UK surname
A surname possibly derived from the Old French word "parail" meaning equal or similar.
In the 1881 census there were 61 people recorded with the Parrell surname, ranking it #24,992 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 18, ranked #36,832, down from #24,992 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Ealing, Chiswick and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Parrell is 178 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 70.5%.
1881 census count
61
Ranked #24,992
Modern count
18
2016, ranked #36,832
Peak year
1891
178 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Parrell surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Parrell 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 | 39 | #26,319 |
| 1861 | historical | 175 | #13,409 |
| 1881 | historical | 61 | #24,992 |
| 1891 | historical | 178 | #16,264 |
| 1901 | historical | 76 | #25,734 |
| 1911 | historical | 117 | #20,757 |
| 1997 | modern | 43 | #33,361 |
| 1998 | modern | 27 | #35,148 |
| 1999 | modern | 27 | #35,224 |
| 2000 | modern | 20 | #35,915 |
| 2001 | modern | 19 | #35,866 |
| 2002 | modern | 17 | #36,164 |
| 2003 | modern | 16 | #36,304 |
| 2004 | modern | 21 | #35,969 |
| 2005 | modern | 18 | #36,332 |
| 2006 | modern | 16 | #36,601 |
| 2007 | modern | 15 | #36,793 |
| 2008 | modern | 17 | #36,699 |
| 2009 | modern | 17 | #36,753 |
| 2010 | modern | 17 | #36,862 |
| 2011 | modern | 21 | #36,502 |
| 2012 | modern | 18 | #36,723 |
| 2013 | modern | 19 | #36,691 |
| 2014 | modern | 19 | #36,740 |
| 2015 | modern | 18 | #36,809 |
| 2016 | modern | 18 | #36,832 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Ealing, Chiswick, St Pancras and St Werburgh. 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 1 |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Ealing, Chiswick | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | St Werburgh | Derbyshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Parrell 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 Parrell, 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 Parrell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Parrell 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, Parrell 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 Parrell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Parrell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Parrell is of English origin, with its roots dating back to the late 12th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "parrok," which referred to a small enclosed area or a paddock. This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near or worked on a small enclosed field or farm.
The earliest recorded instance of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1190, where it appears as "Parrok." Over time, the spelling evolved, with variations such as "Parrock," "Parroc," and eventually "Parrell" emerging in various historical records.
One notable historical figure bearing this surname was Sir Thomas Parrell, a prominent English knight who fought in the Wars of the Roses during the 15th century. He was a staunch supporter of the House of Lancaster and participated in several battles, including the Battle of Towton in 1461.
Another individual of note was John Parrell, born in 1634, who served as a magistrate in the town of Gloucestershire, England. His legacy is preserved in the Parrell Family Archives, which contain valuable records and documents from that era.
In the 17th century, the Parrell name gained recognition through the work of William Parrell, a renowned architect and stonemason. He was responsible for the design and construction of several notable buildings, including St. Mary's Church in Warwickshire, which still stands today as a testament to his craftsmanship.
Moving into the 18th century, we encounter Elizabeth Parrell, a pioneering author and poet who published a collection of her works in 1762. Her writings offered a unique perspective on the social and cultural aspects of that time period.
Lastly, in the 19th century, James Parrell, born in 1842, made a significant contribution to the field of agriculture. As a farmer and innovator, he developed new techniques for crop rotation and soil management, which helped improve agricultural productivity in his region.
While the Parrell surname may not have been as widespread as some others, it has nonetheless left an indelible mark on history, with individuals from various walks of life making their mark across different eras and disciplines.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Parrell 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 14 Parrells recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.98x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 14 | 1.98x |
| Surrey | 14 | 4.83x |
| Middlesex | 11 | 1.85x |
| Derbyshire | 10 | 10.74x |
| Glamorgan | 4 | 3.86x |
| Devon | 2 | 1.62x |
| Sussex | 2 | 1.99x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.49x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.50x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 1.90x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.17x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Derby St Werburgh in Derbyshire leads with 7 Parrells recorded in 1881 and an index of 130.11x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Derby St Werburgh | 7 | 130.11x |
| Hulme | 6 | 40.71x |
| Islington London | 6 | 10.41x |
| Mortlake | 5 | 387.60x |
| Reddish | 5 | 515.46x |
| Clerkenwell London | 3 | 21.37x |
| Codnor Loscoe | 3 | 405.41x |
| Croydon | 3 | 18.65x |
| Kingston On Thames | 3 | 43.10x |
| Brighton | 2 | 9.89x |
| Llantwit Vairdre | 2 | 172.41x |
| Swansea Town | 2 | 23.56x |
| Bootle Cum Linacre | 1 | 17.86x |
| Exeter St Mary Arches | 1 | 833.33x |
| Exeter St Sidwell | 1 | 35.21x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 6.83x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 10.80x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 1.93x |
| Lewisham | 1 | 9.24x |
| Litherland | 1 | 67.57x |
| Richmond | 1 | 24.63x |
| Sheffield | 1 | 5.33x |
| Southwark St Saviour | 1 | 32.68x |
| West Bromwich | 1 | 8.70x |
| Widnes | 1 | 19.65x |
| Wilton | 1 | 270.27x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Parrell 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 Parrell 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 Parrell households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 11 |
| Tenter Cotton Mill | 3 |
| Annuitant | 2 |
| Gen Lab | 2 |
| Assist Warder Prison | 1 |
| Assistant (Grocer) | 1 |
| Boot Binder | 1 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Coachman | 1 |
| Cotton Framework Knitter (HM) | 1 |
| Dock Unloading Ships | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Engine Cleaner (Railway...) | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| House Maid | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Insurance Agent | 1 |
| Lab General | 1 |
| Laborer (Gen) | 1 |
| Nurse (Dom) | 1 |
| Printer Compositor | 1 |
| Publican | 1 |
| Stripper Cotton Mill | 1 |
| Strippers Wife | 1 |
| Tile Baker | 1 |
| Warden H M Prison | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 61 people were recorded with the Parrell surname. That placed it at #24,992 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 18 in 2016. That gives Parrell a modern rank of #36,832.
A surname possibly derived from the Old French word "parail" meaning equal or similar.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Parrell 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.