NameCensus.

UK surname

Sellman

An occupational surname for a person who sold goods or worked as a merchant or trader.

In the 1881 census there were 209 people recorded with the Sellman surname, ranking it #12,475 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 249, ranked #16,847, down from #12,475 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ewhurst, Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hastings, Weymouth and Portland and Bromley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sellman is 366 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 19.1%.

1881 census count

209

Ranked #12,475

Modern count

249

2016, ranked #16,847

Peak year

1901

366 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sellman had 209 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,475 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 249 in 2016, ranked #16,847.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 366 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Sellman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sellman surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sellman 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 141 #13,507
1861 historical 146 #15,628
1881 historical 209 #12,475
1891 historical 245 #12,950
1901 historical 366 #10,099
1911 historical 357 #10,132
1997 modern 246 #15,445
1998 modern 263 #15,161
1999 modern 259 #15,433
2000 modern 267 #15,055
2001 modern 254 #15,363
2002 modern 259 #15,453
2003 modern 258 #15,293
2004 modern 255 #15,504
2005 modern 237 #16,244
2006 modern 245 #15,956
2007 modern 251 #15,861
2008 modern 251 #16,026
2009 modern 249 #16,466
2010 modern 260 #16,343
2011 modern 268 #15,843
2012 modern 258 #16,165
2013 modern 263 #16,232
2014 modern 257 #16,598
2015 modern 253 #16,669
2016 modern 249 #16,847

Geography

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Where Sellmans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ewhurst, Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, London parishes, Rawmarsh, Wath-on-Dearn (Swinton) and Cannock. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hastings, Weymouth and Portland, Bromley and Wolverhampton. 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 Ewhurst Sussex
2 Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew Sussex
3 London parishes London 3
4 Rawmarsh, Wath-on-Dearn (Swinton) Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Cannock Staffordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hastings 010 Hastings
2 Weymouth and Portland 001 Weymouth and Portland
3 Bromley 034 Bromley
4 Wolverhampton 008 Wolverhampton
5 Wolverhampton 033 Wolverhampton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sellman

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sellman

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

Professional Periphery

Within London, Sellman is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Sellman is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Sellman falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Sellman

The surname Sellman is of English origin and dates back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word 'sellan', meaning to sell or trade, and the word 'man', referring to a person. This suggests that the name initially referred to a person who was a seller or trader by occupation.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sellman can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, where a John Selleman is listed. The name also appears in various other historical records, such as the Pipe Rolls of Sussex from 1379, where a Thomas Selman is mentioned.

During the 14th century, the name was commonly spelled as 'Selman' or 'Seleman', reflecting the phonetic variations of the time. Other variations, such as 'Sellman' and 'Sillman', emerged later, likely influenced by regional dialects and pronunciation differences.

The Sellman surname has its roots in various areas of England, particularly in the counties of Sussex, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire, where it was most prevalent in medieval times. Some notable individuals with this surname include:

1. Robert Sellman (1570-1638), an English merchant and benefactor from London, who donated funds for the establishment of a grammar school in his hometown of Croydon.

2. William Sellman (1734-1807), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and later became a Member of Parliament.

3. Edward Sellman (1780-1856), an English engraver and illustrator known for his work on various publications, including the Gentleman's Magazine.

4. John Sellman (1825-1892), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Dramatic College.

5. Henry Sellman (1876-1944), an American businessman and philanthropist who founded the Sellman Manufacturing Company, a successful industrial firm based in Ohio.

While the Sellman surname has its origins in medieval England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through emigration and migration. The name has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including merchants, soldiers, artists, and entrepreneurs, contributing to its diverse historical significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sellman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sellman 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. Sussex leads with 53 Sellmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.42x.

