NameCensus.

UK surname

Pellett

An occupational surname derived from the Old French "pelletier," meaning a fur trader or furrier.

In the 1881 census there were 268 people recorded with the Pellett surname, ranking it #10,542 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 291, ranked #15,062, down from #10,542 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst, Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wiltshire, Ashford and Rother.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pellett is 382 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 8.6%.

1881 census count

268

Ranked #10,542

Modern count

291

2016, ranked #15,062

Peak year

1911

382 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pellett had 268 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,542 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 291 in 2016, ranked #15,062.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 382 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Pellett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pellett surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pellett 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 200 #10,403
1861 historical 192 #12,423
1881 historical 268 #10,542
1891 historical 303 #11,039
1901 historical 347 #10,500
1911 historical 382 #9,615
1997 modern 354 #12,060
1998 modern 368 #12,096
1999 modern 355 #12,478
2000 modern 357 #12,380
2001 modern 349 #12,392
2002 modern 343 #12,803
2003 modern 329 #13,001
2004 modern 314 #13,473
2005 modern 307 #13,625
2006 modern 298 #13,973
2007 modern 299 #14,077
2008 modern 295 #14,303
2009 modern 294 #14,628
2010 modern 294 #14,940
2011 modern 295 #14,758
2012 modern 281 #15,198
2013 modern 291 #15,067
2014 modern 297 #14,943
2015 modern 299 #14,796
2016 modern 291 #15,062

Geography

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Where Pelletts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst, Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, London parishes, Petworth and Brighton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wiltshire, Ashford, Rother, Wealden and Greenwich. 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 Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst Sussex
2 Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew Sussex
3 London parishes London 3
4 Petworth Sussex
5 Brighton Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wiltshire 005 Wiltshire
2 Ashford 012 Ashford
3 Rother 007 Rother
4 Wealden 009 Wealden
5 Greenwich 034 Greenwich

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pellett

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Pellett

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Pellett surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Pellett household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Pellett is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Pellett is most concentrated in decile 3 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Pellett falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Pellett is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Pellett

The surname Pellett is of English origin, and it is derived from the Old French word "pelletier," which means "furrier" or "skinner." The name first emerged in the 11th century, after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

The Pellett family is believed to have originated in the county of Norfolk, England. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which mentions a person named "Radulfus Pelletr" in Norfolk.

During the Middle Ages, the Pellett name was often associated with the fur trade and the occupation of furriers or skinners. The name's connection to this profession suggests that early bearers of the name were skilled in the preparation and trade of animal skins and furs.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various spellings, such as "Pellettier," "Pelletier," and "Pelliter." These variations were common due to the lack of standardized spelling during that time period.

One notable bearer of the Pellett surname was Sir John Pellet (c. 1330-1400), a prominent English courtier and soldier who served under King Edward III and King Richard II. He was appointed as the Constable of Pevensey Castle in Sussex and played a significant role in various military campaigns.

Another individual with the Pellett surname was William Pellett (c. 1480-1557), an English clergyman who served as the Bishop of Thetford and the Bishop of Norwich during the reign of King Henry VIII.

In the 16th century, the surname Pellett was also found in various place names, such as Pellett's Green in Hertfordshire and Pellett's Farm in Kent, indicating the family's presence and influence in those areas.

During the 17th century, the name Pellett was carried by John Pellett (c. 1610-1680), a prominent merchant and landowner in the city of Bristol. He was involved in the trade of various goods, including furs and textiles.

Another notable bearer of the Pellett surname was Sir Thomas Pellett (1671-1738), an English politician and member of Parliament who represented the borough of Ipswich in Suffolk.

Over the centuries, the Pellett family has produced several individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields, including politics, religion, and commerce, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and occupations associated with this surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Pellett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pellett 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. Kent leads with 72 Pelletts recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.07x.

County Total Index
Kent 72 8.07x
Sussex 69 15.66x
Surrey 54 4.24x
Middlesex 30 1.15x
Wiltshire 11 4.76x
Derbyshire 6 1.47x
Northamptonshire 5 2.03x
Nottinghamshire 5 1.42x
Yorkshire 5 0.19x
Hampshire 4 0.75x
Dorset 2 1.17x
Bedfordshire 1 0.74x
Essex 1 0.19x
Lancashire 1 0.03x
Somerset 1 0.24x
Suffolk 1 0.31x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stone In Tenterden in Kent leads with 16 Pelletts recorded in 1881 and an index of 4705.88x.

Place Total Index
Stone In Tenterden 16 4705.88x
Bermondsey 14 17.99x
Brighton 12 13.50x
Penge 11 65.87x
St Pancras London 10 4.75x
Broadwater 9 89.02x
Lambeth 9 3.95x
Minster In Sheppey 9 60.89x
Piddinghoe 9 4500.00x
Hastings Holy Trinity 8 246.15x
Rotherhithe 8 24.77x
Rye 8 190.93x
Wittersham 8 1000.00x
Salisbury St Thomas 7 382.51x
Deptford St Nicholas 6 84.75x
Edmonton 6 28.49x
Fairfield 6 218.98x
Hammersmith London 6 9.32x
Tenterden 6 190.48x
Camberwell 5 2.99x
Northampton All Sts 5 59.95x
Nottingham St Mary 5 5.49x
Worthing 5 1020.41x
Appledore 4 689.66x
Milford 4 322.58x
Petworth 4 152.09x
Teston 4 1379.31x
Bradford 3 4.78x
Deptford St Paul 3 4.36x
Fairfield 3 6000.00x
Frindsbury 3 89.29x
Lewes St John Southover 3 101.35x
Rolvenden 3 258.62x
Duncton 2 833.33x
Effingham 2 384.62x
Hackney London 2 1.36x
Horton In Bradford 2 4.94x
Kenardington 2 1176.47x
Millbrook 2 14.83x
Portland 2 21.67x
Reigate Borough 2 68.03x
Southwark St George Martyr 2 3.80x
Southwick 2 85.84x
St George Hanover 2 5.86x
Tonbridge 2 6.22x
Alverstoke 1 5.16x
Barking 1 6.62x
Chailey 1 72.99x
Chartham 1 45.05x
Clevedon 1 22.83x
Eastbourne 1 4.93x
Edenbridge 1 57.14x
Hampton Wick London 1 52.36x
Hastings St Mary 1 9.12x
Holy Rood 1 92.59x
Islington London 1 0.39x
Lewes St Ann 1 66.67x
Lewes St John 1 204.08x
Luton 1 4.27x
Manchester 1 0.72x
Melton 1 80.00x
Ore 1 30.49x
Sevenoaks 1 13.83x
Shipley 1 100.00x
St Clement Danes 1 23.64x
Stoke Newington London 1 4.91x
Streatham 1 5.16x

Top female names

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

Name Count
George 13
John 13
William 13
James 12
Henry 9
Alfred 7
Charles 7
Frank 6
Albert 5
Edward 4
Joseph 4
Frederick 3
Richard 3
Thomas 3
Walter 3
Alexander 2
Arthur 2
Edwin 2
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Sidney 2
Alfd. 1
Arther 1
Aubrey 1
Daniel 1
Edgar 1
Frederic 1
Geo. 1
Geo.H. 1
Godfrey 1
Harold 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Lewis 1
Samuel 1
Stephen 1
Tom 1
Vivian 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Pellett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pellett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 268 people were recorded with the Pellett surname. That placed it at #10,542 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pellett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 291 in 2016. That gives Pellett a modern rank of #15,062.

What does the Pellett surname mean?

An occupational surname derived from the Old French "pelletier," meaning a fur trader or furrier.

What does the Pellett map show?

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