NameCensus.

UK surname

Seale

Derived from Old English "sēale," referring to a person who lived near a willow tree or a sallow swamp.

In the 1881 census there were 511 people recorded with the Seale surname, ranking it #6,667 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 855, ranked #6,547, up from #6,667 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes and Tunbridge, Bidborough. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rochdale, Erewash and East Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Seale is 928 in 1997. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 67.3%.

1881 census count

511

Ranked #6,667

Modern count

855

2016, ranked #6,547

Peak year

1997

928 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Seale had 511 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,667 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 855 in 2016, ranked #6,547.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 834 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Seale surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Seale surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Seale 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 353 #6,689
1861 historical 568 #4,631
1881 historical 511 #6,667
1891 historical 553 #6,848
1901 historical 635 #6,762
1911 historical 834 #5,293
1997 modern 928 #5,824
1998 modern 901 #6,156
1999 modern 926 #6,070
2000 modern 925 #6,056
2001 modern 903 #6,068
2002 modern 905 #6,170
2003 modern 855 #6,321
2004 modern 859 #6,303
2005 modern 853 #6,300
2006 modern 850 #6,321
2007 modern 877 #6,216
2008 modern 877 #6,258
2009 modern 887 #6,335
2010 modern 890 #6,446
2011 modern 867 #6,516
2012 modern 865 #6,435
2013 modern 879 #6,469
2014 modern 885 #6,463
2015 modern 875 #6,449
2016 modern 855 #6,547

Geography

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Where Seales are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes, Tunbridge, Bidborough and St Werburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rochdale, Erewash, East Devon, Herefordshire and Sevenoaks. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Tunbridge, Bidborough Kent
4 London parishes London 3
5 St Werburgh Derbyshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rochdale 018 Rochdale
2 Erewash 004 Erewash
3 East Devon 006 East Devon
4 Herefordshire 006 Herefordshire, County of
5 Sevenoaks 013 Sevenoaks

Forenames

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First names often paired with Seale

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Seale

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Seale surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Seale household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Seale 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

Seale is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Seale

The surname Seale originated in England during the Anglo-Saxon period, deriving from the Old English word "sæl," meaning "seal," referring to the sea mammal. It likely arose as an occupational surname, indicating a person who hunted or worked with seals.

One of the earliest records of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists a person named Sele in Norfolk. The name appeared in various spellings, such as Sele, Seal, and Seale, reflecting the regional dialects of the time.

In the 13th century, records show the name Seale appearing in various locations across England, suggesting its widespread use. For instance, a Robert Sele was mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire in 1219.

The name Seale is also associated with several place names in England, including Seale in Surrey, which may have influenced the surname's spelling and distribution. Additionally, the name Sele appears in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1176, indicating its early presence in the region.

Notable individuals with the surname Seale include:

1. William Seale (1606-1680), an English MP who sat in the House of Commons between 1646 and 1653. 2. John Seale (1719-1795), a British naval officer and explorer who served during the American Revolutionary War. 3. Sir John Seale (1566-1627), an English diplomat and Member of Parliament who served as the English ambassador to Turkey. 4. Richard Seale (1634-1701), an English clergyman who served as the Bishop of Gloucester from 1691 until his death. 5. Thomas Seale (1788-1834), an English engraver and book illustrator known for his work on literary classics.

While the surname Seale has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and exploration.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Seale families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Seale 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 Seales recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.89x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 98 1.89x
Kent 64 3.62x
Surrey 34 1.35x
Lancashire 30 0.49x
Channel Islands 28 18.24x
Yorkshire 28 0.55x
Derbyshire 27 3.33x
Herefordshire 23 10.83x
Norfolk 19 2.39x
Hampshire 18 1.70x
Staffordshire 18 1.03x
Glamorgan 17 1.88x
Devon 15 1.39x
Sussex 15 1.72x
Somerset 14 1.68x
Cheshire 11 0.96x
Dorset 11 3.24x
Warwickshire 11 0.84x
Worcestershire 11 1.63x
Essex 9 0.88x
Leicestershire 8 1.39x
Nottinghamshire 7 1.00x
Bedfordshire 2 0.75x
Cumberland 2 0.45x
Gloucestershire 2 0.20x
Suffolk 2 0.32x
Wiltshire 2 0.44x
Berkshire 1 0.26x
Brecknockshire 1 0.97x
Durham 1 0.06x
Oxfordshire 1 0.31x
Royal Navy 1 1.62x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tonbridge in Kent leads with 31 Seales recorded in 1881 and an index of 48.64x.

