NameCensus.

UK surname

Coull

From Scottish Gaelic cuill meaning a corner, bend, or nook.

In the 1881 census there were 1,030 people recorded with the Coull surname, ranking it #3,815 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,148, ranked #3,010, up from #3,815 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Arbroath and St. Vigeans, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Rathven. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Buckie West and Mains of Buckie, Montrose South and Buckie Central East.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Coull is 2,148 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 108.5%.

1881 census count

1,030

Ranked #3,815

Modern count

2,148

2016, ranked #3,010

Peak year

2016

2,148 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Coull had 1,030 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,815 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,148 in 2016, ranked #3,010.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,448 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Coull surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Coull surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Coull 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 510 #4,903
1861 historical 594 #4,463
1881 historical 1,030 #3,815
1891 historical 1,287 #3,362
1901 historical 1,448 #3,516
1911 historical 205 #14,733
1997 modern 1,981 #3,078
1998 modern 2,053 #3,092
1999 modern 2,071 #3,098
2000 modern 2,119 #3,018
2001 modern 2,036 #3,071
2002 modern 2,057 #3,102
2003 modern 2,052 #3,053
2004 modern 2,052 #3,052
2005 modern 2,082 #2,965
2006 modern 2,078 #2,980
2007 modern 2,105 #2,982
2008 modern 2,088 #3,018
2009 modern 2,133 #3,038
2010 modern 2,132 #3,105
2011 modern 2,103 #3,100
2012 modern 2,073 #3,091
2013 modern 2,096 #3,115
2014 modern 2,138 #3,069
2015 modern 2,129 #3,051
2016 modern 2,148 #3,010

Geography

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Where Coulls are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Arbroath and St. Vigeans, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Rathven, Craig and Boyndie. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Buckie West and Mains of Buckie, Montrose South, Buckie Central East, Montrose North and Cullen, Portknockie, Findochty, Drybridge and Berryhillock. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Arbroath and St. Vigeans Forfar
2 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
3 Rathven Banff
4 Craig Forfar
5 Boyndie Banff

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Buckie West and Mains of Buckie Moray
2 Montrose South Angus
3 Buckie Central East Moray
4 Montrose North Angus
5 Cullen, Portknockie, Findochty, Drybridge and Berryhillock Moray

Forenames

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First names often paired with Coull

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Coull

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Coull, 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 Coull surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Coull 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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Coull 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

Coull is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Coull falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Coull

The surname Coull has its origins in Scotland, tracing back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old Norse word "koli," which means a small rounded hill or a headland. This indicates that the name likely originated from a place name referring to a topographical feature such as a hill or a headland in Scotland.

The earliest recorded mention of the name Coull can be found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, dated 1264, where it appears as "de Coul." This suggests that the name was initially associated with a specific location or place, possibly a settlement near a hill or a headland.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various Scottish records with different spellings, such as "Coul," "Coull," and "Cowill." These variations were common due to the inconsistencies in spelling and pronunciation during that era.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Sir William Coull, a Scottish knight who lived in the late 13th century. He is mentioned in the Ragman Rolls, a collection of historical documents from the reign of King Edward I of England.

Another notable figure with the surname Coull was John Coull, a Scottish merchant and burgess of Aberdeen, who lived in the 15th century. He is recorded in the Burgh Records of Aberdeen, which document the city's history and governance.

In the 16th century, the name Coull was associated with the village of Coull in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. This village, located near the River Dee, was likely named after the topographical feature that inspired the surname.

During the 17th century, the surname Coull gained prominence in the Scottish Highlands, particularly in the regions of Aberdeenshire and Moray. One notable figure from this period was Alexander Coull, a renowned Scottish poet and scholar who lived from 1609 to 1676.

In the 18th century, the name Coull appeared in various genealogical records and parish registers across Scotland. James Coull, born in 1722, was a notable Scottish farmer and landowner who played a role in the agricultural development of his region.

As the surname Coull spread beyond Scotland, it also gained recognition in other parts of the world. In the 19th century, William Coull, born in 1832, was a prominent Canadian businessman and philanthropist who contributed significantly to the development of his community in Ontario.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Coull families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Coull 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. Angus leads with 378 Coulls recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.81x.

