NameCensus.

UK surname

Pursell

An English occupational surname for someone who made or sold purses or pouches.

In the 1881 census there were 373 people recorded with the Pursell surname, ranking it #8,380 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 204, ranked #19,320, down from #8,380 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wellington, Wrockwardine, Eyton-on-the-Moors, Preston-on-the-Moors, London parishes and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kirklees, St. Helens and Milton Keynes.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pursell is 412 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 45.3%.

1881 census count

373

Ranked #8,380

Modern count

204

2016, ranked #19,320

Peak year

1891

412 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pursell had 373 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,380 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 204 in 2016, ranked #19,320.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 412 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Pursell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pursell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pursell 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 342 #6,879
1861 historical 277 #9,025
1881 historical 373 #8,380
1891 historical 412 #8,653
1901 historical 328 #10,943
1911 historical 365 #9,955
1997 modern 195 #17,912
1998 modern 219 #17,115
1999 modern 215 #17,425
2000 modern 213 #17,503
2001 modern 205 #17,683
2002 modern 200 #18,294
2003 modern 194 #18,463
2004 modern 201 #18,168
2005 modern 204 #17,893
2006 modern 204 #18,051
2007 modern 213 #17,744
2008 modern 207 #18,243
2009 modern 217 #18,070
2010 modern 223 #18,096
2011 modern 213 #18,502
2012 modern 206 #18,837
2013 modern 204 #19,276
2014 modern 203 #19,504
2015 modern 202 #19,433
2016 modern 204 #19,320

Geography

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Where Pursells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wellington, Wrockwardine, Eyton-on-the-Moors, Preston-on-the-Moors, London parishes, Edinburgh, Woughton-on-the-Green and Bushbury. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kirklees, St. Helens and Milton Keynes. 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 Wellington, Wrockwardine, Eyton-on-the-Moors, Preston-on-the-Moors Shropshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Woughton-on-the-Green Buckinghamshire
5 Bushbury Staffordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kirklees 040 Kirklees
2 Kirklees 035 Kirklees
3 Kirklees 025 Kirklees
4 St. Helens 006 St. Helens
5 Milton Keynes 024 Milton Keynes

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pursell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Pursell

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Pursell is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Pursell is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Pursell falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Pursell

The surname Pursell is believed to have originated in England, with roots dating back to the 12th century. The name is thought to be derived from a medieval English place name, possibly related to the Old English word "purhsele," which meant a small dwelling or hut.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Pursell can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire from the year 1196, where a William Pursell is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already established in certain regions of England by the late 12th century.

Another early reference to the name is found in the Hundred Rolls of Buckinghamshire from 1273, which lists a John Pursell as a landowner in the village of Aylesbury. This indicates that the Pursell family had gained some prominence and landholdings in the area by the 13th century.

During the 14th and 15th centuries, various spellings of the name appeared in historical records, including Purssell, Pursill, and Pursyll. These variations likely stemmed from regional dialects and the inconsistent spelling practices of the time.

One notable historical figure bearing the Pursell surname was Sir John Pursell (c. 1460-1525), a wealthy merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers in London. He served as Lord Mayor of London in 1497 and was involved in various charitable endeavors during his lifetime.

Another prominent individual was Robert Pursell (1580-1644), an English clergyman who served as the Archdeacon of Barnstaple in Devon from 1638 until his death. He was a respected figure in the Church of England during the tumultuous years of the English Civil War.

In the 17th century, the Pursell family had established a presence in various parts of England, including Yorkshire, where Thomas Pursell (1625-1698) was a prominent landowner and justice of the peace in the town of Ripon.

Moving into the 18th century, we find Samuel Pursell (1720-1789), a successful merchant and ship owner based in Liverpool. He played a significant role in the city's growing maritime trade during this period.

Finally, one of the most renowned individuals with the Pursell surname was Sir William Pursell (1790-1871), a British naval officer who distinguished himself in several battles during the Napoleonic Wars. He was knighted for his bravery and rose to the rank of Admiral in the Royal Navy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Pursell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pursell 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. Middlesex leads with 62 Pursells recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.70x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 62 1.70x
Buckinghamshire 53 24.09x
Staffordshire 43 3.50x
Lancashire 39 0.90x
Yorkshire 27 0.75x
Shropshire 17 5.41x
Warwickshire 16 1.74x
Hertfordshire 14 5.58x
Montgomeryshire 13 15.59x
Midlothian 11 2.26x
Renfrewshire 11 3.90x
Northumberland 10 1.85x
Surrey 10 0.56x
Kent 8 0.64x
Argyllshire 7 6.91x
Bedfordshire 5 2.65x
Cornwall 4 0.97x
Lanarkshire 4 0.34x
Northamptonshire 4 1.17x
Gloucestershire 3 0.42x
Oxfordshire 3 1.34x
Monmouthshire 2 0.76x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.41x
Cheshire 1 0.12x
Derbyshire 1 0.18x
Lincolnshire 1 0.17x
Somerset 1 0.17x
Worcestershire 1 0.21x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Woughton On Green in Buckinghamshire leads with 26 Pursells recorded in 1881 and an index of 8965.52x.

