NameCensus.

UK surname

Connal

Of Scottish origin, a locational surname derived from the medieval lands of Connel.

In the 1881 census there were 225 people recorded with the Connal surname, ranking it #11,931 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 194, ranked #19,976, down from #11,931 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Blackford, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Braes Villages, Bridge of Allan and University and West Dorset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Connal is 274 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 13.8%.

1881 census count

225

Ranked #11,931

Modern count

194

2016, ranked #19,976

Peak year

1861

274 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Connal had 225 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,931 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 194 in 2016, ranked #19,976.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 274 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Connal surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Connal surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Connal 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 249 #8,816
1861 historical 274 #9,111
1881 historical 225 #11,931
1891 historical 223 #13,800
1901 historical 165 #17,085
1911 historical 27 #30,437
1997 modern 171 #19,438
1998 modern 175 #19,658
1999 modern 192 #18,689
2000 modern 186 #19,055
2001 modern 181 #19,106
2002 modern 183 #19,354
2003 modern 187 #18,856
2004 modern 197 #18,368
2005 modern 201 #18,080
2006 modern 199 #18,357
2007 modern 210 #17,904
2008 modern 202 #18,528
2009 modern 218 #18,015
2010 modern 224 #18,047
2011 modern 215 #18,379
2012 modern 201 #19,147
2013 modern 199 #19,584
2014 modern 202 #19,575
2015 modern 196 #19,840
2016 modern 194 #19,976

Geography

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Where Connals are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Blackford, Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Battersea and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Braes Villages, Bridge of Allan and University, West Dorset, Drumgelloch and Colchester. 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 Blackford Perth
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Battersea London (South Districts)
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Braes Villages Falkirk
2 Bridge of Allan and University Stirling
3 West Dorset 008 West Dorset
4 Drumgelloch North Lanarkshire
5 Colchester 009 Colchester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Connal

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Connal

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Connal surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Connal household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Connal 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

Connal is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Connal falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Connal

The surname Connal is primarily of Scottish origin, with early roots traceable to the ancient Celtic and Gaelic cultures of the British Isles. The name is believed to have originated around the area now known as Argyll and Bute in the western part of Scotland. It is derived from the old Gaelic names Conall or Connal, which have meanings associated with qualities such as "strong in battle" or "powerful as a wolf."

The earliest recorded uses of the surname date back to medieval Scotland, where names were often used to signify familial lineage and origin. Historical records indicate that variations of the name, such as Connell and O'Connell, appeared in manuscripts and land charters. One of the notable early mentions can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which recorded the names of Scottish nobles who pledged allegiance to King Edward I of England.

Another significant historical reference occurs in the heraldic records of the 14th and 15th centuries, where variations of Connal were noted among the clannish societies. The name appears in various forms in the ancient Scottish clan systems, often linked to the larger and more powerful Clan Donald. The MacConnell branch, which originated from the same Gaelic roots as Connal, played significant roles in the sociopolitical landscape of the Highlands during these centuries.

Among the earliest recorded individuals bearing this name is Richard Connal, a landholder in Ayrshire during the 15th century. His records in various land charters exemplify the prominence of the surname in the Scottish Lowlands during that period. Another notable figure is William Connal, a 17th-century merchant who expanded his influence into trade networks within the British Isles.

In the realm of literature and arts, Florence Connal (1868–1951) garnered attention for her work as a notable novelist and essayist in the early 20th century. Her contributions to Scottish literature and culture maintained the presence of the surname in public recognition.

Political history of the 18th century includes figures like John Connal, a Scottish parliamentarian who was involved in the negotiations leading up to the Acts of Union in 1707. His role in the parliamentary discussions highlights the involvement of individuals with the surname Connal in significant national events.

James Connal, a 19th-century industrialist, made considerable impact during the Industrial Revolution in Scotland. His innovations in textile manufacturing not only contributed to the economic growth of his region but also cemented the prominence of the Connal name in the annals of industrial history.

The surname Connal, with its deep-rooted history and various notable figures, showcases a rich tapestry of Scottish heritage. This name, tied to ancient Gaelic warrior culture and evolving through centuries of political, economic, and cultural changes, remains a testament to the enduring legacy of Scottish surnames.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Connal families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Connal 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. Lanarkshire leads with 76 Connals recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.71x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 76 10.71x
Renfrewshire 30 17.64x
Perthshire 23 23.35x
Stirlingshire 20 24.71x
Midlothian 12 4.08x
Surrey 10 0.94x
Ayrshire 8 4.87x
Buteshire 6 45.11x
Kent 6 0.80x
Sussex 6 1.62x
Aberdeenshire 5 2.46x
Dunbartonshire 5 8.48x
Worcestershire 4 1.40x
Lancashire 3 0.12x
Argyllshire 2 3.27x
Middlesex 2 0.09x
Yorkshire 2 0.09x
Angus 1 0.49x
Dumfriesshire 1 2.06x
Kirkcudbrightshire 1 3.15x
Leicestershire 1 0.41x
Somerset 1 0.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 25 Connals recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.24x.

Place Total Index
Govan 25 14.24x
Barony 21 11.69x
Glasgow 17 13.49x
Paisley High Church 12 88.63x
Cathcart 11 119.57x
Battersea 9 11.14x
Cambusnethan 9 57.07x
Blackford 8 666.67x
Campsie 8 180.18x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 6 5.07x
Kincardine 6 588.24x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 5 71.84x
Gravesend 5 78.86x
Logie 5 141.64x
New Machar 5 438.60x
Rothesay 5 77.64x
Auchterarder 4 145.45x
Dudley 4 11.48x
Hastings St Mary 4 43.43x
Middle Greenock 4 86.21x
Stewarton 4 123.08x
Balfron 3 300.00x
Cumbernauld 3 92.88x
St Ninians 3 37.41x
Barrow In Furness 2 5.65x
Falkirk 2 10.55x
Maryhill 2 14.39x
Stirling 2 19.59x
Abbey 1 3.85x
Bonhill 1 10.56x
Brighton 1 1.34x
Cumbrae 1 71.43x
Dalserf 1 14.12x
Drymen 1 91.74x
Dumbarton 1 12.18x
Dunoon 1 79.37x
Dunoon Kilmun 1 21.01x
East Greenock 1 6.23x
Gargunnock 1 188.68x
Great Crosby 1 14.08x
Hastings St Leonards 1 18.38x
Irvine 1 21.93x
Kirkmabreck 1 71.94x
Largs 1 25.84x
Leicester St Margaret 1 1.69x
Mauchline 1 52.91x
Neilston 1 11.71x
New Monkland 1 4.77x
Saddleworth 1 5.96x
Sheffield 1 1.44x
South Leith 1 3.02x
St George In East London 1 4.85x
St Vigeans 1 9.11x
Stevenston 1 23.36x
Tinwald 1 153.85x
Wandsworth 1 4.73x
Wells St Cuthbert Out 1 35.09x
Whitechapel London 1 4.62x
Woolwich 1 3.61x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Allan 2
James 2
John 2
Michael 2
Alexander 1
Dan 1
Frederick 1
George 1
Hugh 1
Thomas 1
William 1

Top occupations

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 Connal households.

FAQ

Connal surname: questions and answers

How common was the Connal surname in 1881?

In 1881, 225 people were recorded with the Connal surname. That placed it at #11,931 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Connal surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 194 in 2016. That gives Connal a modern rank of #19,976.

What does the Connal surname mean?

Of Scottish origin, a locational surname derived from the medieval lands of Connel.

What does the Connal map show?

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