UK surname
A variant spelling of the English surname derived from Old French "sur" meaning sour, possibly referring to someone with a sullen demeanor.
In the 1881 census there were 107 people recorded with the Surrell surname, ranking it #18,982 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 58, ranked #34,457, down from #18,982 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Great Malvern, Madresfield, Hanley Castle and Winwick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Surrell is 167 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 45.8%.
1881 census count
107
Ranked #18,982
Modern count
58
2016, ranked #34,457
Peak year
1891
167 bearers
Map years
4
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Surrell surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Surrell surname density by area, 1881 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 | 58 | #22,928 |
| 1861 | historical | 130 | #17,164 |
| 1881 | historical | 107 | #18,982 |
| 1891 | historical | 167 | #17,006 |
| 1901 | historical | 97 | #23,227 |
| 1911 | historical | 155 | #17,485 |
| 1997 | modern | 84 | #29,106 |
| 1998 | modern | 78 | #30,192 |
| 1999 | modern | 74 | #30,759 |
| 2000 | modern | 77 | #30,486 |
| 2001 | modern | 72 | #30,813 |
| 2002 | modern | 70 | #31,432 |
| 2003 | modern | 72 | #31,281 |
| 2004 | modern | 71 | #31,578 |
| 2005 | modern | 73 | #31,616 |
| 2006 | modern | 66 | #32,629 |
| 2007 | modern | 63 | #33,243 |
| 2008 | modern | 61 | #33,655 |
| 2009 | modern | 64 | #33,675 |
| 2010 | modern | 67 | #33,713 |
| 2011 | modern | 63 | #33,982 |
| 2012 | modern | 62 | #34,155 |
| 2013 | modern | 62 | #34,260 |
| 2014 | modern | 62 | #34,281 |
| 2015 | modern | 64 | #34,112 |
| 2016 | modern | 58 | #34,457 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Great Malvern, Madresfield, Hanley Castle, Winwick, St Pancras and Oldswinford. 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 | Great Malvern, Madresfield | Worcestershire |
| 2 | Hanley Castle | Worcestershire |
| 3 | Winwick | Lancashire |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Oldswinford | Worcestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Surrell 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 Surrell, 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 Surrell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Surrell 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, Surrell 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 Surrell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Surrell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Surrell has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "sur," meaning sour or bitter, possibly referring to someone with a sour or disagreeable temperament. The name may also be linked to the Old French word "seür," meaning sure or certain.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where it appears as "Surel." This suggests that the name was already established in the region during that time period.
In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various forms, such as "Surrell," "Surell," and "Surelle," in records from counties like Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Wiltshire. These variations likely reflect regional differences in pronunciation and spelling conventions.
The Surrell name is also associated with several place names in England, such as Surrell's Manor in Oxfordshire, which was mentioned in records dating back to the 16th century. This connection to specific locations further reinforces the surname's deep roots in the country.
Notable individuals bearing the Surrell surname throughout history include:
1. John Surrell (c. 1510 - 1592), an English lawyer and member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. 2. Thomas Surrell (c. 1560 - 1628), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Stambourne in Essex. 3. Robert Surrell (c. 1580 - 1645), a renowned English architect responsible for designing several notable buildings in London during the early 17th century. 4. Elizabeth Surrell (c. 1620 - 1692), a pioneering English businesswoman and landowner who managed successful agricultural enterprises in Berkshire. 5. William Surrell (1720 - 1788), an influential English horticulturist and botanist who introduced several new plant species to the British Isles.
These examples illustrate the Surrell surname's long-standing presence in various sectors of English society, including law, religion, architecture, business, and horticulture, further underscoring its historical significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Surrell 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. Worcestershire leads with 40 Surrells recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.08x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Worcestershire | 40 | 29.08x |
| Hampshire | 10 | 4.63x |
| Surrey | 9 | 1.75x |
| Warwickshire | 8 | 3.01x |
| Gloucestershire | 7 | 3.39x |
| Staffordshire | 7 | 1.97x |
| Essex | 6 | 2.89x |
| Shropshire | 6 | 6.59x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.32x |
| Radnorshire | 3 | 35.29x |
| Herefordshire | 2 | 4.63x |
| Suffolk | 2 | 1.56x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 0.61x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.28x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 7.97x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 1.07x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Broadway in Worcestershire leads with 10 Surrells recorded in 1881 and an index of 1694.92x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Broadway | 10 | 1694.92x |
| Mitcham | 9 | 277.78x |
| Birmingham | 8 | 9.04x |
| Hanley Castle | 8 | 975.61x |
| Upton On Severn | 7 | 777.78x |
| Castlemorton | 6 | 2222.22x |
| Kingswinford | 6 | 46.48x |
| Portsea | 6 | 14.18x |
| Ludlow St Lawrence | 5 | 276.24x |
| Springfield | 5 | 549.45x |
| Stourbridge | 5 | 141.24x |
| Idsworth | 4 | 2857.14x |
| Tibberton | 4 | 3076.92x |
| Berrow | 3 | 2307.69x |
| Llanbadarn Fawr | 3 | 1363.64x |
| Newton In Makerfield | 3 | 78.33x |
| Bury St Edmunds St James | 2 | 58.31x |
| Amblecote | 1 | 99.01x |
| Boulstone | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Cheltenham | 1 | 6.27x |
| Dawley | 1 | 30.21x |
| Dymock | 1 | 204.08x |
| Leckhampton | 1 | 78.74x |
| Longdon | 1 | 526.32x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 9.32x |
| Stapleford Abbots | 1 | 555.56x |
| Staveley | 1 | 34.13x |
| West Derby | 1 | 2.73x |
| Wigmore | 1 | 666.67x |
| Wilton | 1 | 151.52x |
| Woolwich | 1 | 7.53x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Surrell 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 Surrell 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 Surrell households.
FAQ
In 1881, 107 people were recorded with the Surrell surname. That placed it at #18,982 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 58 in 2016. That gives Surrell a modern rank of #34,457.
A variant spelling of the English surname derived from Old French "sur" meaning sour, possibly referring to someone with a sullen demeanor.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Surrell 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.