NameCensus.

UK surname

Furnell

A surname derived from the Old French word "fourneau" meaning furnace or oven.

In the 1881 census there were 511 people recorded with the Furnell surname, ranking it #6,667 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 983, ranked #5,882, up from #6,667 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wistow, London parishes and East and West Tisbury, Wardour. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Neath Port Talbot, Kettering and Fenland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Furnell is 1,028 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 92.4%.

1881 census count

511

Ranked #6,667

Modern count

983

2016, ranked #5,882

Peak year

2010

1,028 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Furnell had 511 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,667 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 983 in 2016, ranked #5,882.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 808 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Furnell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Furnell surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Furnell 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 301 #7,626
1861 historical 249 #9,904
1881 historical 511 #6,667
1891 historical 649 #5,976
1901 historical 617 #6,917
1911 historical 808 #5,438
1997 modern 1,017 #5,415
1998 modern 1,014 #5,617
1999 modern 1,017 #5,638
2000 modern 977 #5,803
2001 modern 963 #5,762
2002 modern 977 #5,802
2003 modern 969 #5,741
2004 modern 983 #5,675
2005 modern 965 #5,705
2006 modern 955 #5,770
2007 modern 969 #5,755
2008 modern 984 #5,725
2009 modern 1,009 #5,724
2010 modern 1,028 #5,747
2011 modern 993 #5,853
2012 modern 977 #5,847
2013 modern 996 #5,846
2014 modern 1,006 #5,833
2015 modern 983 #5,893
2016 modern 983 #5,882

Geography

Back to top

Where Furnells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wistow, London parishes, East and West Tisbury, Wardour and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Neath Port Talbot, Kettering, Fenland, New Forest and Herefordshire. 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 Wistow Huntingdonshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 East and West Tisbury, Wardour Wiltshire
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Neath Port Talbot 011 Neath Port Talbot
2 Kettering 002 Kettering
3 Fenland 011 Fenland
4 New Forest 019 New Forest
5 Herefordshire 017 Herefordshire, County of

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Furnell

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Furnell

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Furnell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Furnell 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Professional Periphery

Within London, Furnell is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Furnell 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

Furnell 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 Furnell 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 Furnell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Furnell

The surname Furnell originated in England during the late medieval period. It is derived from the Old French word "fournel," meaning a small oven or furnace. This suggests that the name originally referred to someone who worked as a baker or operated a small furnace for a specific trade.

The earliest recorded instances of the Furnell surname can be found in various historical documents from the 13th and 14th centuries. For example, the Hundred Rolls of 1273 mention a Robert le Furner in Oxfordshire, while the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 record a Thomas Furnell in Somerset.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name appeared in various forms, including Furnell, Furnall, Furnel, and Furnill. Some of these variations may have been influenced by regional dialects or the preferences of the record-keepers at the time.

One notable bearer of the Furnell surname was Sir Robert Furnell (c. 1550-1613), an English merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers. He served as Lord Mayor of London in 1591 and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I.

Another historical figure with this surname was John Furnell (c. 1595-1662), an English clergyman who served as the Archdeacon of Wilts from 1641 until his death. He was a staunch Royalist during the English Civil War and was briefly imprisoned for his support of King Charles I.

In the 18th century, the Furnell surname was associated with several notable individuals, including Thomas Furnell (1720-1793), an English businessman and philanthropist who endowed a school and almshouses in his hometown of Egham, Surrey.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Sir Robert Furnell (1744-1825), a British naval officer who served with distinction during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. He was knighted in 1815 for his military service.

During the 19th century, the Furnell surname was represented by individuals such as William Furnell (1827-1906), an English architect who designed several churches and public buildings in London and the surrounding areas.

These examples demonstrate the historical presence and significance of the Furnell surname throughout various periods and regions of England. While the name has evolved over time, its origins can be traced back to the medieval era and the occupational or trade-based roots of the name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Furnell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Furnell 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. Wiltshire leads with 129 Furnells recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.26x.

