UK surname
A surname derived from Mark, a diminutive of the Biblical name Marcus.
In the 1881 census there were 91 people recorded with the Markell surname, ranking it #20,843 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 54, ranked #34,678, down from #20,843 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Leonard Shoreditch, Hawstead, Hardwick and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Markell is 330 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 40.7%.
1881 census count
91
Ranked #20,843
Modern count
54
2016, ranked #34,678
Peak year
1891
330 bearers
Map years
4
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Markell surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Markell 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 | 67 | #21,440 |
| 1861 | historical | 241 | #10,192 |
| 1881 | historical | 91 | #20,843 |
| 1891 | historical | 330 | #10,303 |
| 1901 | historical | 141 | #18,718 |
| 1911 | historical | 127 | #19,749 |
| 1997 | modern | 57 | #31,917 |
| 1998 | modern | 57 | #32,226 |
| 1999 | modern | 56 | #32,461 |
| 2000 | modern | 52 | #32,916 |
| 2001 | modern | 48 | #33,129 |
| 2002 | modern | 48 | #33,459 |
| 2003 | modern | 41 | #34,113 |
| 2004 | modern | 40 | #34,387 |
| 2005 | modern | 40 | #34,562 |
| 2006 | modern | 40 | #34,854 |
| 2007 | modern | 42 | #34,905 |
| 2008 | modern | 38 | #35,262 |
| 2009 | modern | 43 | #35,088 |
| 2010 | modern | 48 | #34,946 |
| 2011 | modern | 43 | #35,228 |
| 2012 | modern | 51 | #34,756 |
| 2013 | modern | 49 | #34,952 |
| 2014 | modern | 51 | #34,865 |
| 2015 | modern | 52 | #34,775 |
| 2016 | modern | 54 | #34,678 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Leonard Shoreditch, Hawstead, Hardwick, London parishes, Lambeth and Cottenham. 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 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 2 | Hawstead, Hardwick | Suffolk |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | Cottenham | Cambridgeshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Markell 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 Markell, 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 Markell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Markell 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, Markell 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 Markell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Markell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Markell has its origins in the ancient Scandinavian and Germanic regions of Europe, dating back to the early medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old Norse word "mǫrk," which means "forest" or "woodland," combined with a personal name or location.
The name Markell can be traced back to various regions of Scandinavia, including parts of modern-day Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. It is also found in areas of northern Germany, where Norse influence and settlement occurred during the Viking Age.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The Domesday Book lists a landowner named Markell, indicating the presence of this surname in England during the late 11th century.
In the 13th century, a Norwegian man named Markell Halvorsson is recorded as one of the first settlers of Iceland, having arrived on the island around 1250. This early example highlights the name's Scandinavian roots and its association with exploration and settlement.
During the 16th century, a notable individual bearing the surname Markell was Nils Markellsson, a Swedish nobleman and military commander who served under King Gustav Vasa. Markellsson played a significant role in the Swedish War of Liberation against Denmark and was renowned for his military prowess.
In the 17th century, a German theologian named Johann Markell made significant contributions to the field of theology. Born in 1620 in the city of Jena, Markell was a prominent figure in the Lutheran church and authored several influential works on religious doctrine.
Another notable bearer of the surname was the British explorer and naturalist, William Markell (1789-1856). Markell embarked on numerous expeditions to South America and the Caribbean, making significant contributions to the study of flora and fauna in these regions.
In the 19th century, a Norwegian artist named Hans Markell (1823-1895) gained recognition for his landscape paintings, which captured the stunning beauty of the Norwegian countryside. Markell's works are celebrated for their realistic depictions of nature and are considered treasures of Norwegian art.
These examples illustrate the rich history and diverse backgrounds associated with the surname Markell, which has its roots in the ancient Scandinavian and Germanic regions but has since spread and flourished across various parts of the world.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Markell 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 21 Markells recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.37x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 21 | 2.37x |
| Suffolk | 20 | 18.50x |
| Surrey | 17 | 3.93x |
| Kent | 11 | 3.63x |
| Derbyshire | 5 | 3.60x |
| Nottinghamshire | 5 | 4.18x |
| Yorkshire | 4 | 0.45x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 1.10x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.54x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 1.63x |
| Merionethshire | 1 | 6.16x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 0.73x |
| Oxfordshire | 1 | 1.82x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.45x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Thurston in Suffolk leads with 11 Markells recorded in 1881 and an index of 5238.10x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Thurston | 11 | 5238.10x |
| Lambeth | 10 | 12.92x |
| Folkestone | 9 | 153.32x |
| Stoke D Abernon | 7 | 5384.62x |
| Eriswell | 6 | 4615.38x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 5 | 16.16x |
| Sandiacre | 5 | 1000.00x |
| Islington London | 4 | 4.65x |
| Kensington London | 4 | 8.11x |
| St Pancras London | 4 | 5.60x |
| Tottenham | 4 | 28.29x |
| Wetwang | 4 | 2105.26x |
| St Marylebone London | 3 | 6.33x |
| Gazeley | 2 | 800.00x |
| Bury St Edmunds St Mary | 1 | 49.26x |
| Cobham | 1 | 357.14x |
| Cowley | 1 | 58.48x |
| Edenbridge | 1 | 169.49x |
| Exeter St David | 1 | 63.29x |
| Havant | 1 | 108.70x |
| Leamington Priors | 1 | 18.15x |
| Llandderfel | 1 | 312.50x |
| Merton | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Portsea | 1 | 2.81x |
| St Albans St Stephen | 1 | 188.68x |
| St George Hanover | 1 | 8.64x |
| Whitechapel London | 1 | 11.43x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Markell 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 Markell 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 Markell households.
FAQ
In 1881, 91 people were recorded with the Markell surname. That placed it at #20,843 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 54 in 2016. That gives Markell a modern rank of #34,678.
A surname derived from Mark, a diminutive of the Biblical name Marcus.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Markell 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.