UK surname
An English habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "hill of nut trees".
In the 1881 census there were 88 people recorded with the Nutall surname, ranking it #21,211 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 37, ranked #35,582, down from #21,211 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Lytham and Sheffield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nutall is 324 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 58.0%.
1881 census count
88
Ranked #21,211
Modern count
37
2016, ranked #35,582
Peak year
1911
324 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Nutall surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Nutall surname density by area, 1911 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 | 71 | #20,875 |
| 1861 | historical | 100 | #21,103 |
| 1881 | historical | 88 | #21,211 |
| 1891 | historical | 124 | #20,818 |
| 1901 | historical | 70 | #26,383 |
| 1911 | historical | 324 | #10,814 |
| 1997 | modern | 60 | #31,629 |
| 1998 | modern | 59 | #32,027 |
| 1999 | modern | 56 | #32,461 |
| 2000 | modern | 41 | #33,889 |
| 2001 | modern | 37 | #34,082 |
| 2002 | modern | 36 | #34,480 |
| 2003 | modern | 28 | #35,200 |
| 2004 | modern | 29 | #35,270 |
| 2005 | modern | 31 | #35,260 |
| 2006 | modern | 28 | #35,665 |
| 2007 | modern | 29 | #35,725 |
| 2008 | modern | 28 | #35,875 |
| 2009 | modern | 31 | #35,794 |
| 2010 | modern | 35 | #35,676 |
| 2011 | modern | 38 | #35,501 |
| 2012 | modern | 22 | #36,431 |
| 2013 | modern | 30 | #35,990 |
| 2014 | modern | 31 | #35,953 |
| 2015 | modern | 32 | #35,876 |
| 2016 | modern | 37 | #35,582 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Lytham, Sheffield, Bolton-le-Moors and Whalley. 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 | Rochdale | Lancashire |
| 2 | Lytham | Lancashire |
| 3 | Sheffield | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 4 | Bolton-le-Moors | Lancashire |
| 5 | Whalley | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Nutall 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 Nutall, 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 Nutall surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Nutall 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, Nutall 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 Nutall is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Nutall, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Nutall has its origins in England, dating back to the early medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the Old English words "hnutu" meaning "nut" and "halh" meaning "nook" or "recess." This suggests that the name originally referred to someone who lived in a secluded area known for its abundance of nut trees.
One of the earliest recorded instances of this surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Nuthall." This ancient record lists individuals and landholdings throughout England at the time of the Norman Conquest.
As the name spread across different regions, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Nutall, Nuttall, Nuttall, and Nuttell. These variations were common due to inconsistencies in record-keeping and the influence of local dialects.
One notable bearer of the Nutall surname was Sir John Nuttall (c. 1537-1597), an English merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1594. He played a significant role in the city's trade and governance during the Elizabethan era.
Another prominent figure was Thomas Nuttall (1786-1859), an English botanist and zoologist who made significant contributions to the study of North American flora and fauna. He is credited with identifying and naming numerous plant and animal species, many of which bear his name as part of their scientific classification.
In the literary world, Jeff Nuttall (1933-2004) was an English poet, novelist, and artist associated with the British Underground movement of the 1960s. His works explored themes of counterculture and rebellion, reflecting the spirit of that era.
The Nutall surname has also been associated with several place names throughout England, such as Nuttall in Lancashire, Nuttall Green in Cheshire, and Nuttall Lane in Derbyshire. These locations likely derived their names from the presence of individuals or families bearing the Nutall surname in those areas.
Throughout the centuries, the Nutall name has been carried across different parts of the world due to migration and exploration. While its origins can be traced back to medieval England, the surname has since become more widespread, with bearers making their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Nutall 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. Lancashire leads with 45 Nutalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.42x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 45 | 4.42x |
| Nottinghamshire | 15 | 12.97x |
| Kent | 8 | 2.73x |
| Yorkshire | 7 | 0.82x |
| Devon | 3 | 1.68x |
| Roxburghshire | 3 | 19.29x |
| Sussex | 3 | 2.07x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.23x |
| Brecknockshire | 1 | 5.83x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 0.73x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Accrington in Lancashire leads with 9 Nutalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 97.19x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Accrington | 9 | 97.19x |
| Mansfield | 9 | 225.00x |
| Oldham | 8 | 24.34x |
| Crayford | 7 | 546.88x |
| Lower Booths | 7 | 384.62x |
| Rochdale | 5 | 675.68x |
| Blatchinworth | 4 | 172.41x |
| Sutton In Ashfield | 4 | 159.36x |
| Bedford | 3 | 140.85x |
| Broadwater | 3 | 90.36x |
| Exeter St Sidwell | 3 | 73.35x |
| Haslingden | 3 | 71.09x |
| Hawick | 3 | 86.21x |
| Sheffield | 3 | 11.08x |
| Barton Upon Irwell | 2 | 26.08x |
| Newton | 2 | 25.48x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 2 | 6.68x |
| Todmorden Walsden | 2 | 73.26x |
| Brecknock St John | 1 | 68.97x |
| Bulmer Stittenham | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Ecclesfield | 1 | 16.03x |
| Eccleshill | 1 | 48.31x |
| Erith | 1 | 34.60x |
| Metheringham | 1 | 181.82x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 2.18x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.45x |
| Wortley In Bramley | 1 | 14.84x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Nutall 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 Nutall 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 Nutall households.
FAQ
In 1881, 88 people were recorded with the Nutall surname. That placed it at #21,211 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 37 in 2016. That gives Nutall a modern rank of #35,582.
An English habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "hill of nut trees".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Nutall 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.