NameCensus.

UK surname

Snelling

Derived from a place name meaning "settlement of Snell's people," referring to an English village associated with a man called Snell.

In the 1881 census there were 2,431 people recorded with the Snelling surname, ranking it #1,824 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,397, ranked #2,741, down from #1,824 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Lambeth and Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Norwich, Broadland and Sefton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Snelling is 3,338 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 1.4%.

1881 census count

2,431

Ranked #1,824

Modern count

2,397

2016, ranked #2,741

Peak year

1911

3,338 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Snelling had 2,431 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,824 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,397 in 2016, ranked #2,741.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,338 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Snelling surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Snelling surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Snelling 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 1,478 #1,937
1861 historical 1,345 #2,126
1881 historical 2,431 #1,824
1891 historical 2,735 #1,729
1901 historical 3,086 #1,811
1911 historical 3,338 #1,562
1997 modern 2,906 #2,227
1998 modern 2,931 #2,298
1999 modern 2,931 #2,312
2000 modern 2,865 #2,349
2001 modern 2,823 #2,329
2002 modern 2,810 #2,383
2003 modern 2,717 #2,398
2004 modern 2,681 #2,427
2005 modern 2,597 #2,459
2006 modern 2,552 #2,498
2007 modern 2,527 #2,540
2008 modern 2,514 #2,575
2009 modern 2,573 #2,579
2010 modern 2,605 #2,603
2011 modern 2,589 #2,590
2012 modern 2,461 #2,663
2013 modern 2,494 #2,671
2014 modern 2,491 #2,692
2015 modern 2,442 #2,708
2016 modern 2,397 #2,741

Geography

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Where Snellings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Lambeth, Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos and Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Norwich, Broadland, Sefton and Torridge. 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 Lambeth London (South Districts)
4 Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos Norfolk
5 Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Norwich 013 Norwich
2 Broadland 003 Broadland
3 Norwich 002 Norwich
4 Sefton 031 Sefton
5 Torridge 005 Torridge

Forenames

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First names often paired with Snelling

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Snelling

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

London Fringe

Within London, Snelling 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

Snelling is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Snelling falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Snelling

The surname Snelling originated in England, emerging in the late 12th century. It derives from the Old English word 'snell', meaning swift or active, and refers to an occupation or personal characteristic. The name was initially found in regions like Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex, where it was common among families residing in villages and towns.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Snelling surname appears in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk from 1199, where a Hugo Snelling is mentioned. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also contain references to individuals with this name, such as William Snelling from Oxfordshire. These early records provide insight into the name's widespread use during the medieval period.

The Snelling surname can be traced back to places like Snelling in Suffolk, which likely contributed to its origins. Variations in spelling, such as Snellynge and Snellyng, were common in historical documents due to inconsistent record-keeping practices.

Notable individuals with the Snelling surname include Thomas Snelling (1556-1594), an English poet and clergyman known for his religious works. Another prominent figure was William Snelling (1670-1720), an English historian and author who wrote about the history of Essex and Kent.

In the 18th century, Samuel Snelling (1738-1810) was a renowned English engraver and medallist, responsible for designing numerous coins and medals for the Royal Mint. His son, Thomas Snelling (1774-1852), followed in his footsteps as an engraver and numismatist.

The 19th century saw the emergence of John Snelling (1823-1901), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the St. Peter's Hospital and the Saville Row Estate.

Throughout its history, the Snelling surname has been well-represented across various professions and disciplines, reflecting its enduring presence in English society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Snelling families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Snelling 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. Surrey leads with 607 Snellings recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.25x.

