UK surname
Derived from the Old English place name meaning "the people of Cylla," likely referring to a settlement or village.
In the 1881 census there were 61 people recorded with the Kelling surname, ranking it #24,992 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 68, ranked #33,826, down from #24,992 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Mary Stratford-le-Bow and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kelling is 149 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 11.5%.
1881 census count
61
Ranked #24,992
Modern count
68
2016, ranked #33,826
Peak year
1891
149 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Kelling surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Kelling surname density by area, 1901 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 | 69 | #21,148 |
| 1861 | historical | 100 | #21,103 |
| 1881 | historical | 61 | #24,992 |
| 1891 | historical | 149 | #18,420 |
| 1901 | historical | 101 | #22,726 |
| 1911 | historical | 73 | #25,541 |
| 1997 | modern | 88 | #28,611 |
| 1998 | modern | 93 | #28,563 |
| 1999 | modern | 94 | #28,593 |
| 2000 | modern | 81 | #30,036 |
| 2001 | modern | 80 | #29,945 |
| 2002 | modern | 82 | #30,181 |
| 2003 | modern | 71 | #31,393 |
| 2004 | modern | 71 | #31,578 |
| 2005 | modern | 78 | #31,058 |
| 2006 | modern | 73 | #31,954 |
| 2007 | modern | 67 | #32,871 |
| 2008 | modern | 66 | #33,217 |
| 2009 | modern | 70 | #33,182 |
| 2010 | modern | 74 | #33,167 |
| 2011 | modern | 74 | #33,151 |
| 2012 | modern | 70 | #33,638 |
| 2013 | modern | 67 | #33,939 |
| 2014 | modern | 71 | #33,717 |
| 2015 | modern | 72 | #33,595 |
| 2016 | modern | 68 | #33,826 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Mary Stratford-le-Bow, Liverpool and Cheltenham. 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 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | St Mary Stratford-le-Bow | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| 5 | Cheltenham | Gloucestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Kelling 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 Kelling, 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 Kelling surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Kelling 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, Kelling 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 Kelling is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Kelling, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Kelling is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "cyll," meaning a narrow stream or tarn. It likely originated as a place name referring to someone who lived near a small stream or body of water.
The earliest recorded instance of the name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Chillinga." This suggests that the name was already well-established in England by the time of the Norman Conquest.
In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "de Kellingg" and "de Kelling," indicating its use as a locational surname. The prefix "de" indicates "of" or "from," further reinforcing the name's connection to a specific place.
One notable bearer of the Kelling surname was Sir John Kelling, a prominent English judge who lived during the 15th century (c. 1390-1463). He served as Chief Justice of the King's Bench and was known for his expertise in the law.
Another historical figure with the Kelling surname was John Kelling, a Benedictine monk who lived in the 16th century (c. 1520-1592). He was a renowned scholar and writer, known for his works on theology and philosophy.
In the 17th century, the name appeared in various parish records and court documents, indicating its continued presence in England. One such record is the will of William Kelling, dated 1637, which mentions properties in Norfolk, England.
The surname Kelling also has connections to the village of Kelling in Norfolk, England. It's likely that some early bearers of the name hailed from this area or nearby regions, further solidifying the name's geographical roots.
Other notable individuals with the Kelling surname include Robert Kelling (1720-1795), an English politician and member of Parliament, and William Kelling (1832-1901), a prominent architect responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in England.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kelling 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 24 Kellings recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.20x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 24 | 3.20x |
| Channel Islands | 16 | 71.88x |
| Staffordshire | 9 | 3.55x |
| Lancashire | 7 | 0.79x |
| Sussex | 7 | 5.53x |
| Nottinghamshire | 6 | 5.93x |
| Lanarkshire | 2 | 0.82x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.64x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.67x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.27x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 1.51x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 1.02x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.13x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Helier in Channel Islands leads with 16 Kellings recorded in 1881 and an index of 220.69x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Helier | 16 | 220.69x |
| Clerkenwell London | 8 | 45.12x |
| Stoke Upon Trent | 6 | 22.31x |
| Worksop | 6 | 200.00x |
| Ardwick | 4 | 49.75x |
| Ashford | 4 | 677.97x |
| Bow London | 4 | 41.84x |
| Preston | 4 | 181.00x |
| Bramber | 3 | 6000.00x |
| Walsall Foreign | 3 | 22.90x |
| Islington London | 2 | 2.75x |
| Liverpool | 2 | 3.69x |
| St Marylebone London | 2 | 4.99x |
| Bothwell | 1 | 15.17x |
| Bradwell | 1 | 400.00x |
| Chippenham | 1 | 71.94x |
| Exeter St Sidwell | 1 | 27.93x |
| Glasgow | 1 | 2.32x |
| Great Driffield | 1 | 65.36x |
| Ince In Makerfield | 1 | 24.10x |
| Mile End Old Town London | 1 | 6.25x |
| Reigate Foreign | 1 | 25.25x |
| St George Hanover Square | 1 | 7.56x |
| Westminster St John | 1 | 10.93x |
| Westminster St Margaret | 1 | 27.62x |
| Worcester St Peter | 1 | 53.76x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Kelling surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Kelling surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Kelling households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 15 |
| Butcher | 3 |
| Ag Lab | 2 |
| Domestic Servant | 2 |
| Dressmaker | 2 |
| Painter | 2 |
| Tailor | 2 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Boiler Maker | 1 |
| Bookbinder | 1 |
| Bricklayers Labourer | 1 |
| Butchers Assist | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Cook Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Domestic Servant General | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| French Polisher | 1 |
| Gen. Lab. | 1 |
| Ironstone Miner | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Mantlemaker | 1 |
| Needlewoman | 1 |
| None | 1 |
| Potters Transferrer | 1 |
| Puddler In Iron Works | 1 |
| Queens Scholar (Sch Master) | 1 |
| Riveter (Boot) | 1 |
| School Mistress | 1 |
| Stone Mason | 1 |
| Telegraph Clerk C S | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 61 people were recorded with the Kelling surname. That placed it at #24,992 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 68 in 2016. That gives Kelling a modern rank of #33,826.
Derived from the Old English place name meaning "the people of Cylla," likely referring to a settlement or village.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Kelling 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.