NameCensus.

UK surname

Sandell

A locational surname referring to someone who lived on sandy ground or near a sandy valley.

In the 1881 census there were 553 people recorded with the Sandell surname, ranking it #6,244 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 909, ranked #6,259, down from #6,244 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Creake, North. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wiltshire, Norwich and Charnwood.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sandell is 960 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 64.4%.

1881 census count

553

Ranked #6,244

Modern count

909

2016, ranked #6,259

Peak year

2002

960 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sandell had 553 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,244 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 909 in 2016, ranked #6,259.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 820 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Sandell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sandell surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sandell 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 281 #8,028
1861 historical 277 #9,025
1881 historical 553 #6,244
1891 historical 628 #6,158
1901 historical 691 #6,348
1911 historical 820 #5,371
1997 modern 924 #5,846
1998 modern 935 #5,978
1999 modern 951 #5,943
2000 modern 944 #5,954
2001 modern 931 #5,911
2002 modern 960 #5,869
2003 modern 927 #5,946
2004 modern 942 #5,877
2005 modern 904 #6,009
2006 modern 899 #6,049
2007 modern 895 #6,114
2008 modern 884 #6,220
2009 modern 918 #6,157
2010 modern 954 #6,102
2011 modern 927 #6,184
2012 modern 911 #6,194
2013 modern 931 #6,189
2014 modern 930 #6,229
2015 modern 909 #6,290
2016 modern 909 #6,259

Geography

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Where Sandells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Creake, North, Lambeth 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 Wiltshire, Norwich, Charnwood and Worthing. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Creake, North Norfolk
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wiltshire 016 Wiltshire
2 Norwich 006 Norwich
3 Charnwood 002 Charnwood
4 Wiltshire 015 Wiltshire
5 Worthing 004 Worthing

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sandell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sandell

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

Sandell 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

Sandell falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Sandell

The surname Sandell originated in Scandinavia, specifically in Sweden and Norway, during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old Norse word "sandr," meaning "sand," and likely referred to someone who lived near a sandy area or worked with sand in some capacity.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Swedish census records from the late 15th century, where it appeared as "Sandel." This spelling variation was common in those times, as standardized spellings were not yet established.

In the 16th century, the name Sandell appeared in the Icelandic sagas, which were written accounts of the lives and exploits of notable Icelanders. These sagas often mentioned individuals with the surname, indicating its prevalence in the region.

During the 17th century, a prominent figure with the name Sandell was Nils Sandell, a Swedish military commander who served under King Gustavus Adolphus during the Thirty Years' War. He was born in 1598 and played a crucial role in several battles against the Imperial forces.

Another notable individual with the surname was Johan Sandell, a Swedish botanist who lived from 1722 to 1795. He made significant contributions to the study of plant taxonomy and is remembered for his comprehensive work on the flora of Sweden.

In the 19th century, the name Sandell gained recognition with the birth of Pehr Sandell, a Swedish-American author and journalist. Born in 1831, he emigrated to the United States and became a prominent figure in the Swedish-American community, writing extensively about the experiences of Swedish immigrants.

Across the Atlantic, the name Sandell also had a presence in England, as evidenced by the records of the Domesday Book from 1086. This historic document mentioned individuals with the surname "Sandel," which was likely an early variation of the name.

Throughout history, the surname Sandell has been associated with various occupations, from military leaders and botanists to authors and journalists. Its origins can be traced back to the sandy regions of Scandinavia, where it likely originated as a descriptive name for those who lived or worked in such areas.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sandell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sandell 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 98 Sandells recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.83x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 98 1.83x
Norfolk 83 10.06x
Surrey 62 2.37x
Wiltshire 59 12.43x
Hampshire 39 3.55x
Sussex 36 3.98x
Gloucestershire 32 3.04x
Oxfordshire 26 7.85x
Kent 18 0.98x
Berkshire 14 3.48x
Yorkshire 14 0.26x
Somerset 12 1.39x
Cambridgeshire 11 3.24x
Lincolnshire 8 0.93x
Devon 6 0.54x
Worcestershire 5 0.71x
Durham 4 0.25x
Essex 4 0.38x
Shropshire 4 0.86x
Cheshire 3 0.25x
Glamorgan 3 0.32x
Warwickshire 3 0.22x
Northamptonshire 2 0.40x
Argyllshire 1 0.67x
Bedfordshire 1 0.36x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.46x
Lancashire 1 0.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. North Creake in Norfolk leads with 29 Sandells recorded in 1881 and an index of 2566.37x.

