NameCensus.

UK surname

Kendle

An English surname derived from an Old English place name meaning "valley of the bright stream".

In the 1881 census there were 306 people recorded with the Kendle surname, ranking it #9,586 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 224, ranked #18,164, down from #9,586 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Binham, Stower Provost and King's Lynn St Margaret. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include King's Lynn and West Norfolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kendle is 387 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 26.8%.

1881 census count

306

Ranked #9,586

Modern count

224

2016, ranked #18,164

Peak year

1851

387 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kendle had 306 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,586 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 224 in 2016, ranked #18,164.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 387 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Kendle surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kendle surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kendle 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 387 #6,204
1861 historical 374 #6,826
1881 historical 306 #9,586
1891 historical 362 #9,569
1901 historical 299 #11,673
1911 historical 302 #11,394
1997 modern 233 #15,975
1998 modern 255 #15,470
1999 modern 259 #15,433
2000 modern 247 #15,864
2001 modern 237 #16,048
2002 modern 249 #15,855
2003 modern 237 #16,191
2004 modern 235 #16,379
2005 modern 232 #16,480
2006 modern 235 #16,439
2007 modern 240 #16,392
2008 modern 241 #16,481
2009 modern 242 #16,789
2010 modern 238 #17,323
2011 modern 228 #17,673
2012 modern 225 #17,733
2013 modern 233 #17,606
2014 modern 229 #17,925
2015 modern 227 #17,941
2016 modern 224 #18,164

Geography

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Where Kendles are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Binham, Stower Provost, King's Lynn St Margaret, London parishes and Brampton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to King's Lynn and West Norfolk. 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 Binham Norfolk
2 Stower Provost Dorset
3 King's Lynn St Margaret Norfolk
4 London parishes London 3
5 Brampton Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 011 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
2 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 007 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
3 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 010 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
4 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 002 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
5 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 012 King's Lynn and West Norfolk

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kendle

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kendle

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Kendle surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Kendle household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Kendle is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Kendle is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kendle 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 Kendle is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Kendle

The surname Kendle is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "cyndel," meaning "candle" or "torch." The name likely referred to an occupation or trade, suggesting that early bearers of the name may have been involved in the production or selling of candles.

The earliest recorded instances of the Kendle surname can be traced back to the 13th century. In the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire from 1273, there is a mention of a person named William Kyndel. This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time.

In the 14th century, the Kendle surname appeared in various historical documents, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which recorded a John Kyndel. The name was also found in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire from 1379, where a Thomas Kyndyll was listed.

One notable early bearer of the Kendle surname was William Kendale, who served as a member of the Parliament of England in 1391, representing Gloucestershire. This historical reference suggests that the Kendle family may have held some social standing or influence during that time.

As the name spread across England, it became associated with various place names, such as Kendle in Cheshire and Kendal in Cumbria. These place names may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time.

Among the notable individuals with the Kendle surname throughout history are:

1. John Kendle (c. 1570-1627), an English clergyman and author known for his work "The Expositions of the Prophecies of Habakkuk and Zephaniah." 2. Robert Kendle (1655-1718), an English mathematician and astronomer who contributed to the development of the Gregorian calendar. 3. Elizabeth Kendle (1710-1784), a British philanthropist and advocate for women's education, who founded several schools in London. 4. William Kendle (1789-1862), a British explorer and naturalist who traveled extensively through Africa and documented numerous plant and animal species. 5. Samuel Kendle (1835-1903), an English industrialist and inventor who patented several innovations in textile manufacturing.

