NameCensus.

UK surname

Kendell

From the Old English "cyne dael" meaning valley of the royal people.

In the 1881 census there were 422 people recorded with the Kendell surname, ranking it #7,666 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 469, ranked #10,491, down from #7,666 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ringwood, London parishes and Hatfield, Fishlake, Thorne, Crowle (Eastoft). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Doncaster.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kendell is 488 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 11.1%.

1881 census count

422

Ranked #7,666

Modern count

469

2016, ranked #10,491

Peak year

1911

488 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kendell had 422 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,666 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 469 in 2016, ranked #10,491.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 488 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Kendell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kendell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kendell 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 339 #6,922
1861 historical 366 #6,987
1881 historical 422 #7,666
1891 historical 393 #8,995
1901 historical 394 #9,579
1911 historical 488 #7,980
1997 modern 415 #10,709
1998 modern 426 #10,843
1999 modern 447 #10,497
2000 modern 435 #10,720
2001 modern 428 #10,653
2002 modern 428 #10,880
2003 modern 410 #11,061
2004 modern 411 #11,053
2005 modern 406 #11,061
2006 modern 402 #11,213
2007 modern 414 #11,072
2008 modern 431 #10,814
2009 modern 438 #10,927
2010 modern 455 #10,802
2011 modern 459 #10,607
2012 modern 460 #10,498
2013 modern 469 #10,492
2014 modern 471 #10,541
2015 modern 469 #10,500
2016 modern 469 #10,491

Geography

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Where Kendells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ringwood, London parishes, Hatfield, Fishlake, Thorne, Crowle (Eastoft), Portsmouth, Portsea 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 Doncaster. 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 Ringwood Hampshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Hatfield, Fishlake, Thorne, Crowle (Eastoft) Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
5 Cardiff St John and St Mary Glamorganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Doncaster 034 Doncaster
2 Doncaster 003 Doncaster
3 Doncaster 004 Doncaster
4 Doncaster 029 Doncaster
5 Doncaster 018 Doncaster

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kendell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kendell

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Kendell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Kendell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Kendell is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Kendell 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

Kendell falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kendell 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
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Kendell

The surname KENDELL is an English name that originated in the county of Westmorland, located in the northwest of England. The name is derived from the Old English words "cene" meaning "bold" or "brave," and "dell," meaning "valley." It's believed that the name was originally given to someone who lived in a particularly bold or brave valley.

The earliest recorded instance of the KENDELL surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1166, where a Richard de Kendal is mentioned. This spelling variation, "Kendal," is likely related to the town of Kendal in Westmorland, which itself is derived from the KENDELL surname.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, a record of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror, there are no direct mentions of the KENDELL surname. However, there are references to the town of Kendal and the surrounding areas, indicating that the name was likely in use at that time.

One of the earliest known individuals with the KENDELL surname was John Kendell, a prominent merchant and landowner in Westmorland during the 14th century. He played a significant role in the local wool trade and left a substantial estate upon his death in 1387.

Another notable figure was Sir Thomas Kendell (1546-1618), an English military commander who served under Queen Elizabeth I during the Anglo-Spanish War. He was knighted for his bravery and leadership in the Battle of Cádiz in 1596.

In the realm of literature, George Kendell (1688-1756) was an English poet and playwright known for his satirical works. His most famous play, "The Humours of a Coffee-House," premiered in 1737 and was a commentary on contemporary London society.

During the American Revolutionary War, James Kendell (1738-1818) was a British Army officer who fought alongside General Edward Braddock in the Battle of the Monongahela in 1755. He later settled in Virginia after the war and became a prominent landowner.

In the 19th century, Elizabeth Kendell (1822-1893) was a notable English philanthropist and social reformer. She founded several charitable organizations aimed at improving the living conditions of the poor and advocating for women's rights.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who bore the surname KENDELL, showcasing its deep roots in English history and its association with various notable figures across different fields and time periods.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kendell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kendell 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. Yorkshire leads with 121 Kendells recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.96x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 121 2.96x
Middlesex 59 1.43x
Lancashire 27 0.55x
Devon 25 2.91x
Hampshire 24 2.84x
Durham 16 1.30x
Essex 14 1.72x
Surrey 14 0.70x
Norfolk 13 2.05x
Dorset 12 4.43x
Lincolnshire 12 1.82x
Gloucestershire 10 1.24x
Northamptonshire 10 2.58x
Cornwall 9 1.93x
Sussex 9 1.29x
Wiltshire 9 2.47x
Brecknockshire 6 7.27x
Nottinghamshire 6 1.08x
Worcestershire 6 1.11x
Kent 4 0.28x
Berkshire 3 0.97x
Northumberland 3 0.49x
Somerset 3 0.45x
Glamorgan 2 0.28x
Monmouthshire 2 0.67x
Derbyshire 1 0.15x
Royal Navy 1 2.03x
Suffolk 1 0.20x
Warwickshire 1 0.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Plymouth Charles The in Devon leads with 15 Kendells recorded in 1881 and an index of 39.64x.

