NameCensus.

UK surname

Horrell

A surname of English origin, derived from a place name meaning "filthy hill" or "muddy hill."

In the 1881 census there were 467 people recorded with the Horrell surname, ranking it #7,122 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 800, ranked #6,916, up from #7,122 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Torridge and Huntingdonshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Horrell is 829 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 71.3%.

1881 census count

467

Ranked #7,122

Modern count

800

2016, ranked #6,916

Peak year

2002

829 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Horrell had 467 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,122 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 800 in 2016, ranked #6,916.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 729 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Horrell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Horrell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Horrell 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 358 #6,604
1861 historical 301 #8,412
1881 historical 467 #7,122
1891 historical 524 #7,145
1901 historical 654 #6,607
1911 historical 729 #5,874
1997 modern 757 #6,829
1998 modern 784 #6,871
1999 modern 793 #6,852
2000 modern 802 #6,757
2001 modern 802 #6,642
2002 modern 829 #6,590
2003 modern 796 #6,680
2004 modern 780 #6,808
2005 modern 751 #6,952
2006 modern 739 #7,069
2007 modern 742 #7,117
2008 modern 759 #7,046
2009 modern 783 #7,001
2010 modern 800 #7,029
2011 modern 799 #6,961
2012 modern 774 #7,050
2013 modern 788 #7,053
2014 modern 803 #6,983
2015 modern 806 #6,896
2016 modern 800 #6,916

Geography

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Where Horrells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, St Pancras, Kenn, Ide, Ashton, Exminster and Cardiff St John and St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Torridge and Huntingdonshire. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Kenn, Ide, Ashton, Exminster Devon
5 Cardiff St John and St Mary Glamorganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 002 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 005 Cornwall
3 Torridge 004 Torridge
4 Cornwall 012 Cornwall
5 Huntingdonshire 015 Huntingdonshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Horrell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Horrell

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Horrell is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Horrell 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

Horrell falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Horrell

The surname Horrell has its origins in England, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 13th century. This name is believed to be derived from the Old English words "horu" and "hyll," which collectively translate to "hill of dirt or mud." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived near or on a muddy hill.

The name can be traced back to various counties in England, including Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, and Warwickshire. One of the earliest documented references to the name appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1279, where it is recorded as "Horhull."

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various forms, such as "Horhull," "Horhyll," and "Horell," reflecting the regional variations in spelling and pronunciation. The Subsidy Rolls of Warwickshire from 1332 mention a "Johannes Horhull," while the Subsidy Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1380 list a "Willelmus Horhulle."

One notable early bearer of the name was John Horrell, a landowner from Oxfordshire who was mentioned in the Feet of Fines records for the county in 1428. Another early reference is found in the Inquisitiones Post Mortem for Gloucestershire from 1436, which mentions a "Thomas Horell."

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the spelling of the name stabilized closer to its modern form. The Parish Registers of Warwickshire from 1558 mention a "William Horrell," while the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1624 list a "Johannes Horrell."

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the surname Horrell. One example is Sir John Horrell (1565-1622), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Warwickshire in the early 17th century. Another is William Horrell (1678-1747), an English clergyman and author who published works on theology and philosophy.

In the 18th century, Thomas Horrell (1727-1795) was a renowned English clockmaker from London, known for his innovative designs and high-quality timepieces. Towards the end of the century, John Horrell (1770-1828) was an English artist and portrait painter, recognized for his works depicting prominent figures of the time.

Moving into the 19th century, Charles Horrell (1809-1882) was a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal College of Surgeons and the South Kensington Museum (now the Victoria and Albert Museum).

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Horrell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Horrell 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. Devon leads with 155 Horrells recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.31x.

County Total Index
Devon 155 16.31x
Cornwall 48 9.29x
Bedfordshire 36 15.23x
Middlesex 34 0.74x
Gloucestershire 33 3.69x
Yorkshire 24 0.53x
Cambridgeshire 21 7.26x
Essex 16 1.78x
Somerset 15 2.04x
Sussex 13 1.69x
Kent 11 0.71x
Shropshire 10 2.54x
Surrey 9 0.40x
Staffordshire 8 0.52x
Dorset 7 2.34x
Hampshire 7 0.75x
Lancashire 7 0.13x
Warwickshire 5 0.43x
Northamptonshire 3 0.70x
Royal Navy 2 3.68x
Leicestershire 1 0.20x
Midlothian 1 0.16x
Suffolk 1 0.18x
Wiltshire 1 0.25x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Thorney in Cambridgeshire leads with 17 Horrells recorded in 1881 and an index of 529.60x.

