UK surname
An English surname derived from a medieval occupation of making wooden pickets or fences.
In the 1881 census there were 23 people recorded with the Pickell surname, ranking it #30,339 among surnames in the records. By 2008, the modern count was 1, ranked #38,949, down from #30,339 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Abingdon St Helen, Abingdon St Nicholas, Henham and Chertsey. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pickell is 103 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 95.7%.
1881 census count
23
Ranked #30,339
Modern count
1
2008, ranked #38,949
Peak year
1861
103 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Pickell surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Pickell surname density by area, 1861 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 | 13 | #30,970 |
| 1861 | historical | 103 | #20,650 |
| 1881 | historical | 23 | #30,339 |
| 1891 | historical | 79 | #26,897 |
| 1901 | historical | 19 | #31,911 |
| 1911 | historical | 3 | #33,789 |
| 1999 | modern | 1 | #38,820 |
| 2000 | modern | 1 | #38,790 |
| 2001 | modern | 1 | #38,647 |
| 2002 | modern | 2 | #38,400 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 2 | #38,464 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2008 | modern | 1 | #38,949 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Abingdon St Helen, Abingdon St Nicholas, Henham, Chertsey, Bulwell and Leicester St Mary. 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 | Abingdon St Helen, Abingdon St Nicholas | Berkshire |
| 2 | Henham | Hertfordshire |
| 3 | Chertsey | Surrey |
| 4 | Bulwell | Nottinghamshire |
| 5 | Leicester St Mary | Leicestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Pickell 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 Pickell, 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 Pickell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Pickell 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, Pickell 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 Pickell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Pickell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Pickell has its origins in England, tracing back to the Middle Ages around the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "pyccel," meaning a small parcel or bundle, likely referring to an occupation of a peddler or hawker who carried goods for sale.
One of the earliest recorded references to the Pickell surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1177, where a certain Robert Pikell is mentioned. This indicates that the name was already in use during the late 12th century in the county of Lincolnshire.
In the 13th century, various spellings of the name appeared in historical records, such as Pyckel, Pykell, and Pickill. These variations were common due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions during that time period.
The Pickell surname is also associated with certain place names in England, such as Pickhill in North Yorkshire and Pickwell in Devon. These place names may have influenced the development and spread of the surname throughout different regions.
One notable bearer of the Pickell surname was Thomas Pickell, a 16th-century English clergyman and academic who served as the Rector of Lincoln College, Oxford, from 1550 to 1564.
In the 17th century, a William Pickell was recorded as a merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers in London, indicating the family's involvement in the trading and mercantile industries.
During the 18th century, John Pickell (1738-1805) was a prominent English engraver and printmaker, known for his intricate engravings of landscapes and architectural subjects.
In the 19th century, Elizabeth Pickell (1813-1887) gained recognition as a British artist and painter, exhibiting her works at the Royal Academy and other prestigious institutions.
Another notable figure with the Pickell surname was Sir Henry Pickell (1870-1952), a British civil engineer and surveyor who played a crucial role in the construction of the London Underground railway system.
The Pickell surname has been carried by individuals across various professions and walks of life throughout history, reflecting its enduring presence and significance within English society and culture.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pickell 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 5 Pickells recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.23x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 5 | 2.23x |
| Essex | 4 | 9.03x |
| Kent | 4 | 5.23x |
| Warwickshire | 3 | 5.30x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 2.64x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.90x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 2.17x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 3.31x |
| Sussex | 1 | 2.64x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dagenham in Essex leads with 4 Pickells recorded in 1881 and an index of 1538.46x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Dagenham | 4 | 1538.46x |
| Tonbridge | 4 | 144.93x |
| Aston | 3 | 19.26x |
| St Pancras London | 3 | 16.61x |
| Chelsea London | 2 | 29.59x |
| Altofts | 1 | 400.00x |
| Alton | 1 | 285.71x |
| Basford | 1 | 71.94x |
| Brighton | 1 | 13.11x |
| Burslem | 1 | 46.08x |
| Colwich | 1 | 555.56x |
| Swinefleet | 1 | 1000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Pickell 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 Pickell 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 Pickell households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Farm Lab | 2 |
| Labourer | 2 |
| Cerk | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Domestic Housemaid | 1 |
| Farm Serv Indoor | 1 |
| Farmers Lad | 1 |
| General Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Page Dom Serv | 1 |
| Pearl Button Maker | 1 |
| Porter | 1 |
| Ry Porter | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
| Shoe Blacker | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 23 people were recorded with the Pickell surname. That placed it at #30,339 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2008. That gives Pickell a modern rank of #38,949.
An English surname derived from a medieval occupation of making wooden pickets or fences.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Pickell 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.