NameCensus.

UK surname

Duffell

A variant of Deverell, an English locational surname referring to someone from Deverill in Wiltshire.

In the 1881 census there were 367 people recorded with the Duffell surname, ranking it #8,475 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 683, ranked #7,848, up from #8,475 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Tipton otherwise Tibington, Betchworth, Buckland and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mole Valley, Northumberland and Bromley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Duffell is 694 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 86.1%.

1881 census count

367

Ranked #8,475

Modern count

683

2016, ranked #7,848

Peak year

2013

694 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Duffell had 367 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,475 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 683 in 2016, ranked #7,848.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 593 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Duffell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Duffell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Duffell 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 248 #8,840
1861 historical 304 #8,340
1881 historical 367 #8,475
1891 historical 382 #9,203
1901 historical 529 #7,736
1911 historical 593 #6,904
1997 modern 665 #7,542
1998 modern 692 #7,552
1999 modern 693 #7,580
2000 modern 682 #7,643
2001 modern 669 #7,626
2002 modern 684 #7,650
2003 modern 675 #7,615
2004 modern 668 #7,691
2005 modern 643 #7,832
2006 modern 646 #7,844
2007 modern 656 #7,806
2008 modern 670 #7,731
2009 modern 674 #7,871
2010 modern 658 #8,165
2011 modern 674 #7,927
2012 modern 661 #7,966
2013 modern 694 #7,782
2014 modern 686 #7,905
2015 modern 680 #7,893
2016 modern 683 #7,848

Geography

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Where Duffells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Tipton otherwise Tibington, Betchworth, Buckland, London parishes and Reigate. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mole Valley, Northumberland, Bromley, Castle Point and Kingston upon Thames. 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 Tipton otherwise Tibington Staffordshire
2 Betchworth, Buckland Surrey
3 London parishes London 3
4 Reigate Surrey
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mole Valley 011 Mole Valley
2 Northumberland 029 Northumberland
3 Bromley 039 Bromley
4 Castle Point 001 Castle Point
5 Kingston upon Thames 014 Kingston upon Thames

Forenames

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First names often paired with Duffell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Duffell

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

Ageing Communities

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

London Fringe

Within London, Duffell is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

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

Duffell is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Duffell falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Duffell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Duffell

The surname Duffell has its origins in England and dates back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "duffeld," which referred to a small valley or hollow. This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near such a geographical feature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which lists a Richard de Duffeld from Oxfordshire. This spelling variation was common during the Middle Ages, as surnames were often adapted to local dialects and pronunciations.

Another early record is the Subsidy Rolls of 1327, which mentions a John Duffelde from Warwickshire. The name's appearance in these historical documents indicates that it was well-established in various regions of England by the 14th century.

During the 16th century, the name took on various spellings, including Duffell, Duffeld, and Duffill. One notable figure from this era was Sir William Duffell (c. 1550-1623), a prominent lawyer and Member of Parliament for Shaftesbury in 1597.

In the 17th century, the name Duffell was found in several parish records across England, suggesting its widespread use. One example is the baptismal record of John Duffell in 1652 at St. Mary's Church in Warwick.

The 18th century saw the emergence of notable individuals bearing the Duffell surname. Among them was Thomas Duffell (1732-1807), a renowned English horticulturist and nurseryman who introduced several new plant species to Britain.

Moving into the 19th century, the Duffell name continued to be well-represented. One notable figure was George Duffell (1828-1901), a successful businessman and philanthropist from London who donated significant funds to educational institutions and hospitals.

Throughout its history, the Duffell surname has been associated with various place names in England, such as Duffeld in Derbyshire and Duffell's Farm in Oxfordshire. These locations may have served as origins for some branches of the family.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Duffell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Duffell 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 150 Duffells recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.60x.

County Total Index
Surrey 150 8.60x
Staffordshire 56 4.63x
Middlesex 42 1.17x
Northumberland 27 5.07x
Warwickshire 17 1.88x
Kent 13 1.06x
Lincolnshire 12 2.10x
Durham 11 1.03x
Dorset 9 3.83x
Essex 9 1.27x
Yorkshire 9 0.25x
Norfolk 6 1.09x
Monmouthshire 3 1.16x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.44x
Hampshire 1 0.14x
Sussex 1 0.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kingston On Thames in Surrey leads with 37 Duffells recorded in 1881 and an index of 88.31x.

