NameCensus.

UK surname

Egal

A surname of German origin meaning "equal" or "level."

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Egal surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 145, ranked #24,293, up from #34,027 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Egal is 145 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 14400.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

145

2016, ranked #24,293

Peak year

2016

145 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Egal had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 145 in 2016, ranked #24,293.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Egal surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Egal surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Egal 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
1861 historical 2 #34,135
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 3 #34,257
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 29 #34,795
1998 modern 27 #35,148
1999 modern 33 #34,610
2000 modern 38 #34,146
2001 modern 35 #34,261
2002 modern 43 #33,871
2003 modern 50 #33,362
2004 modern 58 #32,880
2005 modern 75 #31,400
2006 modern 81 #31,044
2007 modern 90 #30,228
2008 modern 97 #29,527
2009 modern 116 #27,062
2010 modern 127 #26,176
2011 modern 122 #26,647
2012 modern 136 #24,830
2013 modern 137 #25,149
2014 modern 139 #25,093
2015 modern 142 #24,617
2016 modern 145 #24,293

Geography

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Where Egals 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 Camden, Caerphilly, Kensington and Chelsea, Leicester and Ealing. 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 Camden 020 Camden
2 Caerphilly 019 Caerphilly
3 Kensington and Chelsea 001 Kensington and Chelsea
4 Leicester 017 Leicester
5 Ealing 029 Ealing

Forenames

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First names often paired with Egal

These lists show first names that appear often with the Egal 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 Egal

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Egal surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Egal 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Egal is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Egal 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

Egal falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Egal is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

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

7
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Egal

The surname "Egal" is believed to have originated in France, specifically in the northern regions of the country, during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French word "egal," which means "equal" or "level." This name was likely given to someone who possessed a calm and even-tempered personality or lived in a flat, level area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "Egal" can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This document mentions a landowner named Rannulfus Egal, who held estates in Normandy, France.

During the 13th century, the name "Egal" appeared in various medieval records and manuscripts, including the Cartulaire de l'Abbaye de Saint-Bertin, a collection of charters and documents related to the Abbey of Saint-Bertin in Saint-Omer, France. This document mentions a knight named Guillelmus Egal, who lived in the region around 1250.

In the 14th century, a notable figure with the surname "Egal" was Jean Egal, a French scholar and writer who was born in the town of Arras in 1315. He authored several works on philosophy and theology, and his writings were widely circulated throughout Europe during his lifetime.

Another prominent individual with the surname "Egal" was Pierre Egal, a French nobleman and military commander who lived during the 15th century. He played a significant role in the Hundred Years' War, serving under the French king Charles VII. Pierre Egal was known for his bravery and strategic skills on the battlefield.

In the 16th century, a famous bearer of the name "Egal" was Jacques Egal, a French architect and sculptor who was born in Paris in 1525. He is best known for his work on the Château de Fontainebleau, where he contributed to the design and construction of several buildings and gardens.

As the name "Egal" spread throughout France and Europe, it underwent various spelling variations, such as "Egual," "Egal," and "Egalle." These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of individual scribes or record-keepers.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Egal families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Egal 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. Leicestershire leads with 1 Egals recorded in 1881 and an index of 93.46x.

County Total Index
Leicestershire 1 93.46x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. South Croxton in Leicestershire leads with 1 Egals recorded in 1881 and an index of 0.00x.

Place Total Index
South Croxton 1 0.00x

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 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 Egal households.

Occupation Count
Farm Servant Indoors 1

FAQ

Egal surname: questions and answers

How common was the Egal surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Egal surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Egal surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 145 in 2016. That gives Egal a modern rank of #24,293.

What does the Egal surname mean?

A surname of German origin meaning "equal" or "level."

What does the Egal map show?

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