NameCensus.

UK surname

Kettlewell

A Kettlewell surname refers to someone from the town of Kettlewell in Yorkshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 918 people recorded with the Kettlewell surname, ranking it #4,174 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 927, ranked #6,164, down from #4,174 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Whixley, Ilkley and Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Richmondshire, Harrogate and York.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kettlewell is 1,145 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 1.0%.

1881 census count

918

Ranked #4,174

Modern count

927

2016, ranked #6,164

Peak year

1911

1,145 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kettlewell had 918 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,174 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 927 in 2016, ranked #6,164.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,145 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Kettlewell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kettlewell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kettlewell 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 482 #5,171
1861 historical 565 #4,654
1881 historical 918 #4,174
1891 historical 955 #4,336
1901 historical 1,077 #4,485
1911 historical 1,145 #4,080
1997 modern 938 #5,777
1998 modern 987 #5,733
1999 modern 1,006 #5,687
2000 modern 1,005 #5,667
2001 modern 997 #5,594
2002 modern 1,023 #5,596
2003 modern 999 #5,599
2004 modern 1,010 #5,550
2005 modern 971 #5,667
2006 modern 964 #5,722
2007 modern 967 #5,766
2008 modern 974 #5,766
2009 modern 1,007 #5,734
2010 modern 1,038 #5,700
2011 modern 1,025 #5,706
2012 modern 936 #6,055
2013 modern 943 #6,117
2014 modern 950 #6,125
2015 modern 935 #6,151
2016 modern 927 #6,164

Geography

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Where Kettlewells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Whixley, Ilkley, Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall, Preston and Bradford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Richmondshire, Harrogate, York, West Lindsey and Hambleton. 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 Whixley Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Ilkley Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Preston Lancashire
5 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Richmondshire 006 Richmondshire
2 Harrogate 003 Harrogate
3 York 012 York
4 West Lindsey 004 West Lindsey
5 Hambleton 008 Hambleton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kettlewell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kettlewell

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Kettlewell, 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 Kettlewell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Kettlewell 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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Kettlewell is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Kettlewell is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kettlewell 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 Kettlewell 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 Kettlewell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kettlewell

The surname Kettlewell is an English locational name originating from the village of Kettlewell in North Yorkshire, England. The name derives from the Old English words "cytel" meaning a cauldron or kettle, and "well" meaning a spring or stream, likely referring to a prominent natural feature near the settlement.

The earliest recorded mention of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as Cheteleuuelle. This ancient manuscript provides valuable insight into the distribution of surnames and place names in England shortly after the Norman Conquest.

In the 13th century, records show variations of the name such as Kettelwelle and Ketelwell, reflecting the evolution of spelling over time. The nearby village of Kettlesing, formerly known as Ketellesinge, also shares a similar origin and connection to the surname.

One notable individual with the Kettlewell name was John Kettlewell (1653-1695), an English clergyman and writer who authored several religious works, including "The Measures of Christian Obedience" and "The Religion of the Church of England."

Another prominent figure was Thomas Kettlewell (1745-1801), an English landowner and politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Ripon from 1780 to 1784.

In the artistic realm, John Kettlewell (1859-1944) was an English painter and illustrator known for his landscapes and maritime scenes.

William Wilberforce Kettlewell (1869-1945), a British entomologist and lepidopterist, made significant contributions to the study of butterflies and moths, particularly in the Himalayas.

More recently, Geoffrey Kettlewell (1920-1986), a British amateur naturalist, conducted groundbreaking research on industrial melanism in the peppered moth, shedding light on the process of natural selection.

While these individuals represent notable examples of the Kettlewell surname throughout history, the name's origins can be traced back to the picturesque village in North Yorkshire, where it likely originated as a locational identifier for those who lived near the distinctive natural feature of a cauldron-shaped spring or stream.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kettlewell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kettlewell 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 624 Kettlewells recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.02x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 624 7.02x
Lincolnshire 98 6.84x
Lancashire 71 0.67x
Durham 33 1.24x
Surrey 14 0.32x
Cornwall 9 0.89x
Devon 9 0.48x
Kent 9 0.29x
Bedfordshire 7 1.51x
Essex 7 0.40x
Middlesex 7 0.08x
Caernarfonshire 5 1.38x
Cheshire 5 0.25x
Somerset 5 0.35x
Hampshire 2 0.11x
Northamptonshire 2 0.24x
Royal Navy 2 1.87x
Staffordshire 2 0.07x
Cumberland 1 0.13x
Dorset 1 0.17x
Gloucestershire 1 0.06x
Hertfordshire 1 0.16x
Lanarkshire 1 0.03x
Northumberland 1 0.08x
Sussex 1 0.07x
Westmorland 1 0.51x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Whixley in Yorkshire leads with 30 Kettlewells recorded in 1881 and an index of 1875.00x.

