NameCensus.

UK surname

Dartnell

A locational surname referring to someone who lived near a valley or dell.

In the 1881 census there were 264 people recorded with the Dartnell surname, ranking it #10,655 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 449, ranked #10,816, down from #10,655 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wellingborough, London parishes and Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lewes, East Northamptonshire and Basildon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dartnell is 523 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 70.1%.

1881 census count

264

Ranked #10,655

Modern count

449

2016, ranked #10,816

Peak year

1998

523 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dartnell had 264 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,655 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 449 in 2016, ranked #10,816.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 467 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Dartnell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dartnell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dartnell 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 174 #11,590
1861 historical 141 #16,072
1881 historical 264 #10,655
1891 historical 320 #10,546
1901 historical 467 #8,471
1911 historical 423 #8,924
1997 modern 502 #9,273
1998 modern 523 #9,276
1999 modern 518 #9,410
2000 modern 522 #9,313
2001 modern 516 #9,234
2002 modern 521 #9,363
2003 modern 507 #9,391
2004 modern 510 #9,374
2005 modern 490 #9,577
2006 modern 490 #9,613
2007 modern 487 #9,753
2008 modern 480 #9,948
2009 modern 484 #10,101
2010 modern 492 #10,178
2011 modern 471 #10,418
2012 modern 459 #10,513
2013 modern 459 #10,682
2014 modern 459 #10,731
2015 modern 452 #10,785
2016 modern 449 #10,816

Geography

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Where Dartnells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wellingborough, London parishes, Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory, Lambeth and Gravesend, Milton next Gravesend. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Lewes, East Northamptonshire, Basildon and Gravesham. 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 Wellingborough Northamptonshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory Northamptonshire
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 Gravesend, Milton next Gravesend Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Lewes 002 Lewes
2 Lewes 003 Lewes
3 East Northamptonshire 003 East Northamptonshire
4 Basildon 014 Basildon
5 Gravesham 004 Gravesham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dartnell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dartnell

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Dartnell, 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 Dartnell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Dartnell 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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Dartnell is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

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

Dartnell is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dartnell 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 Dartnell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Dartnell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Dartnell

The surname Dartnell is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the county of Derbyshire during the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "deor" meaning deer and "fnell" meaning valley or hill, suggesting that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived in a deer-inhabited valley or hill.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Derbyshire from 1273, where it appears as "Dertenhill." This early spelling variation highlights the name's evolution over time.

In the 14th century, the name was documented in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire, where it appeared as "Dertenhull" in 1327. These historical records provide valuable insights into the name's origins and variations.

During the 16th century, the surname Dartnell began to appear more frequently in various records across England. One notable individual was John Dartnell, a merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol, who lived from 1550 to 1622.

Another prominent figure was Sir Thomas Dartnell, a member of Parliament and landowner in Wiltshire, who lived from 1615 to 1688. His estate, known as Dartnell Park, was located near the town of Chippenham.

In the 18th century, Samuel Dartnell (1720-1794) was a respected clergyman and author who served as the rector of Barford St. Martin in Wiltshire. His publications included sermons and theological works.

During the 19th century, the name Dartnell gained further recognition with individuals like Henry Dartnell (1808-1879), a British naval officer and explorer who served in the Royal Navy and conducted surveys in Australia and the Pacific.

Another notable figure was George Dartnell (1838-1908), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal United Service Institution and the Church of St. Cuthbert in Kensington.

While these examples provide insight into the surname's history and notable bearers, it is important to note that the name Dartnell has continued to evolve and spread across various regions, reflecting the diverse lineages and stories of those who carry this surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dartnell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dartnell 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. Surrey leads with 67 Dartnells recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.34x.

