NameCensus.

UK surname

Stahl

An occupational surname of German origin, referring to someone who worked with steel or was a steelworker.

In the 1881 census there were 38 people recorded with the Stahl surname, ranking it #28,285 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 135, ranked #25,505, up from #28,285 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Coppenhall and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Powys, Salford and Barnet.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Stahl is 148 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 255.3%.

1881 census count

38

Ranked #28,285

Modern count

135

2016, ranked #25,505

Peak year

2013

148 bearers

Map years

4

1911 to 2016

Key insights

  • Stahl had 38 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,285 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 135 in 2016, ranked #25,505.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 105 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Stahl surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Stahl surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Stahl 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 3 #32,890
1861 historical 9 #32,724
1881 historical 38 #28,285
1891 historical 49 #30,349
1901 historical 85 #24,636
1911 historical 105 #22,064
1997 modern 92 #28,079
1998 modern 113 #25,731
1999 modern 109 #26,439
2000 modern 112 #25,978
2001 modern 107 #26,328
2002 modern 110 #26,412
2003 modern 105 #26,940
2004 modern 106 #27,045
2005 modern 118 #25,301
2006 modern 119 #25,413
2007 modern 123 #25,208
2008 modern 125 #25,249
2009 modern 126 #25,686
2010 modern 132 #25,519
2011 modern 129 #25,673
2012 modern 137 #24,731
2013 modern 148 #23,884
2014 modern 146 #24,274
2015 modern 140 #24,836
2016 modern 135 #25,505

Geography

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Where Stahls are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Coppenhall, Manchester, Battersea and Chelsea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Powys, Salford, Barnet, Ealing and Sefton. 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 3
2 Coppenhall Cheshire
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Battersea London (South Districts)
5 Chelsea London (West Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Powys 018 Powys
2 Salford 018 Salford
3 Barnet 025 Barnet
4 Ealing 024 Ealing
5 Sefton 004 Sefton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Stahl

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Stahl

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Stahl, 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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Stahl surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Stahl 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Stahl is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Stahl is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Stahl falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Stahl is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Stahl, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Stahl

The surname Stahl is of German origin, with its roots traceable back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the German word "Stahl," which means "steel" or "sword." This etymology suggests that the name may have been initially associated with metalworkers, swordsmiths, or individuals involved in the production or trade of steel.

The earliest known records of the Stahl surname can be found in various German regions, including Bavaria, Saxony, and the Rhineland. In the 14th century, the name appears in the records of the city of Nürnberg, where it was likely associated with the renowned metalworking industry of the region.

One of the earliest documented instances of the Stahl surname is found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of historical documents from Saxony, dating back to the 13th century. This record mentions a certain "Johannes Stahl," indicating the presence of the name in this region during that time period.

In the 16th century, the Stahl surname gained prominence with the birth of Georg Ernst Stahl (1659-1734), a renowned German chemist and physician. Stahl is known for his contributions to the field of chemistry, particularly his theory of phlogiston, which attempted to explain the process of combustion.

Another notable figure bearing the Stahl surname is Friedrich Julius Stahl (1802-1861), a German jurist and legal philosopher. He is best known for his work on the historical school of jurisprudence and his theory of the state as an organic entity.

In the realm of literature, one cannot overlook the contributions of August Wilhelm Stahl (1813-1900), a German poet and writer. He is particularly renowned for his lyrical poetry and his works exploring the themes of nature and rural life.

The Stahl surname also found its way into the military annals, with the likes of General Johann Baptist Stahl (1619-1680), a prominent military commander during the Thirty Years' War. He served under the Holy Roman Empire and played a significant role in various battles.

Lastly, it is worth mentioning Carl Stahl (1848-1919), a German industrialist and entrepreneur who founded the Carl Stahl Company, a leading manufacturer of wire rope and lifting equipment. His contributions to the industrial sector left a lasting impact on the German economy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Stahl families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Stahl 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 15 Stahls recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.31x.

County Total Index
Surrey 15 8.31x
Kent 6 4.75x
Warwickshire 5 5.35x
Middlesex 4 1.08x
Lancashire 2 0.46x
Yorkshire 2 0.54x
Cheshire 1 1.22x
Cornwall 1 2.38x
Essex 1 1.37x
Hampshire 1 1.32x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Battersea in Surrey leads with 8 Stahls recorded in 1881 and an index of 58.69x.

Place Total Index
Battersea 8 58.69x
Birmingham 5 16.06x
Deptford St Paul 3 30.77x
Lambeth 3 9.29x
Lewisham 3 44.51x
Chelsea London 2 17.92x
Clapham 2 43.20x
Halifax 2 37.11x
Penge 2 84.39x
St Pancras London 2 6.71x
Christchurch 1 60.61x
East Ham 1 73.53x
Falmouth 1 67.57x
Liverpool 1 3.75x
Lyme Handley 1 2500.00x
Manchester 1 5.06x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Eliza 2
Elizabeth 2
Anna 1
Antonia 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Emeline 1
Georgina 1
Gertrude 1
Hedrig 1
Lena 1
Marie 1
Martha 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 2
Hermann 2
Adolph 1
Alphons 1
Arthur 1
Ernest 1
Frantz 1
Franz 1
Frederick 1
Gustave 1
Herman 1
John 1
L.D. 1
Marcus 1
Reuben 1
Simon 1
Thomas 1
Walter 1

Top occupations

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 Stahl households.

FAQ

Stahl surname: questions and answers

How common was the Stahl surname in 1881?

In 1881, 38 people were recorded with the Stahl surname. That placed it at #28,285 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Stahl surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 135 in 2016. That gives Stahl a modern rank of #25,505.

What does the Stahl surname mean?

An occupational surname of German origin, referring to someone who worked with steel or was a steelworker.

What does the Stahl map show?

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