County Total Index
Wiltshire 129 29.26x
Middlesex 62 1.24x
Northamptonshire 36 7.68x
Huntingdonshire 35 35.36x
Surrey 26 1.07x
Essex 23 2.34x
Lancashire 23 0.39x
Sussex 20 2.38x
Somerset 19 2.37x
Hampshire 18 1.76x
Kent 18 1.06x
Buckinghamshire 17 5.64x
Cambridgeshire 14 4.43x
Worcestershire 14 2.15x
Monmouthshire 10 2.78x
Yorkshire 10 0.20x
Derbyshire 9 1.15x
Glamorgan 5 0.58x
Staffordshire 5 0.30x
Dorset 4 1.22x
Warwickshire 3 0.24x
Gloucestershire 2 0.20x
Norfolk 2 0.26x
Shropshire 2 0.46x
Bedfordshire 1 0.39x
Cumberland 1 0.23x
Hertfordshire 1 0.29x
Lincolnshire 1 0.13x
Midlothian 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. East Tisbury in Wiltshire leads with 34 Furnells recorded in 1881 and an index of 2236.84x.

Place Total Index
East Tisbury 34 2236.84x
Chitterne All Sts 20 2702.70x
Lambeth 18 4.14x
Hammersmith London 16 13.03x
Gorton 15 26.98x
Acton 12 41.07x
Wells St Cuthbert 12 218.98x
West Ham 12 5.52x
Wellingborough 11 46.67x
Bythorn 10 2272.73x
Woodford 10 1333.33x
Brampton 9 82.49x
Molesworth 9 2500.00x
Stourbridge 9 53.73x
Wistow 9 1343.28x
Broadwater 8 41.49x
Chitterne St Mary 8 2352.94x
Teffont Magna 8 1632.65x
Wardour 8 620.16x
West Wycombe 8 195.60x
Bedwellty 7 11.00x
Grays Thurrock 7 76.50x
Hughenden 7 227.27x
Marske In Guisbrough 7 79.82x
Portsea 7 3.50x
Southwick 7 157.66x
St Marylebone London 7 2.63x
Chatteris 6 74.44x
Glatton Holme 6 1090.91x
Hoghton 6 402.68x
Loddington 6 1363.64x
Bethnal Green London 5 2.31x
Holdenhurst 5 18.66x
Kings Norton 5 8.57x
Lewisham 5 5.51x
Maidstone 5 9.87x
Northampton All Sts 5 31.43x
Penkridge 5 115.21x
Scaldwell 5 862.07x
St Pancras London 5 1.25x
Steeple Langford 5 561.80x
Waterbeach 5 194.55x
Brighton 4 2.36x
Dinton 4 512.82x
Fovant 4 416.67x
Heytesbury 4 248.45x
Luddington 4 2666.67x
Salisbury St Edmund 4 56.50x
Salisbury St Martin 4 87.15x
Stoke 4 412.37x
Birmingham 3 0.72x
Doddington 3 129.31x
Eglwysilan 3 19.92x
Little Thurrock 3 379.75x
Lullington 3 1304.35x
Mile End Old Town London 3 2.83x
Shadwell London 3 21.51x
Southwark Christchurch 3 12.84x
Trevethin 3 8.82x
Bermondsey 2 1.35x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 2 2.17x
Camberwell 2 0.63x
Downton 2 34.66x
Drayton In Hales 2 22.52x
Fisherton De La Mere 2 392.16x
Frome 2 10.42x
Gussage All Sts 2 281.69x
Holybourne 2 198.02x
Islington London 2 0.41x
Iwerne Courtnay 2 90.91x
Kensington London 2 0.72x
Kettering 2 10.55x
Llandaff 2 6.93x
Mells 2 120.48x
Norwood 2 17.54x
Odstock 2 800.00x
Redenhall 2 67.11x
Stockbridge 2 134.23x
Havant 1 19.34x
Watford 1 3.75x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 33
William 31
George 25
James 15
Henry 12
Arthur 10
Charles 10
Joseph 10
Benjamin 7
Walter 7
Alfred 6
David 6
Edwin 5
Frederick 5
Richard 5
Samuel 5
Thomas 5
Albert 4
Edward 4
Frank 4
Harry 4
Elias 3
Fredrick 2
Mark 2
Sidney 2
Aaron 1
Abel 1
Adam 1
Agustine 1
Bester 1
Chas. 1
Duke 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Geo. 1
Geor. 1
Gilbert 1
Herbert 1
Hezikiah 1
Isaac 1
Job 1
Leonard 1
Michael 1
Peter 1
Robert 1
Tom 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Furnell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Furnell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 511 people were recorded with the Furnell surname. That placed it at #6,667 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Furnell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 983 in 2016. That gives Furnell a modern rank of #5,882.

What does the Furnell surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old French word "fourneau" meaning furnace or oven.

What does the Furnell map show?

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