UK surname
A surname derived from the medieval English name Nell or Nele, a diminutive of Eleanor.
In the 1881 census there were 37 people recorded with the Nells surname, ranking it #28,418 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 8, ranked #37,829, down from #28,418 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Wandsworth and St Dunstan Stepney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nells is 131 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 78.4%.
1881 census count
37
Ranked #28,418
Modern count
8
2016, ranked #37,829
Peak year
1891
131 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Nells surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Nells surname density by area, 1891 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 | 34 | #27,194 |
| 1861 | historical | 87 | #22,681 |
| 1881 | historical | 37 | #28,418 |
| 1891 | historical | 131 | #20,073 |
| 1901 | historical | 34 | #30,281 |
| 1911 | historical | 19 | #31,416 |
| 1997 | modern | 6 | #37,704 |
| 1998 | modern | 5 | #37,861 |
| 1999 | modern | 3 | #38,318 |
| 2000 | modern | 2 | #38,472 |
| 2001 | modern | 2 | #38,335 |
| 2002 | modern | 5 | #37,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 6 | #37,586 |
| 2004 | modern | 7 | #37,496 |
| 2005 | modern | 6 | #37,724 |
| 2006 | modern | 5 | #37,956 |
| 2007 | modern | 5 | #38,004 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 6 | #37,953 |
| 2010 | modern | 7 | #37,904 |
| 2011 | modern | 6 | #38,016 |
| 2012 | modern | 5 | #38,167 |
| 2013 | modern | 5 | #38,195 |
| 2014 | modern | 7 | #37,929 |
| 2015 | modern | 7 | #37,920 |
| 2016 | modern | 8 | #37,829 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Wandsworth, St Dunstan Stepney, Manchester and Worcester St Andrew, Block House. 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 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 2 | Wandsworth | London (South Districts) |
| 3 | St Dunstan Stepney | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Worcester St Andrew, Block House | Worcestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Nells 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 Nells, 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 Nells surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Nells 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, Nells 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 Nells is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Nells, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Nells has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "nelle," which means "courageous" or "brave." The name may have been initially given as a nickname to someone who exhibited these qualities.
In the 13th century, the name Nells appears in various historical records, such as the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire and the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire. These early mentions suggest that the name was well-established in certain regions of England during that time.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Nells was Robert Nells, who lived in the village of Chedworth, Gloucestershire, in the late 13th century. Historical documents from the time mention him as a landowner and a prominent member of the local community.
During the 14th century, the name Nells began to appear in other parts of England, including Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. This spread suggests that individuals with this surname may have migrated or established new branches of the family in different regions.
In the 15th century, a notable figure with the surname Nells was John Nells, a wealthy merchant who lived in the city of Bristol. Historical records indicate that he was involved in the wool trade and held significant influence within the local guild system.
Another individual of note was William Nells, who lived in the village of Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, in the late 16th century. He was a respected landowner and served as a member of the local parish council.
In the 17th century, the surname Nells gained recognition through the accomplishments of Thomas Nells, a renowned scholar and theologian. He was born in 1637 in Berkshire and became a fellow of the prestigious University of Oxford. Nells wrote several influential works on theology and was widely respected in academic circles.
Throughout history, the surname Nells has been associated with various place names and alternative spellings. For example, in some areas, it was spelled as "Nelles" or "Nelles." Additionally, there are records of individuals with the surname Nells residing in places like Nellsborough and Nellston, which may have been named after members of the family.
Overall, the surname Nells has a rich history rooted in medieval England, with a possible origin as a nickname for someone deemed courageous or brave. While the name has undergone various spelling variations and geographic dispersions over the centuries, it has maintained a notable presence in various regions of the country.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Nells 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. Surrey leads with 18 Nells' recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.24x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 18 | 10.24x |
| Devon | 5 | 6.66x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.93x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 1.11x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.84x |
| Buckinghamshire | 1 | 4.59x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 1.26x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 4.02x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wandsworth in Surrey leads with 7 Nells' recorded in 1881 and an index of 201.73x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Wandsworth | 7 | 201.73x |
| Bermondsey | 6 | 55.87x |
| Battersea | 5 | 37.65x |
| East Stonehouse | 5 | 337.84x |
| Todmorden Walsden | 3 | 260.87x |
| Twickenham | 3 | 193.55x |
| Sculcoates | 2 | 35.27x |
| Dukinfield | 1 | 27.17x |
| Ecclesall Bierlow | 1 | 13.76x |
| Hornsey | 1 | 21.93x |
| Redbourn | 1 | 370.37x |
| Thornton In Fylde | 1 | 106.38x |
| Upton Cum Chalvey | 1 | 114.94x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Nells 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 Nells 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 Nells households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 7 |
| Carpenter | 2 |
| Asst | 1 |
| Baker In My Employ | 1 |
| Capt Royal Marines | 1 |
| Cotton Twister | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Grocers Assist | 1 |
| Grocers Assistant | 1 |
| Hat Sewer | 1 |
| Housekeeper Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Jellmonger | 1 |
| Master Printer 4 Men & 3 Boys | 1 |
| Nurse (D S) | 1 |
| Railway Engine Fireman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 37 people were recorded with the Nells surname. That placed it at #28,418 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 8 in 2016. That gives Nells a modern rank of #37,829.
A surname derived from the medieval English name Nell or Nele, a diminutive of Eleanor.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Nells 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.