UK surname
A variant spelling of the French surname Marcelle, meaning "hammer".
In the 1881 census there were 40 people recorded with the Marchell surname, ranking it #28,011 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2, ranked #38,825, down from #28,011 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Isleworth and Goldington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Marchell is 127 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 95.0%.
1881 census count
40
Ranked #28,011
Modern count
2
2016, ranked #38,825
Peak year
1861
127 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Marchell surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Marchell 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 | 55 | #23,413 |
| 1861 | historical | 127 | #17,469 |
| 1881 | historical | 40 | #28,011 |
| 1891 | historical | 74 | #27,538 |
| 1901 | historical | 29 | #30,848 |
| 1911 | historical | 16 | #31,804 |
| 1998 | modern | 2 | #38,550 |
| 1999 | modern | 3 | #38,318 |
| 2000 | modern | 2 | #38,472 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2007 | modern | 1 | #38,907 |
| 2008 | modern | 1 | #38,949 |
| 2009 | modern | 2 | #38,725 |
| 2010 | modern | 2 | #38,775 |
| 2011 | modern | 1 | #39,015 |
| 2012 | modern | 1 | #38,986 |
| 2013 | modern | 1 | #39,008 |
| 2014 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2015 | modern | 1 | #39,021 |
| 2016 | modern | 2 | #38,825 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Isleworth, Goldington, Banchory-Devenick and Renfrew. 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 | Rochdale | Lancashire |
| 2 | Isleworth | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 3 | Goldington | Bedfordshire |
| 4 | Banchory-Devenick | Kincardine |
| 5 | Renfrew | Renfrew |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Marchell 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 Marchell, 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 Marchell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Marchell 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, Marchell 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 Marchell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Marchell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Marchell has its origins in the medieval French language, derived from the Latin word "marculus," meaning a small hammer or mallet. This name can be traced back to the 11th century in the region of Normandy, France.
In the early Middle Ages, surnames often originated from occupations, and Marchell likely referred to a person who worked as a blacksmith or metalsmith, using small hammers in their trade. It is possible that the name was initially a descriptive nickname given to an individual with a particular skill or association with metalworking.
The earliest known record of the name Marchell appears in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholders and property conducted in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. This historical document mentions a certain "Robertus Marchell" as a landowner in the county of Hampshire.
Over the centuries, the name Marchell has undergone various spelling variations, including Marchel, Marshell, and Marchelle, reflecting the regional dialects and scribal practices of different areas. Some notable individuals bearing this surname include:
1. Sir John Marchell (c. 1320-1375), an English knight and landowner from Sussex, who fought in the Hundred Years' War. 2. Nicolas Marchell (c. 1460-1525), a French theologian and scholar from Paris, known for his writings on medieval philosophy. 3. Beatrice Marchell (1570-1634), an Italian painter from Ferrara, renowned for her religious and mythological works. 4. William Marchell (1625-1687), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Taunton during the reign of Charles II. 5. Henri Marchell (1789-1865), a French military officer who served under Napoleon and participated in the Napoleonic Wars.
Throughout history, the surname Marchell has been associated with various place names, reflecting the migration and settlement patterns of its bearers. For example, the village of Marchellville in Normandy may have derived its name from early Marchell families in the region.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Marchell 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 11 Marchells recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.38x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 11 | 2.38x |
| Yorkshire | 11 | 2.85x |
| Renfrewshire | 7 | 23.16x |
| Angus | 2 | 5.54x |
| Essex | 2 | 2.60x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.51x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 3.42x |
| Cornwall | 1 | 2.27x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 2.98x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.79x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.53x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Renfrew in Renfrewshire leads with 7 Marchells recorded in 1881 and an index of 700.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Renfrew | 7 | 700.00x |
| Gomersal | 5 | 277.78x |
| Poulton Barre | 4 | 754.72x |
| Salford | 3 | 22.04x |
| Rastrick | 2 | 186.92x |
| St Vigeans | 2 | 102.56x |
| West Derby | 2 | 14.77x |
| Aldworth | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Bishop Burton | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Bowness | 1 | 769.23x |
| Dunnerdale With | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Falmouth | 1 | 64.10x |
| Govan | 1 | 3.21x |
| Hornchurch | 1 | 263.16x |
| Islington London | 1 | 2.65x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 2.94x |
| Leeds | 1 | 4.58x |
| Meltham | 1 | 166.67x |
| St Clement Danes | 1 | 158.73x |
| Staveley | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Thundersley | 1 | 1428.57x |
| York St Crux | 1 | 909.09x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Marchell 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 Marchell 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 Marchell households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 3 |
| (Groom Ag Lab In) | 1 |
| Ag Labourer | 1 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Butchers Assistant | 1 |
| Cloth Dresser | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Cotton Weaver | 1 |
| Farm Serv (Indoor) | 1 |
| Farm Servant (Indoors) | 1 |
| General Servt Domestic | 1 |
| Genl Labr | 1 |
| Kitchen Maid Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Mate (MS) | 1 |
| Prentice Dressmaker | 1 |
| Printer | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Tailor | 1 |
| Tailor & Draper | 1 |
| Tailors Wife | 1 |
| Woodman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 40 people were recorded with the Marchell surname. That placed it at #28,011 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 2 in 2016. That gives Marchell a modern rank of #38,825.
A variant spelling of the French surname Marcelle, meaning "hammer".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Marchell 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.