NameCensus.

UK surname

Summerbell

An English surname potentially derived from a location or a descriptive phrase referring to a summer bell or chime.

In the 1881 census there were 221 people recorded with the Summerbell surname, ranking it #12,049 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 264, ranked #16,172, down from #12,049 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Gateshead and Dalton-le-Dale. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rotherham, County Durham and Sunderland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Summerbell is 305 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 19.5%.

1881 census count

221

Ranked #12,049

Modern count

264

2016, ranked #16,172

Peak year

2010

305 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Summerbell had 221 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,049 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 264 in 2016, ranked #16,172.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 304 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Summerbell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Summerbell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Summerbell 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 124 #14,792
1861 historical 123 #17,914
1881 historical 221 #12,049
1891 historical 234 #13,352
1901 historical 261 #12,775
1911 historical 304 #11,342
1997 modern 280 #14,136
1998 modern 295 #14,029
1999 modern 290 #14,281
2000 modern 290 #14,237
2001 modern 292 #13,967
2002 modern 286 #14,442
2003 modern 287 #14,219
2004 modern 289 #14,219
2005 modern 288 #14,189
2006 modern 280 #14,535
2007 modern 282 #14,618
2008 modern 287 #14,580
2009 modern 292 #14,700
2010 modern 305 #14,561
2011 modern 294 #14,798
2012 modern 274 #15,498
2013 modern 277 #15,644
2014 modern 273 #15,914
2015 modern 265 #16,139
2016 modern 264 #16,172

Geography

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Where Summerbells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Gateshead, Dalton-le-Dale, Gainford and Durham St Nicholas. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rotherham, County Durham, Sunderland and West Dorset. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 Gateshead Durham
3 Dalton-le-Dale Durham
4 Gainford Durham
5 Durham St Nicholas Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rotherham 029 Rotherham
2 County Durham 039 County Durham
3 Sunderland 035 Sunderland
4 West Dorset 001 West Dorset
5 County Durham 055 County Durham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Summerbell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Summerbell

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Summerbell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Summerbell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Summerbell is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Summerbell 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

Summerbell falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Summerbell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Summerbell

The surname Summerbell has its origins in England, with records dating back to the late 16th century. It is believed to have derived from a residential surname, referring to someone who lived near a bell that was rung during the summer months, perhaps to mark the start or end of the season.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, where a John Summerbell was listed as a resident in 1592. It's possible that the name originated in this region or nearby areas of East Anglia.

In the 17th century, variations of the spelling can be found, such as Somerbell and Sumerbell. These early forms suggest that the name may have originally been pronounced with a more distinct separation between the two elements, "summer" and "bell," before evolving into the more unified spelling of Summerbell.

The Summerbell name has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest was William Summerbell, a merchant and ship owner from Newcastle upon Tyne, who lived from 1685 to 1742. His successful trading ventures helped establish the family's prominence in the region.

In the 19th century, John Summerbell (1790-1872) was a renowned architect and surveyor from Yorkshire, responsible for the design of several notable buildings, including the Church of St. Mary in Masham.

Another notable figure was Elizabeth Summerbell (1835-1921), a prominent educator and philanthropist from Lancashire. She founded several schools in the area and worked tirelessly to improve educational opportunities for underprivileged children.

The name also has ties to the literary world, with author and poet Thomas Summerbell (1871-1947) hailing from Northumberland. His works, which often explored themes of rural life and nature, were widely acclaimed during his lifetime.

In more recent times, Robert Summerbell (1920-2002) was a respected military historian and author, best known for his comprehensive works on the British Army's campaigns during World War II.

While the Summerbell surname is not among the most common in England, it has a rich history spanning several centuries and has produced individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Summerbell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Summerbell 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. Durham leads with 149 Summerbells recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.23x.

County Total Index
Durham 149 23.23x
Yorkshire 33 1.54x
Northumberland 28 8.73x
Middlesex 7 0.32x
Berkshire 2 1.24x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.77x
Essex 1 0.24x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Darlington in Durham leads with 19 Summerbells recorded in 1881 and an index of 76.74x.

Place Total Index
Darlington 19 76.74x
Tanfield 14 183.49x
Westoe 14 38.50x
Cowpen 13 175.91x
Dawdon 13 164.77x
Framwellgate 11 289.47x
Richmond 11 329.34x
Durham St Nicholas 9 569.62x
Thornaby 8 100.25x
Harton 7 276.68x
Haswell 7 152.17x
Coxlodge 6 245.90x
Kensington London 6 5.01x
Kyo 6 198.68x
Elvet 5 107.99x
Gateshead 5 10.41x
Newsham 5 2500.00x
Bishop Auckland 4 46.51x
Bishopwearmouth 4 7.27x
Crossgate 4 142.86x
Heworth 4 31.65x
Tudhoe 4 71.30x
Whitworth 4 85.11x
Whorlton 4 2222.22x
Ebchester 3 303.03x
Hutton Magna 3 2307.69x
Reeth 3 566.04x
Auckland St Helen 2 298.51x
Bedlington 2 18.67x
E W Thirston With 2 1052.63x
Jesmond 2 44.35x
New Windsor 2 36.76x
West Layton 2 3333.33x
Boldon 1 43.67x
Clifford Cum Boston 1 52.08x
Crook Billy Row 1 12.18x
East Rainton 1 80.65x
Elswick 1 3.91x
Houghton Close House 1 769.23x
Houghton Le Spring 1 22.57x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 1 5.22x
Paddington London 1 1.26x
Shincliffe 1 138.89x
Stockton On Tees 1 3.24x
Upton Cum Chalvey 1 19.27x
Wanstead 1 13.42x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 30
Jane 14
Elizabeth 10
Ann 6
Eliza 4
Margaret 4
Frances 3
Hannah 3
Martha 3
Sarah 3
Agnes 2
Alice 2
Ellen 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Ethel 2
Grace 2
Margret 2
Margt. 2
Maria 2
A.Trevelyan 1
Anna 1
Annabella 1
Annie 1
Barbara 1
Catherine 1
Edith 1
Elizh. 1
Elizth. 1
Ellenor 1
Isabella 1
Janette 1
Jessie 1
John 1
Lizzie 1
Margarat 1
Marie 1
Melinda 1
Nelley 1
Polly 1
Rebecca 1
Sar. 1
Selina 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 19
John 13
Thomas 11
James 8
Robert 6
George 5
Alexander 3
Joseph 3
Richard 3
David 2
Nicholas 2
Thos. 2
Allan 1
Andrew 1
Augustus 1
Daniel 1
Edward 1
Francis 1
Henry 1
Josepheth 1
Laurence 1
Parmalla 1
Ralph 1
Richd. 1
Robt. 1
Silvester 1
Sylvester 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Summerbell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Summerbell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 221 people were recorded with the Summerbell surname. That placed it at #12,049 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Summerbell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 264 in 2016. That gives Summerbell a modern rank of #16,172.

What does the Summerbell surname mean?

An English surname potentially derived from a location or a descriptive phrase referring to a summer bell or chime.

What does the Summerbell map show?

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