NameCensus.

UK surname

Hassall

A habitational surname derived from places in England called Hassall.

In the 1881 census there were 1,870 people recorded with the Hassall surname, ranking it #2,328 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,953, ranked #2,282, up from #2,328 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Leek, Manchester and Coppenhall. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cheshire East, Stafford and East Lindsey.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hassall is 3,146 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 57.9%.

1881 census count

1,870

Ranked #2,328

Modern count

2,953

2016, ranked #2,282

Peak year

2002

3,146 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hassall had 1,870 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,328 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,953 in 2016, ranked #2,282.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,886 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Hassall surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hassall surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hassall 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 1,192 #2,385
1861 historical 1,030 #2,718
1881 historical 1,870 #2,328
1891 historical 1,958 #2,358
1901 historical 2,475 #2,206
1911 historical 2,886 #1,805
1997 modern 2,767 #2,319
1998 modern 3,124 #2,148
1999 modern 3,127 #2,169
2000 modern 3,125 #2,152
2001 modern 3,106 #2,110
2002 modern 3,146 #2,136
2003 modern 3,055 #2,146
2004 modern 3,004 #2,184
2005 modern 2,942 #2,203
2006 modern 2,922 #2,211
2007 modern 2,937 #2,231
2008 modern 2,967 #2,216
2009 modern 3,025 #2,227
2010 modern 3,069 #2,248
2011 modern 3,044 #2,236
2012 modern 2,976 #2,245
2013 modern 3,008 #2,263
2014 modern 3,023 #2,268
2015 modern 3,000 #2,258
2016 modern 2,953 #2,282

Geography

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Where Hassalls are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Leek, Manchester, Coppenhall, West Bromwich and Nantwich. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cheshire East, Stafford and East Lindsey. 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 Leek Staffordshire
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Coppenhall Cheshire
4 West Bromwich Staffordshire
5 Nantwich Cheshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cheshire East 035 Cheshire East
2 Stafford 003 Stafford
3 East Lindsey 011 East Lindsey
4 Cheshire East 036 Cheshire East
5 Cheshire East 051 Cheshire East

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hassall

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hassall

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Hassall 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

Hassall is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Hassall

The surname Hassall has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the village of Hassall in Staffordshire. The name is thought to have come from the Old English words "hæsel" meaning hazel tree and "halh" meaning a nook or remote valley, suggesting that the original bearers of the name may have resided in a hazel grove or valley.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Shropshire from 1272, where it is spelled as "Hassehull". The Domesday Book of 1086 also mentions a place called "Hassall" in Cheshire, further supporting the locational origin of the surname.

During the medieval period, the name appeared in various forms, such as Hassall, Hassolle, and Hassell, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation common at the time. Some notable bearers of the name from this era include John de Hassall, who was recorded in the Hundred Rolls of Staffordshire in 1273, and William Hassall, who was mentioned in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Cheshire in 1327.

In the 16th century, the Hassall family gained prominence in Staffordshire and Cheshire. William Hassall (1515-1588) was a notable English clergyman and academic who served as the Archdeacon of Barnstaple. Thomas Hassall (1547-1624) was a Catholic priest and martyr who was executed during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I for his religious beliefs.

The 17th century saw the emergence of several prominent individuals with the Hassall surname. Sir Edward Hassall (1618-1668) was an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Newcastle-under-Lyme. John Hassall (1636-1729) was a significant figure in the history of Cheshire, serving as the Vice-Chamberlain of Chester and a Deputy Lieutenant of the county.

In the 18th century, John Hassall (1737-1825) was a renowned English artist and engraver, known for his landscapes and portraits. He was a founding member of the Royal Academy of Arts in London.

The 19th century witnessed the growth and spread of the Hassall family across various parts of England and beyond. Samuel Hassall (1794-1853) was a notable English social reformer and author, who wrote extensively on topics related to poverty and public health. John Hassall (1868-1948) was a celebrated English illustrator and poster artist, best known for his iconic 'Skegness is so Bracing' poster for the London and North Eastern Railway.

Throughout its long history, the surname Hassall has been associated with various notable individuals, reflecting its English roots and the influence of its bearers across various fields and professions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hassall families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hassall 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. Cheshire leads with 467 Hassalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.60x.

