UK surname
A variant spelling of "Mansell" from an Old French surname meaning "manor-dweller".
In the 1881 census there were 114 people recorded with the Mancell surname, ranking it #18,324 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 81, ranked #32,971, down from #18,324 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wellington, Wrockwardine, Eyton-on-the-Moors, Preston-on-the-Moors, Lilleshall and Edgmond (Edgmond), Chetwynd, Cheswardine, Hinstock. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mancell is 135 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 28.9%.
1881 census count
114
Ranked #18,324
Modern count
81
2016, ranked #32,971
Peak year
1851
135 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1881
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mancell surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mancell surname density by area, 1881 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 | 135 | #13,964 |
| 1861 | historical | 112 | #19,279 |
| 1881 | historical | 114 | #18,324 |
| 1891 | historical | 89 | #25,542 |
| 1901 | historical | 66 | #26,794 |
| 1911 | historical | 58 | #27,001 |
| 1997 | modern | 52 | #32,444 |
| 1998 | modern | 93 | #28,563 |
| 1999 | modern | 88 | #29,287 |
| 2000 | modern | 93 | #28,701 |
| 2001 | modern | 90 | #28,793 |
| 2002 | modern | 97 | #28,383 |
| 2003 | modern | 95 | #28,536 |
| 2004 | modern | 91 | #29,345 |
| 2005 | modern | 89 | #29,683 |
| 2006 | modern | 86 | #30,425 |
| 2007 | modern | 86 | #30,808 |
| 2008 | modern | 82 | #31,597 |
| 2009 | modern | 86 | #31,612 |
| 2010 | modern | 85 | #32,185 |
| 2011 | modern | 95 | #30,877 |
| 2012 | modern | 95 | #31,107 |
| 2013 | modern | 90 | #32,146 |
| 2014 | modern | 88 | #32,495 |
| 2015 | modern | 83 | #32,847 |
| 2016 | modern | 81 | #32,971 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wellington, Wrockwardine, Eyton-on-the-Moors, Preston-on-the-Moors, Lilleshall, Edgmond (Edgmond), Chetwynd, Cheswardine, Hinstock, St Werburgh and Edgmond. 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 | Wellington, Wrockwardine, Eyton-on-the-Moors, Preston-on-the-Moors | Shropshire |
| 2 | Lilleshall | Shropshire |
| 3 | Edgmond (Edgmond), Chetwynd, Cheswardine, Hinstock | Shropshire |
| 4 | St Werburgh | Derbyshire |
| 5 | Edgmond | Shropshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mancell 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 Mancell, 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 Mancell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mancell 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, Mancell 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 Mancell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mancell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Mancell originated in England during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "mancel," meaning "a young man" or "a servant." This name likely referred to a young man who worked as a servant or attendant in a noble household.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mancell can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1191, where it is spelled as "Mauncel." This entry suggests that the name was already established in England by the late 12th century.
In the 13th century, the surname appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, where it is spelled as "Mauncel" and "Mauncel." These records indicate that the name was widespread in various parts of England during that time.
The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the surname Mancell. However, it does mention several place names that may have influenced the development of the surname, such as Mancetter in Warwickshire and Mansel in Shropshire.
Notable individuals with the surname Mancell throughout history include:
1. Sir Walter Mancell (c. 1455 - 1520), an English politician and courtier who served as a Member of Parliament for Northamptonshire during the reigns of Henry VII and Henry VIII.
2. John Mancell (c. 1560 - 1625), an English clergyman and academic who served as the President of St John's College, Oxford, from 1613 until his death.
3. Thomas Mancell (c. 1590 - 1663), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works, including "The Practical Christian" and "The Unmarried Christian."
4. Robert Mancell (c. 1620 - 1688), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Salisbury during the reign of Charles II.
5. William Mancell (c. 1670 - 1741), an English merchant and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the establishment of the Foundling Hospital in London.
The surname Mancell has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as Mancell Hill in Hertfordshire and Mancell Park in Buckinghamshire. These place names may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mancell 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. Shropshire leads with 29 Mancells recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.00x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Shropshire | 29 | 31.00x |
| Middlesex | 19 | 1.75x |
| Warwickshire | 10 | 3.66x |
| Worcestershire | 10 | 7.07x |
| Lancashire | 9 | 0.70x |
| Essex | 6 | 2.81x |
| Hampshire | 6 | 2.70x |
| Surrey | 6 | 1.14x |
| Glamorgan | 5 | 2.65x |
| Derbyshire | 3 | 1.77x |
| Herefordshire | 2 | 4.51x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.19x |
| Brecknockshire | 1 | 4.62x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 1.28x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 0.69x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.27x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Newport in Shropshire leads with 10 Mancells recorded in 1881 and an index of 884.96x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Newport | 10 | 884.96x |
| Tottenham | 9 | 52.20x |
| Bromsgrove | 7 | 147.06x |
| Claverley | 7 | 1111.11x |
| St Marylebone London | 7 | 12.11x |
| Ardwick | 6 | 51.77x |
| Birmingham | 6 | 6.59x |
| East Clandon | 6 | 6000.00x |
| Headley | 6 | 1000.00x |
| Leyton | 6 | 163.04x |
| Wellington | 6 | 114.07x |
| Clase | 5 | 71.33x |
| Aston | 4 | 5.32x |
| Broughton In Salford | 3 | 25.53x |
| Derby St Werburgh | 3 | 30.64x |
| Sheriff Hales | 3 | 810.81x |
| Fownhope | 2 | 512.82x |
| Lilleshall | 2 | 139.86x |
| Brecknock St John | 1 | 54.64x |
| Carlton | 1 | 59.88x |
| Dawley | 1 | 29.41x |
| Dewsbury | 1 | 9.09x |
| Gnosall | 1 | 113.64x |
| Hill Croome | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Holy Trinity | 1 | 3.87x |
| Islington London | 1 | 0.95x |
| Kings Norton | 1 | 7.89x |
| Mile End Old Town | 1 | 5.85x |
| Newport | 1 | 26.81x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 2.51x |
| Worcester St John | 1 | 59.17x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mancell 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 Mancell 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 Mancell households.
FAQ
In 1881, 114 people were recorded with the Mancell surname. That placed it at #18,324 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 81 in 2016. That gives Mancell a modern rank of #32,971.
A variant spelling of "Mansell" from an Old French surname meaning "manor-dweller".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mancell 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.