NameCensus.

UK surname

Picknell

An English surname derived from a place name referring to a small hill or knoll.

In the 1881 census there were 206 people recorded with the Picknell surname, ranking it #12,596 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 189, ranked #20,334, down from #12,596 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, London parishes and Newchurch. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rother, Southwark and Birmingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Picknell is 288 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 8.3%.

1881 census count

206

Ranked #12,596

Modern count

189

2016, ranked #20,334

Peak year

1901

288 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Picknell had 206 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,596 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 189 in 2016, ranked #20,334.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 288 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Picknell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Picknell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Picknell 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 123 #14,886
1861 historical 129 #17,271
1881 historical 206 #12,596
1891 historical 257 #12,476
1901 historical 288 #11,973
1911 historical 272 #12,205
1997 modern 205 #17,370
1998 modern 218 #17,159
1999 modern 201 #18,179
2000 modern 194 #18,554
2001 modern 190 #18,520
2002 modern 202 #18,189
2003 modern 197 #18,311
2004 modern 197 #18,368
2005 modern 189 #18,807
2006 modern 188 #19,023
2007 modern 191 #19,031
2008 modern 198 #18,753
2009 modern 199 #19,090
2010 modern 199 #19,515
2011 modern 187 #20,132
2012 modern 186 #20,141
2013 modern 187 #20,436
2014 modern 196 #19,961
2015 modern 195 #19,909
2016 modern 189 #20,334

Geography

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Where Picknells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, London parishes, Newchurch and Brighton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rother, Southwark, Birmingham and Havering. 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 Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew Sussex
2 London parishes London 1
3 Newchurch Hampshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Brighton Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rother 011 Rother
2 Rother 007 Rother
3 Southwark 033 Southwark
4 Birmingham 028 Birmingham
5 Havering 018 Havering

Forenames

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First names often paired with Picknell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Picknell

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Picknell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Picknell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Picknell is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Picknell is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Picknell falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Picknell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Picknell

The surname PICKNELL originates from England and dates back to the late medieval period. It is believed to have derived from a local place name, possibly from Picknell Green in Staffordshire or Picknall in Derbyshire. These place names are thought to come from the Old English words "pic" meaning a hill or peak, and "cnoll" meaning a knoll or small round hill.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the PICKNELL surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a Richard de Pykenhull is mentioned as residing in Worcestershire. This early spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time.

The PICKNELL surname also appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire from 1327, suggesting the family's presence in that region during the 14th century. Additionally, the name is documented in the Hearth Tax Returns of 1665, which recorded households and their tax liabilities.

Notables bearing the PICKNELL surname include John Picknell, born in 1547, who was a renowned English clergyman and scholar. He served as the Archdeacon of Nottingham and later became the Dean of Lincoln Cathedral.

Another notable figure was Thomas Picknell, born in 1628, who was a prominent English lawyer and served as the Recorder of Nottingham during the 17th century.

In the 18th century, William Picknell, born in 1712, was a celebrated architect and surveyor. He designed several notable buildings in London, including the Mansion House and the Goldsmiths' Hall.

Moving into the 19th century, James Picknell, born in 1824, was a distinguished military officer who served in the British Army during the Crimean War. He received commendations for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.

Finally, Edward Picknell, born in 1862, was a renowned botanist and horticulturist. He authored several books on plant cultivation and contributed significantly to the field of horticulture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the PICKNELL surname throughout history, highlighting its long-standing presence and significance in England and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Picknell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Picknell 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. Sussex leads with 119 Picknells recorded in 1881 and an index of 34.95x.

County Total Index
Sussex 119 34.95x
Middlesex 23 1.14x
Surrey 23 2.34x
Hampshire 13 3.14x
Kent 11 1.60x
Cumberland 5 2.88x
Worcestershire 5 1.90x
Northumberland 4 1.33x
Glamorgan 1 0.28x
Lincolnshire 1 0.31x
Royal Navy 1 4.16x
Warwickshire 1 0.20x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hastings Holy Trinity in Sussex leads with 21 Picknells recorded in 1881 and an index of 836.65x.

Place Total Index
Hastings Holy Trinity 21 836.65x
Brighton 16 23.29x
Eastbourne 11 70.20x
Hastings St Mary In The 10 137.74x
Goudhurst 9 471.20x
Hove 9 60.24x
Balcombe 8 1311.48x
Hastings St Andrew 8 655.74x
Croydon 7 12.82x
Slaugham 7 636.36x
Ardingly 6 555.56x
Cuckfield 6 174.42x
Bermondsey 5 8.32x
Ratcliffe London 5 44.84x
Reigate Foreign 5 46.95x
St Cuthbert W O Upperby 5 1041.67x
St Maurice Winchester 5 290.70x
St Pancras London 5 3.08x
Fittleworth 4 833.33x
Kensington London 4 3.56x
Poplar London 4 10.50x
Dudley 3 9.36x
Earsdon 3 122.95x
Hailsham 3 145.63x
Buriton 2 250.00x
Clayton 2 156.25x
Ewell 2 96.15x
Hastings St Mary 2 23.61x
Hurstpierpoint 2 105.82x
Kidderminster Borough 2 12.96x
Millbrook 2 19.19x
Ripe 2 740.74x
St Bartholomew Hyde 2 202.02x
St George Hanover 2 7.59x
Aberdare 1 4.14x
Alton 1 32.05x
Boston 1 10.20x
Clapham 1 3.96x
Coventry Holy Trinity 1 6.57x
Greywell 1 476.19x
Guildford Holy Trinity 1 53.19x
Hammersmith London 1 2.01x
Hayes 1 208.33x
Mile End Old Town 1 3.14x
Minster In Sheppey 1 8.76x
New Shoreham 1 49.02x
Newcastle On Tyne 1 312.50x
Newington 1 1.34x
Paddington London 1 1.35x
Royal Navy 1 4.86x
Rustington 1 400.00x
Southwark St Olave 1 64.94x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 10
Alice 9
Ellen 7
Elizabeth 6
Sarah 5
Maria 4
Ann 3
Charlotte 3
Emily 3
Amy 2
Anne 2
Annie 2
Catherine 2
Edith 2
Frances 2
Hannah 2
Jane 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Lizzie 2
Lydia 2
Beatrice 1
Cathrine 1
Clara 1
Clarisa 1
Eliza 1
Elizbth. 1
Elizebeth 1
Elizth. 1
Emilia 1
Erena 1
Esther 1
Fanny 1
Flora 1
Florence 1
Francis 1
Harriett 1
June 1
Laura 1
Lily 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
M. 1
Margaret 1
Mildred 1
Minnie 1
Nellie 1
Polley 1
Ralph 1
Rebecca 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 15
Charles 12
Edward 7
John 6
Thomas 6
George 5
James 5
Albert 4
Henry 4
Albt. 2
Frederick 2
Richard 2
Robert 2
Samuel 2
Wilford 2
Alfred 1
Allen 1
Arthur 1
Ed. 1
Ernest 1
Fred. 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.W. 1
Geo. 1
Hubarn 1
Jas. 1
Jesse 1
Jessey 1
Jno. 1
Peter 1
Saml. 1
Shepherd 1
Stuart 1
Thos. 1
Thos.E. 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Picknell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Picknell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 206 people were recorded with the Picknell surname. That placed it at #12,596 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Picknell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 189 in 2016. That gives Picknell a modern rank of #20,334.

What does the Picknell surname mean?

An English surname derived from a place name referring to a small hill or knoll.

What does the Picknell map show?

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