NameCensus.

UK surname

Poll

An English habitational surname referring to someone who lived near a pool or stream.

In the 1881 census there were 482 people recorded with the Poll surname, ranking it #6,956 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 538, ranked #9,457, down from #6,956 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Aylsham and Hethersett. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Norfolk, Salford and Norwich.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Poll is 609 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 11.6%.

1881 census count

482

Ranked #6,956

Modern count

538

2016, ranked #9,457

Peak year

1998

609 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Poll had 482 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,956 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 538 in 2016, ranked #9,457.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 584 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Poll surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Poll surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Poll 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 407 #5,956
1861 historical 411 #6,248
1881 historical 482 #6,956
1891 historical 502 #7,408
1901 historical 528 #7,740
1911 historical 584 #6,977
1997 modern 584 #8,299
1998 modern 609 #8,299
1999 modern 609 #8,362
2000 modern 585 #8,555
2001 modern 570 #8,590
2002 modern 569 #8,751
2003 modern 552 #8,814
2004 modern 537 #9,015
2005 modern 518 #9,208
2006 modern 529 #9,084
2007 modern 541 #9,006
2008 modern 546 #9,023
2009 modern 548 #9,201
2010 modern 550 #9,368
2011 modern 537 #9,460
2012 modern 545 #9,230
2013 modern 557 #9,236
2014 modern 561 #9,242
2015 modern 548 #9,338
2016 modern 538 #9,457

Geography

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Where Polls are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Aylsham, Hethersett, Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John and Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Norfolk, Salford, Norwich, South Holland and King's Lynn and West Norfolk. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Aylsham Norfolk
3 Hethersett Norfolk
4 Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John Norfolk
5 Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Norfolk 008 South Norfolk
2 Salford 030 Salford
3 Norwich 013 Norwich
4 South Holland 002 South Holland
5 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 004 King's Lynn and West Norfolk

Forenames

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First names often paired with Poll

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Poll

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Poll, 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 Poll surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Poll 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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Poll is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Poll 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

Poll falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Poll 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 Poll, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Poll

The surname Poll has its origins in the German and Dutch-speaking regions of Europe, where it emerged during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old German word "Pol," which means "pool" or "body of standing water." This connection suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a pond or lake.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Poll surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The entry lists a landowner named Radulfus Pol, indicating the presence of the name in England during the late 11th century.

In the 13th century, the Poll surname appeared in various records across the German-speaking regions of Europe. For instance, a merchant named Hermann Poll was mentioned in a document from the city of Cologne, dated 1247. Additionally, the name was recorded in the town of Dortmund, where a man named Henricus Poll was listed as a resident in 1289.

The Poll surname has also been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest examples is Johannes Poll, a German astronomer and mathematician who lived from 1456 to 1521. He made significant contributions to the field of astronomy, including the development of new methods for calculating planetary positions.

Another prominent figure was Sir Frederick Poll, an English naval officer who lived from 1718 to 1803. He played a crucial role in the American Revolutionary War, serving as a captain in the Royal Navy and participating in several battles against the American colonies.

In the realm of literature, Max Poll was a Dutch writer and poet who lived from 1908 to 1992. He was renowned for his contributions to modern Dutch poetry and his experimental writing style, which challenged traditional literary conventions.

The Poll surname has also been associated with notable figures in the field of sports. One example is Karin Poll, a Dutch swimmer who competed in the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games. She won a gold medal in the 200-meter individual medley at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.

Finally, the Poll surname has been carried by several influential scientists, including Heinz Poll, a German chemist who lived from 1926 to 2003. He made significant contributions to the field of organic chemistry, particularly in the synthesis of complex organic compounds.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Poll families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Poll 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. Norfolk leads with 255 Polls recorded in 1881 and an index of 35.57x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 255 35.57x
Suffolk 56 9.86x
Middlesex 48 1.03x
Lancashire 28 0.51x
Yorkshire 23 0.50x
Lincolnshire 17 2.28x
Durham 12 0.87x
Surrey 7 0.31x
Cambridgeshire 6 2.03x
Devon 6 0.62x
Essex 5 0.54x
Kent 5 0.31x
Somerset 3 0.40x
Pembrokeshire 2 1.35x
Derbyshire 1 0.14x
Gloucestershire 1 0.11x
Huntingdonshire 1 1.08x
Northumberland 1 0.14x
Warwickshire 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wymondham in Norfolk leads with 31 Polls recorded in 1881 and an index of 422.92x.

