UK surname
A Scottish surname referring to a person from the valley of the River Connel.
In the 1881 census there were 553 people recorded with the Connel surname, ranking it #6,244 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 75, ranked #33,377, down from #6,244 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Old Cumnock, Lismore and Appin and Govan Combination. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Connel is 897 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 86.4%.
1881 census count
553
Ranked #6,244
Modern count
75
2016, ranked #33,377
Peak year
1851
897 bearers
Map years
5
1851 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Connel surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Connel surname density by area, 1881 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 | 897 | #3,068 |
| 1861 | historical | 776 | #3,550 |
| 1881 | historical | 553 | #6,244 |
| 1891 | historical | 449 | #8,085 |
| 1901 | historical | 381 | #9,799 |
| 1911 | historical | 98 | #22,959 |
| 1997 | modern | 77 | #29,874 |
| 1998 | modern | 80 | #29,966 |
| 1999 | modern | 81 | #30,037 |
| 2000 | modern | 79 | #30,249 |
| 2001 | modern | 77 | #30,277 |
| 2002 | modern | 71 | #31,351 |
| 2003 | modern | 70 | #31,486 |
| 2004 | modern | 73 | #31,403 |
| 2005 | modern | 64 | #32,482 |
| 2006 | modern | 73 | #31,954 |
| 2007 | modern | 70 | #32,580 |
| 2008 | modern | 64 | #33,402 |
| 2009 | modern | 68 | #33,341 |
| 2010 | modern | 77 | #32,927 |
| 2011 | modern | 71 | #33,392 |
| 2012 | modern | 70 | #33,638 |
| 2013 | modern | 77 | #33,275 |
| 2014 | modern | 77 | #33,336 |
| 2015 | modern | 73 | #33,541 |
| 2016 | modern | 75 | #33,377 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Old Cumnock, Lismore and Appin, Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. 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 | Old Cumnock | Ayr |
| 2 | Lismore and Appin | Argyll |
| 3 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 4 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 5 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Connel 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 Connel, 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 Connel surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Connel 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, Connel 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 Connel is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Connel, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Connel originates from Scotland and dates back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic word "conghail," meaning "whirlpool" or "conflux." The name is believed to have originated in the area around Loch Etive in Argyllshire, where there is a whirlpool known as the Connel Straits.
The earliest recorded instance of the name appears in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which list individuals who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. One entry mentions "Duncan Connall de Argail." Over the centuries, the name has been spelled in various ways, including Connall, Connell, and Connel.
The Connel surname is closely associated with Clan MacConnel, a branch of the powerful Clan Donald. One of the earliest recorded members of this clan was Gillespic Cambel, who lived in the 13th century and was a descendant of Somerled, the Lord of the Isles.
In the 16th century, a prominent figure bearing the Connel surname was John Connel (1530-1595), a Scottish clergyman who served as the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1568. He played a significant role in the Scottish Reformation and was a staunch supporter of Presbyterianism.
Another notable individual was Sir John Connell (1765-1849), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars. He was born in Tyneside, England, and rose through the ranks to become a Vice Admiral in the Royal Navy.
In the literary world, the Scottish author James Connell (1891-1966) gained recognition for his novels and short stories, which often depicted life in Scotland's industrial cities. His most famous work is "The Seeker," published in 1929.
The surname Connel has also been associated with several notable locations. For instance, the village of Connel in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, is named after the nearby Connel Straits. Additionally, there is a Connel Island in County Mayo, Ireland, which may have been named after an early settler bearing the surname.
Throughout history, the Connel surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including clergymen, military officers, authors, and others who have contributed to the cultural and historical fabric of Scotland and beyond.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Connel 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. Lanarkshire leads with 100 Connels recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.75x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lanarkshire | 100 | 5.75x |
| Argyllshire | 44 | 29.41x |
| Ayrshire | 41 | 10.19x |
| Lancashire | 41 | 0.64x |
| Middlesex | 41 | 0.76x |
| Yorkshire | 32 | 0.60x |
| Angus | 31 | 6.23x |
