NameCensus.

UK surname

Setchell

An English place surname derived from a settlement name "Setchell" in Norfolk.

In the 1881 census there were 305 people recorded with the Setchell surname, ranking it #9,615 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 544, ranked #9,364, up from #9,615 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Coveney, Manea, Mepal, Downham, Witcham, Witchford, Wentworth, King's Lynn St Margaret and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Cambridgeshire, King's Lynn and West Norfolk and Huntingdonshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Setchell is 577 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 78.4%.

1881 census count

305

Ranked #9,615

Modern count

544

2016, ranked #9,364

Peak year

2000

577 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Setchell had 305 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,615 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 544 in 2016, ranked #9,364.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 502 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Setchell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Setchell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Setchell 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 208 #10,107
1861 historical 235 #10,427
1881 historical 305 #9,615
1891 historical 358 #9,655
1901 historical 473 #8,395
1911 historical 502 #7,809
1997 modern 561 #8,538
1998 modern 565 #8,738
1999 modern 567 #8,766
2000 modern 577 #8,630
2001 modern 562 #8,664
2002 modern 564 #8,811
2003 modern 558 #8,740
2004 modern 561 #8,736
2005 modern 522 #9,159
2006 modern 502 #9,463
2007 modern 506 #9,482
2008 modern 503 #9,590
2009 modern 508 #9,733
2010 modern 540 #9,491
2011 modern 534 #9,493
2012 modern 520 #9,607
2013 modern 534 #9,564
2014 modern 551 #9,378
2015 modern 548 #9,338
2016 modern 544 #9,364

Geography

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Where Setchells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Coveney, Manea, Mepal, Downham, Witcham, Witchford, Wentworth, King's Lynn St Margaret, London parishes, Bedford St Paul and Doddington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Cambridgeshire, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Huntingdonshire and Stratford-on-Avon. 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 Coveney, Manea, Mepal, Downham, Witcham, Witchford, Wentworth Cambridgeshire
2 King's Lynn St Margaret Norfolk
3 London parishes London 3
4 Bedford St Paul Bedfordshire
5 Doddington Cambridgeshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Cambridgeshire 005 East Cambridgeshire
2 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 007 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
3 Huntingdonshire 003 Huntingdonshire
4 East Cambridgeshire 004 East Cambridgeshire
5 Stratford-on-Avon 005 Stratford-on-Avon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Setchell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Setchell

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Setchell 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

Setchell is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Setchell

The surname Setchell has its origins in England, dating back to the 14th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "seċċ" meaning "dry ground" and "hyll" meaning "hill," suggesting it may have been a topographic name for someone living on a dry hill or elevated ground.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, where it is listed as "Sechull." This early spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time.

In the 15th century, the name appeared in the form "Setchell" in the Feet of Fines for Suffolk in 1448, indicating its presence in that region. It is also worth noting that the village of Setchell, located in Norfolk, England, may have influenced the surname's spelling and usage.

The Setchell surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was Thomas Setchell (1588-1669), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Master of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.

Another prominent individual was William Ambrose Setchell (1853-1935), a British-American botanist and phycologist, known for his contributions to the study of marine algae. He held academic positions at the University of California, Berkeley, and served as the president of the Botanical Society of America in 1917.

In the literary realm, Lestor Setchell (1852-1927) was an English novelist and playwright, best known for his work "The Cuckoo's Nest," published in 1903.

Moving into the realm of sports, Frederick Setchell (1887-1957) was an English professional footballer who played as a forward for various clubs, including Liverpool and Burnley, in the early 20th century.

Another noteworthy figure was William Setchell (1825-1905), an English businessman and philanthropist who founded the Setchell Trust, which provided financial aid to students pursuing higher education.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the Setchell surname throughout history, contributing to various fields and leaving their mark on society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Setchell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Setchell 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. Cambridgeshire leads with 88 Setchells recorded in 1881 and an index of 46.70x.

County Total Index
Cambridgeshire 88 46.70x
Huntingdonshire 55 93.11x
Norfolk 42 9.18x
Bedfordshire 22 14.28x
Middlesex 21 0.71x
Surrey 18 1.24x
Northamptonshire 13 4.65x
Yorkshire 8 0.27x
Leicestershire 7 2.12x
Essex 6 1.02x
Derbyshire 5 1.07x
Lancashire 5 0.14x
Lincolnshire 5 1.05x
Cheshire 4 0.61x
Hertfordshire 3 1.46x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.75x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kings Lynn St Margaret in Norfolk leads with 27 Setchells recorded in 1881 and an index of 196.65x.

