NameCensus.

UK surname

Harrell

An English toponymic surname derived from a place name meaning "hare hill."

In the 1881 census there were 237 people recorded with the Harrell surname, ranking it #11,509 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 260, ranked #16,349, down from #11,509 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Keevil, St James Clerkenwell and Birmingham Town: Birmingham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tewkesbury, Monmouthshire and Watford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Harrell is 441 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 9.7%.

1881 census count

237

Ranked #11,509

Modern count

260

2016, ranked #16,349

Peak year

1861

441 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Harrell had 237 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,509 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 260 in 2016, ranked #16,349.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 441 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Harrell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Harrell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Harrell 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 208 #10,107
1861 historical 441 #5,853
1881 historical 237 #11,509
1891 historical 424 #8,446
1901 historical 340 #10,647
1911 historical 282 #11,915
1997 modern 296 #13,646
1998 modern 299 #13,908
1999 modern 293 #14,175
2000 modern 275 #14,757
2001 modern 266 #14,878
2002 modern 273 #14,892
2003 modern 268 #14,897
2004 modern 265 #15,110
2005 modern 264 #15,085
2006 modern 254 #15,560
2007 modern 245 #16,134
2008 modern 253 #15,941
2009 modern 264 #15,798
2010 modern 261 #16,294
2011 modern 266 #15,937
2012 modern 256 #16,253
2013 modern 262 #16,273
2014 modern 255 #16,682
2015 modern 263 #16,224
2016 modern 260 #16,349

Geography

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Where Harrells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Keevil, St James Clerkenwell, Birmingham Town: Birmingham, Liverpool and Preston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Tewkesbury, Monmouthshire, Watford, East Northamptonshire and Daventry. 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 Keevil Wiltshire
2 St James Clerkenwell London (Central Districts)
3 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire
4 Liverpool Lancashire
5 Preston Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Tewkesbury 003 Tewkesbury
2 Monmouthshire 003 Monmouthshire
3 Watford 012 Watford
4 East Northamptonshire 003 East Northamptonshire
5 Daventry 010 Daventry

Forenames

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First names often paired with Harrell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Harrell

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Harrell, 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 Harrell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Harrell 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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Harrell is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Harrell is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Harrell falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Harrell

The surname Harrell is of English origin and is derived from the Old English words "hara" meaning hare and "hyll" meaning hill or slope. It was initially a toponymic name given to someone who lived near a hill frequented by hares.

The earliest recorded instances of the Harrell name date back to the late 12th century. One of the earliest known bearers was Richard de Harehull, mentioned in the Yorkshire Feet of Fines records in 1199. This indicates the name was initially spelled with various forms like Harehull or Harehyll before evolving into Harrell over time.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in several medieval manuscripts and records. A notable entry is that of Walter Harehull in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275. This suggests the name was present in different parts of England during this period.

The Harrell surname is not found in the Domesday Book of 1086, indicating it likely originated after the Norman Conquest. However, it is possible that the name's roots can be traced back to Anglo-Saxon times before the Norman invasion.

Some notable historical figures with the Harrell surname include Sir John Harrell (1562-1637), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament. Another prominent bearer was Captain William Harrell (1608-1680), an English naval officer and explorer who commanded several voyages to the West Indies and the Caribbean.

In the 17th century, the surname is recorded in various spellings such as Harrold, Harrill, and Harrol in parish records across England. This highlights the regional variations and spelling inconsistencies common during that era.

Other notable individuals with the Harrell surname include Thomas Harrell (1786-1858), an American congressman from South Carolina, and Benjamin Harrell (1807-1879), a Baptist minister and educator who co-founded Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas.

