NameCensus.

UK surname

Novell

A variant spelling of the surname Novello, derived from the Italian word "novello" meaning "new" or "young."

In the 1881 census there were 202 people recorded with the Novell surname, ranking it #12,753 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 244, ranked #17,096, down from #12,753 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst, London parishes and Mundham, North. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lewes, Forest Heath and Sevenoaks.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Novell is 285 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 20.8%.

1881 census count

202

Ranked #12,753

Modern count

244

2016, ranked #17,096

Peak year

1891

285 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Novell had 202 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,753 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 244 in 2016, ranked #17,096.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 285 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Outer Suburbs.

Novell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Novell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Novell 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 156 #12,552
1861 historical 185 #12,799
1881 historical 202 #12,753
1891 historical 285 #11,515
1901 historical 228 #13,929
1911 historical 254 #12,748
1997 modern 252 #15,193
1998 modern 249 #15,720
1999 modern 251 #15,751
2000 modern 248 #15,827
2001 modern 244 #15,753
2002 modern 249 #15,855
2003 modern 236 #16,236
2004 modern 267 #15,038
2005 modern 249 #15,679
2006 modern 236 #16,384
2007 modern 246 #16,086
2008 modern 252 #15,984
2009 modern 263 #15,843
2010 modern 259 #16,386
2011 modern 238 #17,188
2012 modern 243 #16,839
2013 modern 248 #16,877
2014 modern 249 #16,954
2015 modern 247 #16,941
2016 modern 244 #17,096

Geography

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Where Novells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst, London parishes, Mundham, North and Kingston-on-Thames. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Lewes, Forest Heath, Sevenoaks, Wokingham 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 Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst Sussex
2 London parishes London 1
3 Mundham, North Sussex
4 Kingston-on-Thames Surrey
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Lewes 008 Lewes
2 Forest Heath 001 Forest Heath
3 Sevenoaks 008 Sevenoaks
4 Wokingham 017 Wokingham
5 Hammersmith and Fulham 015 Hammersmith and Fulham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Novell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Novell

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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Outer Suburbs

Nationally, the Novell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Outer Suburbs, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Novell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods are found on the outer edges of many towns and cities. Many residents were born outside the UK. Indian ethnic group representation is high. There are high numbers of families with dependent children aged 5 to 14. Incidences of disability and of provision of unpaid care are low. Neighbourhoods provide a mix of detached housing and flats, and terraced housing is not uncommon. Levels of overcrowding are low and homeownership rates are high. Professional and managerial occupations are prevalent: unemployment is low and education to degree level is the norm.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Novell is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Novell is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Novell falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Novell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Novell

The surname Novell has its origins in Italy, specifically in the region of Piedmont. The name can be traced back to the 13th century, and it is believed to have derived from the Latin word "novellus," meaning "new" or "young."

In medieval times, Piedmont was a region known for its fertile lands and thriving agricultural communities. The name Novell may have been initially given as a nickname to someone who was new to a particular area or had recently established themselves in a village or town.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Novell can be found in a document from the city of Asti, dated 1287. This document mentions a landowner named Giovanni Novell, who owned a vineyard in the outskirts of the city.

As the surname spread throughout Piedmont and other parts of northern Italy, variations in spelling emerged, such as Novelli, Novellis, and Novello. These variations likely arose due to regional dialects and variations in pronunciation.

In the 15th century, a notable figure bearing the name Novell was Francesco Novell, a renowned scholar and philosopher from the city of Turin. He was born in 1420 and was known for his works on ethics and moral philosophy.

Another prominent individual with the surname Novell was Girolamo Novell, a 16th-century painter from the town of Vercelli. His works can be found in various churches and museums throughout the region, particularly his frescoes depicting religious scenes.

In the 17th century, the name Novell gained recognition in the field of literature. Antonio Novell, born in 1625 in Alessandria, was a celebrated poet and playwright whose works were widely acclaimed for their lyrical beauty and insightful commentary on contemporary society.

Moving forward to the 18th century, the name Novell was associated with the world of music. Giuseppe Novell, born in 1742 in Turin, was a renowned composer and violinist who performed for various royal courts across Europe.

In the 19th century, the name Novell found its way into the realm of politics. Pietro Novell, born in 1815 in Asti, was a prominent figure in the Italian Risorgimento movement and played a crucial role in the unification of Italy.

While the surname Novell has its roots in Italy, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to emigration and migration. However, its historical significance remains deeply rooted in the rich cultural and artistic heritage of northern Italy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Novell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Novell 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. Surrey leads with 115 Novells recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.92x.

County Total Index
Surrey 115 11.92x
Middlesex 31 1.57x
Sussex 31 9.29x
Glamorgan 9 2.61x
Yorkshire 7 0.36x
Hampshire 3 0.74x
Lancashire 2 0.09x
Warwickshire 2 0.40x
Essex 1 0.26x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.37x
Royal Navy 1 4.24x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Seale in Surrey leads with 43 Novells recorded in 1881 and an index of 6935.48x.

Place Total Index
Seale 43 6935.48x
Farnham 37 493.33x
Islington London 11 5.73x
Kingston On Thames 11 47.45x
Long Ditton 10 632.91x
Roath 9 57.47x
Pagham 8 1355.93x
Broadwater 7 91.38x
Wimbledon 6 55.40x
Holy Trinity 5 10.59x
Acton 4 34.45x
Clerkenwell London 4 8.56x
Hunston 4 2857.14x
Kensington London 4 3.63x
Sompting 4 869.57x
Chichester All Sts 3 1363.64x
North Mundham 3 909.09x
Accrington 2 9.36x
Aston 2 1.45x
Edmonton 2 12.54x
Guildford St Mary 2 168.07x
Haworth 2 42.92x
Lambeth 2 1.16x
Oving 2 176.99x
St Pancras London 2 1.25x
Aldershot 1 7.35x
Camberwell 1 0.79x
Chessington 1 625.00x
Frensham 1 70.42x
Godalming 1 16.47x
Kilmiston 1 833.33x
Nottingham St Mary 1 1.45x
Royal Navy 1 4.96x
Ryde 1 11.47x
St George Hanover 1 3.87x
St Luke London 1 3.15x
St Marylebone London 1 0.95x
Waltham Holy Cross 1 27.40x
Westminster St 1 13.70x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 17
Elizabeth 7
Jane 6
Martha 5
Annie 4
Eliza 4
Fanny 4
Charlotte 3
Ellen 3
Kate 3
Rose 3
Sarah 3
Alice 2
Amelia 2
Caroline 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Esther 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Ada 1
Adaline 1
Ann 1
Barbera 1
Bertha 1
Cecilia 1
Clara 1
Eadith 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Franices 1
Harriet 1
Harriett 1
Jesse 1
Keziah 1
Lily 1
Lizy 1
Margaret 1
May 1
Ruth 1
Susan 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 17
George 12
James 10
Charles 8
Henry 7
Richard 5
John 4
Alfred 3
Frederick 3
Job 3
Albert 2
Edward 2
Frank 2
Henery 2
Joseph 2
Sidney 2
Daniel 1
David 1
E. 1
Edd. 1
Edmond 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Eli 1
Fredirick 1
Harry 1
Louis 1
Mark 1
Owen 1
Peter 1
Petre 1
Stephen 1
Thomas 1
Tom 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Novell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Novell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 202 people were recorded with the Novell surname. That placed it at #12,753 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Novell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 244 in 2016. That gives Novell a modern rank of #17,096.

What does the Novell surname mean?

A variant spelling of the surname Novello, derived from the Italian word "novello" meaning "new" or "young."

What does the Novell map show?

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