UK surname
A name derived from the term "swindle" meaning to defraud or cheat.
In the 1881 census there were 72 people recorded with the Swindall surname, ranking it #23,371 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 68, ranked #33,826, down from #23,371 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Kings Norton and Northampton All Saints. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Swindall is 131 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 5.6%.
1881 census count
72
Ranked #23,371
Modern count
68
2016, ranked #33,826
Peak year
1861
131 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Swindall surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Swindall 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 | 123 | #14,886 |
| 1861 | historical | 131 | #17,052 |
| 1881 | historical | 72 | #23,371 |
| 1891 | historical | 121 | #21,169 |
| 1901 | historical | 99 | #22,999 |
| 1911 | historical | 113 | #21,168 |
| 1997 | modern | 77 | #29,874 |
| 1998 | modern | 78 | #30,192 |
| 1999 | modern | 84 | #29,700 |
| 2000 | modern | 81 | #30,036 |
| 2001 | modern | 75 | #30,481 |
| 2002 | modern | 79 | #30,499 |
| 2003 | modern | 70 | #31,486 |
| 2004 | modern | 67 | #31,976 |
| 2005 | modern | 61 | #32,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 61 | #33,142 |
| 2007 | modern | 63 | #33,243 |
| 2008 | modern | 62 | #33,565 |
| 2009 | modern | 69 | #33,257 |
| 2010 | modern | 70 | #33,480 |
| 2011 | modern | 67 | #33,704 |
| 2012 | modern | 64 | #34,028 |
| 2013 | modern | 70 | #33,753 |
| 2014 | modern | 69 | #33,833 |
| 2015 | modern | 67 | #33,911 |
| 2016 | modern | 68 | #33,826 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Kings Norton, Northampton All Saints, Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory and Rushden. 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 | Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard | Nottinghamshire |
| 2 | Kings Norton | Worcestershire |
| 3 | Northampton All Saints | Northamptonshire |
| 4 | Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory | Northamptonshire |
| 5 | Rushden | Northamptonshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Swindall 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 Swindall, 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 Swindall surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Swindall 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, Swindall 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 Swindall is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Swindall, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Swindall has its origins in England, where it first emerged in the late 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "swin" and "dael," which together mean "a valley where pigs were kept." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name lived in such a place or were involved in pig farming.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Swindall surname can be found in the Feet of Fines for Yorkshire in 1301, where a certain William de Swindall was mentioned. This indicates that the name was already established in the northern county of Yorkshire by the early 14th century.
During the Middle Ages, the Swindall family seemed to have been concentrated in the counties of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. In the latter county, the name appeared in various forms, such as Swindale and Swinedall, reflecting the variations in spelling that were common at the time.
In the 16th century, there are records of a John Swindall (1520-1589) who was a prominent merchant and landowner in the town of Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire. He was known for his involvement in local affairs and served as a magistrate.
Another notable figure with this surname was Thomas Swindall (1672-1737), a clergyman and academic who served as the Master of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, from 1724 until his death. He was a respected scholar and played a role in the intellectual life of the university.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Swindall family also had a presence in Staffordshire, where some members were landowners and farmers. One such individual was Richard Swindall (1689-1764), who owned property in the village of Dilhorne.
In the 19th century, the Swindall name gained prominence in the industrial town of Wolverhampton, where several members of the family were involved in the metal-working and manufacturing industries. A notable example was John Swindall (1818-1892), who was a successful businessman and philanthropist in the town.
Throughout its history, the Swindall surname has been associated with various occupations, from agriculture and trade to academia and industry. While the name may have originated from humble beginnings, it has left its mark on various regions of England over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Swindall 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. Northamptonshire leads with 18 Swindalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 27.25x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Northamptonshire | 18 | 27.25x |
| Middlesex | 13 | 1.85x |
| Derbyshire | 7 | 6.37x |
| Yorkshire | 7 | 1.01x |
| Nottinghamshire | 6 | 6.34x |
| Worcestershire | 6 | 6.54x |
| Staffordshire | 5 | 2.11x |
| Surrey | 5 | 1.46x |
| Leicestershire | 2 | 2.57x |
| Bedfordshire | 1 | 2.75x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.12x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.56x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Northampton All Sts in Northamptonshire leads with 7 Swindalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 312.50x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Northampton All Sts | 7 | 312.50x |
| Hartshorn | 6 | 1428.57x |
| Kings Norton | 6 | 72.99x |
| Northampton St Giles | 6 | 238.10x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 6 | 24.51x |
| Bethnal Green London | 5 | 16.39x |
| Camberwell | 5 | 11.15x |
| Northampton Priory St | 5 | 126.26x |
| Shipley | 5 | 138.50x |
| St George Martyr | 5 | 423.73x |
| Branstone | 3 | 1250.00x |
| Ashby De La Zouch | 2 | 111.11x |
| Middlesbrough | 2 | 22.08x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 1.69x |
| Harlington | 1 | 270.27x |
| Newborough | 1 | 625.00x |
| Shelton | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Spotland | 1 | 10.79x |
| St Clement Danes | 1 | 87.72x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.77x |
| Sturston | 1 | 555.56x |
| Walsall Foreign | 1 | 8.16x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Swindall 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 Swindall 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 Swindall households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 14 |
| Dressmaker | 2 |
| General La | 2 |
| Parcel Agent & Tobaconest | 2 |
| Shoe Rivitter | 2 |
| Baker | 1 |
| Beer Retailer | 1 |
| Brickmaker | 1 |
| Cabinet Maker | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Clerk | 1 |
| Coal Mercht Agent | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Commercial Traveller | 1 |
| Dom Serv Housemaid | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Formerly Laundress | 1 |
| Frame Work Knitter | 1 |
| Gen Lab | 1 |
| Herrend Boy | 1 |
| Odd Man Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Pen Maker | 1 |
| Pencil Case Maker | 1 |
| Potter | 1 |
| Printer | 1 |
| Printer Compositor | 1 |
| Printers Machine Minder | 1 |
| Schoolmistress | 1 |
| Shoe Fitter | 1 |
| Unemployed | 1 |
| Waitress (Inn Svt) | 1 |
| Warehouse Man | 1 |
| Warehouse Wife | 1 |
| Wood Turner | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 72 people were recorded with the Swindall surname. That placed it at #23,371 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 68 in 2016. That gives Swindall a modern rank of #33,826.
A name derived from the term "swindle" meaning to defraud or cheat.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Swindall 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.