Place Total Index
Woughton On Green 26 8965.52x
Birmingham 13 4.25x
Buckingham 13 290.83x
Haslingden 13 72.71x
West Bromwich 13 18.49x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 11 32.75x
Pool 11 174.88x
Islington London 10 2.84x
Newcastle On Tyne St 10 35.64x
West Greenock 10 19.76x
Bushbury 9 407.24x
Harborne 9 22.87x
Bow London 8 17.27x
Shifnal 8 93.79x
Brightside Bierlow 7 9.90x
Everton 7 5.09x
Glassary 7 128.21x
Hackney London 7 3.43x
South Leith 7 12.76x
Wrockwardine 7 101.30x
Ardwick 6 15.41x
Rawmarsh 6 47.10x
Clerkenwell London 5 5.82x
Eaton Bray 5 263.16x
Hambleden 5 265.96x
Liverpool 5 1.91x
Paddington London 5 3.74x
Southwark Christchurch 5 29.33x
St Albans 5 97.28x
Barony 4 1.34x
Bodmin 4 58.65x
Dalkeith 4 41.58x
Folkestone 4 16.61x
Hampstead London 4 7.06x
St Marylebone London 4 2.06x
Watford 4 20.58x
Wendover 4 168.78x
Aston 3 1.19x
Burslem 3 8.53x
Cannock 3 14.00x
Cheltenham 3 5.45x
Little Woolstone 3 3000.00x
Northampton St Sepulchre 3 17.23x
Plumstead 3 7.25x
St George In East 3 12.12x
St Pancras London 3 1.02x
Wolstanton Chesterton 3 47.77x
Bootle Cum Linacre 2 5.83x
Bradford 2 2.29x
Churchstoke 2 127.39x
Cowley 2 28.53x
Eastwick 2 1666.67x
Nottingham St Mary 2 1.58x
Shoreditch London 2 1.27x
Shrewsbury St Chad 2 18.13x
Southwark St Saviour 2 10.70x
St Botolph Aldersgate 2 47.96x
St George Hanover 2 4.21x
Stoke Upon Trent 2 1.54x
Trevethin 2 8.05x
Warrington 2 3.91x
Bromley London 1 1.25x
Finchley 1 7.17x
Grays Inn Staple Inn 1 212.77x
Hatfield 1 19.69x
Liversedge 1 6.23x
Longdon 1 58.82x
Marburywith Quoisley 1 119.05x
Margate St John Baptist 1 4.40x
Moss Side 1 4.40x
Newington 1 0.74x
North Meols 1 2.37x
St Albans St Peter 1 11.82x
St Andrew Holborn 1 8.10x
St Bartholomew Great 1 30.21x
Thenford 1 769.23x
Walton 1 666.67x
Washingborough 1 109.89x
Westminster St James 1 2.67x
Worcester St Nicholas 1 44.44x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 20
Elizabeth 18
Jane 12
Sarah 11
Ann 9
Eliza 8
Ellen 7
Fanny 6
Annie 5
Emily 5
Hannah 5
Harriet 4
Emma 3
Lucy 3
Beatrice 2
Caroline 2
Clara 2
Florence 2
Frances 2
Harriett 2
Isabella 2
Louisa 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Alice 1
Amy 1
Anna 1
Avis 1
Barbara 1
Cecilia 1
Charlotte 1
Clarissa 1
Delia 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Elizh. 1
Euphernia 1
Gertrude 1
Infant 1
Kate 1
Katie 1
Kitty 1
Lillian 1
Luisa 1
Margaret 1
Matilda 1
May 1
Mildred 1
Minnie 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 20
James 16
Thomas 15
John 14
Edward 11
Joseph 11
Charles 6
George 6
Robert 5
Samuel 5
Alfred 4
Richard 4
Daniel 3
Henry 3
Richd. 3
Albert 2
Ben 2
Enoch 2
Francis 2
Frederick 2
Harry 2
Thos. 2
Aaron 1
Abraham 1
Anthony 1
Cornelias 1
Enos 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Garry 1
Henery 1
Herbert 1
Humphry 1
Hy.W. 1
Jabez 1
Job 1
Lenard 1
Philip 1
Reuben 1
Roger 1
Theodore 1
Timothy 1
Willey 1

FAQ

Pursell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pursell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 373 people were recorded with the Pursell surname. That placed it at #8,380 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pursell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 204 in 2016. That gives Pursell a modern rank of #19,320.

What does the Pursell surname mean?

An English occupational surname for someone who made or sold purses or pouches.

What does the Pursell map show?

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