UK surname
A variant spelling of the surname Pearl, derived from the precious gemstone.
In the 1881 census there were 43 people recorded with the Pearle surname, ranking it #27,575 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 34, ranked #35,768, down from #27,575 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Mitcham, London parishes and Paddington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pearle is 179 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 20.9%.
1881 census count
43
Ranked #27,575
Modern count
34
2016, ranked #35,768
Peak year
1861
179 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Pearle surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Pearle surname density by area, 1891 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 | 68 | #21,302 |
| 1861 | historical | 179 | #13,127 |
| 1881 | historical | 43 | #27,575 |
| 1891 | historical | 133 | #19,870 |
| 1901 | historical | 66 | #26,794 |
| 1911 | historical | 69 | #25,965 |
| 1997 | modern | 38 | #33,872 |
| 1998 | modern | 37 | #34,149 |
| 1999 | modern | 36 | #34,323 |
| 2000 | modern | 35 | #34,420 |
| 2001 | modern | 32 | #34,537 |
| 2002 | modern | 37 | #34,390 |
| 2003 | modern | 44 | #33,875 |
| 2004 | modern | 39 | #34,477 |
| 2005 | modern | 47 | #34,011 |
| 2006 | modern | 56 | #33,587 |
| 2007 | modern | 49 | #34,422 |
| 2008 | modern | 53 | #34,315 |
| 2009 | modern | 53 | #34,481 |
| 2010 | modern | 57 | #34,421 |
| 2011 | modern | 51 | #34,751 |
| 2012 | modern | 32 | #35,820 |
| 2013 | modern | 38 | #35,534 |
| 2014 | modern | 40 | #35,454 |
| 2015 | modern | 37 | #35,593 |
| 2016 | modern | 34 | #35,768 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Mitcham, London parishes, Paddington, Lambeth and St Matthew Bethnal Green. 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 | Mitcham | Surrey |
| 2 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 3 | Paddington | London (West Districts) |
| 4 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | St Matthew Bethnal Green | London (East Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Pearle 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 Pearle, 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 Pearle surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Pearle 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, Pearle 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 Pearle is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Pearle, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Pearle is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "pearle," meaning "pearl." It is believed to have originated as a descriptive surname, given to individuals who worked with pearls or were involved in the pearl industry.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Pearle dates back to the 13th century, found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, where it was spelled as "Perle." This record suggests that the name was already established in England during that time period.
In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various forms, such as "Perle," "Pereles," and "Peerles," reflecting the variations in spelling that were common in those days. The surname was likely derived from the town of Pearl, located in Derbyshire, England, which was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Perle."
One notable individual bearing the surname Pearle was John Pearle, a merchant and alderman in the city of London during the 16th century (c. 1520 - 1589). He was known for his involvement in the wool trade and served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1578.
In the 17th century, the surname was found in various records, including parish registers and court documents. One example is William Pearle, a landowner from Gloucestershire, who was born around 1610 and mentioned in the county's historical records.
Another notable figure with the surname Pearle was Thomas Pearle (1661 - 1733), a renowned architect from Yorkshire, England. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings, including St. Paul's Church in Doncaster.
During the 18th century, the surname Pearle continued to be found in various parts of England. One noteworthy individual was Sarah Pearle (1718 - 1792), a writer and poet from Hertfordshire, whose works were widely published and appreciated during her lifetime.
In the 19th century, the surname Pearle gained more prominence, with several individuals making significant contributions in various fields. One such individual was Charles Pearle (1844 - 1907), a prominent businessman and philanthropist from London, who donated generously to various charitable causes.
While the surname Pearle is not as common as some other English surnames, it has a rich history and has been borne by several notable individuals throughout the centuries. The name's connection to the pearl industry and its origins as a descriptive surname add to its distinctive character and significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pearle 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. Middlesex leads with 11 Pearles recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.62x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 11 | 2.62x |
| Nottinghamshire | 10 | 17.70x |
| Gloucestershire | 8 | 9.73x |
| Surrey | 4 | 1.96x |
| Suffolk | 3 | 5.88x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 0.40x |
| Northamptonshire | 2 | 5.07x |
| Essex | 1 | 1.21x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 1.37x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.24x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bulwell in Nottinghamshire leads with 9 Pearles recorded in 1881 and an index of 731.71x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bulwell | 9 | 731.71x |
| Cheltenham | 8 | 126.18x |
| Islington London | 5 | 12.31x |
| Little Wratting | 3 | 7500.00x |
| Camberwell | 2 | 7.47x |
| Clerkenwell London | 2 | 20.20x |
| Denton | 2 | 2500.00x |
| Paddington London | 2 | 12.98x |
| Beeston | 1 | 153.85x |
| Bilton Cum Harrogate | 1 | 70.42x |
| Hapton | 1 | 322.58x |
| Kingston On Thames | 1 | 20.37x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 2.74x |
| Manchester | 1 | 4.47x |
| St George Bloomsbury | 1 | 41.49x |
| Staines | 1 | 151.52x |
| Swansea Town | 1 | 16.72x |
| Walthamstow | 1 | 33.56x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Pearle 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 Pearle 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 Pearle households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 9 |
| (F Son) | 1 |
| Agricultural Laborer | 1 |
| At Home | 1 |
| Butcher | 1 |
| Butcher Wife | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| Farmer | 1 |
| Glue Maker | 1 |
| Hawker | 1 |
| Helps In House Work | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Housemaid Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Labourer General | 1 |
| Lace Warper | 1 |
| Leuit 70th Regiment Foot | 1 |
| Milliner | 1 |
| Needlewoman | 1 |
| Organist | 1 |
| Piercer Metal Wkr | 1 |
| Printer Compositor | 1 |
| Printer Compositor Wife | 1 |
| Pupil Teacher | 1 |
| Retired Contractor | 1 |
| Scholar & Bleacher | 1 |
| School Mistress | 1 |
| Trimmer At Bleach Works ( C Bleacher) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 43 people were recorded with the Pearle surname. That placed it at #27,575 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 34 in 2016. That gives Pearle a modern rank of #35,768.
A variant spelling of the surname Pearl, derived from the precious gemstone.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Pearle 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.