UK surname
A surname variant of the Hebrew personal name Samuel, meaning "name of God."
In the 1881 census there were 56 people recorded with the Samuell surname, ranking it #25,733 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 29, ranked #36,059, down from #25,733 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lewisham, Paddington and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Samuell is 239 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 48.2%.
1881 census count
56
Ranked #25,733
Modern count
29
2016, ranked #36,059
Peak year
1861
239 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Samuell surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Samuell surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 116 | #15,545 |
| 1861 | historical | 239 | #10,273 |
| 1881 | historical | 56 | #25,733 |
| 1891 | historical | 92 | #25,109 |
| 1901 | historical | 48 | #28,808 |
| 1911 | historical | 40 | #28,913 |
| 1997 | modern | 35 | #34,174 |
| 1998 | modern | 29 | #34,948 |
| 1999 | modern | 33 | #34,610 |
| 2000 | modern | 35 | #34,420 |
| 2001 | modern | 31 | #34,648 |
| 2002 | modern | 23 | #35,606 |
| 2003 | modern | 28 | #35,200 |
| 2004 | modern | 29 | #35,270 |
| 2005 | modern | 29 | #35,431 |
| 2006 | modern | 25 | #35,903 |
| 2007 | modern | 25 | #36,006 |
| 2008 | modern | 27 | #35,956 |
| 2009 | modern | 30 | #35,871 |
| 2010 | modern | 33 | #35,794 |
| 2011 | modern | 33 | #35,777 |
| 2012 | modern | 30 | #35,929 |
| 2013 | modern | 31 | #35,927 |
| 2014 | modern | 31 | #35,953 |
| 2015 | modern | 29 | #36,040 |
| 2016 | modern | 29 | #36,059 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lewisham, Paddington, London parishes, St Marylebone and St Luke. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewisham | London (South Districts) |
| 2 | Paddington | London (West Districts) |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | St Luke | London (Central Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Samuell surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Samuell, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Samuell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Samuell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Samuell is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Samuell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Samuell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname SAMUELL is an English name that originated in the 12th century. It is derived from the Hebrew personal name "Samuel", which means "name of God" or "God has heard". The name was initially used as a masculine given name before evolving into a hereditary surname.
In England, the earliest recorded instances of the surname SAMUELL can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the late 12th century. These rolls were a record of financial transactions made by the English government during the reign of King Henry II.
During the 13th century, the surname SAMUELL appeared in various tax records and manor rolls across various counties in England, including Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, and Cambridgeshire. This suggests that the name was well-established and widely distributed throughout the country.
One notable historical reference to the surname SAMUELL can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086. This was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and wealth in England commissioned by William the Conquer. While the name SAMUELL itself is not mentioned, the book does include entries for individuals with the given name "Samuel", which later gave rise to the surname.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname SAMUELL. One of the earliest recorded was Sir Thomas Samuell (c. 1335 - 1399), who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1385. Another notable figure was Richard Samuell (1620 - 1693), an English Puritan minister and author who wrote extensively on religious subjects.
In the 17th century, John Samuell (1625 - 1699) was a prominent English mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the development of calculus and the study of comets.
During the 18th century, the surname SAMUELL was associated with several notable figures in the arts and sciences. One such individual was William Samuell (1732 - 1809), an English painter and engraver known for his landscape paintings and portraits.
In the 19th century, the surname SAMUELL was linked to several prominent authors and intellectuals. One example is Oliver Samuell (1819 - 1892), an English writer and philosopher who authored several works on ethics and political theory.
The surname SAMUELL has a rich history that can be traced back to its Hebrew origins and its early adoption as a hereditary name in medieval England. While the name has evolved over time, it has been borne by numerous notable individuals across various fields, reflecting its enduring presence and significance in British society.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Samuell surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Kent leads with 16 Samuells recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.43x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kent | 16 | 9.43x |
| Brecknockshire | 9 | 90.54x |
| Essex | 6 | 6.11x |
| Huntingdonshire | 6 | 60.79x |
| Bedfordshire | 5 | 19.42x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 1.01x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.68x |
| Isle of Man | 1 | 10.83x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.41x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.80x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Upper Ystradgynlais in Brecknockshire leads with 9 Samuells recorded in 1881 and an index of 11250.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Ystradgynlais | 9 | 11250.00x |
| Deptford St Paul | 7 | 53.52x |
| Lewisham | 6 | 66.30x |
| Saffron Walden | 6 | 576.92x |
| Woodstone | 6 | 3750.00x |
| Northill | 5 | 2083.33x |
| Greenwich | 2 | 25.25x |
| St Luke London | 2 | 25.06x |
| St Marylebone London | 2 | 7.53x |
| Brandon Byshottles | 1 | 54.05x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 3.15x |
| Onchan | 1 | 37.59x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 5.47x |
| Solihull | 1 | 111.11x |
| Tonbridge | 1 | 16.34x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Samuell surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Samuell surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Samuell households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 13 |
| Harness Maker | 3 |
| Cow Keeper | 1 |
| Cowkeeper Assistant | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Garden Lab (N D) | 1 |
| House Keeper | 1 |
| Income From Shares | 1 |
| Independant | 1 |
| Inn Keeper | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Note Paper Packer (Stationer) | 1 |
| Pleat Layer | 1 |
| Printers Overseer | 1 |
| Shell Merchant | 1 |
| Shop Boy Errand | 1 |
| Silk Button Manufacturer | 1 |
| Straw Plaiter | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 56 people were recorded with the Samuell surname. That placed it at #25,733 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 29 in 2016. That gives Samuell a modern rank of #36,059.
A surname variant of the Hebrew personal name Samuel, meaning "name of God."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Samuell bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.