UK surname
An occupational surname derived from the archaic verb meaning "to owe" or "to be obliged."
In the 1881 census there were 56 people recorded with the Shall surname, ranking it #25,733 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 40, ranked #35,434, down from #25,733 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Glossop and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shall is 175 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 28.6%.
1881 census count
56
Ranked #25,733
Modern count
40
2016, ranked #35,434
Peak year
1861
175 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Shall surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Shall surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 54 | #23,577 |
| 1861 | historical | 175 | #13,409 |
| 1881 | historical | 56 | #25,733 |
| 1891 | historical | 94 | #24,820 |
| 1901 | historical | 51 | #28,492 |
| 1911 | historical | 47 | #28,110 |
| 1997 | modern | 40 | #33,666 |
| 1998 | modern | 29 | #34,948 |
| 1999 | modern | 32 | #34,717 |
| 2000 | modern | 33 | #34,607 |
| 2001 | modern | 27 | #35,041 |
| 2002 | modern | 24 | #35,520 |
| 2003 | modern | 26 | #35,371 |
| 2004 | modern | 26 | #35,519 |
| 2005 | modern | 30 | #35,347 |
| 2006 | modern | 33 | #35,329 |
| 2007 | modern | 32 | #35,530 |
| 2008 | modern | 37 | #35,327 |
| 2009 | modern | 36 | #35,496 |
| 2010 | modern | 34 | #35,730 |
| 2011 | modern | 34 | #35,705 |
| 2012 | modern | 37 | #35,531 |
| 2013 | modern | 32 | #35,862 |
| 2014 | modern | 33 | #35,843 |
| 2015 | modern | 36 | #35,654 |
| 2016 | modern | 40 | #35,434 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Glossop, Lambeth, Hurstmonceux, Wartling and St George the Martyr. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wolverhampton | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Glossop | Derbyshire |
| 3 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Hurstmonceux, Wartling | Sussex |
| 5 | St George the Martyr | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Shall surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Shall, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Shall surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Shall household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Shall is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Shall is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Shall, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname SHALL is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. Its roots can be traced back to the Old English word "sceal," which means "shell" or "husk." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who worked with shells or lived near a place where shells were abundant.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Scalles." This entry is believed to refer to a place called Scales in Lancashire, which reinforces the connection between the name and its potential origin related to shells or a shell-like location.
During the 13th century, various spellings of the name emerged, such as "Schale," "Schal," and "Schalles." These variations reflect the evolution of the English language and the influence of different dialects on the pronunciation and spelling of the name.
Notably, in the 14th century, a prominent individual named Sir Robert Shall (c. 1310 - 1378) was recorded as holding lands in Nottinghamshire. His name appears in various historical documents, indicating the presence of the surname during this time period.
Another notable figure was John Shall (c. 1420 - 1492), a merchant and alderman in the city of London. He was a wealthy and influential figure in his time, and his name is mentioned in several records related to trade and civic affairs.
In the 16th century, the surname took on a more recognizable spelling, with instances of "Shall" appearing in parish records and other documents. One such example is William Shall (c. 1530 - 1602), a landowner and farmer in Oxfordshire, whose name is recorded in local land deeds and tax records.
During the 17th century, the surname continued to be present across various regions of England. One notable individual was Edward Shall (c. 1620 - 1692), a clergyman and author who wrote several religious treatises and sermons that were published during his lifetime.
In the 18th century, the surname gained further recognition with the birth of James Shall (1738 - 1810), a renowned painter and engraver. His works were widely celebrated, and his name is mentioned in art historical records and exhibition catalogs from that period.
While the surname SHALL may have originated from a humble association with shells or a specific location, it has been carried by individuals from various walks of life throughout history, leaving a lasting legacy across different fields and regions of England.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Shall surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 13 Shalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.90x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 13 | 2.90x |
| Lancashire | 8 | 1.50x |
| Staffordshire | 6 | 3.96x |
| Norfolk | 5 | 7.25x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 1.12x |
| Berkshire | 2 | 5.94x |
| Cornwall | 2 | 3.94x |
| Devon | 1 | 1.07x |
| Essex | 1 | 1.13x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 1.14x |
| Herefordshire | 1 | 5.43x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 1.50x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Clerkenwell London in Middlesex leads with 6 Shalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 56.66x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Clerkenwell London | 6 | 56.66x |
| Liverpool | 6 | 18.55x |
| Wolverhampton | 6 | 51.50x |
| South Lynn | 5 | 641.03x |
| St Luke London | 5 | 69.44x |
| Bisham | 2 | 1818.18x |
| Phillack | 2 | 303.03x |
| Scarborough | 2 | 49.51x |
| Bradford | 1 | 9.29x |
| Drighlington | 1 | 153.85x |
| Exeter Heavitree | 1 | 142.86x |
| Fazakerley | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Holy Trinity St Mary | 1 | 147.06x |
| Hornsey | 1 | 17.64x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 4.01x |
| Manchester | 1 | 4.18x |
| Painswick | 1 | 161.29x |
| Walford | 1 | 555.56x |
| West Ham | 1 | 5.11x |
| Westgate | 1 | 24.21x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Shall surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Shall surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Shall households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 11 |
| Carter | 2 |
| Papermill Hand | 2 |
| Bag Maker (17/U) | 1 |
| Bar Maid | 1 |
| Book Binder | 1 |
| Coal Dealer | 1 |
| Domestic Serv Laundress | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| General Shop Keeper | 1 |
| Groom (Dom) | 1 |
| Lab General | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Locksmith | 1 |
| Milliner | 1 |
| Millwright | 1 |
| Porter | 1 |
| Rly Porter | 1 |
| Sailors Wife | 1 |
| Sempstress | 1 |
| Sugar Baker | 1 |
| Tie Maker | 1 |
| Timber Agent | 1 |
| Warehouseman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 56 people were recorded with the Shall surname. That placed it at #25,733 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 40 in 2016. That gives Shall a modern rank of #35,434.
An occupational surname derived from the archaic verb meaning "to owe" or "to be obliged."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Shall bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.