Place Total Index
Tonbridge 31 48.64x
St Brelade 18 455.70x
Little Eaton 12 714.29x
Tottenham 11 13.33x
Brighton 9 5.11x
St Marylebone London 9 3.25x
Basingstoke 8 65.52x
Gelligaer 8 38.84x
Llanguick 8 49.51x
Sevenoaks 8 55.83x
South Runcton 8 2962.96x
Carlton 7 87.83x
Handsworth 7 16.25x
Islington London 7 1.39x
Lambeth 7 1.55x
Southwark St George Martyr 7 6.72x
St Owen 7 173.70x
West Ham 7 3.10x
Yarpole 7 654.21x
York St Saviour 7 142.86x
Breaston 6 419.58x
Camberwell 6 1.81x
Croydon 6 4.28x
Dartmouth Townstall 6 136.67x
Didsbury 6 73.53x
Greenwich 6 7.28x
Huddersfield 6 8.02x
Lyncombe Widcombe 6 27.49x
Mile End Old Town 6 7.34x
Portsea 6 2.88x
St George In East 6 17.03x
Swainswick 6 535.71x
Westminster St James 6 11.27x
Westminster St John 6 9.51x
Yazor 6 1578.95x
Derby St Werburgh 5 10.68x
Ecclesfield 5 13.29x
Kensington London 5 1.74x
Kings Norton 5 8.24x
Kirkdale 5 4.84x
Penshurst 5 168.35x
Rugby 5 28.30x
Sale 5 35.64x
South Lynn 5 55.62x
St Pancras London 5 1.20x
Tamworth 5 53.48x
Dudley 4 4.86x
Horsemonden 4 155.04x
Leicester St Mary 4 8.62x
Narborough 4 519.48x
Oldham 4 2.02x
Puncknowle 4 476.19x
Ratcliffe London 4 13.99x
Salford 4 2.21x
Shoreditch London 4 1.78x
Stoke Abbott 4 408.16x
Wednesbury 4 9.16x
Weobley 4 254.78x
Aston Cantlow 3 153.85x
Brightside Bierlow 3 2.98x
Chelsea London 3 1.92x
Hampstead London 3 3.72x
Hornsey 3 4.58x
Kingstone 3 379.75x
Kirkby Mallory 3 882.35x
Liverpool 3 0.80x
Lower Bullingham 3 357.14x
Maidstone 3 5.70x
Morleigh 3 1578.95x
Ryde 3 13.15x
Sittingbourne 3 21.49x
St Giles In Fields 3 16.80x
Stokefleming 3 220.59x
Willesden 3 6.15x
Edmonton 2 4.79x
Kingswinford 2 3.15x
Lingfield 2 40.65x
North Bierley 2 7.22x
Stevington 2 180.18x
Stockport 2 3.40x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 33
Elizabeth 20
Jane 16
Eliza 13
Emma 13
Ann 12
Alice 11
Annie 8
Edith 8
Sarah 8
Margaret 7
Charlotte 5
Emily 5
Florence 5
Maria 5
Ada 4
Anne 4
Clara 4
Esther 4
Harriet 4
Kate 4
Louisa 4
Martha 4
Susan 4
Amelia 3
Caroline 3
Ellen 3
Harriett 3
Matilda 3
Catherine 2
Christian 2
Elisa 2
Fanny 2
Gertrude 2
Isabella 2
Janet 2
Louise 2
Rose 2
Bethia 1
Blanch 1
Elizebeth 1
Elizth. 1
Ella 1
Emiley 1
Grace 1
Harreit 1
Harreot 1
Henrietta 1
Julia 1
Sussanah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 31
William 26
George 20
Thomas 16
James 14
Henry 12
Robert 10
Charles 8
Edward 8
Joseph 7
Alfred 6
Samuel 6
Walter 6
Arthur 5
Frank 5
Edwin 4
Wm. 4
Herbert 3
Albert 2
Archibald 2
Daniel 2
Frederic 2
Frederick 2
Friend 2
Harry 2
Isaac 2
Louis 2
Stephen 2
Austin 1
Benjamin 1
Cristopher 1
Cuthbert 1
David 1
Edgar 1
Elijah 1
Ernest 1
Ford 1
Francis 1
Francus 1
Fredk. 1
Frs.C. 1
Frs.D. 1
Jas. 1
Jeremiah 1
Job 1
Joh. 1
Joshu. 1
Montague 1
Philip 1
Reginald 1

FAQ

Seale surname: questions and answers

How common was the Seale surname in 1881?

In 1881, 511 people were recorded with the Seale surname. That placed it at #6,667 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Seale surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 855 in 2016. That gives Seale a modern rank of #6,547.

What does the Seale surname mean?

Derived from Old English "sēale," referring to a person who lived near a willow tree or a sallow swamp.

What does the Seale map show?

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