NameCensus.

UK surname

Nathaniel

Of Hebrew origin, meaning "gift of God".

In the 1881 census there were 51 people recorded with the Nathaniel surname, ranking it #26,428 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 236, ranked #17,470, up from #26,428 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tameside and Hammersmith and Fulham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nathaniel is 236 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 362.7%.

1881 census count

51

Ranked #26,428

Modern count

236

2016, ranked #17,470

Peak year

2013

236 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Nathaniel had 51 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #26,428 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 236 in 2016, ranked #17,470.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 69 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Nathaniel surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Nathaniel surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Nathaniel 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 62 #22,232
1861 historical 67 #25,342
1881 historical 51 #26,428
1891 historical 54 #29,849
1901 historical 69 #26,499
1911 historical 43 #28,581
1997 modern 156 #20,593
1998 modern 163 #20,582
1999 modern 171 #20,072
2000 modern 178 #19,570
2001 modern 167 #20,060
2002 modern 173 #20,043
2003 modern 170 #20,023
2004 modern 182 #19,306
2005 modern 171 #19,985
2006 modern 185 #19,204
2007 modern 196 #18,737
2008 modern 199 #18,699
2009 modern 209 #18,493
2010 modern 219 #18,319
2011 modern 222 #17,999
2012 modern 230 #17,479
2013 modern 236 #17,472
2014 modern 233 #17,707
2015 modern 232 #17,689
2016 modern 236 #17,470

Geography

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Where Nathaniels 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 Tameside and Hammersmith and Fulham. 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 Tameside 017 Tameside
2 Hammersmith and Fulham 025 Hammersmith and Fulham
3 Hammersmith and Fulham 004 Hammersmith and Fulham
4 Hammersmith and Fulham 015 Hammersmith and Fulham
5 Hammersmith and Fulham 019 Hammersmith and Fulham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Nathaniel

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Nathaniel

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

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Nathaniel surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Nathaniel 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 younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

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, Nathaniel 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

Nathaniel 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

Nathaniel falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Nathaniel 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Nathaniel

Nathaniel is an English surname derived from the Hebrew given name "Nathaniel", which means "God has given" or "gift of God". The name has its origins in the biblical figure Nathaniel, a follower of Jesus mentioned in the Gospel of John.

The earliest recorded use of Nathaniel as a surname dates back to the late 12th century in England. It was initially adopted as a surname by individuals who were given the name Nathaniel at birth or those who were descendants of someone with that given name.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror, there are no records of the surname Nathaniel. However, the given name Nathaniel is mentioned, suggesting that the surname likely emerged later.

One of the earliest known historical figures with the surname Nathaniel was Sir Nathaniel Brent (c. 1573-1652), an English judge and politician who served as Warden of Merton College, Oxford, and as a Member of Parliament.

Another notable individual with the surname Nathaniel was Nathaniel Fiennes (1608-1669), an English politician and soldier who fought for the Parliamentarian cause during the English Civil War.

In the 17th century, the surname Nathaniel was also found in the New England colonies of British America. One example is Nathaniel Sylvester (c. 1610-1680), an English-born poet and physician who settled in Massachusetts Bay Colony.

The surname Nathaniel has also been associated with some notable literary figures. Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864), the renowned American novelist and short story writer, is perhaps the most famous bearer of this surname.

Another literary figure with the surname Nathaniel was Nathaniel Parker Willis (1806-1867), an American author, poet, and editor who played a significant role in the development of American literature in the 19th century.

While the surname Nathaniel has its roots in England and the United States, it has also been found in other parts of the world, likely through migration and cultural exchange. However, its origins can be traced back to the biblical figure Nathaniel and the Hebrew meaning of the name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Nathaniel families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Nathaniel 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. Glamorgan leads with 24 Nathaniels recorded in 1881 and an index of 27.72x.

County Total Index
Glamorgan 24 27.72x
West Lothian 13 173.56x
Lancashire 6 1.02x
Lanarkshire 4 2.49x
Angus 2 4.34x
Caernarfonshire 1 4.98x
Middlesex 1 0.20x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Clase in Glamorgan leads with 15 Nathaniels recorded in 1881 and an index of 465.84x.

Place Total Index
Clase 15 465.84x
Bathgate 10 613.50x
Cilybebill 5 1515.15x
Chorlton On Medlock 4 42.69x
Merthyr Tydfil 4 48.08x
Uphall 3 365.85x
Forfar 2 80.32x
Shotts 2 104.17x
Aberdaron 1 476.19x
Bury 1 14.84x
Glasgow 1 3.50x
Kensington London 1 3.62x
Lanark 1 77.52x
Toxteth Park 1 5.01x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Hannah 3
Mary 3
Jane 2
A. 1
Ann 1
Catherine 1
Elise 1
Elizabeth 1
Fanny 1
Gwenllian 1
Laura 1
Lucy 1
Margret 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 4
Evan 2
John 2
William 2
Davey 1
Nathaniel 1
Peter 1
Robert 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 Nathaniel households.

FAQ

Nathaniel surname: questions and answers

How common was the Nathaniel surname in 1881?

In 1881, 51 people were recorded with the Nathaniel surname. That placed it at #26,428 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Nathaniel surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 236 in 2016. That gives Nathaniel a modern rank of #17,470.

What does the Nathaniel surname mean?

Of Hebrew origin, meaning "gift of God".

What does the Nathaniel map show?

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