NameCensus.

UK surname

Karl

A Germanic surname derived from the Old Norse word "karl," meaning "free man" or "peasant."

In the 1881 census there were 44 people recorded with the Karl surname, ranking it #27,447 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 116, ranked #28,197, down from #27,447 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Spelthorne, Bromley and Haringey.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Karl is 116 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 163.6%.

1881 census count

44

Ranked #27,447

Modern count

116

2016, ranked #28,197

Peak year

2016

116 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Karl had 44 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #27,447 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 116 in 2016, ranked #28,197.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 65 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Karl surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Karl surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Karl 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 11 #31,309
1861 historical 65 #25,618
1881 historical 44 #27,447
1891 historical 31 #31,820
1901 historical 56 #27,952
1911 historical 39 #29,025
1997 modern 39 #33,759
1998 modern 43 #33,557
1999 modern 46 #33,424
2000 modern 39 #34,066
2001 modern 37 #34,082
2002 modern 41 #34,032
2003 modern 40 #34,215
2004 modern 44 #34,053
2005 modern 56 #33,264
2006 modern 51 #33,992
2007 modern 58 #33,731
2008 modern 60 #33,743
2009 modern 62 #33,832
2010 modern 69 #33,560
2011 modern 71 #33,392
2012 modern 90 #31,790
2013 modern 104 #30,076
2014 modern 110 #29,294
2015 modern 111 #28,986
2016 modern 116 #28,197

Geography

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Where Karls 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 Spelthorne, Bromley, Haringey, Westminster and Rother. 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 Spelthorne 009 Spelthorne
2 Bromley 008 Bromley
3 Haringey 005 Haringey
4 Westminster 014 Westminster
5 Rother 011 Rother

Forenames

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First names often paired with Karl

These lists show first names that appear often with the Karl 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 Karl

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Karl surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Karl 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Karl 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

Karl 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

Karl falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Karl is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
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 Karl, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Karl

The surname Karl has its origins in Germany, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Germanic word "karl," meaning "man" or "husband." This name was commonly used as a personal name among the ancient Germanic tribes.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Karl can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus, a collection of medieval documents from the region that is now modern-day Germany. The name appears in several records from the 11th and 12th centuries, often associated with individuals of noble or privileged status.

During the Middle Ages, the surname Karl was particularly prevalent in regions such as Bavaria, Saxony, and Franconia. It was also found in areas of what is now Austria and Switzerland, indicating the name's widespread usage among German-speaking populations.

In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the surname Karl was Johannes Karl, a scholar and theologian who lived between 1330 and 1395. He was known for his contributions to the study of canon law and served as a professor at the University of Prague.

Another notable individual with the surname Karl was Friedrich Karl von Savigny, a renowned German jurist and historian who lived from 1779 to 1861. He was a prominent figure in the historical school of jurisprudence and made significant contributions to the development of modern legal theory.

In the realm of literature, the surname Karl was borne by Johann Peter Karl, a German writer and poet who lived from 1715 to 1786. He was known for his works in the Baroque and Enlightenment periods and was a member of the prestigious Prussian Academy of Sciences.

The name Karl also has connections to various place names and geographical locations. For instance, Karlsruhe, a city in southwestern Germany, derives its name from the German word "Karl" and the word "Ruhe," meaning "repose" or "rest." The city was founded in 1715 and named after Margrave Karl III Wilhelm of Baden-Durlach.

Another notable figure with the surname Karl was Karl Landsteiner, an Austrian-American biologist and physician who lived from 1868 to 1943. He is renowned for his groundbreaking discoveries in the field of blood typing and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1930.

Throughout its long history, the surname Karl has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, jurists, writers, and scientists. Its enduring presence across German-speaking regions and its connections to historical places and figures make it a significant part of the cultural heritage of Germany and surrounding areas.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Karl families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Karl 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 12 Karls recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.93x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 12 2.93x
Dorset 9 33.48x
Durham 7 5.74x
Surrey 5 2.51x
Lancashire 4 0.82x
Kent 2 1.43x
Glamorgan 1 1.40x
Herefordshire 1 5.96x
Yorkshire 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. Blandford Forum in Dorset leads with 9 Karls recorded in 1881 and an index of 1698.11x.

Place Total Index
Blandford Forum 9 1698.11x
Framwellgate 7 972.22x
Old Artillery Ground 6 1714.29x
Mile End Old Town London 4 45.87x
Newington 3 19.83x
Barrow In Furness 2 30.26x
Bootle Cum Linacre 2 51.81x
Dover St Mary Virgin 2 148.15x
Carshalton 1 131.58x
Coyty Lower 1 217.39x
Fulham London 1 16.84x
Hampstead London 1 15.67x
Lambeth 1 2.80x
Leeds 1 4.36x
Ross 1 149.25x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Eliza 3
Alice 1
Ann 1
Anne 1
Caroline 1
Dorah 1
Elizabeth 1
Helene 1
Isabel 1
Jane 1
Lilian 1
Louisa 1
Margaret 1
Mariea 1
Mary 1
Rebecca 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Henry 3
James 3
George 2
Abraham 1
Adolf 1
Benjamin 1
Charles 1
Douglas 1
Edinger 1
Ernest 1
G. 1
Isedar 1
John 1
Myer 1
Peter 1
Reginald 1
Samuel 1
Thomas 1
William 1

Top occupations

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 Karl households.

FAQ

Karl surname: questions and answers

How common was the Karl surname in 1881?

In 1881, 44 people were recorded with the Karl surname. That placed it at #27,447 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Karl surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 116 in 2016. That gives Karl a modern rank of #28,197.

What does the Karl surname mean?

A Germanic surname derived from the Old Norse word "karl," meaning "free man" or "peasant."

What does the Karl map show?

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