NameCensus.

UK surname

Swindells

Derived from a northern English dialect term for a sheep farmer or shepherd.

In the 1881 census there were 1,915 people recorded with the Swindells surname, ranking it #2,275 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,042, ranked #3,162, down from #2,275 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Prestbury, Stockport and Glossop. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cheshire East and Tameside.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Swindells is 2,678 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 6.6%.

1881 census count

1,915

Ranked #2,275

Modern count

2,042

2016, ranked #3,162

Peak year

1911

2,678 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Swindells had 1,915 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,275 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,042 in 2016, ranked #3,162.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,678 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Swindells surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Swindells surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Swindells 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 1,160 #2,429
1861 historical 948 #2,928
1881 historical 1,915 #2,275
1891 historical 1,907 #2,413
1901 historical 2,434 #2,234
1911 historical 2,678 #1,928
1997 modern 2,064 #2,979
1998 modern 2,238 #2,876
1999 modern 2,223 #2,915
2000 modern 2,236 #2,882
2001 modern 2,175 #2,896
2002 modern 2,166 #2,966
2003 modern 2,094 #2,989
2004 modern 2,090 #2,999
2005 modern 2,046 #3,016
2006 modern 2,076 #2,983
2007 modern 2,078 #3,011
2008 modern 2,079 #3,034
2009 modern 2,088 #3,099
2010 modern 2,135 #3,098
2011 modern 2,108 #3,095
2012 modern 2,032 #3,150
2013 modern 2,046 #3,185
2014 modern 2,061 #3,183
2015 modern 2,033 #3,185
2016 modern 2,042 #3,162

Geography

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Where Swindells' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Prestbury, Stockport, Glossop and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cheshire East and Tameside. 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 Prestbury Cheshire
2 Stockport Cheshire
3 Glossop Derbyshire
4 Stockport Derbyshire
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cheshire East 018 Cheshire East
2 Cheshire East 020 Cheshire East
3 Cheshire East 026 Cheshire East
4 Cheshire East 016 Cheshire East
5 Tameside 022 Tameside

Forenames

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First names often paired with Swindells

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Swindells

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Swindells surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Swindells household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Swindells is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Swindells is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Swindells falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Swindells is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Swindells

The surname SWINDELLS originated in England during medieval times. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "swinden" meaning "to dwindle or grow less" and "dello" meaning "a pit, hollow, or small valley." The combination suggests the name may have referred to someone who lived in a small, diminishing valley or hollow.

The earliest recorded spelling of the name was found in the Cheshire County records dating back to the late 13th century, where it appeared as "de Swyndenhulles." This indicates the name was initially associated with a specific place name, potentially a small settlement or hamlet in Cheshire.

During the 14th century, variations such as "de Swyndells" and "Swyndelhull" were documented in the Wills Court Records of Chester, reflecting the local dialect and spelling variations common at the time.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was John Swindells, who was mentioned in the Cheshire County Rolls in 1389. Another early reference can be found in the Lancashire Wills Records from 1542, which listed a William Swindells.

In the 16th century, the name appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire as "Swyndell" and "Swyndalls." This suggests the name had spread to other regions of England by that time.

Notable individuals with the surname SWINDELLS include:

1. Thomas Swindells (1784-1853), an English landscape painter known for his depictions of rural scenes. 2. Reverend John Swindells (1839-1913), a prominent Baptist minister and author from Lancashire. 3. Alfred Swindells (1852-1924), a British industrialist and engineer who founded the Swindells & Sons engineering company in Manchester. 4. Frank Swindells (1897-1976), an English cricketer who played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club in the early 20th century. 5. Geoffrey Swindells (1908-1996), a British author and playwright best known for his works depicting life in northern England.

While the name SWINDELLS can be traced back to medieval England, its origins likely stem from a specific geographic location or settlement, reflecting the occupations or characteristics of its earliest bearers.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Swindells families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Swindells 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. Cheshire leads with 885 Swindells' recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.43x.

