NameCensus.

UK surname

Scammell

An English surname derived from the Old Northern French words "escamel" and "eschamele", meaning bench or stool.

In the 1881 census there were 812 people recorded with the Scammell surname, ranking it #4,602 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,144, ranked #5,154, down from #4,602 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and East and West Tisbury, Wardour. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Dorset, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Bridgend.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Scammell is 1,295 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 40.9%.

1881 census count

812

Ranked #4,602

Modern count

1,144

2016, ranked #5,154

Peak year

1999

1,295 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Scammell had 812 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,602 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,144 in 2016, ranked #5,154.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,165 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Scammell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Scammell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Scammell 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 420 #5,797
1861 historical 410 #6,264
1881 historical 812 #4,602
1891 historical 757 #5,265
1901 historical 1,165 #4,194
1911 historical 1,109 #4,183
1997 modern 1,220 #4,649
1998 modern 1,259 #4,694
1999 modern 1,295 #4,611
2000 modern 1,263 #4,702
2001 modern 1,228 #4,710
2002 modern 1,247 #4,739
2003 modern 1,256 #4,624
2004 modern 1,236 #4,683
2005 modern 1,208 #4,733
2006 modern 1,205 #4,753
2007 modern 1,217 #4,753
2008 modern 1,226 #4,761
2009 modern 1,239 #4,815
2010 modern 1,250 #4,872
2011 modern 1,238 #4,860
2012 modern 1,185 #4,961
2013 modern 1,180 #5,068
2014 modern 1,180 #5,098
2015 modern 1,180 #5,048
2016 modern 1,144 #5,154

Geography

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Where Scammells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, East and West Tisbury, Wardour and Southampton St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Dorset, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bridgend, Torfaen and West Dorset. 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 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 East and West Tisbury, Wardour Wiltshire
5 Southampton St Mary Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Dorset 003 North Dorset
2 Rhondda Cynon Taf 023 Rhondda Cynon Taf
3 Bridgend 003 Bridgend
4 Torfaen 003 Torfaen
5 West Dorset 007 West Dorset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Scammell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Scammell

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Scammell 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

Scammell 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

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

Meaning and origin of Scammell

The surname Scammell originated in England, with the earliest known records dating back to the early 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "sceam" or "scam," meaning "shame" or "dishonor," and "hyll," meaning "hill." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to a person who lived on a hill or elevated area with a negative connotation or reputation.

One of the earliest documented instances of the name appears in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1240, where it is spelled "Scamelhull." This record indicates that the name was likely associated with a specific location or place name, possibly referring to a settlement or landmark known as "Scamel's Hill."

In the 14th century, various spellings of the name can be found in historical records, such as "Scamelhull," "Scamelhulle," and "Scammel." These variations reflect the fluid nature of spelling and pronunciation during that period.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the surname Scammell. However, it does mention several places with similar-sounding names, such as "Scamelai" and "Scameldene," which may have influenced the development of the surname.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Scammell was John Scammell, who was born around 1540 in Berkshire, England. Another notable figure was William Scammell (1595-1645), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of St. Mary's Church in Battersea, London.

In the 17th century, Alexander Scammell (1647-1680) was a prominent merchant and landowner in Boston, Massachusetts, after immigrating from England to the American colonies. His descendants played a significant role in the early history of the United States.

During the American Revolutionary War, Alexander Scammell's grandson, also named Alexander Scammell (1744-1781), served as a Colonel in the Continental Army and was aide-de-camp to General George Washington. He was captured by the British and later died from wounds sustained in the Battle of Yorktown.

Another notable individual with the surname Scammell was Sir Charles Scammell (1856-1935), a British businessman and politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Haverfordwest from 1900 to 1906.

These examples highlight the historical presence and significance of the Scammell surname, which has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including clergymen, merchants, military officers, and politicians.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Scammell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Scammell 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. Wiltshire leads with 152 Scammells recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.78x.

County Total Index
Wiltshire 152 21.78x
Middlesex 126 1.60x
Hampshire 116 7.17x
Surrey 83 2.16x
Dorset 77 14.87x
Gloucestershire 70 4.52x
Somerset 33 2.60x
Kent 29 1.08x
Sussex 22 1.65x
Devon 21 1.28x
Glamorgan 21 1.53x
Monmouthshire 13 2.28x
Berkshire 11 1.86x
Lancashire 10 0.11x
Essex 5 0.32x
Yorkshire 4 0.05x
Channel Islands 3 1.28x
Staffordshire 3 0.11x
Shropshire 2 0.29x
Warwickshire 2 0.10x
Brecknockshire 1 0.63x
Derbyshire 1 0.08x
Herefordshire 1 0.31x
Hertfordshire 1 0.18x
Montgomeryshire 1 0.55x
Royal Navy 1 1.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Donhead St Mary in Wiltshire leads with 31 Scammells recorded in 1881 and an index of 873.24x.

