UK surname
A locational surname for someone from a place where there were smelt mills.
In the 1881 census there were 53 people recorded with the Smeal surname, ranking it #26,134 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 23, ranked #36,457, down from #26,134 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Kirknewton, Govan Combination and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Smeal is 105 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 56.6%.
1881 census count
53
Ranked #26,134
Modern count
23
2016, ranked #36,457
Peak year
1851
105 bearers
Map years
1
1851 to 1851
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Smeal surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Smeal surname density by area, 1851 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 | 105 | #16,618 |
| 1861 | historical | 74 | #24,370 |
| 1881 | historical | 53 | #26,134 |
| 1891 | historical | 64 | #28,781 |
| 1901 | historical | 66 | #26,794 |
| 1911 | historical | 16 | #31,804 |
| 1997 | modern | 33 | #34,377 |
| 1998 | modern | 32 | #34,633 |
| 1999 | modern | 35 | #34,418 |
| 2000 | modern | 33 | #34,607 |
| 2001 | modern | 32 | #34,537 |
| 2002 | modern | 30 | #34,950 |
| 2003 | modern | 28 | #35,200 |
| 2004 | modern | 31 | #35,105 |
| 2005 | modern | 29 | #35,431 |
| 2006 | modern | 30 | #35,526 |
| 2007 | modern | 29 | #35,725 |
| 2008 | modern | 28 | #35,875 |
| 2009 | modern | 30 | #35,871 |
| 2010 | modern | 29 | #36,024 |
| 2011 | modern | 27 | #36,136 |
| 2012 | modern | 26 | #36,166 |
| 2013 | modern | 25 | #36,276 |
| 2014 | modern | 24 | #36,358 |
| 2015 | modern | 24 | #36,364 |
| 2016 | modern | 23 | #36,457 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Kirknewton, Govan Combination, London parishes, Lauder and Edinburgh. 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 | Kirknewton | Edinburgh |
| 2 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Lauder | Berwick |
| 5 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Smeal 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 Smeal, 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 Smeal surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Smeal 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, Smeal 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 Smeal is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Smeal, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname SMEAL is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from an Old English word "smele," which means "smooth" or "sleek." This suggests that the name may have been initially given as a nickname to someone with a smooth or well-groomed appearance.
The earliest recorded instances of the name SMEAL can be traced back to the 13th century. In the Hundred Rolls of Lincolnshire, compiled in 1273, there is a reference to a man named William Smelman. This early spelling variant, "Smelman," provides insight into the name's evolution over time.
During the 14th century, the name SMEAL started to appear more frequently in various historical records. One notable example is found in the Patent Rolls of 1348, which mention a John Smele from Oxfordshire. This document provides evidence of the surname's use and geographical distribution at that time.
In the 15th century, the name SMEAL continued to be documented in various regions of England. One notable bearer of the name was Robert Smele, a merchant from London who was mentioned in the Court of Husting Rolls in 1472.
As the centuries progressed, the spelling of the name evolved further, leading to variants such as Smeal, Smeale, and Smeil. One prominent individual with this surname was Sir John Smeal (1590-1648), a Member of Parliament and a supporter of the Parliamentarian cause during the English Civil War.
Another notable figure was William Smeal (1765-1849), a Scottish minister and author who wrote extensively on religious and theological topics. His works, such as "The Doctrine of the New Testament Respecting the Person of Christ," were widely read and influential during his time.
In the 19th century, the SMEAL surname gained prominence in the United States. One individual of note was Henry Smeal (1825-1901), a Civil War veteran who fought for the Union Army and later became a successful businessman and politician in Pennsylvania.
Throughout its history, the surname SMEAL has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, scholars, and military personnel. While the name may have originated as a nickname, it has become a distinct and enduring surname with a rich historical legacy.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Smeal 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. Lanarkshire leads with 23 Smeals recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.76x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lanarkshire | 23 | 13.76x |
| Midlothian | 10 | 14.44x |
| Surrey | 6 | 2.38x |
| Renfrewshire | 5 | 12.48x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 0.77x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.49x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.39x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Glasgow in Lanarkshire leads with 11 Smeals recorded in 1881 and an index of 37.06x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Glasgow | 11 | 37.06x |
| Govan | 11 | 26.61x |
| Bermondsey | 5 | 32.49x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 5 | 17.95x |
| Cathcart | 4 | 184.33x |
| Hackney London | 4 | 13.81x |
| Moss Side | 3 | 92.88x |
| Heaton | 2 | 363.64x |
| Ratho | 2 | 625.00x |
| Barony | 1 | 2.36x |
| Duddingston | 1 | 71.94x |
| Glencorse | 1 | 370.37x |
| Stow | 1 | 277.78x |
| Streatham | 1 | 26.11x |
| West Greenock | 1 | 13.91x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Smeal 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 Smeal 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 Smeal households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Cook | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Packer (Fact Lab) | 1 |
| Railway Porter | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
| Surgeon | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 53 people were recorded with the Smeal surname. That placed it at #26,134 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 23 in 2016. That gives Smeal a modern rank of #36,457.
A locational surname for someone from a place where there were smelt mills.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Smeal 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.