While the Kendle surname may not be as prevalent today as it once was, its rich history and origins in medieval England serve as a testament to the diverse tapestry of surnames that have shaped the cultural landscape over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kendle families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kendle 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. Norfolk leads with 103 Kendles recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.15x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 103 22.15x
Middlesex 30 0.99x
Yorkshire 28 0.93x
Dorset 22 11.09x
Northumberland 16 3.56x
Durham 11 1.22x
Cornwall 9 2.63x
Derbyshire 9 1.90x
Hampshire 8 1.29x
Devon 7 1.11x
Kent 7 0.68x
Lincolnshire 7 1.45x
Gloucestershire 6 1.01x
Channel Islands 5 5.58x
Glamorgan 5 0.95x
Warwickshire 5 0.66x
Hertfordshire 4 1.92x
Lancashire 4 0.11x
Buckinghamshire 3 1.64x
Northamptonshire 3 1.05x
Surrey 3 0.20x
Sussex 3 0.59x
Cambridgeshire 2 1.04x
Essex 2 0.34x
Suffolk 2 0.54x
Cheshire 1 0.15x
Cumberland 1 0.38x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.25x
Royal Navy 1 2.78x
Somerset 1 0.21x
Staffordshire 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. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 17 Kendles recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.80x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 17 5.80x
Great Snoring 12 2500.00x
Brampton 11 5789.47x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 11 78.80x
Dewsbury 10 32.54x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 10 37.22x
Downham Market 9 282.13x
Staveley 9 107.14x
Norwich St Stephen 8 187.35x
Ovenden 8 59.97x
Elsing 7 1750.00x
Poole St James 7 93.83x
Byker 6 26.98x
Deptford St Paul 6 7.54x
St Austell 6 51.28x
Stour Provost 6 1714.29x
Swaffham 6 158.73x
Thornage 6 1764.71x
Burnham Westgate 5 500.00x
Guist 5 1219.51x
Langtoft 5 833.33x
Romsey Extra 5 135.50x
St Michaelinthe Vale 5 156.25x
Budbrooke 4 512.82x
Caistor Next Yarmouth 4 243.90x
Elvet 4 61.63x
Longham 4 1176.47x
Northowram 4 19.04x
Rickmansworth 4 69.69x
Stoke Damerel 4 9.08x
Westoe 4 7.84x
Ystradyfodwg 4 8.66x
Bristol St Augustine 3 31.35x
Charminster 3 189.87x
Fareham 3 40.27x
Fordington 3 70.26x
Kensington London 3 1.78x
Marholm 3 1764.71x
Newbottle 3 61.10x
Rumbolds Wyke 3 319.15x
Tilney St Lawrence 3 400.00x
West Dean 3 31.15x
Edmonton 2 8.21x
Fulmodestone Cum Croxton 2 540.54x
Hackford In Aylsham 2 240.96x
Provost Stour 2 500.00x
St Pancras London 2 0.82x
Weasenham St Peter 2 714.29x
Wisbech St Peter 2 20.83x
Awliscombe 1 181.82x
Battersea 1 0.90x
Beaumont 1 416.67x
Budock 1 38.76x
Burgh Castle 1 185.19x
Burnham 1 42.92x
Caterham 1 15.36x
Chesham 1 14.84x
Coningsby 1 71.94x
Crowan 1 36.90x
East Ham 1 9.03x
Great Grimsby 1 3.26x
Hornsey 1 2.62x
Huddersfield 1 2.29x
Hunshelf 1 68.03x
Ipswich St Mathew 1 9.69x
Leyton Low 1 8.24x
Linslade 1 55.87x
Manchester 1 0.62x
Newington 1 12.12x
St Botolph Aldgate London 1 16.05x
St Giles In Fields London 1 6.74x
Stiffkey 1 222.22x
Stockport 1 2.91x
Stody 1 769.23x
Swansea Town 1 2.32x
Swanton Novers 1 344.83x
Thorne 1 26.88x
West Derby 1 0.95x
Weymouth 1 26.60x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 21
Elizabeth 12
Sarah 7
Ann 6
Maria 6
Alice 5
Eliza 5
Emma 5
Jane 5
Martha 5
Ellen 4
Emily 4
Hannah 4
Anna 3
Charlotte 3
Edith 3
Eleanor 3
Harriett 3
Ada 2
Annie 2
Esther 2
Frances 2
Harriet 2
Harriott 2
Mabel 2
Margaret 2
Rebecca 2
Susan 2
Catherine 1
Christian 1
Christiana 1
Clara 1
Elizh.A. 1
Emelina 1
Evelyn 1
Florence 1
Isabella 1
Izabella 1
Jessie 1
Katherine 1
Laura 1
Lily 1
Lizzie 1
Louisa 1
Lydia 1
Margrat 1
Margret 1
Matilda 1
Maude 1
Mina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 29
John 22
Thomas 13
James 7
Charles 6
Robert 6
George 4
Henry 4
Walter 4
Francis 3
Frank 3
Frederick 3
Albert 2
Arthur 2
Edward 2
Ernest 2
Fred 2
Philip 2
Richard 2
Samuel 2
Stephen 2
Benjn. 1
Bernard 1
Daniel 1
Edgar 1
Edmond 1
Elias 1
Elijah 1
Fredric 1
Fredrick 1
Geo.R. 1
H. 1
Harry 1
J.W. 1
Jeremiah 1
Joshua 1
Matthew 1
Melbourne 1
Nicholas 1
Oliver 1
Percy 1
Robt.H. 1
Roland 1
Sam 1
Samual 1
Sidney 1
Stacey 1
Steven 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Kendle surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kendle surname in 1881?

In 1881, 306 people were recorded with the Kendle surname. That placed it at #9,586 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kendle surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 224 in 2016. That gives Kendle a modern rank of #18,164.

What does the Kendle surname mean?

An English surname derived from an Old English place name meaning "valley of the bright stream".

What does the Kendle map show?

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