County Total Index
Surrey 67 5.34x
Kent 52 5.92x
Northamptonshire 31 12.80x
Middlesex 30 1.16x
Sussex 28 6.45x
Essex 17 3.34x
Lancashire 7 0.23x
Huntingdonshire 5 9.78x
Wiltshire 5 2.20x
Glamorgan 4 0.89x
Gloucestershire 4 0.79x
Warwickshire 4 0.62x
Devon 3 0.56x
Derbyshire 2 0.50x
Cheshire 1 0.18x
Dorset 1 0.59x
Durham 1 0.13x
Midlothian 1 0.29x
Somerset 1 0.24x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Croydon in Surrey leads with 18 Dartnells recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.84x.

Place Total Index
Croydon 18 25.84x
Northampton Priory St 16 110.12x
West Ham 16 14.26x
Eastbourne 13 65.07x
Lambeth 13 5.79x
Wellingborough 11 90.31x
Portslade 10 377.36x
Pembury 8 640.00x
Shere 8 526.32x
Crayford 6 156.25x
Greenwich 6 14.63x
Streatham 6 31.40x
West Wickham 6 705.88x
Whitechapel London 6 23.64x
Bromley 5 37.34x
Liverpool 5 2.69x
Mile End Old Town London 5 9.12x
Stilton 5 877.19x
Guildford Friary 4 1025.64x
Hackney London 4 2.77x
Huish 4 3636.36x
Leamington Priors 4 25.03x
Milton In Gravesend 4 30.35x
Oystermouth 4 115.27x
Sevenoaks 4 56.18x
St George In East London 4 16.52x
Tonbridge 4 12.62x
Bermondsey 3 3.91x
Camberwell 3 1.82x
Cheltenham 3 7.70x
Clapham 3 9.32x
Hastings St Leonards 3 47.02x
St Marylebone London 3 2.18x
St Pancras London 3 1.45x
Banstead 2 58.82x
Birling 2 256.41x
Derby St Peter 2 15.58x
Islip 2 400.00x
Paddington London 2 2.11x
Putney 2 17.04x
Snodland 2 80.32x
Southwark St George Martyr 2 3.86x
West Derby 2 2.24x
Brighton 1 1.14x
Bruton 1 61.35x
Buckhorn Weston 1 217.39x
Chislehurst 1 21.23x
Clifton 1 3.92x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.48x
Devonport 1 16.23x
East Ham 1 10.60x
East Stonehouse 1 9.47x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 0.72x
Egham 1 12.99x
Ham 1 555.56x
Hastings St Mary 1 9.25x
Kensington London 1 0.70x
Lee 1 7.84x
Maidstone 1 3.82x
Northampton St Sepulchre 1 8.12x
Poplar London 1 2.06x
St Andrew Holborn London 1 8.97x
Stoke Damerel 1 2.67x
Sunderland 1 7.39x
Sutton 1 11.01x
Thrapston 1 81.97x
Tranmere 1 4.79x
Wandsworth 1 4.03x
West Malling 1 50.51x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 16
John 11
Henry 9
Thomas 8
Arthur 6
James 6
Robert 6
Alfred 5
George 5
Edward 4
Frederick 4
Daniel 3
Fredk. 3
Joseph 3
Albert 2
Charles 2
Frank 2
Herbert 2
Jacob 2
Jeremiah 2
Stephen 2
Walter 2
Ada 1
Anthony 1
August 1
Buttey 1
Ebenezer 1
Edw. 1
Edwd. 1
Frederic 1
Fredrick 1
Harry 1
Hy. 1
Louis 1
Nathaniel 1
Nathl. 1
Parker 1
Richard 1
Richd.W. 1
Samuel 1
Thos. 1
Thos.John 1
Tom 1
Wm. 1
Wm.Hy. 1

FAQ

Dartnell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dartnell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 264 people were recorded with the Dartnell surname. That placed it at #10,655 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dartnell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 449 in 2016. That gives Dartnell a modern rank of #10,816.

What does the Dartnell surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone who lived near a valley or dell.

What does the Dartnell map show?

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