NameCensus.

UK surname

Damerell

A variant anglicized spelling of the French locational surname Dumareill.

In the 1881 census there were 176 people recorded with the Damerell surname, ranking it #13,930 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 230, ranked #17,812, down from #13,930 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Tormoham with Torquay, Harberton and Shaugh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Waveney, South Hams and Plymouth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Damerell is 333 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 30.7%.

1881 census count

176

Ranked #13,930

Modern count

230

2016, ranked #17,812

Peak year

1911

333 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Damerell had 176 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,930 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 230 in 2016, ranked #17,812.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 333 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Damerell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Damerell surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Damerell 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 94 #17,837
1861 historical 88 #22,554
1881 historical 176 #13,930
1891 historical 230 #13,494
1901 historical 275 #12,332
1911 historical 333 #10,624
1997 modern 229 #16,168
1998 modern 233 #16,459
1999 modern 233 #16,554
2000 modern 233 #16,524
2001 modern 235 #16,147
2002 modern 247 #15,941
2003 modern 239 #16,093
2004 modern 226 #16,829
2005 modern 217 #17,217
2006 modern 220 #17,204
2007 modern 220 #17,377
2008 modern 221 #17,495
2009 modern 230 #17,382
2010 modern 234 #17,544
2011 modern 225 #17,841
2012 modern 215 #18,304
2013 modern 221 #18,252
2014 modern 226 #18,088
2015 modern 228 #17,899
2016 modern 230 #17,812

Geography

Back to top

Where Damerells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Tormoham with Torquay, Harberton, Shaugh, Plymouth St Charles the Martyr and Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Waveney, South Hams and Plymouth. 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 Tormoham with Torquay Devon
2 Harberton Devon
3 Shaugh Devon
4 Plymouth St Charles the Martyr Devon
5 Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Waveney 004 Waveney
2 South Hams 005 South Hams
3 Waveney 002 Waveney
4 Waveney 005 Waveney
5 Plymouth 022 Plymouth

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Damerell

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Damerell

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Damerell is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Damerell is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Damerell 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 Damerell 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 Damerell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Damerell

The surname Damerell is of English origin, originating in the county of Devon during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "dæmere" meaning "judge" or "arbiter" and "hyll" meaning "hill," suggesting the name may have referred to someone who lived near or owned land on a hill where a judge or local official resided.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Damerell appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Dameral" in reference to a landowner in Devon. This spelling variation highlights the name's evolution over time, as it was adapted to the local dialects and pronunciations of the region.

In the 13th century, the name is documented in various records, such as the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it is spelled "Damerell." This indicates the surname had become firmly established by this point in time.

One notable early bearer of the Damerell name was Sir John Damerell (1265-1333), a knight and landowner from Devon who fought in the Wars of Scottish Independence under King Edward I.

During the 16th century, the Damerell family held significant landholdings in Devon, with members such as Richard Damerell (1510-1578) and his son William Damerell (1545-1620) being prominent figures in the local gentry.

In the 17th century, the name appears in connection with the town of Barnstaple in Devon, where a family of Damerells owned the manor of Watermouth. One member, John Damerell (1628-1692), served as the Mayor of Barnstaple in 1673.

Moving into the 18th century, the Damerell name gained further recognition with the writer and clergyman Richard Damerell (1704-1776), who was the author of several religious works and served as the Rector of Leinslade in Buckinghamshire.

In the 19th century, another notable bearer of the Damerell name was Sir Charles Damerell (1810-1891), a British army officer who served in the Crimean War and was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in recognition of his military service.

Throughout its history, the surname Damerell has maintained strong ties to its Devon roots, with many bearers of the name continuing to reside in the county and surrounding areas of the West Country region of England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Damerell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Damerell 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. Devon leads with 155 Damerells recorded in 1881 and an index of 43.38x.

County Total Index
Devon 155 43.38x
Lancashire 6 0.29x
Hampshire 5 1.42x
Middlesex 4 0.23x
Caernarfonshire 3 4.32x
Anglesey 1 3.29x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.96x
Cornwall 1 0.51x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stoke Damerel in Devon leads with 23 Damerells recorded in 1881 and an index of 91.96x.

Place Total Index
Stoke Damerel 23 91.96x
Plymouth Charles The 15 95.30x
Tormoham 15 99.21x
Shaugh Prior 14 3414.63x
Plymouth St Andrew 13 47.22x
Ringmore 10 6666.67x
Cornworthy 9 3600.00x
Berry Pomeroy 8 1355.93x
Bickleigh 6 1714.29x
Toxteth Park 6 8.70x
Exeter St Sidwell 5 61.12x
Plymstock 5 267.38x
Southampton St Mary 5 22.59x
Wolborough 4 88.50x
Aveton Gifford 3 576.92x
Denio 3 185.19x
Dodbrooke 3 422.54x
Exeter St Thomas The 3 82.42x
Fulham London 3 12.05x
Stokenham 3 297.03x
Tamerton Foliott 3 434.78x
Dittisham 2 571.43x
Egg Buckland 2 327.87x
Halwell 2 512.82x
Bromley London 1 2.65x
Dartmouth Townstall 1 68.49x
Devonport 1 24.33x
Hambleden 1 112.36x
Harberton 1 123.46x
Holyhead 1 17.64x
Kenwyn 1 19.69x
Lustleigh 1 454.55x
Plympton St Mary 1 48.31x
Totnes 1 47.85x
West Teignmouth 1 36.63x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 11
Mary 11
Ellen 8
Susanna 4
Bessie 3
Emily 3
Emma 3
Sarah 3
Susan 3
Caroline 2
Elisabeth 2
Eliza 2
Harriett 2
Ida 2
Jane 2
Maud 2
Alice 1
Ann 1
C.L. 1
Catherine 1
Clara 1
Edith 1
Elizth. 1
Eva 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Harriette 1
Henrietta 1
Hester 1
Hetty 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Louisa 1
Madeline 1
Maria 1
Ruth 1
Tabitha 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 15
William 12
Thomas 7
James 6
Henry 5
Robert 5
Charles 4
Arthur 3
Edward 3
Frederick 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
George 2
Harry 2
Baltimore 1
Chas. 1
Duncan 1
Edmond 1
Edwd. 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Fredrick 1
Jno. 1
Martin 1
Oscar 1
Richard 1
Robt. 1
Robt.G.H. 1
Roger 1
Rowlan 1
Samuel 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Damerell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Damerell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 176 people were recorded with the Damerell surname. That placed it at #13,930 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Damerell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 230 in 2016. That gives Damerell a modern rank of #17,812.

What does the Damerell surname mean?

A variant anglicized spelling of the French locational surname Dumareill.

What does the Damerell map show?

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