UK surname
A locational surname originating from a place bearing the same name.
In the 1881 census there were 93 people recorded with the Perceval surname, ranking it #20,593 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 42, ranked #35,336, down from #20,593 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Ealing, Chiswick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Perceval is 171 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 54.8%.
1881 census count
93
Ranked #20,593
Modern count
42
2016, ranked #35,336
Peak year
1891
171 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Perceval surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Perceval 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 | 122 | #14,966 |
| 1861 | historical | 154 | #14,963 |
| 1881 | historical | 93 | #20,593 |
| 1891 | historical | 171 | #16,733 |
| 1901 | historical | 58 | #27,724 |
| 1911 | historical | 91 | #23,684 |
| 1997 | modern | 50 | #32,658 |
| 1998 | modern | 58 | #32,138 |
| 1999 | modern | 55 | #32,561 |
| 2000 | modern | 57 | #32,417 |
| 2001 | modern | 54 | #32,583 |
| 2002 | modern | 52 | #33,110 |
| 2003 | modern | 51 | #33,266 |
| 2004 | modern | 52 | #33,418 |
| 2005 | modern | 46 | #34,081 |
| 2006 | modern | 45 | #34,491 |
| 2007 | modern | 47 | #34,558 |
| 2008 | modern | 48 | #34,629 |
| 2009 | modern | 48 | #34,798 |
| 2010 | modern | 45 | #35,130 |
| 2011 | modern | 40 | #35,395 |
| 2012 | modern | 39 | #35,415 |
| 2013 | modern | 39 | #35,483 |
| 2014 | modern | 39 | #35,493 |
| 2015 | modern | 41 | #35,383 |
| 2016 | modern | 42 | #35,336 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Ealing, Chiswick and St Pancras. 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 | Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff | Gloucestershire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Ealing, Chiswick | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 5 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Perceval 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 Perceval, 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 Perceval surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Perceval 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, Perceval 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 Perceval is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Perceval, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Perceval is of French origin, derived from the Old French personal name "Perceval" or "Percevaux". This name is believed to have originated from the Breton personal name "Peredur" or the Welsh "Peredur", meaning "hard battle" or "hard spear". The earliest recorded use of the surname dates back to the 12th century in Normandy, France.
In the late 12th century, the name gained literary fame through the character of Perceval, the central figure in Chrétien de Troyes' unfinished romance "Perceval, the Story of the Grail". This work, along with other Arthurian legends, played a significant role in popularizing the name across Europe.
One of the earliest known bearers of the surname was Perceval de Dol, a nobleman from Brittany who participated in the Third Crusade (1189-1192). He was mentioned in the chronicles of the time for his bravery in battle.
Another notable figure was Perceval de Cagny (c. 1250-1310), a French knight and courtier who served under King Philip IV of France. He was also a renowned poet and author of several works, including the "Roman de la Rose".
In England, the name appeared as early as the 13th century, possibly brought by Norman settlers after the conquest in 1066. One of the earliest recorded instances was that of Sir Perceval de Somery (c. 1240-1292), a prominent landowner and knight from Warwickshire.
The surname Perceval is also found in various spellings, such as Percival, Parchevall, and Pershall, reflecting regional variations and phonetic adaptations over time.
Other notable individuals bearing the surname include:
1. Sir John Perceval (c. 1557-1612), an English politician and member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. 2. John Perceval, 2nd Earl of Egmont (1683-1748), an Irish politician and author known for his contributions to the House of Lords. 3. Spencer Perceval (1762-1812), a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1809 until his assassination in 1812. 4. Alexander Perceval-Maxfield (1884-1965), a British actor and theater producer, known for his work in the early 20th century. 5. Thomas Perceval (1740-1804), an English author and soldier, best known for his work "A Narrative of the Treatment Experienced by a Gentleman, during a State of Mental Derangement".
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Perceval 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 23 Percevals recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.54x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 23 | 2.54x |
| Lancashire | 18 | 1.67x |
| Surrey | 18 | 4.07x |
| Dorset | 8 | 13.44x |
| Norfolk | 7 | 5.02x |
| Hampshire | 5 | 2.69x |
| Cambridgeshire | 3 | 5.22x |
| Northamptonshire | 3 | 3.52x |
| Northumberland | 3 | 2.22x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.50x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.56x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 0.99x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 0.82x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.65x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Newton in Lancashire leads with 9 Percevals recorded in 1881 and an index of 108.43x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Newton | 9 | 108.43x |
| St George Hanover | 9 | 76.01x |
| Wandsworth | 8 | 91.64x |
| Norwich St Peter | 7 | 760.87x |
| Farnworth | 6 | 93.02x |
| Motcombe | 6 | 1363.64x |
| Northwood | 5 | 188.68x |
| Camberwell | 4 | 6.90x |
| Chelsea London | 4 | 14.64x |
| Kensington London | 4 | 7.93x |
| East Thornton | 3 | 15000.00x |
| Northampton St Sepulchre | 3 | 69.12x |
| Southwark St George Martyr | 3 | 16.44x |
| Westminster St John | 3 | 27.15x |
| Wisbech St Peter | 3 | 104.17x |
| Battersea | 2 | 5.99x |
| Dorchester All Sts | 2 | 714.29x |
| Ealing | 2 | 24.66x |
| Acton | 1 | 18.80x |
| Brighton | 1 | 3.24x |
| Colchester St James | 1 | 136.99x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 1 | 2.05x |
| Effingham | 1 | 555.56x |
| Everton | 1 | 2.91x |
| Heaton Norris | 1 | 16.31x |
| Leicester St Mary | 1 | 12.30x |
| Runcorn | 1 | 21.65x |
| Wavertree | 1 | 28.99x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Perceval 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 Perceval 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 Perceval households.
FAQ
In 1881, 93 people were recorded with the Perceval surname. That placed it at #20,593 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 42 in 2016. That gives Perceval a modern rank of #35,336.
A locational surname originating from a place bearing the same name.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Perceval 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.