NameCensus.

UK surname

Scull

An occupational surname referring to a person who operated a small boat or ferry.

In the 1881 census there were 320 people recorded with the Scull surname, ranking it #9,298 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 413, ranked #11,609, down from #9,298 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Edington, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Merthyr Tydfil. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wiltshire, Caerphilly and Bristol.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Scull is 535 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 29.1%.

1881 census count

320

Ranked #9,298

Modern count

413

2016, ranked #11,609

Peak year

1911

535 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Scull had 320 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,298 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 413 in 2016, ranked #11,609.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 535 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Scull surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Scull surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Scull 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 187 #10,978
1861 historical 160 #14,468
1881 historical 320 #9,298
1891 historical 391 #9,044
1901 historical 514 #7,888
1911 historical 535 #7,445
1997 modern 445 #10,154
1998 modern 445 #10,491
1999 modern 442 #10,606
2000 modern 428 #10,850
2001 modern 428 #10,653
2002 modern 437 #10,693
2003 modern 432 #10,635
2004 modern 426 #10,768
2005 modern 430 #10,575
2006 modern 427 #10,683
2007 modern 430 #10,729
2008 modern 423 #10,975
2009 modern 418 #11,309
2010 modern 423 #11,470
2011 modern 414 #11,533
2012 modern 415 #11,403
2013 modern 422 #11,436
2014 modern 423 #11,488
2015 modern 415 #11,583
2016 modern 413 #11,609

Geography

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Where Sculls are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Edington, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Merthyr Tydfil, Walcott, Charlcome and Keighley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wiltshire, Caerphilly, Bristol and Leeds. 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 Edington Wiltshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Merthyr Tydfil Glamorganshire
4 Walcott, Charlcome Somerset
5 Keighley Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wiltshire 026 Wiltshire
2 Caerphilly 011 Caerphilly
3 Bristol 050 Bristol, City of
4 Wiltshire 002 Wiltshire
5 Leeds 062 Leeds

Forenames

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First names often paired with Scull

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Scull

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

Scull is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Scull falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Scull is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Scull, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Scull

The surname Scull is of English origin, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "sculan," which means "to skulk" or "to lurk." This suggests that the name may have been initially applied to someone who was known for being elusive or stealthy.

In its earliest form, the name was spelled as "Sculle" or "Sculd," as evidenced by entries in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded landholders and their holdings in England. The Domesday Book mentions a landowner named Alwin Sculd in Oxfordshire, indicating the presence of this surname in the late 11th century.

As the name evolved over time, various spellings emerged, including Scull, Skull, Sculle, and Scolle. These variations reflected regional dialects and phonetic adaptations. One notable bearer of the name was John Scull, a English merchant and explorer who lived in the late 16th century. He is best known for his voyages to the New World, where he established trading posts along the coast of what is now Virginia.

Another historical figure with the surname Scull was Nicholas Scull, a surveyor and cartographer born in 1686 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is renowned for his detailed maps of the American colonies, particularly his "Map of Pennsylvania" published in 1759, which was widely used during the colonial era.

In the literary realm, Sir John Scull (1598-1669) was an English dramatist and poet who gained recognition for his plays and poetry during the Jacobean and Caroline eras. His works, such as "The Lover's Melancholy" and "The Honour of the Gentry," were popular among audiences of the time.

Another notable bearer of the Scull surname was Elizabeth Scull (1776-1859), an English portrait painter and miniaturist. Her portraits of prominent figures, including members of the British royal family, were highly acclaimed during the Georgian and Regency periods.

Moving forward in time, Sir John Nigel Scull (1888-1957) was a British military officer who served in World War I and later became a successful businessman and philanthropist. He was knighted for his contributions to industry and his charitable endeavors.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals who have carried the surname Scull throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and professions. While the name's origin remains rooted in the Old English language, its bearers have made significant contributions across different eras and regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Scull families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Scull 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. Gloucestershire leads with 89 Sculls recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.45x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 89 14.45x
Middlesex 45 1.43x
Wiltshire 45 16.20x
Surrey 25 1.63x
Hampshire 23 3.57x
Glamorgan 19 3.47x
Somerset 18 3.56x
Warwickshire 11 1.39x
Yorkshire 11 0.35x
Staffordshire 8 0.75x
Herefordshire 5 3.88x
Berkshire 3 1.27x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.71x
Kent 2 0.19x
Lancashire 2 0.05x
Leicestershire 2 0.57x
Royal Navy 2 5.34x
Sussex 2 0.38x
Brecknockshire 1 1.59x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.53x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.76x
Essex 1 0.16x
Hertfordshire 1 0.46x
Monmouthshire 1 0.44x
Shropshire 1 0.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Westbury in Wiltshire leads with 23 Sculls recorded in 1881 and an index of 354.94x.