| Kirkcudbrightshire | 27 | 34.70x |
| Midlothian | 20 | 2.78x |
| Renfrewshire | 20 | 4.80x |
| Durham | 18 | 1.13x |
| Perthshire | 16 | 6.63x |
| Surrey | 15 | 0.57x |
| Kent | 11 | 0.60x |
| Stirlingshire | 11 | 5.55x |
| Monmouthshire | 10 | 2.57x |
| Berwickshire | 9 | 13.83x |
| Fife | 8 | 2.51x |
| Selkirkshire | 7 | 14.39x |
| Wigtownshire | 7 | 9.81x |
| Aberdeenshire | 6 | 1.21x |
| Derbyshire | 6 | 0.71x |
| Cumberland | 4 | 0.86x |
| Dumfriesshire | 4 | 3.37x |
| Dunbartonshire | 4 | 2.77x |
| Essex | 3 | 0.28x |
| Buteshire | 2 | 6.14x |
| Caithness | 2 | 2.72x |
| Peeblesshire | 2 | 7.91x |
| Warwickshire | 2 | 0.15x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 0.11x |
| Isle of Man | 1 | 1.00x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 0.17x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 0.12x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 0.13x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 0.14x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 1.56x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 31 Connels recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.21x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Govan | 31 | 7.21x |
| Galston | 20 | 181.82x |
| Dundee | 19 | 10.22x |
| Barony | 17 | 3.86x |
| Dunoon Kilmun | 17 | 145.67x |
| Glasgow | 13 | 4.21x |
| Lismore Appin | 11 | 220.88x |
| Toxteth Park | 11 | 5.09x |
| Batley | 8 | 15.80x |
| Liverpool | 8 | 2.07x |
| Maryhill | 8 | 23.51x |
| Newabbey | 8 | 479.04x |
| Stainland Cum Old | 8 | 87.82x |
| Ayton | 7 | 185.19x |
| Dunning | 7 | 231.79x |
| Liff Benvie | 7 | 9.26x |
| Rutherglen | 7 | 27.45x |
| Stonehouse | 7 | 118.64x |
| Aberdeen Old Machar | 6 | 5.77x |
| Aberystruth | 6 | 17.52x |
| Alva | 6 | 63.49x |
| Battersea | 6 | 3.03x |
| Carmunnock | 6 | 451.13x |
| Dalserf | 6 | 34.58x |
| East Greenock | 6 | 15.26x |
| Kilmore Kilbride | 6 | 63.16x |
| Port Glasgow | 6 | 29.79x |
| Preston | 6 | 3.52x |
| Rerrick | 6 | 179.64x |
| Scone | 6 | 140.19x |
| St George In East London | 6 | 11.87x |
| Westoe | 6 | 6.62x |
| Abbey | 5 | 7.87x |
| Chiswick | 5 | 17.02x |
| Crook Billy Row | 5 | 24.41x |
| Dunfermline | 5 | 10.22x |
| Edinburgh Old | 5 | 114.42x |
| Glossop Dale | 5 | 12.69x |
| Poplar London | 5 | 4.93x |
| St George Bloomsbury | 5 | 16.21x |
| Urr | 5 | 49.41x |
| West Calder | 5 | 35.24x |
| Ardrossan | 4 | 28.74x |
| Ayr | 4 | 21.07x |
| Balfron | 4 | 163.27x |
| Gateshead | 4 | 3.34x |
| Kirkcolm | 4 | 116.96x |
| Melrose | 4 | 32.68x |
| Rotherhithe | 4 | 6.02x |
| St Marylebone London | 4 | 1.39x |
| St Pancras London | 4 | 0.92x |
| Arbroath | 3 | 18.18x |
| Bothwell | 3 | 6.36x |
| Dalmellington | 3 | 25.36x |
| Dalry | 3 | 15.85x |
| Deptford St Paul | 3 | 2.12x |
| Holy Trinity | 3 | 2.34x |
| Maybole | 3 | 24.49x |
| Milton In Gravesend | 3 | 10.91x |
| North Leith | 3 | 9.00x |
| Selkirk | 3 | 21.90x |
| Southwark St Saviour | 3 | 10.86x |
| Tottenham | 3 | 3.50x |
| Ardchattan Muckairn | 2 | 54.05x |
| Atherton | 2 | 8.62x |
| Barnoldswick | 2 | 26.92x |
| Borgue | 2 | 95.69x |
| Eltham | 2 | 18.60x |
| Everton | 2 | 0.98x |
| Greenwich | 2 | 2.34x |
| Irongray | 2 | 138.89x |
| Kilbrandon | 2 | 80.32x |
| Llanover | 2 | 15.07x |
| Lochee | 2 | 45.05x |
| Moulin | 2 | 52.49x |
| Neilston | 2 | 9.56x |
| Newport | 2 | 10.79x |
| Prittlewell | 2 | 13.61x |
| Shoreditch London | 2 | 0.86x |
| Thurso | 2 | 17.42x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Connel surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 17 |
| Ellen | 7 |
| Annie | 6 |
| Bridget | 6 |
| Catherine | 6 |
| Kate | 6 |
| Ann | 4 |
| Elizabeth | 4 |
| Jane | 4 |
| Sarah | 4 |
| Charlotte | 3 |
| Hannah | 3 |
| Margaret | 3 |
| Anne | 2 |
| Margret | 2 |
| Adela | 1 |
| Alice | 1 |
| Blanche | 1 |
| Briget | 1 |
| Cathrine | 1 |
| Elizth. | 1 |
| Harriet | 1 |
| Harriett | 1 |
| Helen | 1 |
| Jessie | 1 |
| Johanna | 1 |
| Lena | 1 |
| Louisa | 1 |
| Marcella | 1 |
| Margie | 1 |
| Maria | 1 |
| Mariah | 1 |
| Martha | 1 |
| Mona | 1 |
| Nancy | 1 |
| Nora | 1 |
| Sophie | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Connel surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| John | 15 |
| Patrick | 7 |
| Michael | 6 |
| James | 5 |
| Thomas | 5 |
| William | 5 |
| Edward | 4 |
| George | 4 |
| Robert | 4 |
| Daniel | 2 |
| Henry | 2 |
| Richard | 2 |
| Allen | 1 |
| Anthony | 1 |
| Charles | 1 |
| Cornelius | 1 |
| Douglas | 1 |
| Edwd. | 1 |
| Guy | 1 |
| Harry | 1 |
| Hugh | 1 |
| Infant | 1 |
| Jeremiah | 1 |
| Jerry | 1 |
| Joseph | 1 |
| Martin | 1 |
| Maurice | 1 |
| Michel | 1 |
| Mike | 1 |
| Nathaniel | 1 |
| Percy | 1 |
| Petrick | 1 |
| Philliph | 1 |
| Ramsey | 1 |
| Reubin | 1 |
| Sam | 1 |
| Thos. | 1 |
| Timothy | 1 |
| Tom | 1 |
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 Connel households.
FAQ
In 1881, 553 people were recorded with the Connel surname. That placed it at #6,244 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 75 in 2016. That gives Connel a modern rank of #33,377.
A Scottish surname referring to a person from the valley of the River Connel.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Connel 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.