Place Total Index
Thorney 17 529.60x
Islington London 15 3.39x
North Petherwyn 13 970.15x
West Ham 12 6.03x
Clapham 11 1157.89x
Ilfracombe 10 102.25x
Northlew 10 840.34x
Oswestry Town 10 79.18x
Plymouth St Andrew 10 13.66x
Bristol St George 9 21.73x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 9 10.68x
Crediton 9 100.00x
Ashton 8 2666.67x
Liskeard 8 92.49x
Plumstead 8 15.41x
St Mary Magdalene 8 210.53x
Clifford Cum Boston 7 171.99x
Exeter St Sidwell 7 32.17x
Goldington 7 777.78x
Kilmington 7 933.33x
Kinson 7 119.45x
North Hill 7 421.69x
Ravensden 7 945.95x
West Teignmouth 7 96.29x
Wolverhampton 7 5.91x
Christow 6 652.17x
Chudleigh 6 198.68x
Exeter St Thomas The 6 61.92x
Portslade 6 127.39x
Sandford 6 258.62x
St Johns 6 2068.97x
Stoke Damerel 6 9.02x
Werrington 6 582.52x
Whitstone 6 937.50x
Aston 5 1.58x
Bedford St Paul 5 30.85x
Bermondsey 5 3.68x
Brighton 5 3.22x
Brightside Bierlow 5 5.64x
Bristol St James In 5 37.97x
Ecclesall Bierlow 5 5.43x
Plymouth Charles The 5 11.94x
Armley 4 20.05x
Barnstaple 4 26.81x
Bedminster 4 5.79x
Bristol St Paul In 4 16.77x
Fyfield 4 547.95x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 4 24.42x
Moreton Hampstead 4 162.60x
St Pancras London 4 1.09x
Tormoham 4 9.95x
West Derby 4 2.52x
Whittlesey St Mary St 4 39.60x
Bromley London 3 2.99x
Devonport 3 27.47x
Kensington London 3 1.18x
Altarnun 2 111.11x
Black Torrington 2 145.99x
Bridgewater 2 10.03x
Cannington 2 91.74x
Hampstead London 2 2.81x
Higham Ferrers 2 85.84x
Kingsdown In Dartford 2 307.69x
Lambeth 2 0.50x
Michelmersh 2 110.50x
Oakley 2 434.78x
Paddington London 2 1.19x
Petrockstow 2 250.00x
Plympton St Mary 2 36.43x
Royal Navy 2 4.30x
Southwark Christchurch 2 9.35x
St Columb Major 2 46.62x
St Stephen 2 109.29x
Stoke 2 51.95x
Stoke Climsland 2 60.61x
Stratton 2 71.43x
Totnes 2 35.97x
Vernham Dean 2 215.05x
Wath On Dearne 2 22.15x
Wilden 2 289.86x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 39
Sarah 18
Elizabeth 14
Annie 10
Eliza 9
Maria 8
Ellen 7
Emma 7
Louisa 7
Edith 6
Jane 5
Alice 4
Bessie 4
Florence 4
Hannah 4
Harriet 4
Ada 3
Amy 3
Ann 3
Fanny 3
Frances 3
Martha 3
Agnes 2
Amelia 2
Blanch 2
Catherine 2
Clara 2
Constance 2
Emily 2
Ethel 2
Grace 2
Harriett 2
Julia 2
Lucy 2
Margaret 2
Norah 2
Rosa 2
Selina 2
Celenia 1
Charlotte 1
Elizth.S. 1
Georgeana 1
Jessie 1
Joanna 1
Katherine 1
Kitty 1
Leah 1
Lily 1
Lizzie 1
Wilmot 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 33
John 24
James 14
George 13
Henry 13
Charles 12
Thomas 10
Frederick 8
Joseph 8
Arthur 7
Edward 7
Alfred 6
Richard 6
Edwin 5
Fredk. 5
Robert 5
Samuel 4
Walter 3
Chas. 2
Edmund 2
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Jesse 2
Wm. 2
Authur 1
Bruce 1
David 1
Earnest 1
Edw.Heny. 1
Edwd. 1
Fook 1
Frank 1
Fredk.W. 1
Geo. 1
Geo.Hy. 1
H.Francis 1
Harry 1
Isaac 1
Jessie 1
Joshua 1
Lloyd 1
Paul 1
Peter 1
Philip 1
Raymond 1
Reuben 1
S. 1
Sidney 1
Stanley 1
Wm.Chas. 1

FAQ

Horrell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Horrell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 467 people were recorded with the Horrell surname. That placed it at #7,122 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Horrell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 800 in 2016. That gives Horrell a modern rank of #6,916.

What does the Horrell surname mean?

A surname of English origin, derived from a place name meaning "filthy hill" or "muddy hill."

What does the Horrell map show?

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