County Total Index
Angus 378 40.81x
Banffshire 285 137.41x
Aberdeenshire 84 9.07x
Kincardineshire 48 39.42x
Lanarkshire 24 0.74x
East Lothian 22 16.61x
Inverness-shire 20 6.70x
West Lothian 20 13.28x
Midlothian 19 1.42x
Morayshire 17 10.94x
Durham 15 0.50x
Middlesex 15 0.15x
Shetland 14 13.71x
Fife 10 1.69x
Caithness 9 6.57x
Stirlingshire 8 2.17x
Northumberland 7 0.47x
Kent 6 0.18x
Devon 4 0.19x
Sutherland 4 5.20x
Essex 3 0.15x
Lancashire 3 0.03x
Argyllshire 2 0.72x
Royal Navy 2 1.68x
Hertfordshire 1 0.15x
Norfolk 1 0.07x
Perthshire 1 0.22x
Renfrewshire 1 0.13x
Ross-shire 1 0.36x
Surrey 1 0.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Craig in Angus leads with 302 Coulls recorded in 1881 and an index of 3374.30x.

Place Total Index
Craig 302 3374.30x
Rathven 204 523.61x
Montrose 31 55.22x
Marnoch 22 197.49x
Tranent 22 122.97x
Bervie 18 249.65x
Govan 18 2.25x
Aberdour 17 232.88x
Arbroath 17 55.37x
Peterhead 15 30.63x
Gamrie 14 60.48x
Lerwick Gulberwick 14 88.55x
Queensferry 14 380.43x
Benholm 13 248.57x
Cullen 13 169.05x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 13 2.41x
Deskford 11 370.37x
St Cyrus 11 216.11x
Liff Benvie 10 7.11x
Drainie 9 65.41x
Huntly 8 53.09x
Wick 8 18.09x
Logie Buchan 7 264.15x
Monquhitter 7 72.99x
St Ninians 7 19.15x
Alvah 6 128.48x
Dalmeny 6 104.17x
Dundee 6 1.74x
Fort Augustusor 6 2857.14x
Keith 6 27.14x
Laurencekirk 6 85.11x
Longbenton 6 9.52x
Rathen 6 61.86x
Boleskine Abertarff 5 101.01x
Fordyce 5 33.51x
Lumphanan 5 128.53x
St Pancras London 5 0.62x
Strath 5 55.07x
Abernethy Kincardine 4 75.90x
Ellon 4 31.40x
Glasgow 4 0.70x
Hartlepool 4 9.46x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 4 3.10x
Inverkeillor 4 69.69x
Ryton 4 38.28x
Scourie 4 4444.44x
South Leith 4 2.65x
Tarves 4 45.66x
Urquhart 4 54.50x
Belhelvie 3 47.39x
Bideford 3 13.46x
Burntisland 3 18.13x
Cupar 3 11.66x
Enfield 3 4.57x
Grange 3 49.42x
Leuchars 3 40.05x
Rochester St Margaret 3 8.34x
St Vigeans 3 6.00x
Aberdeen Old Machar 2 1.03x
Bellie 2 28.49x
Deptford St Paul 2 0.76x
Forfar 2 3.99x
Hackney London 2 0.36x
Hammersmith London 2 0.81x
Leyton 2 5.88x
Monifieth 2 6.11x
Paddington London 2 0.54x
Sunderland 2 3.81x
Torosay 2 71.17x
Turriff 2 13.38x
West Derby 2 0.58x
Banff 1 5.55x
Bishop Stortford 1 4.34x
Dunnet 1 18.18x
Dyke 1 23.53x
Great Yarmouth 1 0.79x
Insch 1 18.98x
Keig 1 37.59x
Minster In Sheppey 1 1.77x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 0.62x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 6
Sarah 4
Ann 2
Barbry 2
Jane 2
Amelia 1
Anna 1
Ellen 1
Harriet 1
Helen 1
Janie 1
Margaret 1
Marianne 1
Maud 1
Nutrie 1
Wulhelmind 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 4
George 3
Andrew 2
David 2
James 2
William 2
Alexander 1
Archibald 1
Benjamin 1
Charles 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Frederick 1
Geo 1
Henry 1
Joseph 1
Obediah 1
Robert 1
Thomas 1
Wm.James 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 Coull households.

FAQ

Coull surname: questions and answers

How common was the Coull surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,030 people were recorded with the Coull surname. That placed it at #3,815 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Coull surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,148 in 2016. That gives Coull a modern rank of #3,010.

What does the Coull surname mean?

From Scottish Gaelic cuill meaning a corner, bend, or nook.

What does the Coull map show?

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