Place Total Index
Plymouth Charles The 15 39.64x
Leeds 14 6.06x
Ringwood 13 240.30x
Sculcoates 13 20.06x
Dodworth 12 282.35x
Thorne 11 216.96x
York St Mary 11 64.97x
Daventry 10 182.15x
Seaham 8 178.97x
St Pancras London 8 2.41x
Whickham 8 70.86x
Croydon 7 6.27x
Fishlake 7 897.44x
Great Little Marsden 7 31.21x
Hackney London 7 3.03x
Southampton St Mary 7 13.16x
Tottenham 7 10.65x
Bramley In Bramley 6 38.34x
Brighton 6 4.28x
Bromsgrove 6 33.08x
Castle Hedingham 6 408.16x
Holbeck 6 22.15x
Kersall 6 4000.00x
Llangattock 6 89.29x
Pendleton In Salford 6 10.29x
Sandal Magna 6 99.17x
Shoreditch London 6 3.35x
Boddington 5 862.07x
Bottesford 5 1020.41x
Brightside Bierlow 5 6.24x
Cockley Cley 5 1724.14x
Hanwell 5 68.40x
Long Critchell 5 2173.91x
Normanton 5 40.68x
Barton St Peter 4 132.45x
Bermondsey 4 3.26x
St Just In Roseland 4 195.12x
St Marylebone London 4 1.82x
Stoke Damerel 4 6.65x
Walthamstow 4 13.64x
York St George 4 124.22x
Alverstoke 3 9.80x
Bradford 3 3.03x
Bridport 3 53.86x
Bristol St Paul In 3 13.91x
Caundle Bishop 3 638.30x
East Ogwell 3 789.47x
Hammersmith London 3 2.95x
Kensington London 3 1.31x
Lammas Cum Little Hautbois 3 937.50x
Lewisham 3 4.00x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 3 8.18x
Oldham 3 1.90x
Steyning 3 127.12x
Toxteth Park 3 1.81x
Westminster St James 3 7.07x
Wortley In Bramley 3 9.27x
Abingdon St Nicholas 2 232.56x
Aylsham 2 52.91x
Burgh 2 645.16x
East Butterwick 2 1428.57x
Great Bedwin 2 77.22x
Idmiston 2 243.90x
Lambeth 2 0.56x
Liverpool 2 0.67x
Llanwenarth Ultra 2 91.74x
Manningham 2 3.97x
Milford 2 102.56x
Salford 2 1.39x
St Margaret Lothbury 2 1176.47x
Sutton Veney 2 194.17x
Tormoham 2 5.50x
Warmfield Cum Heath 2 144.93x
West Ham 2 1.11x
Wombwell 2 16.78x
Acton 1 4.13x
Blackburn 1 0.77x
Devonport 1 10.13x
Hemsworth 1 42.55x
Newbury 1 10.08x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 29
Sarah 17
Elizabeth 13
Ann 12
Annie 9
Jane 9
Emma 7
Hannah 7
Alice 6
Emily 6
Martha 5
Amelia 4
Anne 4
Eliza 4
Louisa 4
Maria 4
Caroline 3
Charlotte 3
Edith 3
Ellen 3
Fanny 3
Isabella 3
Susan 3
Agnes 2
Beatrice 2
Catherine 2
Esther 2
Nancy 2
Rose 2
Sophia 2
Bertha 1
Bessey 1
Bessie 1
Betsy 1
Eleanor 1
Elizebeth 1
Elizth. 1
Elspeth 1
Ethel 1
Georgiana 1
Gertrude 1
Grace 1
Hana 1
Harriet 1
Harritt 1
Helan 1
Helen 1
Hen 1
Jannet 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 26
William 26
James 14
Thomas 13
George 12
Arthur 11
Charles 9
Frederick 8
Henry 6
Robert 6
Edwin 5
Albert 3
Alfred 3
Richard 3
Samuel 3
Walter 3
Alexander 2
Daniel 2
Frank 2
Harry 2
Stephen 2
Bersey 1
Charlie 1
David 1
Edmund 1
Edward 1
Francis 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Gilbert 1
Harnsby 1
Harold 1
Hudson 1
Hy.Thos. 1
Jessey 1
Joseph 1
Keaman 1
Martin 1
Nicholas 1
Oliver 1
Paul 1
Percy 1
Peter 1
Philip 1
Richd. 1
Roland 1
Saml. 1
Sidney 1
Steven 1
Wm.Charles 1

FAQ

Kendell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kendell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 422 people were recorded with the Kendell surname. That placed it at #7,666 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kendell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 469 in 2016. That gives Kendell a modern rank of #10,491.

What does the Kendell surname mean?

From the Old English "cyne dael" meaning valley of the royal people.

What does the Kendell map show?

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