Place Total Index
Wymondham 31 422.92x
Great Yarmouth 26 43.78x
Aylsham 22 515.22x
Heigham 17 44.18x
Hethersett 16 883.98x
Everton 13 7.37x
Beccles 12 131.29x
Oulton 11 1833.33x
Tacolnestone 10 1408.45x
Blickling 9 1800.00x
Shipmeadow 9 2647.06x
Islington London 8 1.77x
East Winch 7 1093.75x
Hartlepool 7 35.50x
Marske In Guisbrough 7 85.26x
Swineshead 7 285.71x
Barsham 6 1224.49x
Bedingham 6 1250.00x
Fulham London 6 8.87x
Lakenham 6 58.88x
Norwich St George Colegate 6 229.89x
Palgrave 6 504.20x
Plymouth St Andrew 6 8.02x
Tilney St Lawrence 6 521.74x
Tyldesley Cum Shakerley 6 37.66x
West Derby 6 3.71x
Darlington 5 9.34x
East Harling 5 294.12x
Horsforth 5 49.36x
Kensington London 5 1.93x
Kimberley 5 1724.14x
Kirton 5 167.22x
Lowestoft 5 18.64x
Old Buckenham 5 271.74x
Stanwell 5 144.93x
Sudbury St Peter 5 160.77x
Whitwood 5 76.22x
Worlingworth 5 485.44x
Bethnal Green London 4 1.97x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 4 25.32x
Brisley 4 727.27x
Camberwell 4 1.34x
Ipswich St Margaret 4 20.76x
Leverington 4 206.19x
Norwich St Julian 4 132.45x
Norwich St Stephen 4 60.79x
West Ham 4 1.97x
Bow London 3 5.05x
Costessey 3 194.81x
Great Plumstead 3 566.04x
Hellesdon 3 227.27x
Hilgay 3 111.11x
Hingham 3 120.97x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 3 13.94x
Lewisham 3 3.54x
Little Plumstead 3 566.04x
Norwich St Mary At Coslany 3 146.34x
Reedham 3 218.98x
Taunton St James 3 27.40x
Wells Next Sea 3 71.77x
Welney 3 182.93x
Bromley London 2 1.95x
Chatham 2 4.57x
East Dereham 2 22.08x
Feltham 2 42.92x
Hackney London 2 0.77x
Hendon 2 11.92x
Langriville 2 377.36x
Norwich St Edmund 2 172.41x
Norwich St James 2 35.59x
Norwich St Michael At 2 48.08x
Pembroke St Mary 2 10.48x
Salford 2 1.23x
Sprowston 2 63.29x
St George Hanover 2 3.29x
St Marylebone London 2 0.80x
St Pancras London 2 0.53x
Wisbech St Peter 2 13.50x
Crownthorpe 1 909.09x
Wicklewood 1 85.47x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 32
George 23
John 18
James 17
Henry 12
Robert 11
Charles 9
Thomas 9
Walter 8
Samuel 7
Alfred 6
Frederick 5
Albert 4
Edmund 4
Ishmael 4
Arthur 3
Ernest 3
Herbert 3
Isaac 3
Stephen 3
Benjamin 2
Colvill 2
Frank 2
Frederic 2
Jeremiah 2
Peter 2
Richard 2
Wallace 2
August 1
Christmas 1
Christmass 1
Clement 1
Earnest 1
Edward 1
Fredc. 1
Fredk. 1
Horace 1
Infant 1
J.William 1
Jim 1
Jonas 1
Leeming 1
Martin 1
Matthew 1
Nehemiah 1
Owen 1
Philip 1
Reginald 1
Robt.G. 1
Steven 1

FAQ

Poll surname: questions and answers

How common was the Poll surname in 1881?

In 1881, 482 people were recorded with the Poll surname. That placed it at #6,956 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Poll surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 538 in 2016. That gives Poll a modern rank of #9,457.

What does the Poll surname mean?

An English habitational surname referring to someone who lived near a pool or stream.

What does the Poll map show?

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