NameCensus.

UK surname

Quinnell

A variant spelling of the surname Quinell, derived from an English place name.

In the 1881 census there were 429 people recorded with the Quinnell surname, ranking it #7,578 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 730, ranked #7,461, up from #7,578 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lewisham, Tunbridge, Bidborough and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include County Durham, Hastings and Maidstone.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Quinnell is 787 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 70.2%.

1881 census count

429

Ranked #7,578

Modern count

730

2016, ranked #7,461

Peak year

1999

787 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Quinnell had 429 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,578 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 730 in 2016, ranked #7,461.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 644 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Quinnell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Quinnell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Quinnell 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 214 #9,898
1861 historical 178 #13,202
1881 historical 429 #7,578
1891 historical 371 #9,405
1901 historical 626 #6,839
1911 historical 644 #6,486
1997 modern 754 #6,859
1998 modern 767 #6,989
1999 modern 787 #6,888
2000 modern 783 #6,891
2001 modern 764 #6,890
2002 modern 777 #6,940
2003 modern 749 #7,027
2004 modern 768 #6,898
2005 modern 733 #7,081
2006 modern 730 #7,132
2007 modern 724 #7,250
2008 modern 729 #7,260
2009 modern 754 #7,217
2010 modern 756 #7,340
2011 modern 757 #7,255
2012 modern 730 #7,377
2013 modern 743 #7,403
2014 modern 743 #7,442
2015 modern 741 #7,377
2016 modern 730 #7,461

Geography

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Where Quinnells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lewisham, Tunbridge, Bidborough, London parishes, Sevenoaks and Portsmouth, Portsea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to County Durham, Hastings, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells and Guildford. 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 Lewisham London (South Districts)
2 Tunbridge, Bidborough Kent
3 London parishes London 3
4 Sevenoaks Kent
5 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 County Durham 018 County Durham
2 Hastings 002 Hastings
3 Maidstone 013 Maidstone
4 Tunbridge Wells 005 Tunbridge Wells
5 Guildford 010 Guildford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Quinnell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Quinnell

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Quinnell, 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 Quinnell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Quinnell 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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Quinnell is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Quinnell is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Quinnell falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Quinnell

The surname Quinnell is believed to have originated in England, specifically in the counties of Cornwall and Devon, during the medieval period. It is derived from the Cornish word "quyn," meaning a ridge or a hill, and the English suffix "-el," denoting a diminutive form. Thus, Quinnell likely referred to someone who resided near a small hill or ridge.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Quinnell can be found in the Assize Rolls of Cornwall from the 13th century, where a person named William Quinnell is mentioned. In the Subsidy Rolls of Devon from 1327, a John Quynnel is listed, suggesting the name's presence in that region as well.

The name Quinnell has been associated with various place names in Cornwall and Devon, such as Quinnell Tor, a hill near the town of Boscastle, and Quinnell Farm, located in the parish of Landrake. These place names may have influenced the development and spread of the surname.

Among notable individuals with the surname Quinnell throughout history are:

1. John Quinnell (c. 1550 - 1617), an English clergyman and ecclesiastical writer from Cornwall. 2. William Quinnell (1633 - 1688), a Cornish scholar and author of "The Cornish-English Dictionary." 3. Samuel Quinnell (1695 - 1778), a prominent Cornish landowner and philanthropist. 4. Mary Quinnell (1812 - 1888), a Cornish poet and writer known for her works celebrating Cornish culture and traditions. 5. Alfred Quinnell (1858 - 1944), a British artist and illustrator known for his landscapes and marine paintings.

While the surname Quinnell has its roots in the southwestern counties of England, it has since spread to other parts of the country and beyond, with individuals bearing this name making contributions in various fields throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Quinnell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Quinnell 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. Kent leads with 209 Quinnells recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.57x.

County Total Index
Kent 209 14.57x
Sussex 71 10.02x
Surrey 64 3.12x
Middlesex 45 1.07x
Hampshire 28 3.25x
Yorkshire 5 0.12x
Cornwall 4 0.84x
Essex 2 0.24x
Berkshire 1 0.32x
Royal Navy 1 2.00x
Worcestershire 1 0.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sevenoaks in Kent leads with 61 Quinnells recorded in 1881 and an index of 524.51x.

Place Total Index
Sevenoaks 61 524.51x
Tonbridge 55 106.30x
Lewisham 26 33.99x
Mile End Old Town 20 30.14x
Portsea 18 10.66x
Lambeth 14 3.82x
Great Bookham 11 700.64x
Amberley 10 952.38x
Maidstone 10 23.40x
Seal 10 431.03x
Walton On Thames 10 106.27x
Woolbeding 10 1923.08x
East Peckham 9 302.01x
Milton In Milton 9 147.54x
Ore 9 170.45x
Kensington London 8 3.42x
Camberwell 6 2.23x
Iping 6 789.47x
Rainham 6 152.28x
Richmond 6 20.90x
Yalding 6 165.75x
Bermondsey 5 3.99x
Brighton 5 3.50x
Holy Trinity 5 4.99x
Shoreditch London 5 2.74x
Sompting 5 510.20x
South Hayling 5 326.80x
Subdeanery 5 92.94x
Caterham 4 44.20x
Ifield 4 135.14x
Lanteglos By Fowey 4 206.19x
Midhurst 4 172.41x
Pagham 4 320.00x
Cocking 3 361.45x
Minster In Sheppey 3 12.63x
Plumstead 3 6.27x
Portsmouth 3 15.12x
Southwark St George Martyr 3 3.55x
St George Hanover 3 5.47x
St Marylebone London 3 1.34x
Staplehurst 3 127.12x
West Malling 3 92.88x
Wrotham 3 63.16x
Croydon 2 1.76x
Hampton London 2 28.94x
Islington London 2 0.49x
Newington 2 1.29x
Byfleet 1 54.95x
Catherington 1 52.63x
Colchester St Giles 1 12.20x
Eastbourne 1 3.07x
Funtington 1 62.50x
Hackney London 1 0.42x
Hardham 1 666.67x
Havant 1 22.94x
Leyton 1 7.00x
Linton 1 79.37x
Marden 1 29.76x
New Windsor 1 9.43x
Oldbury 1 3.70x
Paddington London 1 0.65x
Royal Navy 1 2.34x
Sidlesham 1 73.53x
West Wittering 1 105.26x
Westbourne 1 28.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 25
James 20
Thomas 20
George 18
Alfred 13
John 12
Albert 7
Frederick 7
Richard 7
Robert 7
Charles 6
Henry 6
Joseph 6
Edward 5
Frank 5
Arthur 4
Benjamin 3
Enoch 3
Ernest 3
Stephen 3
Wm. 3
Allan 2
Elisha 2
Geo. 2
Harry 2
Herbert 2
Thos. 2
Alfd. 1
Benj. 1
Chas. 1
David 1
Edwd. 1
Edwin 1
Emma 1
Fredk. 1
G. 1
Geffrey 1
Jno. 1
Leonard 1
Oliver 1
P... 1
Percy 1
Walter 1
Wilfred 1

FAQ

Quinnell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Quinnell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 429 people were recorded with the Quinnell surname. That placed it at #7,578 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Quinnell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 730 in 2016. That gives Quinnell a modern rank of #7,461.

What does the Quinnell surname mean?

A variant spelling of the surname Quinell, derived from an English place name.

What does the Quinnell map show?

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