NameCensus.

UK surname

Kerswell

A locational surname derived from a place in Devon, England.

In the 1881 census there were 359 people recorded with the Kerswell surname, ranking it #8,614 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 494, ranked #10,067, down from #8,614 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin, London parishes and Modbury, Bigbury, Ermington, Kingston. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Teignbridge, Copeland and North Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kerswell is 521 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 37.6%.

1881 census count

359

Ranked #8,614

Modern count

494

2016, ranked #10,067

Peak year

1999

521 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kerswell had 359 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,614 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 494 in 2016, ranked #10,067.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 493 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Kerswell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kerswell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kerswell 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 173 #11,629
1861 historical 221 #11,031
1881 historical 359 #8,614
1891 historical 410 #8,694
1901 historical 478 #8,329
1911 historical 493 #7,902
1997 modern 487 #9,482
1998 modern 514 #9,383
1999 modern 521 #9,362
2000 modern 495 #9,707
2001 modern 484 #9,702
2002 modern 497 #9,684
2003 modern 473 #9,879
2004 modern 472 #9,926
2005 modern 459 #10,053
2006 modern 462 #10,037
2007 modern 457 #10,205
2008 modern 467 #10,146
2009 modern 488 #10,048
2010 modern 507 #9,947
2011 modern 504 #9,895
2012 modern 497 #9,902
2013 modern 508 #9,902
2014 modern 517 #9,846
2015 modern 497 #10,046
2016 modern 494 #10,067

Geography

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Where Kerswells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin, London parishes, Modbury, Bigbury, Ermington, Kingston, St Thomas the Apostle, Whitestone and Kenton, Alphington, Dawlish. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Teignbridge, Copeland, North Devon, Plymouth and South Hams. 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 Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin Devon
2 London parishes London 1
3 Modbury, Bigbury, Ermington, Kingston Devon
4 St Thomas the Apostle, Whitestone Devon
5 Kenton, Alphington, Dawlish Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Teignbridge 017 Teignbridge
2 Copeland 004 Copeland
3 North Devon 005 North Devon
4 Plymouth 019 Plymouth
5 South Hams 010 South Hams

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kerswell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kerswell

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Kerswell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Kerswell 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Kerswell 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

Kerswell is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kerswell falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kerswell 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 Kerswell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kerswell

The surname Kerswell has its origins in the English county of Devon, deriving from a place name that dates back to the 11th century. The name is believed to have originated from the Old English words "cerse" meaning cress and "well" meaning a spring or stream, suggesting a connection to a place known for its cress-bearing watercourse.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Cressewell." This reference provides evidence of the name's longstanding presence in the region. Over time, the spelling evolved into various forms such as Kerswell, Carswell, and Creswell.

In the 13th century, records show a Robert de Cressewell holding lands in Devon, indicating the surname's association with landed gentry. During the 14th century, a John Kerswell was documented as a prominent figure in the town of Barnstaple, where he served as a bailiff and market official.

Notable individuals bearing the Kerswell surname include Sir John Kerswell (1592-1668), a prominent English lawyer and Member of Parliament during the reign of Charles I. Another notable figure was Thomas Kerswell (1637-1711), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of St. Michael's Church in Bath.

In the 18th century, William Kerswell (1718-1792) gained recognition as a successful merchant and ship owner based in Bristol, contributing to the city's maritime trade. Later, in the 19th century, Edward Kerswell (1829-1895) made his mark as a renowned architect, responsible for designing several notable buildings in the city of Exeter.

One of the most notable individuals with this surname was Sir John Kerswell (1861-1942), a British Army officer who served in the Boer War and World War I. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his military service and played a crucial role in the defense of Ypres during the First World War.

While the surname Kerswell has its roots in the county of Devon, it has since spread to other parts of England and beyond, with bearers of the name making significant contributions across various fields throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kerswell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kerswell 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. Devon leads with 227 Kerswells recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.14x.

County Total Index
Devon 227 31.14x
Middlesex 44 1.26x
Somerset 21 3.73x
Hampshire 15 2.09x
Gloucestershire 14 2.04x
Lancashire 10 0.24x
Surrey 8 0.47x
Sussex 6 1.02x
Northamptonshire 3 0.91x
Cheshire 2 0.26x
Essex 2 0.29x
Kent 2 0.17x
Monmouthshire 2 0.79x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.47x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.71x
Flintshire 1 1.06x

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 20 Kerswells recorded in 1881 and an index of 62.29x.

