NameCensus.

UK surname

Mendel

A Jewish surname derived from the Yiddish male given name Mendel, which means "one who comforts or consoles."

In the 1881 census there were 21 people recorded with the Mendel surname, ranking it #30,609 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 184, ranked #20,731, up from #30,609 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Manchester and Maidstone, Linton, Loddington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Daventry, Portsmouth and Redbridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mendel is 187 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 776.2%.

1881 census count

21

Ranked #30,609

Modern count

184

2016, ranked #20,731

Peak year

2011

187 bearers

Map years

5

1901 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mendel had 21 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,609 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 184 in 2016, ranked #20,731.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 160 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Mendel surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mendel surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mendel 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 1 #33,412
1861 historical 22 #31,140
1881 historical 21 #30,609
1891 historical 59 #29,325
1901 historical 104 #22,310
1911 historical 160 #17,151
1997 modern 148 #21,295
1998 modern 152 #21,481
1999 modern 151 #21,740
2000 modern 148 #21,971
2001 modern 142 #22,234
2002 modern 139 #22,991
2003 modern 138 #22,823
2004 modern 144 #22,379
2005 modern 150 #21,786
2006 modern 152 #21,721
2007 modern 152 #22,022
2008 modern 165 #21,056
2009 modern 173 #20,869
2010 modern 181 #20,738
2011 modern 187 #20,132
2012 modern 182 #20,440
2013 modern 184 #20,643
2014 modern 183 #20,880
2015 modern 182 #20,856
2016 modern 184 #20,731

Geography

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Where Mendels are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Manchester, Maidstone, Linton, Loddington and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Daventry, Portsmouth, Redbridge and North East Derbyshire. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Maidstone, Linton, Loddington Kent
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Daventry 004 Daventry
2 Portsmouth 025 Portsmouth
3 Redbridge 007 Redbridge
4 Redbridge 036 Redbridge
5 North East Derbyshire 009 North East Derbyshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mendel

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mendel

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Mendel surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Mendel household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Mendel is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mendel is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mendel falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mendel is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Mendel, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Mendel

The surname Mendel has its origins in the German language, and can be traced back to the late 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old German word "mendel," which means "protector" or "defender." The name was initially prevalent in the southern regions of Germany, particularly in Bavaria and Swabia.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mendel can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae, a medieval manuscript from the 13th century, where it is mentioned as "Mendel de Norinberg." This suggests that the name was already in use in the city of Nuremberg during that time period.

The Mendel surname has also been linked to various place names in Germany, such as Mendelsheim and Mendelsbach. These place names likely originated from individuals bearing the Mendel name, who may have been influential or prominent figures in those areas.

Among the notable individuals who bore the Mendel surname throughout history is Gregor Johann Mendel (1822-1884), the Austrian monk and scientist widely regarded as the founder of modern genetics. His groundbreaking work on pea plant hybridization laid the foundation for our understanding of heredity and genetic inheritance.

Another prominent figure was Kurt Mendel (1874-1946), a German politician and member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany. He served as a member of the Reichstag (the German parliament) from 1912 to 1933.

In the realm of literature, Walther Mendel (1925-2008) was a German writer and poet, known for his works exploring themes of war, displacement, and the human condition. He received several literary awards throughout his career, including the Georg Büchner Prize in 1981.

The name Mendel has also been associated with the world of music. Arthur Mendel (1905-1979) was an American musicologist and educator, renowned for his contributions to the study of Baroque music and the works of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Lastly, the surname Mendel has been carried by notable figures in the field of law, such as Hans Mendel (1897-1969), a German lawyer and judge who played a significant role in the Nuremberg Trials, serving as a member of the prosecution team.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mendel families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mendel 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. Lancashire leads with 6 Mendels recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.05x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 6 3.05x
Yorkshire 5 3.05x
Sussex 4 14.32x
Cornwall 1 5.33x
Middlesex 1 0.60x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Great Bolton in Lancashire leads with 6 Mendels recorded in 1881 and an index of 230.77x.

Place Total Index
Great Bolton 6 230.77x
Hastings Holy Trinity 4 1904.76x
Appleton Le Street 3 30000.00x
Ecclesall Bierlow 2 59.88x
Kensington London 1 10.86x
Tregoney St James 1 3333.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Isabella 2
Mary 2
Alice 1
Caroline 1
Ethel 1
Lizzie 1
Louisa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Sam 3
Adrian 1
Charles 1
David 1
Thomas 1

Top occupations

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 Mendel households.

FAQ

Mendel surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mendel surname in 1881?

In 1881, 21 people were recorded with the Mendel surname. That placed it at #30,609 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mendel surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 184 in 2016. That gives Mendel a modern rank of #20,731.

What does the Mendel surname mean?

A Jewish surname derived from the Yiddish male given name Mendel, which means "one who comforts or consoles."

What does the Mendel map show?

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