UK surname
A surname referring to someone with a gloomy or sullen demeanor.
In the 1881 census there were 11 people recorded with the Sullen surname, ranking it #32,081 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 18, ranked #36,832, down from #32,081 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Biddulph, Kentchurch, Llanithog and Aston-on-Trent. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sullen is 101 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 63.6%.
1881 census count
11
Ranked #32,081
Modern count
18
2016, ranked #36,832
Peak year
1861
101 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Sullen surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Sullen 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 | 15 | #30,614 |
| 1861 | historical | 101 | #20,955 |
| 1881 | historical | 11 | #32,081 |
| 1891 | historical | 17 | #32,787 |
| 1901 | historical | 12 | #32,772 |
| 1911 | historical | 10 | #32,609 |
| 1997 | modern | 18 | #36,053 |
| 1998 | modern | 13 | #36,679 |
| 1999 | modern | 15 | #36,476 |
| 2000 | modern | 11 | #36,879 |
| 2001 | modern | 12 | #36,612 |
| 2002 | modern | 13 | #36,570 |
| 2003 | modern | 12 | #36,715 |
| 2004 | modern | 12 | #36,835 |
| 2005 | modern | 13 | #36,833 |
| 2006 | modern | 11 | #37,118 |
| 2007 | modern | 10 | #37,335 |
| 2008 | modern | 11 | #37,270 |
| 2009 | modern | 14 | #37,041 |
| 2010 | modern | 15 | #37,038 |
| 2011 | modern | 18 | #36,739 |
| 2012 | modern | 17 | #36,811 |
| 2013 | modern | 17 | #36,857 |
| 2014 | modern | 17 | #36,888 |
| 2015 | modern | 17 | #36,887 |
| 2016 | modern | 18 | #36,832 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Biddulph, Kentchurch, Llanithog, Aston-on-Trent, Manchester and Lambeth. 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 | Biddulph | Cheshire |
| 2 | Kentchurch, Llanithog | Herefordshire |
| 3 | Aston-on-Trent | Derbyshire |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Sullen 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 Sullen, 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 Sullen surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Sullen 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, Sullen 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 Sullen is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Sullen, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Sullen has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "sullen" or "sullic," which meant "slow," "sluggish," or "sullen." These words likely described someone's temperament or character.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sullen can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of lands and property completed in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. The entry lists a landowner named Sulen in the county of Buckinghamshire.
During the 13th century, the surname appears in various records, such as the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which mentions a Walter Sullen in Oxfordshire. The Subsidy Rolls of 1327 also reference a John Sullen in the county of Somerset.
In the 16th century, the name Sullen was sometimes spelled differently, such as "Soollyn" or "Soullen." One notable individual from this period was William Sullen, a merchant and alderman in the city of London, who lived from around 1520 to 1585.
Another early bearer of the surname was John Sullen, a prominent lawyer and member of the Inner Temple in London, who lived during the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
In the 18th century, the name Sullen was associated with various place names, such as Sullen Farm in Wiltshire and Sullen Hill in Derbyshire. These locations may have derived their names from individuals bearing the surname Sullen who resided in or owned those areas.
One notable figure from this era was Sir Thomas Sullen, a successful businessman and landowner from Yorkshire, who lived from 1712 to 1798. He was known for his philanthropic efforts and contributed significantly to the development of his local community.
Another individual of note was Elizabeth Sullen, a prolific writer and poet from the late 18th century, who was born in 1758 and died in 1825. Her works, which often explored themes of love and nature, were widely acclaimed during her lifetime.
In the 19th century, the surname Sullen continued to be present in various parts of England, with individuals such as James Sullen, a renowned architect from London, who lived from 1819 to 1892 and designed several notable buildings in the city.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sullen 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. Middlesex leads with 7 Sullens recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.99x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 7 | 5.99x |
| Surrey | 2 | 3.51x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.72x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 7.72x |
| Somerset | 1 | 5.32x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hackney London in Middlesex leads with 4 Sullens recorded in 1881 and an index of 61.07x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hackney London | 4 | 61.07x |
| Croydon | 2 | 63.29x |
| Blackburn | 1 | 27.10x |
| Clevedon | 1 | 500.00x |
| Loughborough | 1 | 169.49x |
| Shoreditch London | 1 | 19.72x |
| St George Hanover | 1 | 65.36x |
| West Drayton | 1 | 2500.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Sullen 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 Sullen 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 Sullen households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Boot Finisher | 1 |
| Carman | 1 |
| Domestic Cook (Servant) | 1 |
| Groom | 1 |
| Hair Sorter | 1 |
| Housekeeper Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Pupil Teacher | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 11 people were recorded with the Sullen surname. That placed it at #32,081 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 18 in 2016. That gives Sullen a modern rank of #36,832.
A surname referring to someone with a gloomy or sullen demeanor.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Sullen 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.