Place Total Index
Whixley 30 1875.00x
Ilkley 22 151.52x
Darlington 21 20.39x
Bradford 20 9.30x
Northallerton 19 167.55x
Gate Fulford 18 86.79x
Leeds 17 3.39x
Exelby Leeming Newton 16 754.72x
Sutton Under Whitstone 16 1739.13x
North Somercotes 12 320.00x
Rothwell 12 66.89x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 11 36.21x
Skelton In Great 11 1195.65x
Huddersfield 10 7.73x
Manningham 10 9.14x
Potter Newton 10 63.82x
Preston 10 3.51x
Wortley In Bramley 10 14.21x
Aldborough In Great 9 573.25x
Armley 9 22.97x
Blackburn 9 3.18x
Hurworth 9 192.72x
Pannal 9 105.63x
Selby 9 48.47x
Waddingham 9 410.96x
Carthorpe 8 800.00x
Claughton In Garstang 8 476.19x
Elton 8 21.77x
Green Hammerton 8 879.12x
Lofthouse 8 60.33x
North Thoresby 8 347.83x
Rotherham 8 15.97x
Scotton 8 987.65x
Stillington 8 434.78x
Bedford St Paul 7 21.98x
Firby In Bedale 7 2692.31x
Great Ouseburn 7 457.52x
Holme On Spalding Moor 7 120.27x
Hunslet 7 5.05x
Lambeth 7 0.90x
Leyton Low 7 19.46x
Moss Side 7 12.51x
North Bierley 7 14.60x
Oulston 7 1296.30x
Tadcaster West 7 99.57x
Adel Cum Eccup 6 163.49x
Bolton In Bradford 6 105.26x
Camberwell 6 1.05x
Frodingham 6 117.42x
Great Grimsby 6 6.60x
High Abbotside 6 397.35x
Howden Thorpe In 6 625.00x
Malham Moor 6 1538.46x
Skelton In York 6 625.00x
South Reston 6 821.92x
Upper Dunsforth W 6 1818.18x
Bilsborrow 5 793.65x
Bromby 5 806.45x
Crigglestone 5 58.41x
East Harptree 5 246.31x
Everton 5 1.47x
Horton In Bradford 5 3.60x
Kidbrooke 5 289.02x
Leyburn 5 167.22x
Llanfair Fechan 5 79.74x
Lockwood 5 15.64x
Menheniot 5 118.76x
Pickhill With Roxby 5 574.71x
Scarborough 5 6.19x
Sheffield 5 1.77x
South Elkington 5 458.72x
St George Hanover Square 5 3.17x
Thirsk Sand Hutton 5 520.83x
York Minster Yard W 5 242.72x
York St Mary 5 13.59x
Althorpe 4 122.70x
Clee With Weelsby 4 12.75x
Garston 4 12.74x
Hook 4 20.47x
Sedbergh 4 122.32x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 69
William 61
Thomas 49
George 31
Richard 26
James 23
Charles 18
Henry 18
Robert 16
Joseph 14
Arthur 13
Edward 10
Samuel 8
Alfred 6
Frederick 6
Peter 6
Harry 5
Herbert 5
Thos. 5
Walter 5
Christopher 4
Fred 4
Tom 4
Benjamin 3
Fredrick 3
Matthew 3
Albert 2
Earnest 2
Edwin 2
Francis 2
Frank 2
Geo. 2
Joshua 2
Mark 2
Timothy 2
Asa 1
Ben 1
C.E. 1
Charle 1
Charley 1
Chas.Ernest 1
Elliot 1
Ellis 1
Fred. 1
Gathorne 1
Jno. 1
Jno.W. 1
Kaberry 1
Lewis 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Kettlewell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kettlewell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 918 people were recorded with the Kettlewell surname. That placed it at #4,174 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kettlewell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 927 in 2016. That gives Kettlewell a modern rank of #6,164.

What does the Kettlewell surname mean?

A Kettlewell surname refers to someone from the town of Kettlewell in Yorkshire, England.

What does the Kettlewell map show?

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