UK surname
A surname deriving from the Cornish language with potential meanings of "pit stream" or "lower marsh".
In the 1881 census there were 127 people recorded with the Pellew surname, ranking it #17,166 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 73, ranked #33,502, down from #17,166 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Stoke Climsland and Gulval. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pellew is 142 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 42.5%.
1881 census count
127
Ranked #17,166
Modern count
73
2016, ranked #33,502
Peak year
1891
142 bearers
Map years
4
1881 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Pellew surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Pellew surname density by area, 1881 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 | 97 | #17,484 |
| 1861 | historical | 75 | #24,238 |
| 1881 | historical | 127 | #17,166 |
| 1891 | historical | 142 | #18,995 |
| 1901 | historical | 114 | #21,166 |
| 1911 | historical | 141 | #18,571 |
| 1997 | modern | 96 | #27,490 |
| 1998 | modern | 93 | #28,563 |
| 1999 | modern | 89 | #29,168 |
| 2000 | modern | 87 | #29,377 |
| 2001 | modern | 83 | #29,617 |
| 2002 | modern | 84 | #29,982 |
| 2003 | modern | 84 | #29,978 |
| 2004 | modern | 84 | #30,244 |
| 2005 | modern | 85 | #30,219 |
| 2006 | modern | 88 | #30,160 |
| 2007 | modern | 84 | #31,067 |
| 2008 | modern | 84 | #31,370 |
| 2009 | modern | 83 | #31,950 |
| 2010 | modern | 91 | #31,497 |
| 2011 | modern | 84 | #32,237 |
| 2012 | modern | 82 | #32,701 |
| 2013 | modern | 80 | #33,058 |
| 2014 | modern | 78 | #33,270 |
| 2015 | modern | 74 | #33,487 |
| 2016 | modern | 73 | #33,502 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Stoke Climsland, Gulval, Seaham and Camborne. 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 3 |
| 2 | Stoke Climsland | Cornwall |
| 3 | Gulval | Cornwall |
| 4 | Seaham | Durham |
| 5 | Camborne | Cornwall |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Pellew 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 Pellew, 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 Pellew surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Pellew 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, Pellew 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 Pellew is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Pellew, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Pellew originated in Cornwall, England, during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Cornish place name Pennalhow or Penhallow, which means "top of the hill" or "hill top." The name likely referred to a prominent geographical feature or settlement located on a hilltop.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname can be traced back to the 13th century. In 1284, a William de Pennalhow was mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Cornwall. The name appeared in various spellings over the centuries, including Pennalhow, Penhallow, and eventually evolving into Pellew.
One of the earliest notable figures with the surname Pellew was John Pellew (c. 1515-1594), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Cornwall. He is recorded as having owned several estates in the region during the 16th century.
Another prominent individual was Sir Edward Pellew (1757-1833), a renowned British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars. He was born in Dover and rose through the ranks to become an admiral. Sir Edward was known for his daring tactics and was celebrated for his victories against the French.
In the literary world, George Pellew (1793-1866), a British author and traveler, gained recognition for his travelogues and accounts of his adventures in various parts of the world.
Moving into the 20th century, Humphry Pellew (1915-1995) was a distinguished British actor who appeared in numerous films and television productions, including the popular series "Doctor Who."
Lastly, William Pellew (1890-1964) was a notable English cricketer who played for Somerset County Cricket Club in the early 20th century. He was a skilled wicket-keeper and participated in several domestic matches.
Throughout its history, the surname Pellew has been associated with various places in Cornwall, such as Penhallow and Penhalluick, which may have influenced the spelling variations. The name has also found its way into other parts of the United Kingdom and beyond, carried by those who migrated from Cornwall.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pellew 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. Cornwall leads with 68 Pellews recorded in 1881 and an index of 47.74x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cornwall | 68 | 47.74x |
| Durham | 10 | 2.67x |
| Middlesex | 10 | 0.79x |
| Cumberland | 9 | 8.31x |
| Devon | 9 | 3.44x |
| Surrey | 7 | 1.14x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 0.33x |
| Northumberland | 4 | 2.14x |
| Royal Navy | 2 | 13.34x |
| Dorset | 1 | 1.21x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.39x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.23x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.47x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.08x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Madron Penzance in Cornwall leads with 26 Pellews recorded in 1881 and an index of 501.93x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Madron Penzance | 26 | 501.93x |
| Stoke Climsland | 19 | 2087.91x |
| Seaham | 10 | 735.29x |
| Millom | 9 | 271.08x |
| St Erth | 8 | 930.23x |
| Gulval | 6 | 652.17x |
| Bromley London | 5 | 18.06x |
| Hammersmith London | 5 | 16.13x |
| Lambeth | 5 | 4.56x |
| Wolborough | 5 | 151.06x |
| Cheetham | 4 | 35.91x |
| Stoke Damerel | 3 | 16.37x |
| Camberwell | 2 | 2.49x |
| Chirton | 2 | 47.17x |
| Gwinear | 2 | 294.12x |
| Haltwhistle | 2 | 219.78x |
| Royal Navy | 2 | 15.60x |
| Truro St Mary | 2 | 166.67x |
| Uny Lelant | 2 | 259.74x |
| Breage | 1 | 76.92x |
| Caundle Marsh | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Hastings St Leonards | 1 | 32.05x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 1.10x |
| Minster In Sheppey | 1 | 14.06x |
| Norton In Malton | 1 | 66.23x |
| Phillack | 1 | 54.35x |
| Southampton | 1 | 500.00x |
| St Hilary | 1 | 243.90x |
| West Teignmouth | 1 | 50.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Pellew surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth | 11 |
| Mary | 9 |
| Eliza | 7 |
| Jane | 3 |
| Beatrice | 2 |
| Caroline | 2 |
| Clara | 2 |
| Fanny | 2 |
| Grace | 2 |
| Susannah | 2 |
| Alice | 1 |
| Amelia | 1 |
| Ann | 1 |
| Cella | 1 |
| Charity | 1 |
| Christian | 1 |
| Dorcas | 1 |
| Dorothy | 1 |
| Elizth. | 1 |
| Elizth.A. | 1 |
| Elizth.M. | 1 |
| Ellen | 1 |
| Emily | 1 |
| Frances | 1 |
| Isabell | 1 |
| Isabella | 1 |
| Janie | 1 |
| Jessie | 1 |
| Johanna | 1 |
| Laura | 1 |
| Mabel | 1 |
| Margaret | 1 |
| Tryphena | 1 |
| Violet | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Pellew 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 Pellew households.
FAQ
In 1881, 127 people were recorded with the Pellew surname. That placed it at #17,166 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 73 in 2016. That gives Pellew a modern rank of #33,502.
A surname deriving from the Cornish language with potential meanings of "pit stream" or "lower marsh".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Pellew 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.