Place Total Index
Plymouth Charles The 20 62.29x
Exeter St Thomas The 16 215.34x
Dawlish 15 275.74x
Halwell 15 1875.00x
Stoke Damerel 15 29.40x
Crediton 13 188.13x
Wellington 12 157.07x
Tavistock 10 120.48x
Modbury 9 483.87x
Ealing 8 25.56x
Lidford 8 244.65x
Exeter St Mary Steps 7 426.83x
Hammersmith London 7 8.12x
Horfield 7 101.30x
Kingston 7 1250.00x
Ryde 7 45.40x
South Brent 7 445.86x
St Marylebone London 7 3.74x
Exeter St John 6 1153.85x
Holcombe Burnell 6 2307.69x
Kingston On Thames 6 14.64x
Paddington London 6 4.66x
Bromley London 5 6.49x
Dartmouth St Saviour 5 240.38x
Dodbrooke 5 344.83x
Hastings St Mary 5 34.04x
Plymouth St Andrew 5 8.90x
Whitestone 5 909.09x
Bradford 4 727.27x
Bristol St Augustine 4 36.10x
Cheetham 4 12.91x
Dartmouth Townstall 4 134.68x
Harberton 4 240.96x
Plymstock 4 104.71x
Portsea 4 2.84x
St George Hanover Square 4 6.48x
Stonehouse East 4 108.11x
Tedburn St Mary 4 519.48x
Exeter Holy Trinity 3 104.90x
Ilfracombe 3 40.00x
Long Buckby 3 98.36x
Portsmouth 3 18.15x
Toxteth Park 3 2.13x
Cheltenham 2 3.77x
Chepstow 2 46.40x
Colebrooke 2 235.29x
Dartmouth St Petrox 2 190.48x
Devonport 2 23.87x
Dunsford 2 215.05x
East Stonehouse 2 13.93x
Exeter St Sidwell 2 11.98x
Newton Ferrers 2 235.29x
Salford 2 1.64x
St George In East London 2 6.07x
St Pancras London 2 0.71x
Tormoham 2 6.49x
Tranmere 2 7.04x
Wanstead 2 16.52x
Bishops Hull 1 54.95x
Blackawton 1 78.74x
Camberwell 1 0.45x
East Teignmouth 1 33.56x
Exeter St Leonard 1 50.25x
Exeter St Mary Major 1 22.78x
Exeter St Paul 1 69.44x
Hawarden 1 13.53x
Holy Rood 1 68.97x
Hougham 1 14.08x
Lambeth 1 0.33x
Lewisham 1 1.57x
Liverpool 1 0.40x
Long Ashton 1 35.71x
Morleigh 1 769.23x
Nether Stowey 1 113.64x
Pilton 1 41.49x
Stokeinteignhead 1 126.58x
Taunton St Mary 1 9.66x
Totnes 1 23.47x
Upton Cum Chalvey 1 11.85x
Willesden 1 3.03x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 24
Sarah 15
Elizabeth 14
Jane 11
Ann 8
Annie 8
Emma 8
Edith 6
Alice 5
Eliza 5
Susan 5
Emily 3
Florence 3
Isabella 3
Margaret 3
Minnie 3
Agnes 2
Amy 2
Beatrice 2
Charlotte 2
Ellen 2
Hannah 2
Laura 2
Maria 2
Maud 2
Nellie 2
Selina 2
Amelia 1
Bessie 1
Caroline 1
Carrie 1
Cecelia 1
Eliz. 1
Elizth. 1
Esther 1
Fanny 1
Francis 1
Georgina 1
Grace 1
Isabel 1
Jessie 1
Lavinia 1
Lilian 1
Lily 1
Lizzie 1
Lucy 1
M.A. 1
Margarette 1
Margret 1
Wilhelmina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 28
William 28
George 17
Samuel 11
James 10
Charles 7
Henry 7
Alfred 6
Thomas 6
Joseph 5
Edward 4
Geo. 4
Harry 4
Richard 4
Albert 3
Frank 3
Nicholas 3
Robert 3
Ernest 2
Percy 2
Abbey 1
Francis 1
Fred.W. 1
Frederic 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
G. 1
Hawkins 1
J.G.I. 1
J.R. 1
Reuben 1
Ruben 1
T. 1
Thos. 1
Tom 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Kerswell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kerswell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 359 people were recorded with the Kerswell surname. That placed it at #8,614 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kerswell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 494 in 2016. That gives Kerswell a modern rank of #10,067.

What does the Kerswell surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place in Devon, England.

What does the Kerswell map show?

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