Place Total Index
Kingston On Thames 37 88.31x
Tipton 29 78.38x
Southwark St George Martyr 20 27.76x
Horton 13 494.30x
Shoreditch London 13 8.38x
Aston 11 4.42x
Betchworth 11 511.63x
Lichfield St Michael 11 290.24x
Newington 10 7.56x
Reigate Foreign 10 52.94x
Southwark Christchurch 10 59.63x
Melcombe Regis 9 92.40x
Murton 9 1636.36x
Walton On Hill 9 1184.21x
Bethnal Green London 8 5.14x
New Sleaford 8 217.98x
Charlwood 7 419.16x
Dorking 7 59.78x
Birmingham 6 1.99x
Mickleham 6 612.24x
Walthamstow 6 23.59x
Deptford St Paul 5 5.31x
Fimber 5 2272.73x
Hackney London 5 2.49x
Seaham 5 128.87x
Southwark St Saviour 5 27.17x
West Bromwich 5 7.23x
Willenhall 5 22.09x
Wimbledon 5 25.54x
Great Yarmouth 4 8.77x
Clerkenwell London 3 3.55x
Llanbaddock 3 625.00x
Scunthorpe 3 116.73x
West Ham 3 1.92x
Willington 3 48.78x
Brightside Bierlow 2 2.87x
Castle Acre 2 121.95x
Clapham 2 4.47x
Croydon 2 2.07x
Darlington 2 4.86x
Ealing 2 6.25x
Greenwich 2 3.51x
Lambeth 2 0.64x
Lewisham 2 3.07x
Seghill 2 76.63x
Sutton At Hone 2 79.05x
Thames Ditton 2 55.25x
Wednesbury 2 6.62x
Whitechapel London 2 5.67x
Banstead 1 21.14x
Beverley St Mary 1 19.31x
Bishopsbourne 1 232.56x
Bishopwearmouth 1 1.09x
Bury 1 158.73x
Dover St Mary Virgin 1 8.46x
Edmonton 1 3.47x
Glanford Brigg 1 49.02x
Great Barr 1 72.46x
Hammersmith London 1 1.13x
Hampstead London 1 1.79x
Harborne 1 2.58x
Holy Trinity 1 1.17x
Islington London 1 0.29x
Kingswinford 1 2.28x
Longbenton 1 4.43x
Mile End Old Town London 1 1.31x
Mitcham 1 9.07x
Monkseaton 1 166.67x
Paddington London 1 0.76x
Prudhoe 1 26.95x
Reigate Borough 1 24.88x
South Stoneham 1 6.28x
St Andrewthe Great 1 34.13x
St George Martyr London 1 13.79x
Streatham 1 3.77x
Teddington London 1 12.33x
Uxbridge 1 24.45x
Walsall Foreign 1 1.60x
Wandsworth 1 2.90x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 22
William 20
James 17
George 13
Thomas 12
Henry 9
Albert 6
Arthur 6
Samuel 6
Charles 5
Harry 4
Edward 3
Godfrey 3
Joseph 3
Thos. 3
Alfred 2
Frank 2
Jacob 2
Jesse 2
Robert 2
Walter 2
Daniel 1
Danl. 1
David 1
Edwd. 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.J. 1
Fredk.W. 1
Fredrick 1
G. 1
Geo. 1
Gerard 1
H. 1
Herbert 1
I. 1
Jonathn. 1
Joshua 1
Mark 1
Michael 1
R. 1
Ralph 1
Richard 1
Sidney 1
T. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Duffell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Duffell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 367 people were recorded with the Duffell surname. That placed it at #8,475 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Duffell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 683 in 2016. That gives Duffell a modern rank of #7,848.

What does the Duffell surname mean?

A variant of Deverell, an English locational surname referring to someone from Deverill in Wiltshire.

What does the Duffell map show?

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