Clara 2
Elizth 2
Eunice 2
Eva 2
Flora 2
Grace 2
Lizzie 2
Lucy 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Matilda 2
Rosa 2
Adela 1
Alpha 1
Be...a 1
Beatrice 1
Bessie 1
Betsey 1
Elizibeth 1
Emila 1
Herbert 1
Hester 1
Infant 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 25
Charles 15
George 14
William 13
James 12
Henry 10
Thomas 9
Edward 8
Frederick 7
Alfred 4
Ernest 4
Percy 4
Albert 3
Arthur 3
Joseph 3
Richard 3
Robert 3
Walter 3
Alexander 2
Edmond 2
Edwin 2
Frank 2
Fred 2
Phillip 2
Andrew 1
Benjamin 1
Bert 1
Chas.Pettit 1
Daniel 1
Doratson 1
Edmund 1
Francis 1
Fredk. 1
Geo 1
Heleb 1
Herbert 1
Horace 1
Jeremiah 1
Job 1
Josephus 1
Lawrence 1
Lewis 1
Louis 1
Maylon 1
Milman 1
Morris 1
Samul. 1
Shems 1
Sydney 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Cavell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cavell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 384 people were recorded with the Cavell surname. That placed it at #8,195 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cavell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 505 in 2016. That gives Cavell a modern rank of #9,919.

What does the Cavell surname mean?

A surname derived from the Norman French "cavill," meaning "horse."

What does the Cavell map show?

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