UK surname
A transferred use of the medieval female given name.
In the 1881 census there were 68 people recorded with the Mable surname, ranking it #23,950 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 61, ranked #34,287, down from #23,950 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick and Hawick and Wilton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mable is 139 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 10.3%.
1881 census count
68
Ranked #23,950
Modern count
61
2016, ranked #34,287
Peak year
1891
139 bearers
Map years
4
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mable surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mable surname density by area, 1911 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 | 63 | #22,069 |
| 1861 | historical | 109 | #19,693 |
| 1881 | historical | 68 | #23,950 |
| 1891 | historical | 139 | #19,311 |
| 1901 | historical | 111 | #21,492 |
| 1911 | historical | 117 | #20,757 |
| 1997 | modern | 53 | #32,329 |
| 1998 | modern | 55 | #32,399 |
| 1999 | modern | 53 | #32,746 |
| 2000 | modern | 61 | #32,039 |
| 2001 | modern | 54 | #32,583 |
| 2002 | modern | 51 | #33,193 |
| 2003 | modern | 47 | #33,619 |
| 2004 | modern | 50 | #33,566 |
| 2005 | modern | 47 | #34,011 |
| 2006 | modern | 43 | #34,647 |
| 2007 | modern | 48 | #34,488 |
| 2008 | modern | 50 | #34,521 |
| 2009 | modern | 50 | #34,663 |
| 2010 | modern | 52 | #34,726 |
| 2011 | modern | 55 | #34,502 |
| 2012 | modern | 58 | #34,404 |
| 2013 | modern | 61 | #34,317 |
| 2014 | modern | 63 | #34,212 |
| 2015 | modern | 62 | #34,233 |
| 2016 | modern | 61 | #34,287 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick, Hawick and Wilton, London parishes and St Pancras. 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 | Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff | Gloucestershire |
| 2 | Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick | Worcestershire |
| 3 | Hawick and Wilton | Roxburgh |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mable 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 Mable, 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 Mable surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mable 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, Mable 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 Mable is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mable, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Mable is believed to have originated in England, with its roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is thought to be a variant spelling of the old English name "Amabel," which itself is derived from the Germanic elements "amal," meaning "work," and "beraht," meaning "bright" or "shining."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Mable can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Amabilia." This entry suggests that the name was already in use among the Anglo-Norman aristocracy during the 11th century.
Throughout the medieval period, the name underwent various spelling variations, such as "Amabil," "Amabyl," and "Amabyll." These variations likely arose due to the inconsistencies in spelling and record-keeping practices of the time.
In the 13th century, the surname Mable can be traced to the county of Yorkshire, where it was associated with several prominent landowners. One notable figure from this era was Sir Robert Mable, a knight who fought alongside King Edward I during the Welsh Wars in the late 13th century.
As the surname spread across England, it became closely linked with certain place names, such as Mablethorpe in Lincolnshire and Mablethorpe Hall in Norfolk. These place names may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Mable surname gained further prominence, with several notable individuals bearing the name. One such figure was John Mable (1536-1615), an English clergyman and author who served as the Dean of Worcester Cathedral.
Another notable Mable was Sir William Mable (1599-1662), a prominent English politician and landowner who played a significant role in the English Civil War. He served as a Member of Parliament and was a staunch supporter of the Parliamentarian cause.
In the 18th century, the surname Mable continued to be associated with influential families and individuals. One example is Sir Edward Mable (1719-1802), a British naval officer who rose to the rank of Admiral and served with distinction during the Seven Years' War and the American Revolutionary War.
As the centuries progressed, the Mable surname spread beyond England and can now be found in various parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and New Zealand, where it was carried by English settlers and immigrants.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mable 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. Middlesex leads with 19 Mables recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.82x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 19 | 2.82x |
| Surrey | 13 | 3.96x |
| Roxburghshire | 7 | 57.42x |
| Somerset | 6 | 5.54x |
| Warwickshire | 6 | 3.53x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 0.63x |
| Gloucestershire | 4 | 3.03x |
| Worcestershire | 4 | 4.55x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 1.98x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 1.73x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 1.34x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.44x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 1.22x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Pancras London in Middlesex leads with 8 Mables recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.77x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Pancras London | 8 | 14.77x |
| Richmond | 7 | 152.17x |
| Aston | 6 | 12.84x |
| Castleton | 6 | 1153.85x |
| Weston Super Mare | 6 | 218.98x |
| Everton | 5 | 19.64x |
| Mile End Old Town | 5 | 47.08x |
| Bristol St Philip Jacob | 4 | 32.18x |
| Newington | 4 | 16.09x |
| St Marylebone London | 4 | 11.13x |
| Lower Mitton | 3 | 389.61x |
| Aylestone | 1 | 169.49x |
| Battersea | 1 | 4.04x |
| Bramford | 1 | 322.58x |
| Caldewgate | 1 | 31.45x |
| Caterham | 1 | 68.97x |
| Claines | 1 | 41.49x |
| Enborne | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Hawick | 1 | 36.63x |
| Islington London | 1 | 1.53x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 4.04x |
| Walsall Borough | 1 | 56.82x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mable 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 Mable 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 Mable households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 8 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Bootmaker | 1 |
| Builders Clerk | 1 |
| Carman Unemployed | 1 |
| Extra Customs Officer | 1 |
| General Laborer | 1 |
| Goods Guard (Ry) | 1 |
| House Painter | 1 |
| Junior Clerk | 1 |
| Lab General | 1 |
| Machinist | 1 |
| Mangler | 1 |
| Marker In Cotton | 1 |
| Messenger Solr Office | 1 |
| Nurse | 1 |
| Painter | 1 |
| Pawnbrokers Shop Boy | 1 |
| Rural Postman | 1 |
| Schoolmaster Curator Of Museum | 1 |
| Shirtmaker | 1 |
| Shoemaker | 1 |
| Tie Worker | 1 |
| Waistcoat Maker | 1 |
| Wholesale Druggist Clerk | 1 |
| Zinc Worker | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 68 people were recorded with the Mable surname. That placed it at #23,950 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 61 in 2016. That gives Mable a modern rank of #34,287.
A transferred use of the medieval female given name.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mable 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.