Place Total Index
Donhead St Mary 31 873.24x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 27 18.53x
Camberwell 27 5.36x
Burley 20 1162.79x
East Knoyle 15 632.91x
East Stour 15 1229.51x
West Tisbury 15 697.67x
Bristol St George 13 18.16x
Cann 13 860.93x
Semley 13 702.70x
Bethnal Green London 11 3.21x
Motcombe 11 288.71x
Portsea 11 3.47x
Roath 11 17.63x
St Marylebone London 11 2.61x
St Pancras London 11 1.73x
Clerkenwell London 10 5.37x
Chippenham 9 61.48x
Crediton 9 57.84x
Frome 9 29.62x
Gillingham 9 101.12x
Lyndhurst 9 203.16x
Rogate 9 337.08x
Warminster 9 58.86x
Westminster St James 9 11.09x
Goytrey 8 439.56x
Islington London 8 1.05x
Ryde 8 23.02x
Whitchurch 8 583.94x
Battersea 7 2.41x
Bower Chalk 7 619.47x
Bristol St James St Paul 7 13.56x
Downton 7 76.67x
Kinson 7 69.17x
Sandhurst 7 61.03x
Southampton All Sts 7 25.23x
St George Martyr London 7 43.80x
Trowbridge 7 22.69x
Wandsworth 7 9.21x
Wimbledon 7 16.22x
Allhallows 6 705.88x
Elsted 6 1071.43x
Kensington London 6 1.37x
Shaftesbury Holy Trinity 6 224.72x
Speldhurst 6 43.76x
Stapleton 6 20.44x
Swindon 6 1090.91x
Tollard Royal 6 789.47x
Woolwich 6 6.03x
Aberystruth 5 9.94x
Bramshott 5 125.31x
Devizes St Mary 5 70.92x
Droxford 5 81.04x
Hampstead London 5 4.07x
Henstridge 5 142.45x
Kirkdale 5 3.17x
Lambeth 5 0.73x
Lee 5 12.79x
Millbrook 5 12.27x
Paddington London 5 1.72x
Swansea Town 5 4.44x
Westminster St John 5 5.20x
Almondbury 4 10.58x
Boldre 4 69.08x
Bristol Temple 4 39.25x
Chelsea London 4 1.68x
Donhead St Andrew 4 186.05x
Edmonton 4 6.29x
Eling 4 24.42x
Farnham 4 13.38x
Holdenhurst 4 9.43x
Lewes St Ann 4 88.30x
Lewisham 4 2.79x
Lonbridge Deverill 4 163.27x
Shaftesbury St Peter 4 165.29x
Southampton St Mary 4 3.93x
St Anne Soho London 4 8.88x
Stalbridge 4 81.30x
Stoke Damerel 4 3.48x
Wilton 4 80.97x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 45
Sarah 29
Elizabeth 28
Eliza 22
Emma 20
Ellen 16
Emily 15
Annie 13
Jane 12
Alice 11
Ann 11
Edith 11
Charlotte 9
Louisa 8
Rose 8
Hannah 7
Martha 7
Ada 6
Florence 6
Julia 6
Agnes 5
Amelia 5
Bessie 5
Harriett 5
Fanny 4
Harriet 4
Anna 3
Anne 3
Betsy 3
Catherine 3
Kate 3
Lucy 3
Lydia 3
Maria 3
Sophia 3
Agness 2
Augusta 2
Effie 2
Eleanor 2
Esther 2
Flora 2
Flower 2
Frances 2
Infant 2
Margaret 2
Marion 2
Matilda 2
Minnie 2
Rhoda 2
Rosa 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 45
John 43
George 28
Henry 24
Charles 21
Thomas 20
Albert 15
Samuel 14
Edward 12
James 12
Alfred 10
Frank 10
Frederick 10
Walter 9
Harry 8
Joseph 6
Edwin 5
Robert 5
Arthur 4
Benjamin 4
Sidney 4
Stephen 4
Ernest 3
Herbert 3
Isaac 3
Richard 3
Cornelius 2
Francis 2
Fred 2
Oliver 2
Thos. 2
Tom 2
Burton 1
Catherine 1
David 1
Eugene 1
Fredrick 1
G.L. 1
Gilbert 1
Leonard 1
Lewellyn 1
Louis 1
Martin 1
Mathew 1
Maurice 1
Owen 1
Peter 1
Philip 1
Rheuben 1
Wyndham 1

FAQ

Scammell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Scammell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 812 people were recorded with the Scammell surname. That placed it at #4,602 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Scammell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,144 in 2016. That gives Scammell a modern rank of #5,154.

What does the Scammell surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Old Northern French words "escamel" and "eschamele", meaning bench or stool.

What does the Scammell map show?

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