UK surname
Habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "hills" in Old English, likely referring to a person from Keele, England.
In the 1881 census there were 142 people recorded with the Keele surname, ranking it #16,012 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 77, ranked #33,236, down from #16,012 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to South Stoneham, Burslem and Southampton St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Keele is 166 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 45.8%.
1881 census count
142
Ranked #16,012
Modern count
77
2016, ranked #33,236
Peak year
1891
166 bearers
Map years
4
1881 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Keele surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Keele surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 90 | #18,317 |
| 1861 | historical | 89 | #22,419 |
| 1881 | historical | 142 | #16,012 |
| 1891 | historical | 166 | #17,077 |
| 1901 | historical | 106 | #22,076 |
| 1911 | historical | 144 | #18,325 |
| 1997 | modern | 92 | #28,079 |
| 1998 | modern | 98 | #27,923 |
| 1999 | modern | 93 | #28,711 |
| 2000 | modern | 98 | #27,988 |
| 2001 | modern | 86 | #29,281 |
| 2002 | modern | 96 | #28,534 |
| 2003 | modern | 84 | #29,978 |
| 2004 | modern | 81 | #30,569 |
| 2005 | modern | 78 | #31,058 |
| 2006 | modern | 80 | #31,149 |
| 2007 | modern | 76 | #31,966 |
| 2008 | modern | 76 | #32,279 |
| 2009 | modern | 83 | #31,950 |
| 2010 | modern | 86 | #32,081 |
| 2011 | modern | 84 | #32,237 |
| 2012 | modern | 86 | #32,297 |
| 2013 | modern | 85 | #32,658 |
| 2014 | modern | 84 | #32,823 |
| 2015 | modern | 82 | #32,911 |
| 2016 | modern | 77 | #33,236 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around South Stoneham, Burslem, Southampton St Mary, St John Hampstead and Southampton All Saints. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Stoneham | Hampshire |
| 2 | Burslem | Staffordshire |
| 3 | Southampton St Mary | Hampshire |
| 4 | St John Hampstead | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Southampton All Saints | Hampshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Keele surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Keele, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Keele surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Keele household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Keele is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Keele is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Keele, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "KEELE" is of English origin, with roots dating back to the Anglo-Saxon era. It is derived from the Old English word "ciele," which means "chalk" or "chalky soil." This suggests that the name likely originated from a place name referring to a location with chalky soil.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Chele" and "Cele." This historical document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, recorded landowners and their holdings throughout England.
The surname is closely tied to the village of Keele in Staffordshire, England. The place name "Keele" is believed to have evolved from the Old English "Ciele" or "Chele," reflecting the chalky nature of the local soil. The earliest known record of the place name dates back to the 12th century, when it was written as "Kiel."
In the 13th century, a notable figure bearing the surname was John de Keele, a landowner and local lord who held lands in Keele and surrounding areas. His name is mentioned in several historical records from that period.
Another prominent individual with the surname was Sir Thomas Keele (1502-1572), a wealthy merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers in London. He served as Lord Mayor of London in 1563.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname appeared in various spellings, including "Keile," "Keele," and "Keel." One notable bearer was Richard Keele (1567-1641), an English clergyman and theologian who served as the chaplain to King James I.
In the 18th century, John Keele (1708-1786) was a prominent English surgeon and author of several medical treatises, including "An Account of the Pelvis" (1751) and "A Treatise on the Laws of Insolvent Debtors" (1768).
Another significant figure was Sir John Keele (1820-1898), a British civil engineer and surveyor who oversaw the construction of several notable projects, including the Stockton and Darlington Railway and the Manchester Ship Canal.
