NameCensus.

UK surname

Sell

An occupational surname for a seller or merchant of goods.

In the 1881 census there were 912 people recorded with the Sell surname, ranking it #4,205 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,069, ranked #5,471, down from #4,205 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Mary Islington and Melbourn, Meldreth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Uttlesford, Norwich and South Cambridgeshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sell is 1,281 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 17.2%.

1881 census count

912

Ranked #4,205

Modern count

1,069

2016, ranked #5,471

Peak year

1911

1,281 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sell had 912 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,205 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,069 in 2016, ranked #5,471.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,281 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Sell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sell 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 653 #3,979
1861 historical 711 #3,814
1881 historical 912 #4,205
1891 historical 1,010 #4,115
1901 historical 1,102 #4,382
1911 historical 1,281 #3,714
1997 modern 1,196 #4,724
1998 modern 1,234 #4,767
1999 modern 1,245 #4,763
2000 modern 1,222 #4,825
2001 modern 1,179 #4,879
2002 modern 1,191 #4,929
2003 modern 1,155 #4,966
2004 modern 1,155 #4,982
2005 modern 1,127 #5,029
2006 modern 1,108 #5,110
2007 modern 1,073 #5,286
2008 modern 1,072 #5,321
2009 modern 1,108 #5,296
2010 modern 1,139 #5,276
2011 modern 1,093 #5,407
2012 modern 1,069 #5,415
2013 modern 1,082 #5,448
2014 modern 1,083 #5,478
2015 modern 1,084 #5,411
2016 modern 1,069 #5,471

Geography

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Where Sells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Mary Islington, Melbourn, Meldreth and Bassingbourn. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Uttlesford, Norwich, South Cambridgeshire, Kensington and Chelsea and Bristol. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)
4 Melbourn, Meldreth Hertfordshire
5 Bassingbourn Hertfordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Uttlesford 005 Uttlesford
2 Norwich 006 Norwich
3 South Cambridgeshire 018 South Cambridgeshire
4 Kensington and Chelsea 003 Kensington and Chelsea
5 Bristol 013 Bristol, City of

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sell

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Sell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Sell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Sell is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Sell 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

Sell falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Sell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Sell

The surname Sell is of Anglo-Saxon origin and can be traced back to the early medieval period in England. It is thought to have derived from the Old English word "sellan," which means "to sell" or "to give." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who worked as a seller or merchant.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sell can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Selle." This comprehensive survey of land and property ownership in England, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides valuable insights into the distribution and prevalence of surnames during that time.

In the 13th century, the name Sell was particularly prevalent in the counties of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. Historical records from this period show variations in spelling, such as "Selle," "Selle," and "Selle," reflecting the fluidity of surname spellings before they became standardized.

One notable individual bearing the surname Sell was John Sell, a merchant and landowner who lived in the city of York in the late 14th century. Records indicate that he was a prominent figure in the local community and held significant property and business interests.

Another historical figure of note was Sir Thomas Sell, a knight who lived during the reign of Henry VIII in the 16th century. He is mentioned in chronicles of the time for his military service and his involvement in various campaigns and battles.

In the 17th century, the surname Sell was found in various parts of England, including the counties of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Dorset. One notable bearer of the name during this period was Richard Sell, a scholar and clergyman who served as the Rector of Stourton in Wiltshire from 1623 until his death in 1658.

The 18th century saw the emergence of several individuals with the surname Sell who achieved some level of prominence. For example, William Sell (1698-1736) was a renowned architect and builder who was responsible for the construction of several notable buildings in London, including the Radcliffe Camera at the University of Oxford.

As the centuries progressed, the surname Sell continued to be present in various regions of England, with some families moving to other parts of the British Isles and eventually to other parts of the world through emigration.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sell 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 249 Sells recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.81x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 249 2.81x
Essex 137 7.84x
Cambridgeshire 131 23.35x
Hertfordshire 129 21.13x
Kent 63 2.08x
Surrey 61 1.41x
Bedfordshire 31 6.76x
Lancashire 20 0.19x
Berkshire 17 2.56x
Yorkshire 17 0.19x
Lincolnshire 13 0.92x
Norfolk 9 0.66x
Leicestershire 8 0.81x
Warwickshire 8 0.36x
Suffolk 6 0.56x
Somerset 4 0.28x
Sussex 2 0.13x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.19x
Derbyshire 1 0.07x
Royal Navy 1 0.95x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bassingbourn in Cambridgeshire leads with 49 Sells recorded in 1881 and an index of 594.66x.