County Total Index
Cheshire 467 11.60x
Staffordshire 458 7.44x
Lancashire 410 1.89x
Shropshire 118 7.49x
Warwickshire 86 1.87x
Middlesex 61 0.33x
Leicestershire 50 2.47x
Yorkshire 41 0.23x
Derbyshire 25 0.88x
Flintshire 21 4.28x
Hertfordshire 14 1.11x
Northamptonshire 13 0.76x
Gloucestershire 12 0.34x
Kent 12 0.19x
Somerset 11 0.37x
Nottinghamshire 10 0.41x
Worcestershire 9 0.38x
Wiltshire 8 0.50x
Devon 5 0.13x
Essex 5 0.14x
Northumberland 5 0.18x
Surrey 5 0.06x
Bedfordshire 4 0.42x
Buckinghamshire 4 0.36x
Sussex 4 0.13x
Dorset 3 0.25x
Norfolk 3 0.11x
Montgomeryshire 2 0.48x
Cornwall 1 0.05x
Durham 1 0.02x
Royal Navy 1 0.46x
Suffolk 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stoke Upon Trent in Staffordshire leads with 135 Hassalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.68x.

Place Total Index
Stoke Upon Trent 135 20.68x
Manchester 81 8.32x
Nantwich 53 113.27x
Leek Lowe 52 63.48x
Birmingham 46 3.00x
West Bromwich 39 11.06x
Monks Coppenhall 35 23.03x
Congleton 32 46.00x
Hulme 31 6.86x
Trentham 30 57.28x
Stone 29 36.82x
Wolstanton 29 15.51x
Broughton In Salford 26 13.14x
Chorlton On Medlock 26 7.56x
Wolverhampton 26 5.49x
Stayley 21 45.62x
Salford 20 3.14x
Islington London 19 1.07x
Warrington 18 7.01x
Over 16 39.10x
Wellington 16 18.06x
Toxteth Park 15 2.05x
Audlem 14 147.52x
Ellesmere 14 51.74x
Oldham 14 2.00x
Sandbach 14 40.77x
Ashton Under Lyne 13 2.75x
Burland 13 317.07x
Litchurch 13 11.31x
Saredon 13 769.23x
Ardwick 12 6.15x
Barton Upon Irwell 12 7.36x
Farnworth 12 9.25x
Newton 12 7.19x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 11 3.27x
Burslem 11 6.24x
Dodcott Cum Wilkesley 11 267.64x
Wakefield 11 7.93x
Wharton 11 50.16x
Aston 10 0.79x
Delamere 10 276.24x
Dukinfield 10 5.37x
Hawarden Saltney 10 145.77x
Leicester St Margaret 10 2.03x
Madeley 10 17.31x
Rushton 10 476.19x
Utkinton 10 307.69x
Alpraham 9 328.47x
Bradford 9 8.88x
Buglawton 9 92.88x
Burntwood Edial 9 22.88x
Kirkdale 9 2.47x
Nether Hallam 9 3.68x
Sutton Coldfield 9 18.61x
Uttoxeter 9 28.55x
Whitchurch 9 29.43x
Bowdon 8 50.06x
Buerton In Nantwich 8 272.11x
Cuddington In Northwich 8 313.73x
Dawley 8 13.95x
Dilhorne 8 78.05x
Harborne 8 4.05x
Haslington 8 70.61x
Leicester St Mary 8 4.90x
Newcastle Under Lyme 8 7.34x
Stirchley 8 496.89x
Stretford 8 6.72x
Wombridge 8 41.11x
Desford 7 124.78x
Hackney London 7 0.68x
Hartford 7 76.84x
Hemel Hempstead 7 12.36x
Moulton Eaton In 7 207.72x
Mucklestone 7 118.44x
Pendleton In Salford 7 2.71x
Runcorn 7 7.54x
Tipton 7 3.71x
Tranmere 7 4.73x
Wales 7 49.02x
Wigston Magna 7 26.09x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 116
William 102
Thomas 76
James 65
George 61
Joseph 57
Charles 44
Samuel 36
Henry 33
Richard 32
Arthur 18
Alfred 16
Albert 15
Edward 14
Edwin 12
Harry 11
Frederick 9
Herbert 8
Robert 8
Thos. 7
Ernest 6
Frank 6
David 5
Francis 5
Walter 5
Wm. 5
Benjamin 4
Eli 4
Fredrick 4
Harold 4
Ralph 4
Stephen 4
Chas. 3
Jas. 3
Levi 3
Lewis 3
Percy 3
Reuben 3
Sidney 3
Aaron 2
Abraham 2
Adrian 2
Hamlet 2
Hugh 2
Isaac 2
Josh. 2
Joshua 2
Nahum 2
Silas 2
Tom 2

FAQ

Hassall surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hassall surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,870 people were recorded with the Hassall surname. That placed it at #2,328 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hassall surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,953 in 2016. That gives Hassall a modern rank of #2,282.

What does the Hassall surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from places in England called Hassall.

What does the Hassall map show?

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