NameCensus.

UK surname

Patchell

A habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "little patch of land".

In the 1881 census there were 46 people recorded with the Patchell surname, ranking it #27,188 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 101, ranked #30,929, down from #27,188 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Clifton-on-Dunsmoor, Beddington and Halifax. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kirklees, Bradford and Slough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Patchell is 212 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 119.6%.

1881 census count

46

Ranked #27,188

Modern count

101

2016, ranked #30,929

Peak year

1891

212 bearers

Map years

5

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Patchell had 46 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #27,188 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 101 in 2016, ranked #30,929.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 212 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Patchell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Patchell surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Patchell 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 101 #17,036
1861 historical 191 #12,467
1881 historical 46 #27,188
1891 historical 212 #14,318
1901 historical 71 #26,277
1911 historical 88 #24,041
1997 modern 96 #27,490
1998 modern 98 #27,923
1999 modern 103 #27,305
2000 modern 96 #28,299
2001 modern 96 #27,976
2002 modern 100 #27,944
2003 modern 93 #28,829
2004 modern 97 #28,455
2005 modern 92 #29,271
2006 modern 101 #28,125
2007 modern 98 #29,019
2008 modern 93 #30,123
2009 modern 94 #30,538
2010 modern 98 #30,540
2011 modern 98 #30,384
2012 modern 102 #29,902
2013 modern 99 #30,934
2014 modern 102 #30,714
2015 modern 102 #30,624
2016 modern 101 #30,929

Geography

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Where Patchells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Clifton-on-Dunsmoor, Beddington, Halifax, Hose and Pinchbeck, Cowbit. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kirklees, Bradford, Slough and Winchester. 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 Clifton-on-Dunsmoor Warwickshire
2 Beddington Surrey
3 Halifax Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Hose Leicestershire
5 Pinchbeck, Cowbit Lincolnshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kirklees 055 Kirklees
2 Bradford 043 Bradford
3 Slough 004 Slough
4 Winchester 006 Winchester
5 Bradford 018 Bradford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Patchell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Patchell

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Patchell, 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 Patchell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Patchell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

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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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Patchell is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

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Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Patchell is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Patchell falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Patchell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Patchell

The surname Patchell originates from England, with its roots dating back to the medieval era. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "pyccele," which translates to "a small parcel of land." This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with landowners or farmers who possessed modest land holdings.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Patchell can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire, a census-like survey conducted in 1273. This document mentions a certain "William Peccell," whose name is likely a variation of the modern spelling.

During the 14th century, the name appeared in various historical records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire in 1327, where a "John Pachell" is listed. This spelling variation highlights the fluidity of surnames during that period, as they were often rendered phonetically by scribes.

In the 16th century, the name Patchell gained prominence with the birth of Sir John Patchell (1515-1587), a prominent English landowner and member of Parliament. He played a significant role in the local affairs of Berkshire and was known for his involvement in various legal disputes over land ownership.

Another notable figure was William Patchell (1671-1739), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of St. Mary's Church in Reading. He published several works, including a treatise on the importance of education in 1720.

The 18th century saw the emergence of Thomas Patchell (1723-1796), an Irish lawyer and politician who served as a Member of the Irish House of Commons. He was a vocal advocate for Irish rights and played a significant role in the political landscape of his time.

Moving into the 19th century, James Patchell (1805-1887) made his mark as a renowned English architect. He was responsible for designing numerous notable buildings, including the Royal College of Physicians in Liverpool and several churches across the country.

In the realm of literature, the name Patchell is associated with Mary Patchell (1877-1943), an Irish novelist and short story writer. Her works often explored themes of Irish rural life and were highly regarded during her lifetime.

Throughout history, the surname Patchell has also been linked to various place names, such as Patchell Farm in Gloucestershire and Patchell's Green in Buckinghamshire. These locations likely derived their names from individuals or families bearing the Patchell surname who resided in or owned land in those areas.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Patchell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Patchell 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. Lincolnshire leads with 6 Patchells recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.36x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 6 8.36x
Surrey 6 2.74x
Warwickshire 6 5.30x
Kent 5 3.27x
Lancashire 4 0.75x
Middlesex 4 0.89x
Hampshire 3 3.26x
Leicestershire 3 6.03x
Northamptonshire 3 7.11x
Sussex 3 3.97x
Cheshire 1 1.01x
Essex 1 1.13x
Staffordshire 1 0.66x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 6 Patchells recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.91x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 6 15.91x
Lewisham 5 61.27x
Tathwell 5 8333.33x
Kensington London 4 16.03x
Beddington 3 352.94x
Hose 3 4285.71x
Strixton 3 30000.00x
Aldershot 2 64.94x
Alfold 2 2500.00x
Crompton 2 131.58x
Altrincham 1 57.80x
Barrow In Furness 1 13.81x
Bermondsey 1 7.49x
Colchester Holy Trinity 1 500.00x
Eastbourne 1 28.74x
Farnborough 1 103.09x
Lewes All Sts 1 333.33x
Lewes St Ann 1 384.62x
Louth 1 60.98x
Manchester 1 4.18x
Whittington 1 322.58x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 6
Arthur 2
Charles 2
George 2
Henry 2
John 2
Alfred 1
Joseph 1
Mathew 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
Thomas 1

Top occupations

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 Patchell households.

FAQ

Patchell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Patchell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 46 people were recorded with the Patchell surname. That placed it at #27,188 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Patchell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 101 in 2016. That gives Patchell a modern rank of #30,929.

What does the Patchell surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "little patch of land".

What does the Patchell map show?

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