UK surname
An Old English surname referring to someone who lived near a swollen or rising area.
In the 1881 census there were 70 people recorded with the Swell surname, ranking it #23,670 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 37, ranked #35,582, down from #23,670 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Newchurch, Walthamstow, Low Leyton and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Swell is 249 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 47.1%.
1881 census count
70
Ranked #23,670
Modern count
37
2016, ranked #35,582
Peak year
1861
249 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Swell surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Swell surname density by area, 1911 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 | 66 | #21,617 |
| 1861 | historical | 249 | #9,904 |
| 1881 | historical | 70 | #23,670 |
| 1891 | historical | 199 | #14,977 |
| 1901 | historical | 97 | #23,227 |
| 1911 | historical | 135 | #19,058 |
| 1997 | modern | 29 | #34,795 |
| 1998 | modern | 35 | #34,344 |
| 1999 | modern | 41 | #33,866 |
| 2000 | modern | 43 | #33,709 |
| 2001 | modern | 37 | #34,082 |
| 2002 | modern | 45 | #33,712 |
| 2003 | modern | 37 | #34,432 |
| 2004 | modern | 37 | #34,640 |
| 2005 | modern | 44 | #34,255 |
| 2006 | modern | 44 | #34,568 |
| 2007 | modern | 42 | #34,905 |
| 2008 | modern | 40 | #35,137 |
| 2009 | modern | 40 | #35,274 |
| 2010 | modern | 36 | #35,620 |
| 2011 | modern | 41 | #35,340 |
| 2012 | modern | 36 | #35,595 |
| 2013 | modern | 35 | #35,697 |
| 2014 | modern | 36 | #35,662 |
| 2015 | modern | 34 | #35,756 |
| 2016 | modern | 37 | #35,582 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Newchurch, Walthamstow, Low Leyton, London parishes, St Pancras and Gateshead. 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 | Newchurch | Hampshire |
| 2 | Walthamstow, Low Leyton | Essex |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Gateshead | Durham |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Swell 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 Swell, 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 Swell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Swell 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, Swell 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 Swell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Swell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Swell appears to have its origins in England, specifically tracing back to the Anglo-Saxon period. This name likely emerged between the 11th and 13th centuries, a time when many English surnames were being formed. The areas associated with the name Swell are primarily in counties such as Gloucestershire and Somerset.
The name Swell is believed to be derived from the Old English word "swelgan" or "swillan," which means to swell or engulf. The word itself indicates a possible topographical origin, referring to someone who lived by a swollen river or a particular feature in the landscape known as "swelle."
One of the earliest historical references to the surname can be found in ancient manuscripts dating to the 12th century. An early recorded instance of the name is in the Domesday Book of 1086, where landholders with similar phonetic spellings, such as Swilla and Swelle, can be identified, hinting at the evolution of the surname over time.
In addition to land records, the name Swell appeared in various ecclesiastical documents, parish registers, and wills across England. One notable individual was Sir John Swell, born around 1300 and died in 1375, who held lands in Gloucestershire and served as a local knight. His recorded activities contributed significantly to our understanding of the surname's prevalence during the medieval period.
The name also appeared in place names, such as the village of Lower Swell, located in Gloucestershire, which provides a clear geographical link to the surname. Another historical figure, Thomas Swell, born in 1450 and deceased by 1510, was a prominent landowner in the same area. His will, preserved in the National Archives, outlines extensive properties inherited by subsequent generations.
Further, in the 17th century, records show a Dr. Edward Swell, born in 1602 and died in 1678, who was a distinguished physician in London. His contributions to medical literature and service during the Great Plague of London in 1665 are well-documented.
By the 18th century, the surname had crossed the Atlantic, with individuals like William Swell, born in 1725 and deceased in 1784, who was among the early settlers in the American colonies. His descendants played a role in the burgeoning society of the New World.
Lastly, during the 19th century, Sarah Swell, born in 1843 and died in 1897, became known for her social work and contributions to educational reforms in Victorian England. Her legacy underscores the continuing prominence and adaptation of the surname across different eras and regions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Swell 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. Hampshire leads with 16 Swells recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.43x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hampshire | 16 | 11.43x |
| Oxfordshire | 12 | 28.46x |
| Gloucestershire | 8 | 5.97x |
| Surrey | 8 | 2.40x |
| Yorkshire | 8 | 1.18x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 0.88x |
| Essex | 4 | 2.97x |
| Warwickshire | 4 | 2.32x |
| Nottinghamshire | 2 | 2.17x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.43x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.91x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Warborough in Oxfordshire leads with 9 Swells recorded in 1881 and an index of 5625.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Warborough | 9 | 5625.00x |
| Bristol St Philip Jacob | 8 | 63.44x |
| Crondall | 7 | 933.33x |
| Bradford | 6 | 36.63x |
| Kingston On Thames | 5 | 62.58x |
| Ventnor | 5 | 375.94x |
| Aston | 4 | 8.44x |
| Ryde | 4 | 132.89x |
| Nuneham Courtenay | 3 | 5000.00x |
| Hammersmith London | 2 | 11.89x |
| Lambeth | 2 | 3.36x |
| Little Oakley | 2 | 2857.14x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 2 | 8.40x |
| St Pancras London | 2 | 3.64x |
| Chelmsford | 1 | 43.29x |
| Chertsey | 1 | 46.51x |
| Hendon | 1 | 40.65x |
| Lee | 1 | 29.59x |
| Leyton | 1 | 43.10x |
| Martock | 1 | 140.85x |
| Middlesbrough | 1 | 11.35x |
| Rotherham | 1 | 26.25x |
| St George Hanover | 1 | 11.22x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Swell 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 Swell 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 Swell households.
FAQ
In 1881, 70 people were recorded with the Swell surname. That placed it at #23,670 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 37 in 2016. That gives Swell a modern rank of #35,582.
An Old English surname referring to someone who lived near a swollen or rising area.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Swell 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.