UK surname
A Gaelic surname meaning "eye" or "beholder".
In the 1881 census there were 13 people recorded with the Sull surname, ranking it #31,761 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 57, ranked #34,511, down from #31,761 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Swindon, Lyddington, Barking and St Margaret Westminster. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sull is 121 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 338.5%.
1881 census count
13
Ranked #31,761
Modern count
57
2016, ranked #34,511
Peak year
1861
121 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Sull surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Sull 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 | 13 | #30,970 |
| 1861 | historical | 121 | #18,148 |
| 1881 | historical | 13 | #31,761 |
| 1891 | historical | 20 | #32,579 |
| 1901 | historical | 17 | #32,146 |
| 1911 | historical | 8 | #32,903 |
| 1997 | modern | 57 | #31,917 |
| 1998 | modern | 56 | #32,313 |
| 1999 | modern | 57 | #32,367 |
| 2000 | modern | 54 | #32,710 |
| 2001 | modern | 51 | #32,850 |
| 2002 | modern | 56 | #32,753 |
| 2003 | modern | 47 | #33,619 |
| 2004 | modern | 47 | #33,819 |
| 2005 | modern | 47 | #34,011 |
| 2006 | modern | 55 | #33,688 |
| 2007 | modern | 59 | #33,634 |
| 2008 | modern | 56 | #34,084 |
| 2009 | modern | 55 | #34,355 |
| 2010 | modern | 61 | #34,143 |
| 2011 | modern | 58 | #34,330 |
| 2012 | modern | 58 | #34,404 |
| 2013 | modern | 63 | #34,193 |
| 2014 | modern | 59 | #34,459 |
| 2015 | modern | 54 | #34,675 |
| 2016 | modern | 57 | #34,511 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Swindon, Lyddington, Barking, St Margaret Westminster, Coningsby, Haven Bank, Langrick Ferry, High and Low Toynton (incl. High and Low Toynton allotments), and St Pancras. 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 | Swindon, Lyddington | Wiltshire |
| 2 | Barking | Essex |
| 3 | St Margaret Westminster | London (West Districts) |
| 4 | Coningsby, Haven Bank, Langrick Ferry, High and Low Toynton (incl. High and Low Toynton allotments), | Lincolnshire |
| 5 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Sull 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 Sull, 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 Sull surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Sull 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, Sull 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 Sull is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Sull, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname SULL is believed to have originated in Ireland, specifically in the counties of Mayo and Sligo. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic word "sull," which means "eye" or "vision." The name likely emerged during the Middle Ages, around the 10th to 12th centuries.
In ancient Irish manuscripts, such as the Annals of the Four Masters, there are references to individuals with variations of the name, including Sull, O'Sull, and MacSull. One notable mention is of a chieftain named Domhnall O'Sull, who ruled over a territory in County Mayo in the late 12th century.
The earliest recorded instance of the SULL surname can be traced back to the 13th century, when a man named Tadhg Sull was documented in the Annals of Connacht. This record suggests that the surname was already established and hereditary by that time.
Many SULL families can trace their ancestry to the Gaelic-Irish dynasties that ruled over parts of what is now County Mayo and County Sligo. The name was particularly prevalent in areas like Ballysadare and Collooney, where several prominent SULL clans resided.
One notable figure in Irish history was Aodh Sull, a 16th-century leader who fought against the English conquest of Ireland. He was a member of the O'Sull clan and led a rebellion in Mayo in the 1570s.
Another significant individual was Seán Sull (1570-1634), a Gaelic poet and scholar from County Sligo. His works, which were written in the Irish language, were widely acclaimed and preserved many aspects of Irish culture and mythology.
In the 17th century, the SULL surname was sometimes anglicized to "Sowell" or "Soules" in various records and documents. This was likely due to the influence of English authorities and the gradual adoption of English naming conventions.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, many SULL families were forced to emigrate from Ireland due to political and economic turmoil. As a result, the surname became more widely dispersed, with significant populations in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Despite its Irish origins, the SULL surname has also been found in other parts of Europe, including Scotland and England. It is possible that some families with this name may have descended from Irish immigrants or had ancestors who adopted the surname for various reasons.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sull 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. Surrey leads with 6 Sulls recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.71x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 6 | 9.71x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 2.37x |
| Monmouthshire | 3 | 32.72x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 3.85x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Southwark St Olave in Surrey leads with 3 Sulls recorded in 1881 and an index of 3000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Southwark St Olave | 3 | 3000.00x |
| St Woollos | 3 | 294.12x |
| Lambeth | 2 | 18.08x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 12.35x |
| Islington London | 1 | 8.14x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 21.46x |
| Southampton St Mary | 1 | 61.35x |
| Willesden | 1 | 83.33x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Sull 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 Sull 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 Sull households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Assistant Draperess | 1 |
| Elementary Teacher School | 1 |
| Genl Lab | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Prison Warder (Off) | 1 |
| Sailors Wife | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
| Stationer | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 13 people were recorded with the Sull surname. That placed it at #31,761 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 57 in 2016. That gives Sull a modern rank of #34,511.
A Gaelic surname meaning "eye" or "beholder".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Sull 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.