County Total Index
Cheshire 885 21.43x
Lancashire 702 3.16x
Derbyshire 141 4.81x
Yorkshire 50 0.27x
Staffordshire 36 0.57x
Middlesex 19 0.10x
Surrey 12 0.13x
Sussex 11 0.35x
Cambridgeshire 8 0.68x
Warwickshire 8 0.17x
Radnorshire 7 4.64x
Cumberland 6 0.37x
Lincolnshire 6 0.20x
Hampshire 5 0.13x
Nottinghamshire 5 0.20x
Essex 3 0.08x
Kent 3 0.05x
Northamptonshire 3 0.17x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.18x
Lanarkshire 2 0.03x
Durham 1 0.02x
Oxfordshire 1 0.09x
Shropshire 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Macclesfield in Cheshire leads with 155 Swindells' recorded in 1881 and an index of 84.43x.

Place Total Index
Macclesfield 155 84.43x
Hyde 111 91.08x
Disley Stanley 84 395.11x
Manchester 79 7.91x
Romiley 62 532.19x
Stockport 54 25.41x
Salford 49 7.50x
Sutton In Macclesfield 49 114.33x
Heaton Norris 48 37.98x
Ashton Under Lyne 43 8.86x
Cheadle 43 54.51x
Dukinfield 42 22.01x
Hulme 41 8.85x
Chorlton On Medlock 36 10.21x
Warrington 35 13.30x
Oldham 34 4.74x
Ardwick 32 15.98x
Glossop Dale 31 22.60x
Bredbury 28 117.15x
Werneth 24 185.47x
Bollington In 23 62.57x
Pendleton In Salford 23 8.70x
Beard 22 230.85x
Broughton In Salford 21 10.34x
Lancaster 21 15.90x
Little Hulton 19 51.69x
Openshaw 18 17.31x
Gorton 17 8.15x
Hurdsfield 17 66.90x
Reddish 16 52.32x
Chapel En Le Frith 15 56.07x
Leek Lowe 15 17.85x
Barton Upon Irwell 13 7.78x
Bramhall 12 70.13x
Marple 12 42.33x
Beard Ollerset Whitle 11 57.08x
Bosden 11 86.82x
Brighton 11 1.73x
Burley In Wharfdale 11 67.20x
Everton 11 1.55x
Godley 11 123.32x
Cheetham 10 6.04x
Chorley In Macclesfield 10 79.49x
Halifax 10 3.67x
Haughton 10 30.87x
Hayfield 10 55.65x
Rumworth 10 31.52x
Bollin Fee 9 49.13x
Droylsden 9 12.43x
Habergham Eaves 9 4.44x
Little Sutton 9 162.16x
Newton In Ashton Under 9 22.09x
Norbury 9 93.56x
Ollersett 9 157.62x
Brinnington 8 20.74x
Buglawton 8 80.48x
Handforth 8 169.85x
Hartington Upper 8 57.27x
Congleton 7 9.81x
Knighton 7 57.38x
Onecote 7 292.89x
Stretford 7 5.73x
Tintwistle 7 31.72x
Todmorden Walsden 7 11.77x
Woodford 7 301.72x
Bradford 6 5.77x
Brightside Bierlow 6 1.65x
Castleton 6 2.71x
Cleator 6 8.95x
Dore 6 107.14x
Hathersage 6 73.08x
Islington London 6 0.33x
Kettleshulme 6 284.36x
Little Bolton 6 2.10x
Ludworth 6 43.48x
Mottram 6 32.07x
Sheffield 6 1.02x
Aston 5 0.38x
Bisley 5 119.90x
Middlesbrough 5 2.07x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 123
William 82
James 76
Thomas 75
Joseph 64
George 56
Samuel 36
Charles 24
Peter 20
Henry 19
Edward 17
Robert 17
Arthur 14
Edwin 12
Fred 12
Alfred 10
Frank 10
Harry 10
Joshua 10
Walter 9
Frederick 8
Francis 7
Herbert 7
Albert 6
David 6
Allen 5
Fredk. 4
Geo. 4
Isaac 4
Matthew 4
Richard 4
Thos. 4
Arnold 3
Daniel 3
Ernest 3
Jesse 3
Joe 3
Joel 3
Martin 3
Noah 3
Ralph 3
Reuben 3
Saml. 3
Tom 3
Willie 3
Wm. 3
Amos 2
Andrew 2
Chas. 2
Philip 2

FAQ

Swindells surname: questions and answers

How common was the Swindells surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,915 people were recorded with the Swindells surname. That placed it at #2,275 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Swindells surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,042 in 2016. That gives Swindells a modern rank of #3,162.

What does the Swindells surname mean?

Derived from a northern English dialect term for a sheep farmer or shepherd.

What does the Swindells map show?

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