Place Total Index
Kings Lynn St Margaret 27 196.65x
Warboys 23 1345.03x
Downham 20 1000.00x
Wimblington 15 1351.35x
Bedford St Paul 13 122.99x
Whittlesey St Mary St 9 136.78x
Blofield 8 689.66x
Ramsey 8 169.13x
Battersea 7 6.39x
Haddenham 7 395.48x
March 7 110.94x
St Andrewthe Less 7 32.51x
Bedford St Cuthbert 6 437.96x
Glatton Holme 6 1818.18x
Stetchworth 6 967.74x
Wortley In Bramley 6 25.70x
Colchester St Botolph 5 100.00x
Ely Holy Trinity St Mary 5 60.83x
Lambeth 5 1.93x
St Pancras London 5 2.09x
Sutton 5 320.51x
Whittington 5 77.64x
Chester St Oswald 4 33.64x
Crompton 4 39.80x
Hail Weston 4 1111.11x
Hammersmith London 4 5.46x
Loughborough 4 26.72x
Washingley 4 4000.00x
Beeston 3 65.08x
Bermondsey 3 3.39x
Bluntisham 3 270.27x
Gaywood 3 365.85x
Hugglescote 3 61.86x
Irthlingborough 3 109.49x
Luton 3 11.25x
Oundle 3 95.85x
Paddington London 3 2.74x
South Lynn 3 58.14x
Stibbington 3 545.45x
Chatteris 2 41.58x
Cleckheaton 2 18.42x
Crowland 2 67.11x
Eye 2 149.25x
Islington London 2 0.69x
Kensington London 2 1.21x
Peterborough 2 9.87x
St Peterat Gowts Lincoln 2 29.90x
Tichmarsh 2 212.77x
Upwood 2 571.43x
Wisbech St Peter 2 21.16x
Ashton In Oundle 1 10000.00x
Cheshunt 1 13.95x
Ealing 1 3.76x
East Dereham 1 17.30x
East Ham 1 9.17x
Gamlingay 1 51.02x
Hampstead London 1 2.16x
Hertingfordbury 1 119.05x
Huntingdon St Mary 1 67.57x
Little Raveley 1 2000.00x
Merton 1 39.37x
Metheringham 1 52.63x
Newington 1 0.91x
Putney 1 7.37x
Soham 1 24.63x
St Giles In Fields 1 9.75x
Thorney 1 47.85x
Todmorden Walsden 1 10.57x
Ware 1 17.01x
Westminster St 1 9.12x
Westminster St James 1 3.27x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 16
Mary 14
Elizabeth 12
Eliza 9
Annie 8
Ann 6
Ellen 6
Emma 6
Martha 6
Fanny 4
Julia 4
Alice 3
Hannah 3
Jane 3
Kate 3
Susan 3
Catherine 2
Edith 2
Elizth. 2
Esther 2
Georgiana 2
Harriet 2
Louisa 2
Maria 2
Matilda 2
Rebecca 2
Allice 1
Amandy 1
Angelina 1
Anna 1
Betsy 1
Caraline 1
Caroline 1
Charlotte 1
Emeline 1
Frances 1
Jesse 1
Kezia 1
Lizzie 1
Lucy 1
Lydia 1
Marianne 1
Maude 1
Minnie 1
Nellie 1
Rachel 1
Rosamond 1
Rosana 1
Sary 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 22
John 18
Thomas 16
George 13
Alfred 7
Joseph 6
Samuel 6
Henry 5
Robert 5
Charles 4
Fred 4
James 4
Walter 4
Frank 3
Harry 3
Tom 3
Arthur 2
Edward 2
Ernest 2
Herbert 2
Lavender 2
Oliver 2
Adam 1
Albert 1
Benjamin 1
Chas. 1
Chas.William 1
David 1
Edwin 1
Egbert 1
Elijah 1
Flanders 1
Geo.J. 1
Hartley 1
Horace 1
Larry 1
Richard 1
Thoms. 1
Ton 1

FAQ

Setchell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Setchell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 305 people were recorded with the Setchell surname. That placed it at #9,615 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Setchell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 544 in 2016. That gives Setchell a modern rank of #9,364.

What does the Setchell surname mean?

An English place surname derived from a settlement name "Setchell" in Norfolk.

What does the Setchell map show?

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