Place Total Index
Bassingbourn 49 594.66x
Islington London 44 5.13x
Saffron Walden 29 157.01x
Langley 20 1652.89x
Brent Pelham 19 2676.06x
Hampstead London 18 13.05x
Clerkenwell London 17 8.13x
Hackney London 17 3.42x
Kensington London 17 3.45x
Camberwell 16 2.83x
Clavering 16 504.73x
Hammersmith London 15 6.87x
Croydon 14 5.84x
Luton 14 17.63x
St Andrewthe Less 14 21.84x
Lambeth 13 1.68x
Mile End Old Town 13 9.30x
Newport 13 427.63x
Arkesden 12 944.88x
Meldreth 12 550.46x
St Pancras London 12 1.68x
Bishop Stortford 11 53.95x
Kings Walden 11 318.84x
Standon 11 175.16x
Paddington London 10 3.07x
St Marylebone London 10 2.11x
Stevenage 10 105.60x
Bengeo 9 126.94x
Orwell 9 370.37x
St Marythe Less 9 263.93x
Ware 9 51.43x
Clee With Weelsby 8 25.81x
Great Faringdon 8 83.77x
Greenwich 8 5.67x
Lee 8 18.23x
Royston 8 153.85x
Whitstable 8 53.98x
Enfield 7 12.04x
Flitcham Cum Appleton 7 492.96x
Hitchin 7 25.40x
Kingston On Thames 7 6.75x
Wallingford St Mary Le 7 186.17x
Warrington 7 5.62x
West Ham 7 1.81x
Bethnal Green London 6 1.56x
Bidford 6 125.52x
Cheshunt 6 28.12x
Edmonton 6 8.41x
Foxton 6 468.75x
Glenfield 6 315.79x
Headingley Cum Burley 6 10.62x
Pemberton 6 14.32x
St Benedict Cambridge 6 189.27x
St Clement Danes 6 41.84x
St George In East 6 9.96x
Thundridge 6 419.58x
Tottenham 6 4.25x
Walthamstow 6 9.53x
Barrington 5 264.55x
Bedford St Paul 5 15.89x
Chatham 5 6.01x
Fulham London 5 3.89x
Huddersfield 5 3.91x
Ipswich St Margaret 5 13.66x
Leeds 5 1.01x
Leighton Buzzard 5 25.34x
Little Easton 5 561.80x
Romford 5 18.09x
Roydon 5 194.55x
Shoreditch London 5 1.30x
St Giles In Fields 5 16.37x
Wendens Ambo 5 446.43x
Wragby 5 322.58x
Broughton In Salford 4 4.16x
Codicote 4 109.89x
Southwark St George Martyr 4 2.24x
St Andrewthe Great 4 55.17x
St Peters 4 28.61x
Sutton Valence 4 116.62x
Woolwich 4 3.58x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 62
Charles 29
George 28
James 28
John 27
Henry 25
Thomas 22
Joseph 14
Arthur 13
Alfred 12
Edward 12
Samuel 9
Harry 8
Richard 8
Robert 7
Walter 7
Simeon 6
Albert 5
David 5
Peter 5
Daniel 3
Elias 3
Herbert 3
Wm. 3
Aaron 2
Amos 2
Benjamin 2
Chas. 2
Christopher 2
Frank 2
Jared 2
Jeffrey 2
Lawrence 2
Philip 2
Robt. 2
Thos. 2
Ambrose 1
Bertie 1
Chas 1
Edw.J.C. 1
Edw.Josh. 1
Elizabeth 1
Ernest 1
Fred 1
Horace 1
Horatio 1
Hutchinson 1
J. 1
Jacob 1
Wm.J. 1

FAQ

Sell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 912 people were recorded with the Sell surname. That placed it at #4,205 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,069 in 2016. That gives Sell a modern rank of #5,471.

What does the Sell surname mean?

An occupational surname for a seller or merchant of goods.

What does the Sell map show?

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