NameCensus.

UK surname

Martell

A French occupational surname referring to a hammer maker or wielder.

In the 1881 census there were 294 people recorded with the Martell surname, ranking it #9,859 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 511, ranked #9,834, up from #9,859 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Willesden, London parishes and Southampton St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Northumberland, Thanet and East Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Martell is 539 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 73.8%.

1881 census count

294

Ranked #9,859

Modern count

511

2016, ranked #9,834

Peak year

2011

539 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Martell had 294 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,859 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 511 in 2016, ranked #9,834.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 329 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Martell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Martell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Martell 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 123 #14,886
1861 historical 135 #16,651
1881 historical 294 #9,859
1891 historical 282 #11,597
1901 historical 292 #11,861
1911 historical 329 #10,688
1997 modern 521 #9,026
1998 modern 528 #9,211
1999 modern 524 #9,319
2000 modern 520 #9,339
2001 modern 519 #9,204
2002 modern 521 #9,363
2003 modern 532 #9,067
2004 modern 525 #9,184
2005 modern 518 #9,208
2006 modern 505 #9,415
2007 modern 507 #9,470
2008 modern 499 #9,646
2009 modern 530 #9,432
2010 modern 536 #9,559
2011 modern 539 #9,428
2012 modern 512 #9,693
2013 modern 524 #9,687
2014 modern 530 #9,669
2015 modern 510 #9,875
2016 modern 511 #9,834

Geography

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Where Martells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Willesden, London parishes, Southampton St Mary, Portsmouth, Portsea and Merthyr Dovan, Highlight. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Northumberland, Thanet, East Devon, Chichester and Carmarthenshire. 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 Willesden Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
2 London parishes London 3
3 Southampton St Mary Hampshire
4 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
5 Merthyr Dovan, Highlight Glamorganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Northumberland 039 Northumberland
2 Thanet 008 Thanet
3 East Devon 007 East Devon
4 Chichester 007 Chichester
5 Carmarthenshire 004 Carmarthenshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Martell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Martell

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Martell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Martell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Martell is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Martell is most concentrated in decile 9 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

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

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Martell falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Martell

The surname Martell originated in France, with its earliest known bearers tracing their roots back to the Normandy region during the medieval era. The name is derived from the Latin word "martellus," meaning "little hammer," suggesting that the first bearers of this name may have been blacksmiths or metalworkers.

The earliest recorded instance of the Martell surname dates back to the 11th century, when it appeared in the historic Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners and tenants commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This document mentions individuals bearing the surname Martell residing in various parts of Normandy and neighboring regions.

During the Middle Ages, the Martell family gained prominence and established themselves as influential landowners and noblemen. One notable figure from this period was Jean Martell, a French knight who participated in the Crusades and fought valiantly in the Battle of Ascalon in 1099. He was renowned for his bravery and skill on the battlefield.

As the centuries passed, the Martell name spread across France and beyond. In the 17th century, a branch of the family established the renowned Martell Cognac House in the town of Cognac, in the Charente region of southwestern France. The Martell Cognac House quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality brandies and became one of the most prestigious Cognac producers in the world.

Another prominent figure bearing the Martell surname was Gédéon Martell (1683-1761), a French merchant and founder of the Martell Cognac House. His entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to quality helped establish the brand's global reputation, which continues to this day.

In the realm of literature, one cannot overlook the contributions of Alphonse de Lamartine (1790-1869), a French writer, poet, and statesman who played a pivotal role in the French Romantic movement. Although his surname was not Martell, he was born Alphonse Marie Louis de Prat de Lamartine, and his mother's maiden name was Martell.

Throughout history, the Martell surname has been associated with various notable individuals, including Pierre Martell (1633-1711), a French Jesuit missionary who traveled to China and contributed to the understanding of Chinese culture and language in the West, and Jean-Henri Martell (1641-1728), a French naval commander who served under Louis XIV and played a significant role in several military campaigns.

These are just a few examples of the rich history and legacy associated with the surname Martell, a name that has left an indelible mark across various fields, from military and literature to commerce and exploration.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Martell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Martell 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. Hampshire leads with 136 Martells recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.23x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 136 22.23x
Middlesex 41 1.37x
Kent 18 1.77x
Pembrokeshire 18 18.98x
Glamorgan 13 2.50x
Warwickshire 10 1.33x
Channel Islands 8 9.04x
Suffolk 7 1.93x
Gloucestershire 6 1.02x
Sussex 6 1.19x
Devon 5 0.80x
Durham 5 0.56x
Surrey 5 0.34x
Bedfordshire 4 2.59x
Essex 4 0.68x
Lancashire 4 0.11x
Royal Navy 4 11.25x
Oxfordshire 3 1.63x
Lincolnshire 2 0.42x
Yorkshire 2 0.07x
Cheshire 1 0.15x
Lanarkshire 1 0.10x
Leicestershire 1 0.30x
Monmouthshire 1 0.46x
Northumberland 1 0.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Portsea in Hampshire leads with 50 Martells recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.70x.

