NameCensus.

UK surname

Revell

A surname of French origin, derived from the Old French word "revel," meaning "rebel" or "stubborn."

In the 1881 census there were 1,734 people recorded with the Revell surname, ranking it #2,492 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,145, ranked #2,155, up from #2,492 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Hull Holy Trinity and Leeds. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Suffolk Coastal, Chesterfield and Waveney.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Revell is 3,369 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 81.4%.

1881 census count

1,734

Ranked #2,492

Modern count

3,145

2016, ranked #2,155

Peak year

1999

3,369 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Revell had 1,734 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,492 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,145 in 2016, ranked #2,155.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,858 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Revell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Revell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Revell 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 884 #3,093
1861 historical 888 #3,120
1881 historical 1,734 #2,492
1891 historical 1,974 #2,337
1901 historical 2,382 #2,283
1911 historical 2,858 #1,824
1997 modern 3,262 #1,972
1998 modern 3,347 #2,002
1999 modern 3,369 #2,009
2000 modern 3,346 #2,014
2001 modern 3,268 #2,017
2002 modern 3,287 #2,051
2003 modern 3,176 #2,069
2004 modern 3,173 #2,066
2005 modern 3,108 #2,075
2006 modern 3,083 #2,096
2007 modern 3,082 #2,127
2008 modern 3,120 #2,118
2009 modern 3,179 #2,129
2010 modern 3,194 #2,168
2011 modern 3,135 #2,172
2012 modern 3,120 #2,147
2013 modern 3,230 #2,123
2014 modern 3,258 #2,123
2015 modern 3,181 #2,146
2016 modern 3,145 #2,155

Geography

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Where Revells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Hull Holy Trinity, Leeds 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 Suffolk Coastal, Chesterfield, Waveney and Dover. 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 1
2 Hull Holy Trinity Yorkshire, East Riding
3 London parishes London 3
4 Leeds Yorkshire, West Riding
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 Suffolk Coastal 004 Suffolk Coastal
2 Suffolk Coastal 003 Suffolk Coastal
3 Chesterfield 012 Chesterfield
4 Waveney 013 Waveney
5 Dover 011 Dover

Forenames

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First names often paired with Revell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Revell

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

Professional Periphery

Within London, Revell is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Revell 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

Revell 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 Revell 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 Revell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Revell

The surname Revell is of English origin and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "revel," which means "to be disorderly or unruly." This suggests that the name may have been initially given as a nickname to someone with a boisterous or mischievous personality.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, where it is listed as "Revel." This spelling variation indicates the name's evolution over time. Additionally, the Hundred Rolls of 1273 mention a Richard Revel, providing further evidence of the surname's antiquity.

The Revell surname has connections to several place names in England, including Revill in Derbyshire and Revel in Huntingdonshire. These locations may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the name in different regions.

In the 16th century, a notable individual named John Revell (1524-1584) was an English Catholic martyr. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered for his faith during the Elizabethan era, becoming a significant figure in the history of English Catholicism.

Another prominent person with the surname Revell was Sir Thomas Revell (1619-1695), an English politician and landowner. He served as a Member of Parliament for Derby from 1660 to 1679 and played a role in the restoration of the monarchy under Charles II.

During the 17th century, a member of the Revell family, John Revell (1637-1721), was a renowned architect and surveyor. He worked on several notable projects, including the construction of the Foundling Hospital in London.

In the realm of literature, Wilbur Revell (1715-1798) was an English poet and writer. He published several works, including "The Poetical Works of Wilbur Revell" in 1781, which gained him recognition in literary circles.

Lastly, in the field of science, Sir George Revell (1854-1932) was a British chemist and inventor. He made significant contributions to the development of industrial processes and held numerous patents for his innovations.

While the surname Revell may have originated from a nickname describing a person's lively or unruly nature, it has since been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including martyrs, politicians, architects, writers, and scientists, leaving a lasting impact on history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Revell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Revell 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. Yorkshire leads with 266 Revells recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.59x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 266 1.59x
Kent 198 3.43x
Middlesex 160 0.95x
Surrey 153 1.86x
Suffolk 123 5.98x
Norfolk 98 3.77x
Nottinghamshire 85 3.73x
Essex 84 2.52x
Derbyshire 74 2.80x
Lancashire 67 0.33x
Devon 63 1.79x
Lincolnshire 48 1.78x
Durham 37 0.74x
Cheshire 33 0.88x
Warwickshire 31 0.73x
Northumberland 25 0.99x
Hertfordshire 24 2.06x
Gloucestershire 20 0.60x
Cambridgeshire 18 1.68x
Huntingdonshire 13 3.88x
Wiltshire 13 0.87x
Bedfordshire 12 1.37x
Buckinghamshire 12 1.17x
Leicestershire 12 0.64x
Northamptonshire 12 0.76x
Worcestershire 10 0.45x
Hampshire 9 0.26x
Midlothian 7 0.31x
Sussex 5 0.18x
Staffordshire 4 0.07x
Cornwall 3 0.16x
Herefordshire 3 0.43x
Royal Navy 3 1.49x
Berkshire 2 0.16x
Cumberland 2 0.14x
Lanarkshire 1 0.02x
Renfrewshire 1 0.08x
Rutland 1 0.81x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Southwark St George Martyr in Surrey leads with 33 Revells recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.71x.