Place Total Index
Westbury 23 354.94x
Bristol St Paul In 18 109.69x
Ashmansworth 16 6956.52x
Walcot 16 59.41x
Merthyr Tydfil 15 28.53x
Bitton Oldland 14 222.22x
Old Sodbury 13 1688.31x
Camberwell 10 4.98x
Bristol St Augustine 9 90.54x
Chelsea London 9 9.51x
Cirencester 8 95.92x
Birmingham 7 2.65x
Edington 7 700.00x
Spitalfields London 7 29.62x
Bristol St George 6 21.06x
Bristol St James In 6 66.23x
Burton Upon Trent 6 24.18x
Faccombe 6 2500.00x
Siston 6 545.45x
Urchfont 6 526.32x
Westminster St John 6 15.69x
Richmond 5 23.31x
Thornton In Bradford 5 48.26x
Bristol St James St Paul 4 19.47x
Hereford St Owen 4 94.12x
Newington 4 3.45x
Roath 4 16.10x
Rugby 4 37.31x
Shoreditch London 4 2.94x
St Pancras London 4 1.58x
Swinefleet 4 298.51x
Barnes 3 46.37x
Chippenham 3 51.46x
Hackney London 3 1.70x
Trowbridge 3 24.43x
Chiswick 2 11.66x
Handsworth 2 7.65x
Isleworth 2 14.33x
Islington London 2 0.66x
Lambeth 2 0.73x
Leicester All Sts 2 29.24x
Mile End Old Town 2 4.03x
Nottingham St Mary 2 1.83x
Reading St Giles 2 8.65x
St George Hanover 2 4.88x
Aldenham 1 50.76x
Bath St Michael 1 39.22x
Bitton 1 18.66x
Brighton 1 0.94x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 1 1.72x
Bristol Temple 1 24.63x
Britford 1 54.64x
Burghclere 1 121.95x
Canterbury All Sts 1 256.41x
Catmore 1 1111.11x
Church Pulverbach 1 232.56x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.21x
Elton 1 7.76x
Eton 1 23.20x
Fulham London 1 2.20x
Harlow 1 37.45x
Haworth 1 13.51x
Horfield 1 16.13x
Hove 1 4.30x
Kington 1 31.35x
Laugharne 1 57.14x
Lavington West 1 500.00x
Lenton 1 10.03x
Liverpool 1 0.44x
Llangattock 1 19.53x
Lyncombe Widcombe 1 7.55x
Middlesbrough 1 2.47x
Mynyddyslwyn 1 11.16x
Paddington London 1 0.87x
Royal Navy 1 3.13x
Sopworth 1 476.19x
Stapleton 1 8.55x
Wimbledon 1 5.82x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 22
Sarah 17
Elizabeth 12
Annie 8
Emily 8
Ann 7
Hannah 7
Alice 5
Anne 4
Jane 4
Eliza 3
Emma 3
Lucy 3
Maria 3
Ada 2
Amelia 2
Anna 2
Caroline 2
Clara 2
Edith 2
Ellen 2
Ethel 2
Eva 2
Fanny 2
Jessie 2
Martha 2
Matilda 2
Rebecca 2
Charlotte 1
Edna 1
Eizabeth 1
Elizabth.M. 1
Flora 1
Gertrude 1
Harrett 1
Hester 1
Isabella 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Kato 1
Keturah 1
Keziah 1
Lena 1
Lillie 1
Lily 1
Loveday 1
Lucinda 1
Maisie 1
Margaret 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Scull surname: questions and answers

How common was the Scull surname in 1881?

In 1881, 320 people were recorded with the Scull surname. That placed it at #9,298 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Scull surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 413 in 2016. That gives Scull a modern rank of #11,609.

What does the Scull surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a person who operated a small boat or ferry.

What does the Scull map show?

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