NameCensus.

UK surname

Etchells

An English locational surname derived from a place called Etchells in Cheshire.

In the 1881 census there were 1,163 people recorded with the Etchells surname, ranking it #3,456 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,183, ranked #5,024, down from #3,456 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Manchester, Glossop and Ashton-under-Lyne. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tameside, Sefton and Wyre.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Etchells is 1,574 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 1.7%.

1881 census count

1,163

Ranked #3,456

Modern count

1,183

2016, ranked #5,024

Peak year

1911

1,574 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Etchells had 1,163 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,456 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,183 in 2016, ranked #5,024.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,574 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Etchells surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Etchells surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Etchells 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 623 #4,151
1861 historical 639 #4,192
1881 historical 1,163 #3,456
1891 historical 1,280 #3,377
1901 historical 1,508 #3,402
1911 historical 1,574 #3,083
1997 modern 1,200 #4,707
1998 modern 1,269 #4,668
1999 modern 1,292 #4,624
2000 modern 1,294 #4,599
2001 modern 1,266 #4,592
2002 modern 1,275 #4,657
2003 modern 1,251 #4,640
2004 modern 1,234 #4,692
2005 modern 1,219 #4,691
2006 modern 1,203 #4,764
2007 modern 1,213 #4,769
2008 modern 1,209 #4,812
2009 modern 1,227 #4,853
2010 modern 1,237 #4,915
2011 modern 1,229 #4,883
2012 modern 1,172 #5,006
2013 modern 1,215 #4,937
2014 modern 1,215 #4,957
2015 modern 1,204 #4,956
2016 modern 1,183 #5,024

Geography

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Where Etchells' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Manchester, Glossop, Ashton-under-Lyne and Prestwich. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Tameside, Sefton and Wyre. 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 Manchester Lancashire
2 Glossop Derbyshire
3 Ashton-under-Lyne Lancashire
4 Prestwich Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Tameside 003 Tameside
2 Tameside 015 Tameside
3 Tameside 001 Tameside
4 Sefton 008 Sefton
5 Wyre 004 Wyre

Forenames

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First names often paired with Etchells

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Etchells

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Etchells surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Etchells household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Etchells 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

Etchells is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Etchells falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Etchells 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 Etchells, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Etchells

The surname Etchells has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval period. It is a locational name derived from the place name Etchells, a township located near Cheadle in Cheshire. The name itself is believed to be derived from the Old English words "eting" and "hyll," meaning "pasture hill" or "grazing hill."

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Etchells can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Etenel." This entry suggests that the name was already established in the region during the late 11th century.

During the 13th century, the name is documented in various records, including the Assize Rolls of Cheshire in 1286, where it appears as "Etcheles." This variation in spelling is common for surnames from this era, as standardized spelling was not yet established.

One notable individual bearing the Etchells surname was Sir Thomas Etchells, born in 1588 in Cheshire. He was a prominent lawyer and served as the Solicitor-General for Ireland during the reign of King James I.

Another historical figure was Reverend Campion Etchells, born in 1670 in Warrington, Lancashire. He was an Anglican clergyman and served as the Rector of St. Mary's Church in Bowdon, Cheshire.

In the 18th century, John Etchells, born in 1725 in Cheshire, was a renowned author and poet. His works included "The Village Curate" and "The Poetical Works of John Etchells," published in 1790.

In the 19th century, Samuel Etchells, born in 1808 in Cheshire, gained prominence as an industrialist and entrepreneur. He founded the Etchells Brewery in Stockport, which became one of the largest breweries in the region.

Another notable figure from this period was Sir Alfred Etchells, born in 1849 in Cheshire. He was a successful businessman and philanthropist, known for his contributions to education and the arts in the region.

Throughout its history, the surname Etchells has remained predominantly concentrated in the counties of Cheshire, Lancashire, and surrounding areas, reflecting its origins as a locational name derived from the township of Etchells in Cheshire.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Etchells families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Etchells 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. Lancashire leads with 586 Etchells' recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.37x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 586 4.37x
Cheshire 336 13.47x
Yorkshire 69 0.62x
Derbyshire 63 3.56x
Staffordshire 21 0.55x
Cumberland 14 1.44x
Warwickshire 14 0.49x
Oxfordshire 9 1.29x
Surrey 9 0.16x
Lincolnshire 7 0.39x
Angus 4 0.38x
Middlesex 4 0.04x
Westmorland 4 1.61x
Essex 3 0.13x
Montgomeryshire 3 1.16x
Somerset 3 0.17x
Channel Islands 2 0.60x
Northamptonshire 2 0.19x
Gloucestershire 1 0.05x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.45x
Kent 1 0.03x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.07x
Stirlingshire 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. Ashton Under Lyne in Lancashire leads with 74 Etchells' recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.26x.

