NameCensus.

UK surname

Del

A Spanish surname referring to a person's origin from a particular place.

In the 1881 census there were 7 people recorded with the Del surname, ranking it #32,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 218, ranked #18,481, up from #32,765 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Haringey, Kensington and Chelsea and Lewisham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Del is 218 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 3014.3%.

1881 census count

7

Ranked #32,765

Modern count

218

2016, ranked #18,481

Peak year

2016

218 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Del had 7 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,765 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 218 in 2016, ranked #18,481.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Del surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Del surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Del 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 1 #33,412
1881 historical 7 #32,765
1901 historical 5 #33,728
1997 modern 5 #37,891
1998 modern 3 #38,304
2000 modern 7 #37,430
2001 modern 6 #37,456
2002 modern 7 #37,379
2003 modern 11 #36,842
2004 modern 11 #36,969
2005 modern 17 #36,407
2006 modern 15 #36,707
2007 modern 15 #36,793
2008 modern 14 #36,950
2009 modern 27 #36,045
2010 modern 30 #35,967
2011 modern 34 #35,705
2012 modern 155 #22,762
2013 modern 177 #21,170
2014 modern 206 #19,318
2015 modern 212 #18,842
2016 modern 218 #18,481

Geography

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Where Dels are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Haringey, Kensington and Chelsea, Lewisham and Wandsworth. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Haringey 031 Haringey
2 Kensington and Chelsea 008 Kensington and Chelsea
3 Lewisham 017 Lewisham
4 Wandsworth 005 Wandsworth
5 Wandsworth 035 Wandsworth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Del

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Del

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Del surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Del 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Del 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

Del 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

Del falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Del 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Del

The surname "DEL" originated in Spain during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Spanish preposition "del," which means "of the" or "from the." This surname was often used to indicate a person's place of origin or residence.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "DEL" can be found in the Cartularios de Valpuesta, a collection of medieval manuscripts from the 10th century. These documents mention individuals with the surname "del Pozo" and "del Castillo," suggesting that the name was already in use by that time.

In the 12th century, the surname "DEL" appeared in the Becerro de las Behetrías, an important document that recorded the names of landowners and their properties in the Kingdom of Castile. This record includes several individuals with surnames like "del Río" and "del Monte."

During the 13th century, the surname "DEL" became more widespread in Spain, and it was often associated with place names or geographical features. For example, the renowned poet and philosopher Moshe ben Ezra (1055-1135) was also known as Moshe del Medigo, referring to his birthplace in the town of Medigo, near Seville.

In the 14th century, the "DEL" surname gained prominence among the Spanish nobility. One notable figure was Álvaro del Castillo (1310-1375), a Spanish military leader and diplomat who served under King Alfonso XI of Castile.

The 15th century saw the rise of several influential individuals with the "DEL" surname. One of them was Pedro del Castillo (1430-1492), a Spanish explorer and navigator who accompanied Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the Americas in 1493.

Another significant figure from this period was Diego del Castillo (1445-1523), a Spanish writer and historian who authored the chronicle "Crónica de la muy noble y leal ciudad de Burgos."

As the Spanish Empire expanded during the 16th century, the "DEL" surname was carried to the Americas and other parts of the world by Spanish colonists and settlers. One notable individual was Juan del Castillo (1560-1628), a Spanish missionary and linguist who worked among the indigenous populations of Mexico.

In the 17th century, the "DEL" surname continued to be prevalent in Spain and its colonies. Antonio del Castillo (1625-1668) was a renowned Spanish painter and engraver who worked in the Baroque style.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Del families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Del 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 1 Dels recorded in 1881 and an index of 49.75x.

County Total Index
Devon 1 49.75x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Exeter St Sidwell in Devon leads with 1 Dels recorded in 1881 and an index of 2000.00x.

Place Total Index
Exeter St Sidwell 1 2000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 1

FAQ

Del surname: questions and answers

How common was the Del surname in 1881?

In 1881, 7 people were recorded with the Del surname. That placed it at #32,765 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Del surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 218 in 2016. That gives Del a modern rank of #18,481.

What does the Del surname mean?

A Spanish surname referring to a person's origin from a particular place.

What does the Del map show?

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