Throughout its history, the surname "KEELE" has maintained a strong connection to its English roots and the chalky soil of its place of origin. While the spelling may have varied over time, the name's essence and geographical ties remain deeply embedded in its etymology.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Keele surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 46 Keeles recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.32x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 46 | 3.32x |
| Hampshire | 32 | 11.27x |
| Staffordshire | 17 | 3.64x |
| Surrey | 12 | 1.78x |
| Worcestershire | 9 | 4.98x |
| Essex | 8 | 2.93x |
| Devon | 4 | 1.39x |
| Wiltshire | 4 | 3.27x |
| Sussex | 3 | 1.28x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 0.74x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 1.05x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.22x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.06x |
| Oxfordshire | 1 | 1.17x |
| Shropshire | 1 | 0.84x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 12 Keeles recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.94x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Islington London | 12 | 8.94x |
| South Stoneham | 12 | 194.81x |
| Stoke Upon Trent | 12 | 24.20x |
| Hackney London | 10 | 12.88x |
| Kings Norton | 8 | 49.32x |
| Mortlake | 7 | 232.56x |
| New Alresford | 7 | 945.95x |
| St Gilesin Fields London | 7 | 598.29x |
| Camberwell | 5 | 5.65x |
| Hampstead London | 5 | 23.18x |
| Southampton All Sts | 5 | 102.67x |
| Michelmersh | 4 | 727.27x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 4 | 18.01x |
| Romford | 4 | 92.59x |
| Shoreditch London | 4 | 6.66x |
| Smallthorne | 4 | 229.89x |
| West Ham | 4 | 6.63x |
| Hastings St Mary | 3 | 51.64x |
| Finchley | 2 | 37.66x |
| Leckhampton | 2 | 119.76x |
| St Giles In Fields London | 2 | 29.46x |
| St Michael Winchester | 2 | 344.83x |
| Westbury | 2 | 69.93x |
| Burton Upon Trent | 1 | 9.14x |
| Ealing | 1 | 8.08x |
| Glasgow | 1 | 1.26x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 1.30x |
| Kirkdale | 1 | 3.62x |
| Millbrook | 1 | 13.99x |
| Netheravon | 1 | 357.14x |
| Oxford St Peter In East | 1 | 303.03x |
| Pewsey | 1 | 111.11x |
| Redmarley | 1 | 212.77x |
| St Albans | 1 | 51.02x |
| St Faith Winchester | 1 | 75.76x |
| St George Hanover Square | 1 | 4.10x |
| Tottenham | 1 | 4.53x |
| Wroxeter | 1 | 434.78x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Keele surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 7 |
| Elizabeth | 6 |
| Jane | 4 |
| Ann | 3 |
| Annie | 3 |
| Ellen | 3 |
| Emma | 3 |
| Alice | 2 |
| Eliza | 2 |
| Emily | 2 |
| Fanny | 2 |
| Louisa | 2 |
| Lucy | 2 |
| Sarah | 2 |
| Adelaide | 1 |
| Agnes | 1 |
| Anne | 1 |
| Betsy | 1 |
| Charlotte | 1 |
| Edith | 1 |
| Eleanor | 1 |
| Elizth. | 1 |
| Ella | 1 |
| Frances | 1 |
| Georgina | 1 |
| Hannah | 1 |
| Hariet | 1 |
| Harriet | 1 |
| Harrietta | 1 |
| Helen | 1 |
| Isabella | 1 |
| Julia | 1 |
| Kate | 1 |
| Margaret | 1 |
| Maria | 1 |
| Maud | 1 |
| Prudence | 1 |
| Susan | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Keele surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| John | 7 |
| Charles | 6 |
| William | 6 |
| Henry | 4 |
| James | 4 |
| Stephen | 3 |
| Albert | 2 |
| C. | 2 |
| Edward | 2 |
| George | 2 |
| Thomas | 2 |
| Arthur | 1 |
| B. | 1 |
| Chas. | 1 |
| Chas.E. | 1 |
| Daniel | 1 |
| Edwin | 1 |
| Enock | 1 |
| Ernest | 1 |
| Frank | 1 |
| Frederic | 1 |
| Freeman | 1 |
| G. | 1 |
| Geo.Chas. | 1 |
| Granville | 1 |
| Herbert | 1 |
| Isaac | 1 |
| Jacob | 1 |
| Joseph | 1 |
| Leonard | 1 |
| Patrick | 1 |
| Philip | 1 |
| R. | 1 |
| Richard | 1 |
| Richmond | 1 |
| Robert | 1 |
| S. | 1 |
| Samuel | 1 |
| Sidney | 1 |
| Tom | 1 |
| Willie | 1 |
| Wm. | 1 |
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 Keele households.
FAQ
In 1881, 142 people were recorded with the Keele surname. That placed it at #16,012 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 77 in 2016. That gives Keele a modern rank of #33,236.
Habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "hills" in Old English, likely referring to a person from Keele, England.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Keele bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.