NameCensus.

UK surname

Orrill

A surname derived from a place name in England.

In the 1881 census there were 88 people recorded with the Orrill surname, ranking it #21,211 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 108, ranked #29,578, down from #21,211 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North West Leicestershire, Rushcliffe and Rugby.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Orrill is 123 in 1997. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 22.7%.

1881 census count

88

Ranked #21,211

Modern count

108

2016, ranked #29,578

Peak year

1997

123 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Orrill had 88 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #21,211 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 108 in 2016, ranked #29,578.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 99 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Orrill surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Orrill surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Orrill 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 66 #25,487
1881 historical 88 #21,211
1891 historical 68 #28,300
1901 historical 86 #24,508
1911 historical 99 #22,850
1997 modern 123 #23,792
1998 modern 116 #25,332
1999 modern 117 #25,362
2000 modern 117 #25,324
2001 modern 113 #25,489
2002 modern 112 #26,165
2003 modern 113 #25,797
2004 modern 113 #25,999
2005 modern 107 #26,875
2006 modern 109 #26,872
2007 modern 108 #27,391
2008 modern 109 #27,533
2009 modern 118 #26,766
2010 modern 120 #27,124
2011 modern 118 #27,192
2012 modern 118 #27,250
2013 modern 110 #29,028
2014 modern 108 #29,658
2015 modern 105 #30,092
2016 modern 108 #29,578

Geography

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Where Orrills 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 North West Leicestershire, Rushcliffe, Rugby and Nottingham. 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 North West Leicestershire 002 North West Leicestershire
2 Rushcliffe 014 Rushcliffe
3 Rugby 004 Rugby
4 Nottingham 001 Nottingham
5 Nottingham 029 Nottingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Orrill

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Orrill

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Orrill surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Orrill household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Orrill is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Orrill is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Orrill falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Orrill is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Orrill

The surname Orrill is believed to have originated in England, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. The name is thought to be derived from the Old English words "or" and "hyll," which collectively translate to "hill by the shore" or "hill near the water." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name likely resided in coastal or riverside areas characterized by hilly terrain.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Orrill surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appeared as "Orehyll." This historical record, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides valuable insight into the distribution of surnames and populations across England during the 11th century.

In the 13th century, the name was documented as "Orehill" in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, a census-like record compiled between 1273 and 1275. This spelling variation further reinforces the connection between the surname and the geographical features it was derived from.

Among the notable individuals who bore the Orrill surname throughout history is Sir John Orrill (1522-1587), a prominent English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Bedfordshire during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Another significant figure was Thomas Orrill (1663-1738), an English clergyman and theologian who served as the Dean of Ripon Cathedral in Yorkshire. His contributions to religious literature and sermons have left a lasting impact.

In the 18th century, Samuel Orrill (1724-1793) gained recognition as a skilled engraver and printmaker. His works, which included portraits and landscapes, were highly regarded during his lifetime and are now part of various museum collections.

Moving into the 19th century, we encounter Mary Ann Orrill (1825-1908), a notable English novelist and poet. Her literary works, which often explored themes of social commentary and gender dynamics, garnered critical acclaim and provided valuable insights into the Victorian era.

Lastly, we have William Orrill (1869-1947), a respected English architect who played a significant role in the design and construction of numerous notable buildings, including churches, schools, and public institutions, across the country.

While the Orrill surname has undergone various spelling variations over the centuries, its origins can be traced back to the hills and coastal regions of medieval England, where its earliest bearers established themselves and left an indelible mark on the historical record.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Orrill families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Orrill 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. Nottinghamshire leads with 26 Orrills recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.47x.

County Total Index
Nottinghamshire 26 22.47x
Leicestershire 19 19.97x
Warwickshire 13 6.01x
Yorkshire 13 1.53x
Derbyshire 7 5.21x
Lancashire 7 0.69x
Kent 2 0.68x
Staffordshire 1 0.35x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hinckley in Leicestershire leads with 14 Orrills recorded in 1881 and an index of 619.47x.

Place Total Index
Hinckley 14 619.47x
Nottingham St Mary 13 43.45x
Ruddington 10 1282.05x
Ilkeston 6 159.15x
Kingsbury 6 1304.35x
Atherstone 5 450.45x
Sheffield 5 18.46x
Whitwick 5 413.22x
Holbeck 4 71.05x
Clitheroe 3 100.00x
Euxton 3 882.35x
Ottringham 3 1764.71x
Greenwich 2 14.64x
Snenton 2 43.96x
Aston 1 1.68x
Barrow In Furness 1 7.22x
Cromford 1 312.50x
Harborne 1 10.76x
Leeds 1 2.08x
Nottingham St Nicholas 1 63.29x
Wootton Wawen 1 147.06x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Fanny 4
Harriet 4
Mary 4
Elizabeth 3
Ann 2
Eliza 2
Hannah 2
Jane 2
Alice 1
Annie 1
Berther 1
Catherine 1
Edith 1
Elizth. 1
Elvina 1
Emily 1
Etty 1
Florance 1
Harriett 1
Laura 1
Lydia 1
Matilda 1
Sarah 1
Theresa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 6
George 5
John 4
Thomas 4
Albert 3
Edward 3
James 3
Joseph 3
Henry 2
Richard 2
Alexander 1
Charles 1
David 1
Ellis 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Harry 1
Josh. 1
Robert 1
Sam 1
Thos. 1
Tom 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Orrill surname: questions and answers

How common was the Orrill surname in 1881?

In 1881, 88 people were recorded with the Orrill surname. That placed it at #21,211 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Orrill surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 108 in 2016. That gives Orrill a modern rank of #29,578.

What does the Orrill surname mean?

A surname derived from a place name in England.

What does the Orrill map show?

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