UK surname
A topographic surname possibly describing someone living on or near a slope or hillside.
In the 1881 census there were 19 people recorded with the Swall surname, ranking it #30,872 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2, ranked #38,825, down from #30,872 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Northampton All Saints, St John Hackney and Beckenham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Swall is 137 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 89.5%.
1881 census count
19
Ranked #30,872
Modern count
2
2016, ranked #38,825
Peak year
1891
137 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Swall surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Swall surname density by area, 1891 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 | 35 | #27,037 |
| 1861 | historical | 69 | #25,057 |
| 1881 | historical | 19 | #30,872 |
| 1891 | historical | 137 | #19,501 |
| 1901 | historical | 36 | #30,099 |
| 1911 | historical | 43 | #28,581 |
| 1997 | modern | 9 | #37,214 |
| 1998 | modern | 8 | #37,334 |
| 1999 | modern | 8 | #37,367 |
| 2000 | modern | 6 | #37,624 |
| 2001 | modern | 5 | #37,652 |
| 2002 | modern | 5 | #37,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 4 | #37,951 |
| 2004 | modern | 3 | #38,241 |
| 2005 | modern | 3 | #38,312 |
| 2006 | modern | 2 | #38,590 |
| 2007 | modern | 2 | #38,617 |
| 2008 | modern | 2 | #38,673 |
| 2009 | modern | 2 | #38,725 |
| 2010 | modern | 5 | #38,186 |
| 2011 | modern | 4 | #38,338 |
| 2012 | modern | 4 | #38,335 |
| 2013 | modern | 3 | #38,526 |
| 2014 | modern | 2 | #38,791 |
| 2015 | modern | 2 | #38,793 |
| 2016 | modern | 2 | #38,825 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Northampton All Saints, St John Hackney, Beckenham, Liverpool and Brough. 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 | Northampton All Saints | Northamptonshire |
| 2 | St John Hackney | London (North Districts) |
| 3 | Beckenham | Kent |
| 4 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| 5 | Brough | Westmorland |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Swall 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 Swall, 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 Swall surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Swall 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, Swall 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 Swall is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Swall, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname SWALL is of English origin, originating in the 16th century. It is thought to have derived from the Old English word "swalu," meaning "swallow" or "the bird." This suggests that the name may have initially been a nickname or a descriptive name given to someone who bore a resemblance to the swallow bird or was particularly adept at catching or hunting them.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name SWALL can be found in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Nottinghamshire, England, where a John Swall was listed as a resident in 1587. The name also appears in the Subsidy Rolls of 1628 for the county of Worcestershire, where a Thomas Swall is recorded as a land-holder.
In the late 17th century, a notable figure bearing the SWALL surname was Robert Swall, a merchant and prominent Quaker who was born in Yorkshire in 1650. He was an influential member of the Society of Friends and played a significant role in the establishment of Quaker communities in the north of England.
Another individual of historical significance was Sir William Swall, a military officer who fought in the English Civil War. Born in Gloucestershire in 1620, he served as a captain in the Parliamentarian forces and was later knighted for his bravery and service in the conflict.
During the 18th century, the SWALL name was also found in various parts of England, including Lincolnshire, where a family of Swalls owned a substantial estate in the village of Swallowbeck. This village's name is believed to be derived from the same Old English root as the surname, further reinforcing the connection between the name and the swallow bird.
In the 19th century, a notable figure was James Swall, a prominent industrialist and philanthropist from Manchester. Born in 1785, he made his fortune in the textile industry and was known for his charitable works, particularly his support for education and the establishment of schools for underprivileged children.
While not as common as some other English surnames, the name SWALL has persisted throughout the centuries, with various spellings and variations appearing in historical records across different regions of England. Its origins as a descriptive name or nickname related to the swallow bird have remained a consistent theme throughout its history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Swall 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. Westmorland leads with 9 Swalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 221.13x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Westmorland | 9 | 221.13x |
| Lancashire | 7 | 3.19x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 1.09x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.54x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brough in Westmorland leads with 8 Swalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 20000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Brough | 8 | 20000.00x |
| Liverpool | 7 | 52.43x |
| Nether Hallam | 2 | 80.65x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 21.93x |
| Kings Meaburn | 1 | 10000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Swall 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 Swall 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 Swall households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 5 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Forgeman Steel | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Joiners Apprentice | 1 |
| Joiners Clerk | 1 |
| Nurse Maid | 1 |
| Saddler (Apprentice) | 1 |
| Saddler (Master) | 1 |
| Saddlers Daur | 1 |
| Scissor Filer Cutler | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 19 people were recorded with the Swall surname. That placed it at #30,872 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 2 in 2016. That gives Swall a modern rank of #38,825.
A topographic surname possibly describing someone living on or near a slope or hillside.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Swall 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.