UK surname
From a surname describing someone who lived in the north.
In the 1881 census there were 79 people recorded with the Norrell surname, ranking it #22,357 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 74, ranked #33,441, down from #22,357 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lavant, East and West, Eartham and Singleton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Norrell is 104 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 6.3%.
1881 census count
79
Ranked #22,357
Modern count
74
2016, ranked #33,441
Peak year
1891
104 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Norrell surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Norrell 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 | 22 | #29,378 |
| 1861 | historical | 78 | #23,836 |
| 1881 | historical | 79 | #22,357 |
| 1891 | historical | 104 | #23,388 |
| 1901 | historical | 91 | #23,921 |
| 1911 | historical | 96 | #23,193 |
| 1997 | modern | 80 | #29,554 |
| 1998 | modern | 74 | #30,562 |
| 1999 | modern | 77 | #30,427 |
| 2000 | modern | 79 | #30,249 |
| 2001 | modern | 73 | #30,699 |
| 2002 | modern | 78 | #30,601 |
| 2003 | modern | 82 | #30,206 |
| 2004 | modern | 72 | #31,488 |
| 2005 | modern | 68 | #32,097 |
| 2006 | modern | 74 | #31,850 |
| 2007 | modern | 76 | #31,966 |
| 2008 | modern | 77 | #32,181 |
| 2009 | modern | 78 | #32,471 |
| 2010 | modern | 79 | #32,759 |
| 2011 | modern | 78 | #32,819 |
| 2012 | modern | 77 | #33,124 |
| 2013 | modern | 78 | #33,215 |
| 2014 | modern | 78 | #33,270 |
| 2015 | modern | 75 | #33,425 |
| 2016 | modern | 74 | #33,441 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lavant, East and West, Eartham, Singleton, Dean, East and All Saints Poplar. 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 | Lavant, East and West | Sussex |
| 2 | Eartham | Sussex |
| 3 | Singleton | Sussex |
| 4 | Dean, East | Sussex |
| 5 | All Saints Poplar | London (East Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Norrell 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 Norrell, 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 Norrell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Norrell 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, Norrell 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 Norrell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Norrell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Norrell is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "nor" meaning north and "feld" meaning field, potentially referring to a geographical location or a place of residence.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Norrell can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Norefeld." This suggests that the name was already in use during the late 11th century in various parts of England.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the name Norrell began appearing in various historical records and documents, often with variations in spelling such as Norfeld, Norffelde, and Norfelde. These variations likely reflect regional dialects and the inconsistencies in spelling practices at the time.
In the 15th century, a notable individual named William Norrell (c. 1420-1489) was recorded as a prominent landowner and member of the gentry in Berkshire, England. His descendants continued to hold significant landholdings in the region for several generations.
Another historical figure bearing the name Norrell was John Norrell (c. 1580-1647), a English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Bemerton in Wiltshire. He wrote several religious works and was known for his sermons and theological writings.
In the 18th century, the name Norrell appeared in various parish records and historical documents across different counties in England, including Yorkshire, Gloucestershire, and Dorset. This suggests that the name had spread and was well-established in different parts of the country by this time.
One notable individual from this period was Thomas Norrell (1721-1779), a respected architect and builder who was responsible for the design and construction of several notable buildings in Bristol, including the Old Council House and the Exchange.
The name Norrell has also been associated with several place names in England, such as Norrell in Worcestershire and Norrell's Farm in Gloucestershire. These place names likely originated from the surname itself or vice versa, further cementing the name's historical roots in various regions of the country.
Throughout its history, the surname Norrell has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including landowners, clergy, architects, and more. While the name's exact origins may be uncertain, its presence in historical records and its association with various locations across England reflect its enduring legacy as a distinctly British surname.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Norrell 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. Sussex leads with 57 Norrells recorded in 1881 and an index of 43.89x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Sussex | 57 | 43.89x |
| Middlesex | 11 | 1.43x |
| Surrey | 5 | 1.33x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 0.22x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.62x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.66x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.38x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.13x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. East Dean in Sussex leads with 19 Norrells recorded in 1881 and an index of 21111.11x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| East Dean | 19 | 21111.11x |
| East Lavant | 16 | 14545.45x |
| Eartham | 7 | 17500.00x |
| Poplar London | 7 | 48.14x |
| Boxgrove | 5 | 2631.58x |
| Clapham | 5 | 51.92x |
| Cocking | 2 | 1333.33x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 4.67x |
| Singleton | 2 | 1333.33x |
| Subdeanery | 2 | 202.02x |
| Tangmere | 2 | 4000.00x |
| Acton | 1 | 22.12x |
| Bristol St Ewin | 1 | 10000.00x |
| Crumpsall | 1 | 46.51x |
| Denton | 1 | 49.26x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 5.27x |
| Hastingleigh | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Heyshott | 1 | 833.33x |
| Langfield | 1 | 74.63x |
| Stoughton | 1 | 588.24x |
| Wolborough | 1 | 49.26x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Norrell 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 Norrell 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 Norrell households.
FAQ
In 1881, 79 people were recorded with the Norrell surname. That placed it at #22,357 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 74 in 2016. That gives Norrell a modern rank of #33,441.
From a surname describing someone who lived in the north.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Norrell 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.