Place Total Index
Portsea 50 41.70x
Portchester 32 4050.63x
Southampton St Mary 18 46.79x
Willesden 13 46.20x
Deptford St Paul 11 14.00x
Fawley 10 515.46x
St Davids 9 418.60x
Aston 8 3.86x
Alverstoke 7 31.62x
Feltham 6 201.34x
Grouville 6 243.90x
Millbrook 6 38.94x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 5 9.07x
Cardiff St Mary 5 17.46x
Dawdon 5 45.79x
Swansea Lower 5 188.68x
Hackney London 4 2.39x
Haycastle 4 1333.33x
Islington London 4 1.38x
Kempston 4 113.96x
Lambeth 4 1.54x
Offton 4 1111.11x
Ratcliffe London 4 24.27x
Bildeston 3 375.00x
Chorlton On Medlock 3 5.33x
Llandyfodwg 3 101.69x
Preston 3 34.13x
Royal Navy 3 9.87x
Southampton St Michael 3 149.25x
St Marylebone London 3 1.88x
St Pancras London 3 1.25x
Stoke Damerel 3 6.90x
Whitchurch 3 154.64x
Badlesmere 2 1250.00x
Birmingham 2 0.80x
Brighton 2 1.97x
Friskney 2 131.58x
Holy Trinity 2 2.81x
Oxford St Thomas 2 23.26x
Shoreditch London 2 1.55x
St Dogwells 2 625.00x
St Peter Port 2 12.22x
Whitchurch 2 235.29x
Bristol Christchurch 1 117.65x
Chorley 1 5.03x
Churston Ferrers 1 153.85x
Cudham 1 96.15x
East Ham 1 9.15x
Eling 1 16.13x
Ewhurst 1 89.29x
Fareham 1 13.61x
Farnborough 1 67.57x
Govan 1 0.42x
Holy Rood 1 80.65x
Lawford 1 116.28x
Leicester St Mary 1 3.74x
Llanrian 1 119.05x
Lundy Island 1 555.56x
Milton In Gravesend 1 6.55x
Minster In Sheppey 1 5.93x
North Shields 1 11.29x
Portsmouth 1 7.10x
Ramsgate 1 6.02x
South Shoebury 1 42.19x
South Stoneham 1 7.54x
Southwark St Thomas 1 125.00x
St Faith Winchester 1 35.09x
St Gilesin Fields 1 57.47x
St Woollos 1 4.15x
Staines 1 21.14x
Stockport 1 2.95x
Thame 1 29.85x
Wanstead 1 9.69x
Warblington 1 41.15x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 23
Elizabeth 12
Sarah 11
Alice 9
Ellen 9
Kate 7
Eliza 5
Emma 5
Emily 4
Margaret 4
Ann 3
Annie 3
Charlotte 3
Jane 3
Martha 3
Ada 2
Edith 2
Eleanor 2
Isabella 2
Lillie 2
Lizzie 2
May 2
Phoebe 2
Rosina 2
Agnes 1
Amy 1
Betsy 1
C.J. 1
C.S. 1
Catherine 1
Dora 1
Eliz.I. 1
Elizebeth 1
Elizze 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Ida 1
Isabel 1
J.A. 1
Jennie 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Kathleen 1
L.J. 1
Louisa 1
Lucie 1
Margarate 1
Susanah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Henry 13
William 13
John 11
George 10
Thomas 8
Charles 6
James 6
Walter 6
Albert 5
Edward 4
Alfred 3
Arthur 3
David 3
Frank 3
Frederick 3
Joseph 3
Richard 3
Benjamin 2
Edwin 2
Harry 2
Thos. 2
Wm. 2
Ambrose 1
Andrew 1
Dd. 1
Dennis 1
E.J. 1
Ebenezer 1
Edgar 1
Elias 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Fred.M. 1
H.J. 1
Jeremiah 1
Laurence 1
Leonard 1
Louie 1
Norman 1
Patrick 1
Percy 1
Phillip 1
Robert 1
Robt. 1
Tho.Alfred 1
W.J. 1
Wiliam 1
Will 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Martell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Martell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 294 people were recorded with the Martell surname. That placed it at #9,859 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Martell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 511 in 2016. That gives Martell a modern rank of #9,834.

What does the Martell surname mean?

A French occupational surname referring to a hammer maker or wielder.

What does the Martell map show?

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