Place Total Index
Southwark St George Martyr 33 9.71x
Newington 31 4.97x
Aston 28 2.39x
Langley 27 1168.83x
Holy Trinity 26 6.46x
Islington London 25 1.53x
Leeds 24 2.54x
Lambeth 22 1.49x
Bishopwearmouth 21 4.87x
Plymstock 20 108.64x
Ramsgate 20 21.25x
Sandwich St Mary 20 382.41x
Sutton In Ashfield 20 40.47x
Huntingfield 19 922.33x
Denton 18 640.57x
Kensington London 18 1.92x
Ashover 17 129.18x
Battersea 16 2.57x
Tong 15 46.38x
St Peters 14 52.49x
Bradford 13 3.21x
Dukinfield 13 7.54x
Elswick 13 6.48x
Ewell Lydden 13 289.53x
Hackney London 13 1.37x
Cookley 12 975.61x
Croydon 12 2.63x
Everton 12 1.88x
Poplar London 12 3.76x
Amersham 11 75.97x
Ashford 11 19.59x
Little Bradley 11 1964.29x
Minster In Thanet 11 91.67x
Peterborough 11 9.56x
Bermondsey 10 1.99x
Bulwell 10 20.20x
Bungay St Mary 10 98.04x
Ecclesall Bierlow 10 2.94x
Elmsted 10 400.00x
Huddersfield 10 4.10x
Kings Norton 10 5.05x
Liverpool 10 0.82x
Margate St John Baptist 10 9.47x
Norwich St Peter 10 58.65x
Alburgh 9 250.70x
Bluntisham 9 143.08x
Bristol St George 9 5.87x
Ewell 9 51.78x
Holbeck 9 629.37x
Ickham Well 9 272.73x
Little Linstead 9 947.37x
Melksham 9 34.70x
Newington 9 19.52x
Norwich St John Timberhill 9 128.76x
Plymouth St Andrew 9 3.32x
St Marylebone London 9 1.00x
Sutton Stoneferry 9 18.79x
Tuxford 9 160.71x
Westminster St 9 14.45x
Worlingworth 9 241.94x
Beccles 8 24.15x
Birkenhead 8 2.69x
Boston 8 9.76x
Bowling 8 4.82x
Bungay Holy Trinity 8 75.76x
Camberwell 8 0.74x
Chatteris 8 29.30x
Elvet 8 22.04x
Gilston 8 509.55x
Glossop Dale 8 6.46x
Great Clacton 8 70.48x
Great Yarmouth 8 3.72x
Mansfield 8 10.15x
Portsea 8 1.18x
South Benfleet 8 203.05x
South Collingham 8 178.17x
St George Hanover 8 3.63x
Thurlstone 8 48.46x
Wortley In Bramley 8 6.03x
Wingfield 7 261.19x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 107
Sarah 55
Elizabeth 40
Jane 38
Eliza 37
Ann 30
Alice 24
Emma 23
Martha 22
Annie 21
Hannah 21
Ellen 17
Emily 16
Harriet 14
Kate 14
Fanny 13
Charlotte 12
Ada 11
Agnes 11
Edith 10
Maria 10
Minnie 10
Florence 9
Lydia 9
Anna 8
Caroline 8
Margaret 8
Louisa 7
Clara 6
Harriett 6
Jessie 6
Rose 6
Susan 6
Amelia 5
Anne 5
Elizth. 5
Isabella 5
Julia 5
Susannah 5
Esther 4
Frances 4
Laura 4
Rebecca 4
Ruth 4
Amy 3
Bessie 3
Catherine 3
Helen 3
Jemima 3
Lucy 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 110
John 102
George 59
Thomas 49
James 48
Charles 47
Henry 38
Joseph 30
Alfred 26
Robert 25
Samuel 22
Edward 21
Arthur 20
Harry 19
Walter 18
Richard 17
Frederick 14
Francis 12
Albert 10
Ernest 10
Frank 10
Herbert 8
David 7
Stephen 7
Daniel 4
Ebenezer 4
Edwin 4
Benjamin 3
Edmund 3
Fredk. 3
Isaac 3
Jno. 3
Joe 3
Lawrence 3
Mark 3
Paul 3
Percy 3
Thos. 3
Wm. 3
Arther 2
Chas. 2
Chas.J. 2
Clifford 2
Earnest 2
Frederic 2
Joshua 2
Matthew 2
Nathan 2
Reuben 2
Sampson 2

FAQ

Revell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Revell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,734 people were recorded with the Revell surname. That placed it at #2,492 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Revell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,145 in 2016. That gives Revell a modern rank of #2,155.

What does the Revell surname mean?

A surname of French origin, derived from the Old French word "revel," meaning "rebel" or "stubborn."

What does the Revell map show?

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