NameCensus.

UK surname

Fenelon

A French surname derived from the place name of Fenelon, possibly meaning "dwelling near the birch trees".

In the 1881 census there were 11 people recorded with the Fenelon surname, ranking it #32,081 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 125, ranked #26,827, up from #32,081 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Birmingham, North Lincolnshire and Wandsworth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fenelon is 138 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1036.4%.

1881 census count

11

Ranked #32,081

Modern count

125

2016, ranked #26,827

Peak year

2000

138 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Fenelon had 11 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,081 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 125 in 2016, ranked #26,827.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 38 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Fenelon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Fenelon surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Fenelon 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 5 #32,456
1861 historical 12 #32,329
1881 historical 11 #32,081
1891 historical 16 #32,868
1901 historical 38 #29,914
1911 historical 38 #29,147
1997 modern 127 #23,352
1998 modern 132 #23,394
1999 modern 133 #23,487
2000 modern 138 #22,960
2001 modern 135 #22,945
2002 modern 129 #24,021
2003 modern 126 #24,146
2004 modern 124 #24,559
2005 modern 121 #24,947
2006 modern 126 #24,493
2007 modern 126 #24,860
2008 modern 132 #24,476
2009 modern 132 #24,929
2010 modern 134 #25,263
2011 modern 134 #25,050
2012 modern 130 #25,559
2013 modern 128 #26,336
2014 modern 132 #25,971
2015 modern 131 #25,979
2016 modern 125 #26,827

Geography

Back to top

Where Fenelons 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 Birmingham, North Lincolnshire, Wandsworth, Ipswich 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 Birmingham 003 Birmingham
2 North Lincolnshire 020 North Lincolnshire
3 Wandsworth 006 Wandsworth
4 Ipswich 005 Ipswich
5 Ealing 035 Ealing

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Fenelon

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Fenelon

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Fenelon, 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 Fenelon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Fenelon 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, Fenelon 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

Fenelon 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

Fenelon 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 Fenelon 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Fenelon

The surname FENELON originates from France and dates back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "fenouil," meaning fennel, which suggests that the name may have initially referred to a person who cultivated or sold this herb.

The earliest recorded instances of the name FENELON can be traced back to the 12th century in the northern regions of France, particularly in the areas around Paris and Normandy. In ancient records, the name appeared with various spellings, such as Fenelon, Fenouillot, and Fenouillet.

One of the earliest known references to the FENELON name can be found in the Cartulary of the Abbey of Saint-Père de Chartres, a medieval manuscript dating back to the 12th century. This document mentions a certain "Radulphus de Fenelon" as a witness to a land transaction.

In the 13th century, the FENELON name gained prominence with the rise of a noble family in the Périgord region of southwestern France. This family produced several notable figures, including François de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon (1651-1715), a renowned French writer, theologian, and Archbishop of Cambrai.

Another notable figure bearing the FENELON surname was Gabriel-Jacques de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon (1688-1746), a French diplomat and ambassador to the Netherlands. He played a significant role in negotiating the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, which ended the War of the Spanish Succession.

In the 16th century, a branch of the FENELON family settled in the town of Sainte-Mondane, located in the Dordogne region of France. The village's name was eventually changed to Fenelon-Salignac in honor of this influential family.

Other notable individuals with the FENELON surname include:

1. Bertrand de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon (1589-1662), a French nobleman and military commander during the Thirty Years' War. 2. François de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon (1651-1715), a French writer, theologian, and Archbishop of Cambrai, known for his influential work "The Adventures of Telemachus." 3. Gabrielle de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon (1648-1718), a French noblewoman and sister of François de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon. 4. Jacques de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon (1661-1719), a French nobleman and diplomat who served as ambassador to the Netherlands. 5. Jean-Baptiste de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon (1682-1759), a French prelate and nephew of François de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Fenelon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fenelon 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 9 Fenelons recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.58x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 9 4.58x
Isle of Man 6 194.81x
Middlesex 1 0.60x
Surrey 1 1.24x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Onchan in Isle of Man leads with 6 Fenelons recorded in 1881 and an index of 674.16x.

Place Total Index
Onchan 6 674.16x
Liverpool 4 33.50x
Everton 3 47.92x
Gorton 2 108.11x
Camberwell 1 9.45x
Kensington London 1 10.86x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 2
Amy 1
Annette 1
Clara 1
Elizabeth 1
Emma 1
Lena 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Ernest 1
Henry 1
James 1
Jas. 1
John 1
Martin 1
Thomas 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 Fenelon households.

FAQ

Fenelon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Fenelon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 11 people were recorded with the Fenelon surname. That placed it at #32,081 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Fenelon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 125 in 2016. That gives Fenelon a modern rank of #26,827.

What does the Fenelon surname mean?

A French surname derived from the place name of Fenelon, possibly meaning "dwelling near the birch trees".

What does the Fenelon map show?

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