County Total Index
Sussex 53 15.42x
Staffordshire 47 6.83x
Middlesex 21 1.03x
Surrey 16 1.61x
Essex 10 2.49x
Gloucestershire 10 2.50x
Cheshire 8 1.78x
Kent 8 1.15x
Yorkshire 7 0.35x
Hertfordshire 6 4.27x
Buckinghamshire 5 4.06x
Cornwall 4 1.73x
Lancashire 4 0.17x
Warwickshire 4 0.78x
Worcestershire 2 0.75x
Dumfriesshire 1 2.22x
Hampshire 1 0.24x
Lincolnshire 1 0.31x
Wiltshire 1 0.55x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cannock in Staffordshire leads with 26 Sellmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 216.49x.

Place Total Index
Cannock 26 216.49x
Ewhurst 19 2500.00x
Rye 10 305.81x
Crowhurst 9 3103.45x
Hackney London 8 7.00x
Lambeth 7 3.94x
Willesden 7 36.42x
Bushey 6 179.10x
Dagenham 6 251.05x
Gnosall 6 361.45x
Rawmarsh 6 84.03x
Weston Subedge 6 2500.00x
Battle 5 215.52x
Dorking 5 74.96x
Macclesfield 5 25.00x
Ashford 4 59.08x
Birmingham 4 2.33x
Castleton 4 16.56x
Chalfont St Giles 4 454.55x
Walsall Foreign 4 11.25x
Brede 3 416.67x
Calstock 3 66.23x
Hastings St Mary 3 35.09x
St Gilesin Fields 3 252.10x
St Pancras London 3 1.83x
Camberwell 2 1.54x
Chigwell 2 52.63x
Chorlton 2 740.74x
Hale 2 129.03x
Pebworth 2 416.67x
Ridgacre 2 384.62x
Saredon 2 1052.63x
St Lawrence 2 41.84x
Upper Penn 2 116.28x
Wednesfield 2 19.74x
West Ham 2 2.25x
Wolverhampton 2 3.78x
Wotton Under Edge 2 84.75x
Bethersden 1 140.85x
Clapham 1 3.92x
Dumfries 1 22.52x
Great Grimsby 1 4.83x
Great Marlow 1 30.03x
Hastings Holy Trinity 1 39.53x
Hastings St Clement 1 30.96x
Hastings St Leonards 1 19.80x
Hastings St Mary In The 1 13.64x
Minster In Sheppey 1 8.68x
Newington 1 1.33x
Portsea 1 1.22x
Rotherham 1 8.78x
Rugeley 1 20.24x
Stratton St Margaret 1 36.10x
Uny Lelant 1 80.00x
Wildboarclough 1 625.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 10
Alice 6
Ann 6
Ellen 6
Eliza 5
Elizabeth 5
Mary 5
Annie 4
Jane 4
Lucy 3
Amy 2
Clara 2
Emma 2
Fanny 2
Hannah 2
Matilda 2
Rebecca 2
A.M. 1
Ada 1
Amelia 1
Anna 1
Beatrice 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Constance 1
Drucella 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Emily 1
F. 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Georgeina 1
Harriet 1
Helena 1
Lydia 1
Martha 1
Maud 1
May 1
Millicent 1
Mirah 1
Naomi 1
Nellie 1
Nora 1
Rita 1
Rosa 1
Sara 1
Selina 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 16
William 11
James 10
George 9
Henry 7
Alfred 5
Frederick 5
Thomas 4
Albert 3
Edward 3
Joseph 3
Samuel 3
Edgar 2
Percy 2
Aaron 1
Arther 1
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Daniel 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
G. 1
Harold 1
Hubert 1
Jack 1
Jas. 1
Jembro 1
Leonard 1
Moses 1
Richard 1
Richd. 1
Sidney 1
Victor 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Sellman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sellman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 209 people were recorded with the Sellman surname. That placed it at #12,475 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sellman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 249 in 2016. That gives Sellman a modern rank of #16,847.

What does the Sellman surname mean?

An occupational surname for a person who sold goods or worked as a merchant or trader.

What does the Sellman map show?

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