NameCensus.

UK surname

Mansell

Derived from the Old French word "mauncel," meaning a young man or servant.

In the 1881 census there were 3,458 people recorded with the Mansell surname, ranking it #1,320 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 5,313, ranked #1,267, up from #1,320 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wellington, Wrockwardine, Eyton-on-the-Moors, Preston-on-the-Moors, London parishes and Shrewsbury St Alkmond, St Julian, St Mary (pt), Meole Brace. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Telford and Wrekin and Sandwell.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mansell is 5,590 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 53.6%.

1881 census count

3,458

Ranked #1,320

Modern count

5,313

2016, ranked #1,267

Peak year

2010

5,590 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mansell had 3,458 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,320 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 5,313 in 2016, ranked #1,267.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5,048 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Mansell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mansell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mansell 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 2,126 #1,372
1861 historical 2,056 #1,410
1881 historical 3,458 #1,320
1891 historical 3,748 #1,277
1901 historical 4,621 #1,223
1911 historical 5,048 #1,039
1997 modern 5,224 #1,249
1998 modern 5,552 #1,223
1999 modern 5,583 #1,228
2000 modern 5,533 #1,232
2001 modern 5,397 #1,236
2002 modern 5,588 #1,213
2003 modern 5,395 #1,232
2004 modern 5,401 #1,233
2005 modern 5,269 #1,238
2006 modern 5,268 #1,238
2007 modern 5,278 #1,243
2008 modern 5,320 #1,244
2009 modern 5,451 #1,245
2010 modern 5,590 #1,238
2011 modern 5,519 #1,237
2012 modern 5,399 #1,241
2013 modern 5,472 #1,246
2014 modern 5,453 #1,255
2015 modern 5,376 #1,259
2016 modern 5,313 #1,267

Geography

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Where Mansells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wellington, Wrockwardine, Eyton-on-the-Moors, Preston-on-the-Moors, London parishes and Shrewsbury St Alkmond, St Julian, St Mary (pt), Meole Brace. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Telford and Wrekin and Sandwell. 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 Wellington, Wrockwardine, Eyton-on-the-Moors, Preston-on-the-Moors Shropshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Shrewsbury St Alkmond, St Julian, St Mary (pt), Meole Brace Shropshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Telford and Wrekin 014 Telford and Wrekin
2 Sandwell 009 Sandwell
3 Telford and Wrekin 013 Telford and Wrekin
4 Telford and Wrekin 008 Telford and Wrekin
5 Sandwell 014 Sandwell

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mansell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mansell

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Mansell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Mansell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Mansell is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mansell is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mansell falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Mansell

The surname Mansell is of English origin, derived from the Old English personal name 'Manswine', which translates to 'man's swine' or 'man's boar'. This name was likely given to someone who kept or bred pigs. The name can be traced back to the 11th century, with variations in spelling such as Maunsell, Mawnsel, and Moncell.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a person named Manswine is listed as a landowner in Oxfordshire. The name also appears in various medieval records, such as the Pipe Rolls of 1166, where a William Mansel is mentioned as a tenant in Hertfordshire.

In the 13th century, a notable member of the Mansell family was Sir John Maunsell (c. 1190-1265), who served as the Lord Chancellor of England under King Henry III. He played a significant role in the administration of the kingdom and was involved in various political affairs of the time.

Another prominent figure with the surname Mansell was Sir Rice Mansell (c. 1585-1642), a Welsh merchant and member of parliament. He was known for his involvement in the colonization of Newfoundland and his role in the establishment of the Newfoundland Company.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Mansell surname was also associated with several place names in England, such as Mansell Gamage and Mansell Lacy, both located in Herefordshire. These place names likely derived from the surname itself, indicating the presence of the Mansell family in those areas.

In the 18th century, a notable bearer of the name was Sir William Mansell (1705-1778), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War. He rose to the rank of Admiral and was knighted for his service.

Another person of note with the Mansell surname was James Mansell (1734-1824), an English engraver and portrait painter who was elected a member of the Royal Academy in 1807.

While the surname Mansell may have originated from humble beginnings, it has been carried by individuals from various walks of life throughout history, including nobility, merchants, military figures, and artists. The name's evolution and persistence reflect the rich tapestry of English heritage and the diverse stories woven into its fabric.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mansell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mansell 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. Shropshire leads with 484 Mansells recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.41x.

