NameCensus.

UK surname

Gemmell

A Scottish surname derived from a diminutive form of the Anglo-Norman French name Gemme.

In the 1881 census there were 1,804 people recorded with the Gemmell surname, ranking it #2,413 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,070, ranked #2,196, up from #2,413 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Glasgow. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mauchline Rural, Auchinleck and Port Glasgow Upper East.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gemmell is 3,070 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 70.2%.

1881 census count

1,804

Ranked #2,413

Modern count

3,070

2016, ranked #2,196

Peak year

2016

3,070 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gemmell had 1,804 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,413 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,070 in 2016, ranked #2,196.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,327 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Gemmell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gemmell surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Gemmell 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 896 #3,070
1861 historical 1,086 #2,584
1881 historical 1,804 #2,413
1891 historical 1,980 #2,331
1901 historical 2,327 #2,336
1911 historical 369 #9,867
1997 modern 2,787 #2,309
1998 modern 2,849 #2,351
1999 modern 2,877 #2,348
2000 modern 2,889 #2,330
2001 modern 2,818 #2,335
2002 modern 2,857 #2,355
2003 modern 2,799 #2,346
2004 modern 2,814 #2,341
2005 modern 2,839 #2,286
2006 modern 2,835 #2,294
2007 modern 2,917 #2,243
2008 modern 2,951 #2,231
2009 modern 3,051 #2,211
2010 modern 3,063 #2,254
2011 modern 2,984 #2,287
2012 modern 2,942 #2,277
2013 modern 2,970 #2,296
2014 modern 3,026 #2,264
2015 modern 3,028 #2,233
2016 modern 3,070 #2,196

Geography

Back to top

Where Gemmells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Kilmarnock and Paisley Abbey. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mauchline Rural, Auchinleck, Port Glasgow Upper East, Port Glasgow Upper, West and Central and Port Glasgow Mid, East and Central. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Glasgow Lanark
4 Kilmarnock Ayr
5 Paisley Abbey Renfrew

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mauchline Rural East Ayrshire
2 Auchinleck East Ayrshire
3 Port Glasgow Upper East Inverclyde
4 Port Glasgow Upper, West and Central Inverclyde
5 Port Glasgow Mid, East and Central Inverclyde

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Gemmell

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Gemmell

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Gemmell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Gemmell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Gemmell is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Gemmell is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gemmell 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 Gemmell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Gemmell

The surname Gemmell has its origins in Scotland, tracing back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "gemmill," meaning "twin mill" or "double mill." This suggests that the name may have originated from a place name or a descriptive term for someone who lived near or worked at a twin mill.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gemmell can be found in the ancient Scottish records of Ayrshire, where a person named Willelmus de Gemmill is mentioned in 1296. This indicates that the name was already in use during the late 13th century in Scotland.

In the 15th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Gemmill, Gemmel, and Gemmell, reflecting the different spellings and pronunciations that were common during that time. One notable individual from this period was John Gemmell, a Scottish landowner who held lands in Renfrewshire in the late 1400s.

The Gemmell surname is also closely associated with the Isle of Arran, an island off the west coast of Scotland. Records from the 16th century mention several Gemmells residing on the island, suggesting that the name may have had a strong presence there.

In the 17th century, the name gained further prominence with individuals like Robert Gemmell (1620-1678), a Scottish minister and writer who served as the minister of Carsphairn parish in Kirkcudbrightshire. Another notable figure was John Gemmell (1650-1715), a Scottish merchant and landowner who owned estates in Renfrewshire and Ayrshire.

During the 18th century, the Gemmell family continued to make their mark, with individuals like William Gemmell (1720-1794), a Scottish businessman and landowner who owned extensive properties in Renfrewshire and Glasgow. Additionally, John Gemmell (1760-1836) was a prominent Scottish architect who designed several notable buildings in Glasgow, including the Trades' House and the Hutchesons' Hospital.

In the 19th century, the Gemmell surname remained prevalent in Scotland, with individuals like William Gemmell (1819-1885), a Scottish engineer and inventor who contributed significantly to the development of hydraulic machinery. Another notable figure was James Gemmell (1835-1902), a Scottish businessman and philanthropist who founded the Gemmell Trust, which supported educational and charitable initiatives in Scotland.