In the 19th century, the Harrell name also gained prominence in the literary world with authors like John Harrell (1805-1880), an English poet and writer known for his works on local history and folklore.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Harrell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Harrell 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. Middlesex leads with 57 Harrells recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.51x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 57 2.51x
Devon 33 6.98x
Norfolk 25 7.15x
Wiltshire 20 9.95x
Somerset 18 4.92x
Surrey 14 1.26x
Herefordshire 13 13.95x
Lancashire 12 0.44x
Worcestershire 7 2.36x
Essex 6 1.34x
Warwickshire 6 1.05x
Derbyshire 5 1.41x
Glamorgan 4 1.01x
Cambridgeshire 3 2.08x
Suffolk 3 1.08x
Gloucestershire 2 0.45x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.73x
Cheshire 1 0.20x
Kent 1 0.13x
Leicestershire 1 0.40x
Oxfordshire 1 0.71x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 12 Harrells recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.06x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 12 6.06x
Stoke Damerel 12 36.24x
Bethnal Green London 10 10.13x
Bromyard 10 813.01x
Clerkenwell London 10 18.64x
Potterne Marston 10 7692.31x
Bow London 9 31.11x
Clevedon 9 236.84x
Melksham 8 229.23x
Mile End Old Town London 8 16.54x
Stanhoe 8 2352.94x
Birmingham 6 3.14x
Little Bolton 6 17.30x
Norwich St Lawrence 6 1250.00x
Sydenham Damerel 6 1666.67x
Whitchurch 6 722.89x
Evesham All Sts 5 362.32x
Heanor 5 93.99x
Mucking 5 2500.00x
Norwich St Benedict 5 320.51x
Plymouth St Andrew 5 13.72x
St Pancras London 5 2.73x
Farnworth 4 24.75x
Plymouth Charles The 4 19.19x
St Luke London 4 10.97x
Tatterford 4 5714.29x
Crewkerne 3 77.12x
Gorleston 3 42.67x
Ledbury 3 93.75x
Llantrisant 3 30.09x
March 3 62.24x
Battersea 2 2.39x
Hackney London 2 1.57x
Long Ashton 2 110.50x
Preston 2 952.38x
Stoke Prior 2 109.29x
Wellow 2 185.19x
Bathwick 1 24.69x
Bradford On Avon 1 15.55x
Cardiff St John 1 7.73x
Charterhouse London 1 93.46x
Chelsea London 1 1.46x
Devizes St James 1 37.45x
East Dereham 1 22.62x
Enfield 1 6.71x
Eton 1 32.05x
Great Bowden 1 43.67x
Hornsey 1 3.48x
Islington London 1 0.45x
Kensington London 1 0.79x
Lewisham 1 2.42x
Liscard 1 11.06x
North Meols 1 3.79x
Reedham 1 149.25x
St George Bloomsbury 1 7.67x
St George Martyr London 1 21.74x
St Mary Magdalen Old Fish 1 1000.00x
Tickenham 1 384.62x
Walton On Hill 1 6.84x
West Ham 1 1.01x
Witney 1 42.55x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 17
Elizabeth 10
Jane 7
Sarah 6
Ellen 3
Emily 3
Emma 3
Alice 2
Anne 2
Annie 2
Florence 2
Hester 2
Julia 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Patience 2
Susan 2
Thirza 2
Beatrice 1
Bessie 1
Carlotta 1
Charlotte 1
Clara 1
Clare 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Elizebeth 1
Elizth.Alice 1
Emmeline 1
Fanny 1
Flora 1
Frances 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Helen 1
Henrietta 1
Ida 1
Inez 1
Isabella 1
Jessie 1
Laura 1
Lavinia 1
Louisa 1
Lydia 1
Mabel 1
Margaret 1
Matilda 1
Melecent 1
Minnie 1
Thomas 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 17
John 16
Thomas 11
Henry 10
James 10
George 7
Albert 3
Arthur 3
Charles 3
Frank 3
Frederick 3
Richard 3
Robert 3
Samuel 3
Dennis 2
Ernest 2
Herbert 2
Daniel 1
Earnest 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Francis 1
Geo. 1
Harold 1
Harry 1
Heazkiah 1
Hedley 1
J.W. 1
Jno. 1
Reginal 1
Saml. 1
Samson 1
Sidney 1
Stanley 1
Stephen 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Harrell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Harrell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 237 people were recorded with the Harrell surname. That placed it at #11,509 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Harrell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 260 in 2016. That gives Harrell a modern rank of #16,349.

What does the Harrell surname mean?

An English toponymic surname derived from a place name meaning "hare hill."

What does the Harrell map show?

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