NameCensus.

UK surname

Morelli

Derived from the Italian word "moro," meaning dark-haired or dark-skinned, and likely referring to a person with such features.

In the 1881 census there were 20 people recorded with the Morelli surname, ranking it #30,738 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 351, ranked #13,127, up from #30,738 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Monmouthshire, Kirklees and Dover.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Morelli is 351 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1655.0%.

1881 census count

20

Ranked #30,738

Modern count

351

2016, ranked #13,127

Peak year

2016

351 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Morelli had 20 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,738 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 351 in 2016, ranked #13,127.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 70 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Morelli surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Morelli surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Morelli 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 16 #30,441
1861 historical 7 #33,053
1881 historical 20 #30,738
1891 historical 18 #32,706
1901 historical 70 #26,383
1911 historical 48 #28,006
1997 modern 263 #14,769
1998 modern 274 #14,759
1999 modern 273 #14,875
2000 modern 264 #15,191
2001 modern 263 #14,999
2002 modern 278 #14,726
2003 modern 276 #14,604
2004 modern 270 #14,913
2005 modern 286 #14,242
2006 modern 277 #14,667
2007 modern 293 #14,272
2008 modern 289 #14,502
2009 modern 311 #14,069
2010 modern 332 #13,745
2011 modern 326 #13,775
2012 modern 331 #13,538
2013 modern 333 #13,682
2014 modern 342 #13,498
2015 modern 345 #13,312
2016 modern 351 #13,127

Geography

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Where Morellis are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Monmouthshire, Kirklees and Dover. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Monmouthshire 011 Monmouthshire
2 Kirklees 055 Kirklees
3 Kirklees 047 Kirklees
4 Kirklees 052 Kirklees
5 Dover 001 Dover

Forenames

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First names often paired with Morelli

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Morelli

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Morelli surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Morelli household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Morelli is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Morelli 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

Morelli 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 Morelli 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Morelli

The surname Morelli originated in Italy, tracing its roots back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Italian word "morello," meaning "dark-colored" or "blackish," which was likely used as a nickname or descriptive term for someone with dark hair or complexion.

Variants of the name, such as "Morello" and "Morel," can be found in historical records from various regions of Italy, particularly in the northern regions. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name dates back to the 13th century in the city of Florence, where a certain Giovanni Morelli was mentioned in a document from 1272.

In the 14th century, the Morelli family gained prominence in the Republic of Venice, where they were actively involved in the city's political affairs. Notable members included Marco Morelli (1285-1348), a renowned Venetian statesman and diplomat, and Andrea Morelli (1308-1382), a respected jurist and legal scholar.

The name also appears in several historical manuscripts and records from other Italian cities, such as Genoa, Milan, and Rome. For instance, the Morelli family is mentioned in the "Codice Diplomatico Padovano" (Diplomatic Code of Padua) from the 13th century.

One of the most renowned figures associated with the surname Morelli was Giovanni Morelli (1816-1891), an Italian art historian and critic renowned for his contributions to the field of connoisseurship. He developed the "Morellian Method," a systematic approach to identifying the authorship of artworks based on the analysis of minor details and idiosyncrasies.

Another notable individual was Jacopo Morelli (1745-1819), an Italian librarian and scholar who served as the custodian of the Biblioteca Marciana in Venice. He was renowned for his extensive knowledge of ancient manuscripts and his contributions to the preservation of historical texts.

The Morelli name was also associated with several small towns and villages in Italy, such as Morelli in the province of Reggio Emilia and Morello, a frazione (subdivision) of the municipality of Sarsina in the province of Forlì-Cesena.

Throughout history, the surname Morelli has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, scholars, statesmen, and clergy members, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and diversity of Italy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Morelli families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Morelli 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. Middlesex leads with 15 Morellis recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.70x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 15 7.70x
Midlothian 2 7.66x
Kent 1 1.50x
Northamptonshire 1 5.46x
Surrey 1 1.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hackney London in Middlesex leads with 5 Morellis recorded in 1881 and an index of 45.79x.

Place Total Index
Hackney London 5 45.79x
Islington London 3 15.88x
St George Hanover 3 118.11x
Edinburgh St Marys 2 392.16x
St Andrew Holborn 2 303.03x
St Marylebone London 2 19.23x
Deptford St Paul 1 19.49x
Lambeth 1 5.89x
Northampton Priory St 1 90.91x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 2
Sarah 2
Amy 1
Angelo 1
Catherine 1
Codora 1
Emma 1
Florence 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Charles 4
Alfred 1
Frances 1
Henry 1
Mariano 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 Morelli households.

FAQ

Morelli surname: questions and answers

How common was the Morelli surname in 1881?

In 1881, 20 people were recorded with the Morelli surname. That placed it at #30,738 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Morelli surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 351 in 2016. That gives Morelli a modern rank of #13,127.

What does the Morelli surname mean?

Derived from the Italian word "moro," meaning dark-haired or dark-skinned, and likely referring to a person with such features.

What does the Morelli map show?

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