UK surname
An occupational surname for a person who starts fires or lights lamps.
In the 1881 census there were 30 people recorded with the Kindle surname, ranking it #29,363 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 23, ranked #36,457, down from #29,363 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Auckland St Andrew, Wigan and Snoring, Great. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kindle is 147 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 23.3%.
1881 census count
30
Ranked #29,363
Modern count
23
2016, ranked #36,457
Peak year
1861
147 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Kindle surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Kindle surname density by area, 1861 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 | 110 | #16,093 |
| 1861 | historical | 147 | #15,539 |
| 1881 | historical | 30 | #29,363 |
| 1891 | historical | 78 | #27,035 |
| 1901 | historical | 20 | #31,803 |
| 1911 | historical | 37 | #29,263 |
| 1997 | modern | 3 | #38,317 |
| 1998 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 1999 | modern | 1 | #38,820 |
| 2000 | modern | 1 | #38,790 |
| 2001 | modern | 1 | #38,647 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 3 | #38,198 |
| 2004 | modern | 4 | #38,013 |
| 2005 | modern | 2 | #38,532 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2007 | modern | 1 | #38,907 |
| 2008 | modern | 1 | #38,949 |
| 2009 | modern | 4 | #38,287 |
| 2010 | modern | 7 | #37,904 |
| 2011 | modern | 5 | #38,168 |
| 2012 | modern | 9 | #37,614 |
| 2013 | modern | 11 | #37,435 |
| 2014 | modern | 15 | #37,070 |
| 2015 | modern | 18 | #36,809 |
| 2016 | modern | 23 | #36,457 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Auckland St Andrew, Wigan, Snoring, Great, Preston and Blackburn. 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 | Auckland St Andrew | Durham |
| 2 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| 3 | Snoring, Great | Norfolk |
| 4 | Preston | Lancashire |
| 5 | Blackburn | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Kindle 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 Kindle, 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 Kindle surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Kindle 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, Kindle 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 Kindle is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Kindle, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Kindle originated in England and dates back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "cyndel," which means "kindling" or "firebrand." This suggests that the name may have been originally given to someone who worked with fire or kindling, such as a blacksmith or a charcoal burner.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kindle can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1195, where a person named Walter Kyndel is mentioned. The name also appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where it is spelled as "Kyndel."
In the 14th century, the name was recorded in various spellings, including "Kyndel," "Kyndill," and "Kyndyll." These variations reflect the evolution of the English language and the inconsistent spelling conventions of the time.
During the medieval period, the Kindle family was most prevalent in the counties of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Somerset. Some of the earliest recorded place names associated with the surname include Kyndelton (now Kington) in Worcestershire and Kyndlesham (now Kinsham) in Gloucestershire.
One notable figure with the surname Kindle was John Kindle (c. 1490-1555), a merchant and alderman from Bristol, England. He served as the Mayor of Bristol in 1530 and was a prominent figure in the city's trade and governance.
Another individual of historical importance was Sir William Kindle (c. 1525-1597), a English soldier and Member of Parliament. He served in the English army during the Anglo-Scottish Wars and was knighted for his service in 1588.
In the 17th century, the Kindle family spread across England, with some members migrating to the American colonies. One such individual was Thomas Kindle (c. 1620-1695), who settled in Virginia and became a successful tobacco planter.
Other notable individuals with the surname Kindle include:
1. Robert Kindle (1775-1835), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works. 2. Elizabeth Kindle (1810-1892), a philanthropist and social reformer from London, known for her work in improving conditions for the poor. 3. James Kindle (1845-1912), an American geologist and paleontologist who made significant contributions to the study of fossil fuels. 4. William Kindle (1870-1944), a Canadian geologist and paleontologist, renowned for his research on the geology of the Canadian Arctic. 5. Arthur Kindle (1885-1962), a British artist and illustrator, known for his book illustrations and landscapes.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kindle 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. Lancashire leads with 8 Kindles recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.31x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 8 | 2.31x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 2.05x |
| Staffordshire | 6 | 6.08x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 1.04x |
| Norfolk | 2 | 4.45x |
| Dorset | 1 | 5.21x |
| Durham | 1 | 1.15x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 1.06x |
| Sussex | 1 | 2.03x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 2.62x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wolverhampton in Staffordshire leads with 6 Kindles recorded in 1881 and an index of 79.05x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Wolverhampton | 6 | 79.05x |
| Bromley London | 5 | 77.76x |
| Accrington | 4 | 126.98x |
| Great Yarmouth | 2 | 53.76x |
| Brightside Bierlow | 1 | 17.61x |
| Church | 1 | 204.08x |
| Ecclesall Bierlow | 1 | 16.98x |
| Elton | 1 | 83.33x |
| Govan | 1 | 4.28x |
| Harton | 1 | 294.12x |
| Hove | 1 | 46.30x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 4.75x |
| Richmond | 1 | 222.22x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 4.25x |
| Stour Provost | 1 | 3333.33x |
| West Derby | 1 | 9.85x |
| Worcester St Peter | 1 | 138.89x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Kindle 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 Kindle 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 Kindle households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Labourer | 3 |
| Scholar | 3 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Cotton Operative | 1 |
| Dairymaid & Cook (Dom) | 1 |
| Domestic Ser | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Insurance Agent | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Laborer In Boiler Works | 1 |
| Machine Printer | 1 |
| Machine Printer Wife | 1 |
| Nail Maker | 1 |
| Nurse Maid | 1 |
| Shoemaker | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 30 people were recorded with the Kindle surname. That placed it at #29,363 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 23 in 2016. That gives Kindle a modern rank of #36,457.
An occupational surname for a person who starts fires or lights lamps.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Kindle 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.