Place Total Index
Ashton Under Lyne 74 25.26x
Hyde 64 86.98x
Newton 64 61.95x
Droylsden 60 137.21x
Failsworth 57 185.85x
Oldham 57 13.18x
Dukinfield 43 37.32x
Manchester 43 7.13x
Disley Stanley 38 295.95x
Chadderton 33 50.36x
Openshaw 26 41.41x
Macclesfield Forest 20 2500.00x
Sutton In Macclesfield 20 77.28x
Nether Hallam 19 12.55x
Salford 19 4.82x
Newton 18 465.12x
Stockport 18 14.03x
Yeardsley Cum Whaley 17 345.53x
Broughton In Salford 15 12.24x
Ludworth 15 180.07x
Glossop Dale 13 15.70x
Halliwell 13 26.65x
Ollersett 13 376.81x
Great Bolton 12 6.76x
Hurdsfield 11 71.71x
Aston 10 1.27x
Bramhall 10 96.81x
Moston 10 74.40x
Bosden 9 117.65x
Darlaston 9 17.08x
Butley 8 375.59x
Chapel En Le Frith 8 49.54x
Horninglow 8 44.54x
Macclesfield 8 7.22x
Denton 7 23.57x
Gorton 7 5.56x
Hoyland Nether 7 25.50x
Hulme 7 2.50x
Rainow 7 141.13x
Caldewgate 6 11.26x
Darfield 6 58.88x
Didsbury 6 33.71x
Elton 6 12.96x
Hollingworth 6 58.37x
Mellor 6 124.74x
Mitcham 6 17.25x
Newton In Ashton Under 6 24.39x
Tyldesley Cum Shakerley 6 15.55x
Blackley 5 21.28x
Bosley 5 322.58x
Bradford 5 7.97x
Dalton In Huddersfield 5 19.94x
Hayfield 5 46.08x
Hook Norton 5 104.60x
Lindley Cum Quarmby 5 17.71x
Marple 5 29.21x
Pendleton In Salford 5 3.13x
Stamford St Michael 5 97.47x
Worsley 5 6.05x
Birmingham 4 0.42x
Hindley 4 7.00x
Huddersfield 4 2.45x
Kirkby Thore 4 199.01x
Kirkdale 4 1.77x
Liff Benvie 4 2.52x
Middleton In Oldham 4 9.95x
Stoke Upon Trent 4 0.99x
Wakefield 4 4.66x
Almondbury 3 5.54x
Brinnington 3 12.88x
Chorlton On Medlock 3 1.41x
Haughton 3 15.35x
Huntspill 3 40.32x
Newington 3 0.72x
Royton 3 7.32x
Shiplake 3 126.05x
St Cuthbert W O 3 6.33x
St Mary Within 3 24.69x
Wardleworth 3 3.92x
West Ham 3 0.61x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 74
William 64
James 60
Thomas 40
Joseph 27
George 23
Henry 16
Charles 15
Peter 13
Robert 12
Samuel 11
David 10
Edward 10
Walter 10
Alfred 8
Edwin 7
Ernest 7
Herbert 7
Arthur 6
Harry 5
Wm. 5
Fred 4
Albert 3
Benjamin 3
Elijah 3
Frank 3
Gamaliel 3
Geo. 3
Joshua 3
Matthew 3
Solomon 3
Tom 3
Bernard 2
Edmund 2
Friend 2
Hy. 2
Isiah 2
Jabez 2
Jas. 2
Joe 2
Luke 2
Mark 2
Philip 2
Richard 2
Taylor 2
Thos. 2
Willie 2
Dan 1
Ezra 1
Wright 1

FAQ

Etchells surname: questions and answers

How common was the Etchells surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,163 people were recorded with the Etchells surname. That placed it at #3,456 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Etchells surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,183 in 2016. That gives Etchells a modern rank of #5,024.

What does the Etchells surname mean?

An English locational surname derived from a place called Etchells in Cheshire.

What does the Etchells map show?

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