NameCensus.

UK surname

Ishmael

From the Hebrew name meaning "God will hear", referring to the biblical figure Ishmael, son of Abraham.

In the 1881 census there were 59 people recorded with the Ishmael surname, ranking it #25,281 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 188, ranked #20,417, up from #25,281 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wigan, Hammersmith and Fulham and Hillingdon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ishmael is 208 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 218.6%.

1881 census count

59

Ranked #25,281

Modern count

188

2016, ranked #20,417

Peak year

2013

208 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ishmael had 59 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #25,281 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 188 in 2016, ranked #20,417.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 78 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Ishmael surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ishmael surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ishmael 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 29 #28,082
1861 historical 52 #27,369
1881 historical 59 #25,281
1891 historical 62 #28,991
1901 historical 78 #25,500
1911 historical 73 #25,541
1997 modern 136 #22,398
1998 modern 148 #21,841
1999 modern 148 #22,020
2000 modern 165 #20,501
2001 modern 160 #20,616
2002 modern 173 #20,043
2003 modern 175 #19,690
2004 modern 191 #18,723
2005 modern 187 #18,924
2006 modern 188 #19,023
2007 modern 195 #18,799
2008 modern 197 #18,818
2009 modern 199 #19,090
2010 modern 199 #19,515
2011 modern 187 #20,132
2012 modern 203 #19,025
2013 modern 208 #19,041
2014 modern 201 #19,641
2015 modern 188 #20,417
2016 modern 188 #20,417

Geography

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Where Ishmaels are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wigan, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hillingdon and Lewisham. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wigan 011 Wigan
2 Hammersmith and Fulham 003 Hammersmith and Fulham
3 Hillingdon 018 Hillingdon
4 Lewisham 003 Lewisham
5 Lewisham 010 Lewisham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ishmael

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ishmael

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Ishmael surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Ishmael 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Ishmael is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ishmael is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ishmael falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Ishmael is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Ishmael

The surname Ishmael originates from the Hebrew name Yishma'el, meaning "God hears". It has its roots in the biblical figure Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar, as depicted in the Book of Genesis. The name gained widespread recognition and usage among Jewish and Arab communities, eventually finding its way into various cultures and languages.

The earliest known historical references to the surname Ishmael can be traced back to the Middle Ages. In England, the name appears in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were records of landowners and their holdings. Variations of the spelling, such as Ismael and Ismayle, were also documented during this period.

In the 14th century, the surname Ishmael began appearing in various regions of France, particularly in the southern regions. Records from the city of Montpellier mention individuals with the surname Ishmael, indicating its presence in the area. Additionally, the name can be found in historical records from Italy and Spain during the same time period.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname Ishmael was Sir John Ishmael (c. 1395-1459), a Welsh landowner and Member of Parliament for Carmarthenshire in 1421 and 1429. Another prominent figure was Sir Thomas Ishmael (c. 1450-1537), a Welsh judge and landowner who served as Chief Justice of Glamorgan.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname Ishmael continued to be prominent in various parts of Europe. In England, the name was associated with several notable individuals, including John Ishmael (c. 1580-1650), a merchant and politician who served as Sheriff of London in 1630. Another notable figure was Edward Ishmael (c. 1620-1695), an English clergyman and author who wrote several theological works.

In France, the surname Ishmael was also present during this period. One notable individual was Jean Ishmael (c. 1610-1685), a French Protestant minister and scholar who authored several religious texts.

As the centuries progressed, the surname Ishmael continued to be found in various parts of the world, with individuals bearing the name making contributions in various fields, including literature, politics, and academia.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ishmael families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ishmael 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. Cardiganshire leads with 35 Ishmaels recorded in 1881 and an index of 249.29x.

County Total Index
Cardiganshire 35 249.29x
Caernarfonshire 8 34.38x
Glamorgan 6 5.99x
Anglesey 3 29.41x
Lancashire 3 0.44x
Gloucestershire 1 0.89x
Montgomeryshire 1 7.58x
Nottinghamshire 1 1.29x
Sussex 1 1.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Yspytty Ystwyth in Cardiganshire leads with 28 Ishmaels recorded in 1881 and an index of 15555.56x.

Place Total Index
Yspytty Ystwyth 28 15555.56x
Bangor 7 312.50x
Aberdare 4 58.14x
Llanilar 4 2500.00x
Beaumaris 3 789.47x
Hulme 3 21.04x
Bristol St James In 1 60.24x
Caron Ys Clawdd 1 294.12x
Glyncorrwg 1 400.00x
Llandegai 1 140.85x
Llanfihangel Y Croyddyn 1 204.08x
Llangurig 1 312.50x
Nottingham St Mary 1 4.99x
Preston 1 59.17x
Yspytty Ystradmeiric 1 2500.00x
Ystradyfodwg 1 11.38x

FAQ

Ishmael surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ishmael surname in 1881?

In 1881, 59 people were recorded with the Ishmael surname. That placed it at #25,281 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ishmael surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 188 in 2016. That gives Ishmael a modern rank of #20,417.

What does the Ishmael surname mean?

From the Hebrew name meaning "God will hear", referring to the biblical figure Ishmael, son of Abraham.

What does the Ishmael map show?

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