Throughout its history, the Gemmell surname has been associated with various places in Scotland, including Renfrewshire, Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, and the Isle of Arran. While the exact origin of the name remains unclear, its Scottish roots and connections to mills, landowners, and prominent individuals have been well documented over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Gemmell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gemmell 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. Lanarkshire leads with 636 Gemmells recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.20x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 636 11.20x
Ayrshire 427 32.49x
Renfrewshire 312 22.93x
Lancashire 58 0.28x
Midlothian 56 2.38x
Argyllshire 34 6.96x
Stirlingshire 34 5.25x
Yorkshire 31 0.18x
Cheshire 28 0.72x
Dunbartonshire 25 5.30x
Middlesex 21 0.12x
West Lothian 16 6.05x
Angus 10 0.61x
Buteshire 10 9.40x
Devon 10 0.27x
Kirkcudbrightshire 9 3.54x
Northumberland 9 0.34x
Aberdeenshire 8 0.49x
Clackmannanshire 8 5.52x
Norfolk 8 0.30x
Derbyshire 6 0.22x
Dumfriesshire 6 1.55x
East Lothian 5 2.15x
Gloucestershire 5 0.15x
Surrey 5 0.06x
Wigtownshire 5 2.14x
Staffordshire 4 0.07x
Berwickshire 2 0.94x
Cambridgeshire 2 0.18x
Kent 2 0.03x
Perthshire 2 0.25x
Warwickshire 2 0.05x
Durham 1 0.02x
Glamorgan 1 0.03x
Lincolnshire 1 0.04x
Morayshire 1 0.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 209 Gemmells recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.88x.

Place Total Index
Govan 209 14.88x
Barony 156 10.85x
Glasgow 117 11.60x
Abbey 88 42.39x
Galston 47 130.77x
Newton On Ayr 43 109.25x
Kilmarnock 39 24.94x
Paisley Middle Church 30 37.87x
Paisley High Church 27 24.92x
Port Glasgow 26 39.53x
Sorn 26 100.74x
Dalry 25 40.43x
Ayr 24 38.70x
Cathcart 24 32.60x
Cambuslang 23 40.17x
Eastwood 23 27.45x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 23 2.43x
Maybole 21 52.49x
East Greenock 20 15.56x
Old Monkland 20 8.88x
Dalmellington 18 46.58x
Dunlop 18 219.51x
Carmunnock 17 389.91x
Rutherglen 17 20.41x
West Greenock 17 6.96x
Kilwinning 16 37.71x
Ochiltree 16 176.99x
Auckinleck 14 34.41x
Beith 14 35.71x
St Quivox 14 31.51x
Bothwell 13 8.44x
Hamilton 13 8.21x
Manchester 13 1.39x
Boness 12 32.92x
Coylton 12 64.38x
Lochwinnoch 12 59.17x
New Monkland 12 7.15x
Paisley Low Church 12 27.86x
Kilsyth 11 26.64x
Stevenston 11 32.12x
Dundee 10 1.65x
Dundonald 10 20.64x
Eaglesham 10 119.90x
Fenwick 10 143.88x
Muiravonside 10 60.79x
Old Kilpatrick 10 17.93x
Shotts 10 14.72x
Dunoon Kilmun 9 23.61x
Holy Trinity 9 2.15x
Irvine 9 24.66x
Kilmallie 9 35.80x
Maryhill 9 8.10x
Blantyre 8 13.53x
Bollin Fee 8 46.54x
Cardross 8 14.12x
Everton 8 1.20x
Leeds 8 0.81x
North Leith 8 7.35x
South Leith 8 3.02x
Southcoates 8 8.28x
Tillicoultry 8 24.80x
Kilbarchan 7 16.94x
Liscard 7 10.02x
Neilston 7 10.25x
Riccarton Hurlford 7 30.37x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 6 1.97x
Alfreton 6 7.18x
Ilfracombe 6 15.94x
Kirkdale 6 1.71x
Lismore Appin 6 36.90x
New Kilpatrick 6 13.37x
St George Hanover Square 6 1.94x
Stewarton 6 23.08x
Straiton 6 80.32x
Ardrossan 5 10.99x
Birkenhead 5 1.62x
Clifton 5 2.87x
Edinburgh St Stephens 5 10.80x
Kildalton 5 38.76x
Rothesay 5 9.71x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 19
John 18
James 8
Robert 6
Alexander 4
Andrew 4
George 4
Charles 3
David 3
Francis 3
Thomas 3
Wm. 3
Austin 2
Frederick 2
Richard 2
Alan 1
Alex 1
Alexr. 1
Alf.W. 1
Alford 1
Alister 1
Archibald 1
Arthur 1
F. 1
Fredk. 1
G. 1
Henry 1
Jas. 1
Murdock 1
Ross 1

FAQ

Gemmell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gemmell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,804 people were recorded with the Gemmell surname. That placed it at #2,413 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gemmell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,070 in 2016. That gives Gemmell a modern rank of #2,196.

What does the Gemmell surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from a diminutive form of the Anglo-Norman French name Gemme.

What does the Gemmell map show?

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