NameCensus.

UK surname

Rossell

A habitational surname derived from various place names in Spain and France referring to rose gardens or thickets of brambles.

In the 1881 census there were 165 people recorded with the Rossell surname, ranking it #14,559 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 161, ranked #22,606, down from #14,559 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ibstock, Thornton and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leicester, North West Leicestershire and Rutland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rossell is 269 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 2.4%.

1881 census count

165

Ranked #14,559

Modern count

161

2016, ranked #22,606

Peak year

1911

269 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rossell had 165 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,559 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 161 in 2016, ranked #22,606.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 269 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Rossell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rossell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rossell 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 128 #14,474
1861 historical 195 #12,263
1881 historical 165 #14,559
1891 historical 259 #12,399
1901 historical 213 #14,563
1911 historical 269 #12,300
1997 modern 165 #19,861
1998 modern 174 #19,729
1999 modern 177 #19,670
2000 modern 175 #19,764
2001 modern 169 #19,912
2002 modern 183 #19,354
2003 modern 175 #19,690
2004 modern 169 #20,206
2005 modern 169 #20,153
2006 modern 160 #21,066
2007 modern 155 #21,726
2008 modern 160 #21,521
2009 modern 163 #21,715
2010 modern 170 #21,560
2011 modern 174 #21,096
2012 modern 168 #21,516
2013 modern 167 #21,984
2014 modern 172 #21,731
2015 modern 163 #22,407
2016 modern 161 #22,606

Geography

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Where Rossells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ibstock, Thornton, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Loughborough and Nottingham St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Leicester, North West Leicestershire and Rutland. 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 Ibstock Leicestershire
2 Thornton Leicestershire
3 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
4 Loughborough Leicestershire
5 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Leicester 034 Leicester
2 North West Leicestershire 007 North West Leicestershire
3 North West Leicestershire 011 North West Leicestershire
4 Leicester 031 Leicester
5 Rutland 004 Rutland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rossell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rossell

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Rossell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Rossell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Rossell is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Rossell is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Rossell

The surname Rossell originated in England and is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the Old English words "ross" meaning a small shrubby area and "hyll" meaning a hill, thus forming the place name "Rosshyll" meaning a hill with small shrubs or bushes.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Rossella" in the county of Somerset. This suggests that the name was already in use by the 11th century and had established roots in the region.

During the Medieval period, the name was primarily concentrated in the counties of Somerset, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire. Variations in spelling such as Rosselle, Rosshell, and Rossill were common due to the inconsistencies in written records at the time.

In the 16th century, a notable bearer of the name was John Rossell (1524-1595), an English Protestant reformer and clergyman who served as the Bishop of Thetford and later the Bishop of Gloucester. He played a significant role in establishing the Church of England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Another prominent figure with the surname was Sir James Rossell (1681-1744), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the War of the Spanish Succession and the War of the Austrian Succession. He achieved the rank of Vice Admiral and was knighted for his distinguished service.

The 18th century saw the rise of Robert Rossell (1735-1803), a renowned English landscape painter and engraver. His works, particularly his etchings of rural scenes, were highly acclaimed and are now preserved in various art collections around the world.

In the 19th century, Henry Rossell (1819-1891) made his mark as a prominent architect. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings in London, including the Charing Cross Hotel and the Gaiety Theatre. His architectural style was heavily influenced by the Gothic Revival movement.

Another noteworthy individual was Emily Rossell (1873-1954), a British-born American author and playwright. She is best known for her novels exploring themes of love, family, and social issues, which gained popularity in the early 20th century.

Over the centuries, the name Rossell has been associated with various professions and achievements, spanning fields such as religion, military service, art, architecture, and literature. While its origins can be traced back to England, the surname has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rossell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rossell 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. Leicestershire leads with 73 Rossells recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.16x.

County Total Index
Leicestershire 73 41.16x
Nottinghamshire 35 16.23x
Derbyshire 11 4.39x
Bedfordshire 8 9.66x
Yorkshire 7 0.44x
Gloucestershire 6 1.91x
Cambridgeshire 5 4.93x
Middlesex 5 0.31x
Staffordshire 5 0.93x
Lancashire 4 0.21x
Berkshire 3 2.50x
Norfolk 1 0.41x
Worcestershire 1 0.48x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Loughborough in Leicestershire leads with 28 Rossells recorded in 1881 and an index of 347.83x.

Place Total Index
Loughborough 28 347.83x
Sheepshed 23 946.50x
Radford 12 109.59x
Basford 10 100.60x
Luton 8 55.79x
Nottingham St Mary 7 12.55x
Burton Extra 5 161.29x
Hugglescote 5 191.57x
St Clement Cambridge 5 1190.48x
Bagworth 4 1212.12x
Ecclesall Bierlow 4 12.41x
Sandiacre 4 449.44x
Thornton 4 1666.67x
West Dean 4 78.43x
Whitwick 4 176.99x
Barkham 3 2500.00x
Linton 3 454.55x
Sheffield 3 5.94x
Stapleford 3 171.43x
Sutton Bonnington 3 545.45x
West Derby 3 5.40x
Barrow Upon Soar 2 136.99x
Derby St Werburgh 2 13.83x
Hackney London 2 2.23x
Hathern 2 277.78x
Hornsey 2 9.89x
Long Eaton 2 60.42x
Brandon 1 75.76x
Fairford 1 119.05x
Glen Parva 1 238.10x
Kings Norton 1 5.34x
Kirkham 1 39.84x
Poplar London 1 3.31x
Westbury On Trym 1 9.41x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 13
George 10
John 10
Henry 6
Joseph 6
Thomas 6
Charles 4
Frederick 3
Alfred 2
Allen 2
Arthur 2
Samuel 2
Austin 1
Chas.Frederick 1
Earnest 1
Edw. 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Geo. 1
Herbert 1
Hugh 1
Hy. 1
James 1
Jobez 1
Leonard 1
Owen 1
Percey 1
Robert 1
Robt. 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Rossell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rossell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 165 people were recorded with the Rossell surname. That placed it at #14,559 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rossell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 161 in 2016. That gives Rossell a modern rank of #22,606.

What does the Rossell surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from various place names in Spain and France referring to rose gardens or thickets of brambles.

What does the Rossell map show?

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