NameCensus.

UK surname

Spurrell

An English habitational surname denoting someone from a place called Spurrell.

In the 1881 census there were 268 people recorded with the Spurrell surname, ranking it #10,542 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 265, ranked #16,130, down from #10,542 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Carmarthen St Peter (incl. Castle Green), Newchurch, London parishes and Thurgarton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, West Devon and Woking.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Spurrell is 294 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 1.1%.

1881 census count

268

Ranked #10,542

Modern count

265

2016, ranked #16,130

Peak year

2002

294 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Spurrell had 268 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,542 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 265 in 2016, ranked #16,130.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 286 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Spurrell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Spurrell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Spurrell 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 162 #12,215
1861 historical 173 #13,553
1881 historical 268 #10,542
1891 historical 280 #11,665
1901 historical 286 #12,029
1911 historical 271 #12,237
1997 modern 272 #14,451
1998 modern 265 #15,087
1999 modern 279 #14,670
2000 modern 291 #14,200
2001 modern 276 #14,507
2002 modern 294 #14,180
2003 modern 294 #14,002
2004 modern 284 #14,377
2005 modern 277 #14,542
2006 modern 279 #14,577
2007 modern 281 #14,660
2008 modern 279 #14,860
2009 modern 280 #15,141
2010 modern 293 #14,974
2011 modern 283 #15,193
2012 modern 257 #16,212
2013 modern 268 #16,005
2014 modern 272 #15,949
2015 modern 267 #16,050
2016 modern 265 #16,130

Geography

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Where Spurrells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Carmarthen St Peter (incl. Castle Green), Newchurch, London parishes, Thurgarton, Lambeth and Tavistock. Whitechurch, St Peter Tavy. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, West Devon, Woking and Bath and North East Somerset. 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 Carmarthen St Peter (incl. Castle Green), Newchurch Carmarthenshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Thurgarton Norfolk
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 Tavistock. Whitechurch, St Peter Tavy Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 029 Cornwall
2 West Devon 005 West Devon
3 Cornwall 034 Cornwall
4 Woking 002 Woking
5 Bath and North East Somerset 023 Bath and North East Somerset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Spurrell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Spurrell

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Spurrell is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Spurrell is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Spurrell

The surname Spurrell originated in England during the late medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name derived from a place called Spurell, which likely existed in the southern counties of England. The name is thought to be a combination of the Old English words "spur" meaning a spur or rocky hill, and "hyll" meaning a hill or slope.

Variations of the spelling include Spurrell, Spurrill, Spurill, and Spurryll. The earliest known record of the name appears in the Hundredorum Rolls of Norfolk from 1273, where it is listed as Robertus Spurell.

In the 14th century, the name is found in various manorial records and tax rolls, including the Poll Tax of Yorkshire from 1379, which records a John Spurrell. During this time, the name was also associated with places like Spurrell's Field in Kent, and Spurrell's Farm in Berkshire.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was William Spurrell, who was born in Gloucestershire around 1450 and served as a yeoman in the court of King Edward IV.

In the 16th century, the Spurrell family was well-established in the county of Essex, with records showing a John Spurrell being appointed as a church warden in the village of Thaxted in 1562.

During the English Civil War in the 17th century, a Captain Thomas Spurrell fought for the Parliamentarian forces and was renowned for his bravery in battle.

In the 18th century, a notable figure was Reverend John Spurrell, who was born in 1717 and served as the vicar of St. Mary's Church in Chelmsford, Essex.

Another prominent Spurrell was Sir William Spurrell, a successful merchant and Member of Parliament for the city of London, who lived from 1774 to 1856.

Throughout history, the Spurrell name has been associated with various professions, including agriculture, the clergy, and military service, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who have borne this surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Spurrell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Spurrell 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. Devon leads with 109 Spurrells recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.96x.

County Total Index
Devon 109 19.96x
Norfolk 40 9.91x
Surrey 25 1.96x
Carmarthenshire 14 12.66x
Middlesex 12 0.46x
Somerset 12 2.84x
Kent 11 1.23x
Cornwall 10 3.37x
Yorkshire 8 0.31x
Lancashire 7 0.22x
Essex 5 0.97x
Gloucestershire 3 0.58x
Sussex 3 0.68x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.57x
Warwickshire 2 0.30x
Cheshire 1 0.17x
Hampshire 1 0.19x
Hertfordshire 1 0.55x
Montgomeryshire 1 1.66x
Royal Navy 1 3.20x
Wiltshire 1 0.43x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stoke Damerel in Devon leads with 28 Spurrells recorded in 1881 and an index of 73.24x.

Place Total Index
Stoke Damerel 28 73.24x
Lambeth 17 7.43x
Thurgarton 17 8095.24x
Carmarthen St Peter 14 148.15x
Plymouth Charles The 14 58.19x
Tavistock 13 209.00x
Plymouth St Andrew 9 21.39x
Walcot 9 40.00x
Callington 7 404.62x
Sampford Spiney 7 1891.89x
Yealmpton 7 833.33x
Bessingham 6 5000.00x
Egg Buckland 6 645.16x
Southwark St George Martyr 6 11.36x
Wembury 6 1200.00x
Bere Ferrers 5 555.56x
Bickleigh 5 925.93x
Castleford 5 52.80x
Castleton 5 16.08x
Hayes 5 806.45x
Erith 4 45.35x
Faulkbourn 4 2500.00x
St Marylebone London 4 2.86x
Swafield 4 2500.00x
Walkhampton 4 769.23x
Eastbourne 3 14.73x
Methley 3 81.97x
Norwich St Saviour 3 211.27x
St Martin In Fields 3 19.10x
Stratton St Michael 3 1250.00x
Aston 2 1.10x
Bath St James 2 45.35x
Beerferris 2 188.68x
Breckles 2 1666.67x
Chiswick 2 13.95x
Gressenhall 2 266.67x
Hackford In Aylsham 2 277.78x
Newington 2 2.06x
Nottingham St Mary 2 2.19x
Aldershot 1 5.55x
Antony 1 34.84x
Bristol 1 208.33x
Butterworth 1 13.18x
Calstock 1 17.15x
Charlton Next Woolwich 1 10.71x
Cheshunt 1 15.82x
Devonport 1 15.92x
East Dereham 1 19.61x
Ermington 1 50.25x
Hampton London 1 23.20x
Hendon 1 10.59x
Layton With Warbreck 1 8.75x
Linkinhorne 1 48.31x
Llanfechan 1 175.44x
Lyncombe Widcombe 1 9.04x
Panfield 1 344.83x
Plumstead 1 3.35x
Royal Navy 1 3.74x
South Hamlet 1 31.45x
St George Hanover 1 2.92x
Stokeinteignhead 1 169.49x
Wilton 1 60.98x
Winchcomb 1 39.22x
Woodford 1 303.03x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 21
John 16
James 10
George 9
Henry 7
Charles 6
Richard 6
Alfred 4
Joseph 4
Samuel 4
Frederick 3
Wm. 3
Alphonso 2
Edwin 2
Flaxman 2
Herbert 2
Peter 2
Robert 2
Thomas 2
Albert 1
Benjamin 1
Daniel 1
Edmond 1
Edward 1
Frank 1
Rd. 1
Richd. 1
Saml. 1
Simon 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1
Wells 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Spurrell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Spurrell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 268 people were recorded with the Spurrell surname. That placed it at #10,542 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Spurrell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 265 in 2016. That gives Spurrell a modern rank of #16,130.

What does the Spurrell surname mean?

An English habitational surname denoting someone from a place called Spurrell.

What does the Spurrell map show?

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