County Total Index
Surrey 607 5.25x
Middlesex 431 1.82x
Norfolk 363 9.96x
Kent 247 3.05x
Sussex 167 4.18x
Hampshire 110 2.26x
Suffolk 105 3.64x
Essex 60 1.28x
Somerset 53 1.39x
Devon 46 0.93x
Yorkshire 33 0.14x
Cambridgeshire 27 1.80x
Dorset 20 1.29x
Lancashire 18 0.06x
Buckinghamshire 17 1.19x
Warwickshire 17 0.28x
Gloucestershire 13 0.28x
Monmouthshire 12 0.70x
Berkshire 10 0.56x
Hertfordshire 10 0.61x
Lincolnshire 10 0.26x
Glamorgan 6 0.15x
Wiltshire 6 0.29x
Durham 5 0.07x
Aberdeenshire 4 0.18x
Angus 4 0.18x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.13x
Worcestershire 4 0.13x
Cornwall 3 0.11x
Lanarkshire 3 0.04x
Royal Navy 3 1.06x
Staffordshire 3 0.04x
Bedfordshire 2 0.16x
Channel Islands 2 0.28x
Brecknockshire 1 0.21x
Derbyshire 1 0.03x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.21x
Montgomeryshire 1 0.18x
Oxfordshire 1 0.07x
Westmorland 1 0.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 90 Snellings recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.35x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 90 4.35x
Thursley 64 771.08x
Croydon 63 9.82x
St Pancras London 44 2.31x
Brighton 40 4.96x
Portsea 38 3.99x
St George Hanover 36 11.63x
Camberwell 34 2.24x
Heigham 29 14.82x
Islington London 29 1.26x
Norwich St John Sepulchre 28 118.34x
Kensington London 27 2.05x
Tibenham 27 525.29x
Battersea 26 2.98x
Bethnal Green London 26 2.52x
Hammersmith London 25 4.28x
Clapham 24 8.10x
Hastings St Mary 24 24.12x
Rattlesden 24 284.02x
Lewisham 23 5.33x
St Marylebone London 23 1.82x
Chertsey 21 28.13x
Tonbridge 21 7.20x
Gillingham 20 11.99x
West Ham 20 1.94x
Frome 18 19.72x
Milton In Milton 18 52.34x
Southwark St George Martyr 18 3.77x
Clerkenwell London 17 3.04x
Mile End Old Town 17 4.54x
Send Ripley 17 112.88x
Charlton 15 27.91x
Deptford St Paul 15 2.40x
Ifield 15 89.98x
Nutfield 15 171.82x
Reigate Foreign 15 11.99x
Bromley London 14 2.68x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 14 12.79x
Paddington London 14 1.61x
Richmond 14 8.65x
Sittingbourne 14 21.91x
Woolpit 14 166.87x
Bermondsey 13 1.84x
Birmingham 13 0.65x
New Shoreham 13 54.26x
Bletchingley 12 79.63x
Downham Market 12 47.90x
Ealing 12 5.66x
Folkestone 12 7.65x
Godalming 12 16.50x
Mickleham 12 184.90x
Norwich St Michael At 12 56.74x
Paulton 12 68.65x
St Thomas Winchester 12 34.97x
Dawlish 11 29.88x
Frensham 11 64.82x
Hainford 11 215.26x
Braintree 10 23.79x
Brampton 10 413.22x
Dorking 10 12.89x
New Brentford 10 80.13x
Norwich St Martin At Oak 10 45.09x
Preston 10 14.32x
Weston 10 34.07x
Fernhurst 9 101.69x
Great Yarmouth 9 2.98x
Hampstead London 9 2.44x
Limehouse London 9 3.46x
Lowestoft 9 6.60x
March 9 17.89x
Newington In Milton 9 106.76x
Norwood 9 16.60x
Ramsgate 9 6.81x
South Lynn 9 21.87x
Walsoken 9 41.04x
West Lulworth 9 327.27x
Wimbotsham 9 193.97x
Acton 8 5.75x
St Woollos 8 4.18x
Worth 8 27.56x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 125
Sarah 81
Elizabeth 72
Eliza 51
Emily 48
Jane 43
Ellen 40
Annie 38
Alice 33
Emma 32
Ann 30
Edith 30
Martha 29
Charlotte 28
Caroline 24
Hannah 19
Harriet 19
Kate 19
Louisa 19
Clara 18
Florence 18
Maria 16
Fanny 15
Ada 14
Lucy 14
Margaret 14
Susan 14
Amy 12
Eleanor 12
Amelia 11
Harriett 11
Ethel 10
Frances 10
Rose 10
Anne 9
Susannah 9
Maud 7
Esther 6
Francis 6
Matilda 6
Sophia 6
Agnes 5
Catherine 5
Minnie 5
Rebecca 5
Rhoda 5
A. 4
Betsy 4
Grace 4
Lizzie 4

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 137
John 96
George 84
James 73
Henry 69
Thomas 68
Charles 59
Alfred 39
Robert 38
Frederick 37
Edward 36
Arthur 35
Joseph 28
Albert 23
Harry 19
Richard 19
Frank 15
Walter 14
Samuel 13
Ernest 10
Benjamin 9
David 7
Francis 7
Herbert 7
Wm. 7
Edwin 6
Fredk. 6
W. 6
Chas. 5
Daniel 5
Sidney 5
Fred 4
Jonathan 4
Louis 4
Percy 4
Peter 4
Thos. 4
A. 3
Edmund 3
Elijah 3
Horace 3
Hubert 3
Hugh 3
Isaac 3
Jeffrey 3
Noah 3
Robt. 3
Stephen 3
Leonard 2
Levi 2

FAQ

Snelling surname: questions and answers

How common was the Snelling surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,431 people were recorded with the Snelling surname. That placed it at #1,824 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Snelling surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,397 in 2016. That gives Snelling a modern rank of #2,741.

What does the Snelling surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "settlement of Snell's people," referring to an English village associated with a man called Snell.

What does the Snelling map show?

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