Place Total Index
North Creake 29 2566.37x
Bethnal Green London 27 11.58x
Camberwell 20 5.84x
Brighton 19 10.41x
Amesbury 15 724.64x
Lambeth 14 2.99x
Portsea 13 6.03x
Islington London 11 2.12x
Latton 10 2083.33x
Westbury On Trym 10 28.05x
Ely Holy Trinity St Mary 9 60.73x
Battersea 8 4.05x
Burgh 8 2000.00x
Eisey 8 2758.62x
Bath St Peter St Paul 7 183.25x
Bermondsey 7 4.38x
Binsted 7 167.06x
Cirencester 7 49.12x
Cricklade St Sampson 7 316.74x
Little Walsingham 7 374.33x
North Walsham 7 117.65x
Ormesby 7 48.99x
Over Norton 7 864.20x
Worthing 7 700.00x
Devizes St John 6 168.54x
East Ruston 6 491.80x
Hackney London 6 1.99x
Horfield 6 56.66x
Hythe St Leonard 6 92.74x
Ingham 6 714.29x
Longworth 6 550.46x
Spitalfields London 6 14.87x
Stoke Damerel 6 7.68x
Banbury 5 75.30x
Broadwater 5 24.10x
Buscot 5 735.29x
Deptford St Nicholas 5 34.41x
Havant 5 89.77x
Hindon 5 490.20x
Kidderminster Borough 5 12.19x
Paddington London 5 2.53x
St George In East 5 13.70x
Wiveliscombe 5 103.95x
Bridgnorth St Leonard 4 76.05x
Bristol St Paul In 4 14.27x
Bromley London 4 3.39x
Clapham 4 5.96x
Happisburgh 4 388.35x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 4 5.79x
Kensington London 4 1.34x
Millbrook 4 14.44x
Plumstead 4 6.56x
Shoreditch London 4 1.72x
St Helen Bishopsgate 4 754.72x
Westminster St John 4 6.12x
Birmingham 3 0.67x
Brightside Bierlow 3 2.88x
Dilham 3 384.62x
Fulham London 3 3.86x
Great Yarmouth 3 4.39x
Holy Rood 3 135.14x
Kidlington 3 117.19x
Quarrington 3 447.76x
Roath 3 7.07x
St Mary Bourne 3 150.75x
St Marylebone London 3 1.05x
Tranmere 3 6.89x
Walcott 3 1363.64x
West Ham 3 1.28x
Bradfield 2 476.19x
Grantham 2 17.89x
Hove 2 5.04x
New Sealford 2 113.64x
Newington 2 1.01x
Oxford St Thomas 2 12.94x
Purton 2 47.39x
Scarborough 2 4.14x
South Stoneham 2 8.39x
Twickenham 2 8.70x
Westminster St James 2 3.63x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 25
Mary 20
Sarah 16
Annie 12
Emily 11
Ann 8
Eliza 8
Ellen 8
Louisa 8
Alice 7
Charlotte 7
Jane 7
Kate 7
Maria 7
Clara 6
Harriet 6
Martha 6
Rose 6
Edith 5
Emma 5
Florence 5
Hannah 4
Ada 3
Caroline 3
Fanny 3
Frances 3
Isabella 3
Laura 3
Lucy 3
Minnie 3
Adeline 2
Agnes 2
Anne 2
Catherine 2
Cecilia 2
Eleanor 2
Elizebeth 2
Harriett 2
Leah 2
Letitia 2
Lilian 2
Matilda 2
Maud 2
Ruth 2
Sophia 2
Susan 2
Winefrid 2
Esther 1
Flora 1
Zipporah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 30
George 21
Charles 20
Thomas 20
John 19
James 16
Henry 15
Alfred 12
Joseph 9
Edward 7
Albert 5
Arthur 5
Edwin 5
Richard 5
Robert 5
Frank 4
Herbert 4
Samuel 4
Walter 4
David 3
Charlie 2
Edmund 2
Elijah 2
Francis 2
Frederick 2
Harry 2
Johnathan 2
Percy 2
Wm. 2
Ardwell 1
Augusta 1
Aurthur 1
Axel 1
Barnad 1
Barned 1
Benjm. 1
Bertie 1
Ernest 1
Frederic 1
Fritz 1
Gregory 1
Horace 1
Hugh 1
Jabis 1
Jas. 1
Jno. 1
Leonard 1
R. 1
Sidney 1
Steven 1

FAQ

Sandell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sandell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 553 people were recorded with the Sandell surname. That placed it at #6,244 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sandell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 909 in 2016. That gives Sandell a modern rank of #6,259.

What does the Sandell surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone who lived on sandy ground or near a sandy valley.

What does the Sandell map show?

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