County Total Index
Shropshire 484 16.41x
Surrey 446 2.68x
Middlesex 432 1.27x
Staffordshire 400 3.47x
Warwickshire 217 2.52x
Worcestershire 189 4.24x
Gloucestershire 168 2.51x
Lancashire 145 0.36x
Sussex 99 1.72x
Yorkshire 88 0.26x
Essex 71 1.05x
Hampshire 66 0.94x
Oxfordshire 66 3.13x
Kent 62 0.53x
Channel Islands 40 3.95x
Derbyshire 39 0.73x
Glamorgan 39 0.66x
Hertfordshire 38 1.62x
Lincolnshire 38 0.70x
Herefordshire 33 2.36x
Devon 30 0.42x
Nottinghamshire 28 0.61x
Cheshire 26 0.35x
Durham 26 0.26x
Monmouthshire 26 1.05x
Buckinghamshire 24 1.16x
Cornwall 22 0.57x
Norfolk 18 0.34x
Leicestershire 16 0.42x
Wiltshire 16 0.53x
Northumberland 14 0.28x
Dorset 13 0.58x
Lanarkshire 12 0.11x
Northamptonshire 11 0.34x
Somerset 11 0.20x
Cumberland 9 0.31x
Carmarthenshire 7 0.49x
Berkshire 6 0.23x
Anglesey 3 0.50x
Bedfordshire 3 0.17x
Denbighshire 3 0.23x
Montgomeryshire 3 0.38x
Caernarfonshire 2 0.14x
Flintshire 2 0.22x
Suffolk 2 0.05x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.05x
Cardiganshire 1 0.12x
Nairnshire 1 0.96x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.09x
Renfrewshire 1 0.04x
Royal Navy 1 0.25x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 90 Mansells recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.14x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 90 3.14x
Aston 83 3.50x
Lilleshall 61 135.32x
Lambeth 60 2.02x
Battersea 50 3.98x
West Bromwich 49 7.43x
Dudley 47 8.67x
St Pancras London 46 1.67x
West Ham 44 2.96x
Tipton 42 11.90x
Camberwell 39 1.79x
Stoke Upon Trent 39 3.19x
Hammersmith London 37 4.40x
Kensington London 37 1.95x
Shrewsbury St Chad 37 35.75x
Wellington 37 22.33x
Wolverhampton 34 3.84x
Edgmond 33 101.66x
Rowley Regis 33 10.28x
Islington London 32 0.97x
Shrewsbury St Mary 32 27.50x
Bermondsey 28 2.76x
Church Pulverbach 28 597.01x
Shifnal 26 32.48x
Horsham 25 22.36x
Walsall Foreign 25 4.20x
Merthyr Tydfil 23 4.03x
Yardley 23 20.17x
Brighton 21 1.81x
Cheltenham 21 4.07x
Hitchin 21 19.78x
Shere 21 104.48x
Wrockwardine 21 32.39x
Chelsea London 19 1.85x
Newington 19 1.51x
Southwark St George Martyr 19 2.77x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 18 14.70x
Southampton St Mary 18 4.09x
Staines 18 33.30x
Thames Ditton 18 52.10x
Edgbaston 17 6.37x
Kingswinford 17 4.06x
Norton Canes 16 38.10x
Norton In Moors 16 26.23x
Wombridge 16 43.94x
Plumstead 15 3.86x
Richmond 15 6.44x
Barrow In Furness 14 2.54x
Bromley London 14 1.86x
Everton 14 1.08x
Farnham 14 10.83x
Guildford Holy Trinity 14 44.16x
Liverpool 14 0.57x
Shrewsbury St Julian 14 19.19x
St Peter Port 14 7.48x
Bromsgrove 13 8.67x
Langley Marish 13 51.32x
Nottingham St Mary 13 1.09x
St George Hanover 13 2.92x
Worcester St Clement 13 45.87x
Alderton 12 243.41x
Risca 12 25.80x
Shoreditch London 12 0.81x
St Marylebone London 12 0.66x
Tiverton 12 9.80x
West Derby 12 1.01x
Woolsthorpe 12 171.67x
Eyton Upon Wild Moors 11 216.96x
Handsworth 11 3.87x
Harvington 11 191.97x
North Leigh 11 143.60x
Paddington London 11 0.88x
South Stoneham 11 7.25x
Stockton On Tees 11 2.25x
Trentham 11 11.23x
Woking 11 10.97x
Hulme 10 1.18x
Sevenhampton 10 169.20x
Wanstead 10 8.48x
Wolstanton 10 2.86x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 235
Elizabeth 137
Sarah 128
Eliza 66
Jane 66
Ellen 63
Ann 62
Emma 59
Alice 48
Emily 44
Hannah 42
Annie 41
Martha 33
Louisa 31
Ada 27
Maria 26
Florence 21
Amelia 19
Edith 19
Lucy 19
Charlotte 18
Caroline 17
Clara 17
Harriet 17
Harriett 17
Kate 17
Anne 16
Catherine 16
Fanny 14
Elizth. 13
Lydia 12
Susan 12
Frances 11
Margaret 11
Agnes 10
Matilda 10
Esther 9
Rebecca 9
Sophia 9
Beatrice 8
Eleanor 8
Minnie 8
Ruth 8
Laura 7
Phoebe 7
Rose 7
Henrietta 6
Isabella 6
Julia 6
Miriam 6

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 230
John 178
Thomas 157
George 119
James 90
Henry 85
Charles 60
Edward 55
Joseph 48
Samuel 46
Alfred 44
Frederick 34
Richard 33
Walter 24
Albert 22
Arthur 22
Harry 19
Robert 19
Wm. 19
Herbert 15
David 14
Thos. 14
Benjamin 12
Ernest 12
Frank 12
Edwin 9
Francis 9
Andrew 7
Stephen 7
Timothy 7
Fred 5
Fredk. 5
Job 5
Josiah 5
Mark 5
Saml. 5
Abraham 4
Edmund 4
Enoch 4
H. 4
Jas. 4
Mathew 4
Peter 4
Tom 4
Edwd. 3
Hubert 3
Hugh 3
Infant 3
Jesse 3
Robt. 3

FAQ

Mansell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mansell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3,458 people were recorded with the Mansell surname. That placed it at #1,320 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mansell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 5,313 in 2016. That gives Mansell a modern rank of #1,267.

What does the Mansell surname mean?

Derived from the Old French word "mauncel," meaning a young man or servant.

What does the Mansell map show?

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