UK surname
A spelling variant of the English surname Hamel, likely referring to someone from a small village or hamlet.
In the 1881 census there were 41 people recorded with the Hamell surname, ranking it #27,870 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 9, ranked #37,705, down from #27,870 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Dalmeny and Queensferry, New Monkland and Bothwell. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hamell is 118 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 78.0%.
1881 census count
41
Ranked #27,870
Modern count
9
2016, ranked #37,705
Peak year
1861
118 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hamell surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hamell surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 109 | #16,212 |
| 1861 | historical | 118 | #18,512 |
| 1881 | historical | 41 | #27,870 |
| 1891 | historical | 98 | #24,313 |
| 1901 | historical | 55 | #28,064 |
| 1911 | historical | 22 | #31,030 |
| 1997 | modern | 10 | #37,060 |
| 1998 | modern | 10 | #37,048 |
| 1999 | modern | 8 | #37,367 |
| 2000 | modern | 6 | #37,624 |
| 2001 | modern | 6 | #37,456 |
| 2002 | modern | 7 | #37,379 |
| 2003 | modern | 8 | #37,248 |
| 2004 | modern | 5 | #37,830 |
| 2005 | modern | 6 | #37,724 |
| 2006 | modern | 7 | #37,634 |
| 2007 | modern | 8 | #37,572 |
| 2008 | modern | 8 | #37,597 |
| 2009 | modern | 7 | #37,816 |
| 2010 | modern | 8 | #37,769 |
| 2011 | modern | 11 | #37,397 |
| 2012 | modern | 10 | #37,509 |
| 2013 | modern | 9 | #37,653 |
| 2014 | modern | 9 | #37,679 |
| 2015 | modern | 9 | #37,684 |
| 2016 | modern | 9 | #37,705 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Dalmeny and Queensferry, New Monkland, Bothwell, Govan Combination and Gateshead. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dalmeny and Queensferry | Linlithgow |
| 2 | New Monkland | Lanark |
| 3 | Bothwell | Lanark |
| 4 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 5 | Gateshead | Durham |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hamell surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hamell, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Hamell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hamell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Hamell is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hamell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hamell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Hamell is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "ham" meaning a homestead or village, and "hill" referring to a small hill or raised ground. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived in a hamlet or small settlement located on a hill or elevated land.
The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century in various county records and tax rolls from areas such as Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Buckinghamshire. One of the earliest documented examples is that of William de Hamell, who was mentioned in the Feet of Fines for Bedfordshire in 1272.
During the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, including Hamel, Hamell, and Hamelle, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation common during that era. In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a Thomas de Hamel was listed as a resident of Oxfordshire.
Notable individuals bearing the Hamell surname include Robert Hamell, a member of the Guild of Merchants in York, who was recorded in 1379. Another early bearer was John Hamell, a landowner in Hertfordshire, mentioned in the Court Rolls of 1412.
In the 16th century, the name continued to be found in various regions of England. One notable figure was William Hamell, a merchant and alderman in the city of London, who lived from 1520 to 1587.
During the 17th century, the Hamell family seemed to have a presence in the county of Suffolk. Records show that a Richard Hamell was baptized in the parish of Lavenham in 1634, and a John Hamell was married in the same parish in 1662.
Throughout the centuries, the Hamell surname has been associated with various occupations and professions, ranging from farmers and landowners to merchants and tradesmen. While not a particularly widespread name, it has maintained a presence in England and other parts of the British Isles over the course of many generations.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hamell surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lanarkshire leads with 12 Hamells recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.28x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lanarkshire | 12 | 9.28x |
| Yorkshire | 11 | 2.78x |
| Durham | 8 | 6.72x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 1.05x |
| Argyllshire | 1 | 8.98x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 2.90x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 1.68x |
| Renfrewshire | 1 | 3.23x |
| Wigtownshire | 1 | 18.83x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hipperholme Cum in Yorkshire leads with 9 Hamells recorded in 1881 and an index of 517.24x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hipperholme Cum | 9 | 517.24x |
| Gateshead | 6 | 67.34x |
| Barony | 5 | 15.28x |
| Govan | 5 | 15.63x |
| Barrow In Furness | 2 | 31.01x |
| New Monkland | 2 | 52.36x |
| Salford | 2 | 14.33x |
| Campbeltown | 1 | 74.63x |
| Dawdon | 1 | 68.49x |
| Hunslet | 1 | 16.18x |
| Inverkip | 1 | 136.99x |
| Leswalt | 1 | 277.78x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 3.47x |
| Newcastle On Tyne All Sts | 1 | 28.17x |
| St Cuthbert Within | 1 | 250.00x |
| Sunderland | 1 | 47.62x |
| Wakefield | 1 | 32.89x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hamell surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Hamell surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Hamell households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| General Servant | 3 |
| Scholar | 3 |
| Joiner | 2 |
| Board Setter (C) | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Cotton Spinner | 1 |
| Dom Serv | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Gen Laborer | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| Iron Moulder | 1 |
| Iron Puddler | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Lock Tenter (C) | 1 |
| Pensioner | 1 |
| Stoker On Board Ship (Seaman) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 41 people were recorded with the Hamell surname. That placed it at #27,870 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 9 in 2016. That gives Hamell a modern rank of #37,705.
A spelling variant of the English surname Hamel, likely referring to someone from a small village or hamlet.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hamell bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.