NameCensus.

UK surname

Terrell

Derived from a French place name meaning "stubble field," likely referring to a person who lived near one.

In the 1881 census there were 514 people recorded with the Terrell surname, ranking it #6,635 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 730, ranked #7,461, down from #6,635 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Leonard Bromley and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rhondda Cynon Taf, Doncaster and South Somerset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Terrell is 845 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 42.0%.

1881 census count

514

Ranked #6,635

Modern count

730

2016, ranked #7,461

Peak year

1999

845 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Terrell had 514 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,635 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 730 in 2016, ranked #7,461.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 744 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Terrell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Terrell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Terrell 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 475 #5,239
1861 historical 306 #8,296
1881 historical 514 #6,635
1891 historical 547 #6,916
1901 historical 718 #6,149
1911 historical 744 #5,769
1997 modern 788 #6,624
1998 modern 834 #6,533
1999 modern 845 #6,515
2000 modern 819 #6,649
2001 modern 790 #6,707
2002 modern 799 #6,783
2003 modern 775 #6,831
2004 modern 777 #6,829
2005 modern 754 #6,928
2006 modern 751 #6,983
2007 modern 737 #7,158
2008 modern 731 #7,250
2009 modern 759 #7,182
2010 modern 765 #7,279
2011 modern 754 #7,282
2012 modern 746 #7,259
2013 modern 762 #7,246
2014 modern 764 #7,253
2015 modern 744 #7,345
2016 modern 730 #7,461

Geography

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Where Terrells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Leonard Bromley, Lambeth and Devonport Stoke Damerel. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rhondda Cynon Taf, Doncaster, South Somerset and Plymouth. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Leonard Bromley London (East Districts)
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 Devonport Stoke Damerel Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rhondda Cynon Taf 010 Rhondda Cynon Taf
2 Doncaster 002 Doncaster
3 South Somerset 009 South Somerset
4 Rhondda Cynon Taf 007 Rhondda Cynon Taf
5 Plymouth 026 Plymouth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Terrell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Terrell

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Terrell is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Terrell is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

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

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Terrell falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Terrell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Terrell

The surname Terrell has its origins in Normandy, France, and can be traced back to the 11th century. It is derived from the Old French word "terrelle," which means "a small piece of land" or "territory." This suggests that the name may have been associated with someone who owned or worked on a small plot of land.

The name first appeared in historical records in the famous Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name was initially spelled as "Terrel" or "Terrell" in this document.

As the surname spread across Europe, it took on various spellings, including Terrell, Terrill, Tyrrell, and Turrell. These variations likely arose due to regional dialects and the inconsistencies in record-keeping during the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Sir Walter Terrell, a Norman knight who fought alongside William the Conqueror during the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. He was granted lands in Suffolk, England, for his service.

In the 13th century, the Terrell family established themselves in the county of Buckinghamshire, England, where they held the manor of Terrell's Manor. This manor was likely named after the family, further solidifying their connection to the land.

Another notable figure was Sir Roger Terrell, who lived in the 14th century and served as a member of the English Parliament. He played a significant role in the Hundred Years' War between England and France.

During the 16th century, the Terrell family gained prominence in Ireland, particularly in County Cork. One of the most famous members of this branch was Sir William Terrell, who served as the Mayor of Cork in 1586.

In the United States, the Terrell surname can be traced back to the early colonial period. One of the earliest recorded individuals was Captain William Terrell, who arrived in Virginia from England in the mid-17th century and became a prominent landowner and military leader.

Other notable individuals with the Terrell surname include Joseph Terrell, an American soldier and politician who served as the 23rd Governor of Georgia in the early 19th century, and Mary Church Terrell, an influential African American activist and educator who played a crucial role in the civil rights movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Terrell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Terrell 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. Middlesex leads with 79 Terrells recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.61x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 79 1.61x
Surrey 58 2.42x
Lancashire 53 0.91x
Gloucestershire 48 4.98x
Devon 44 4.30x
Somerset 42 5.31x
Dorset 29 8.99x
Kent 26 1.55x
Warwickshire 21 1.69x
Cornwall 16 2.87x
Hampshire 15 1.49x
Durham 13 0.89x
Northamptonshire 13 2.81x
Essex 12 1.24x
Sussex 10 1.21x
Monmouthshire 8 2.25x
Yorkshire 5 0.10x
Glamorgan 4 0.47x
Wiltshire 2 0.46x
Herefordshire 1 0.50x
Leicestershire 1 0.18x
Norfolk 1 0.13x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.64x
Renfrewshire 1 0.26x
Royal Navy 1 1.71x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 25 Terrells recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.83x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 25 5.83x
Bromley London 19 17.57x
St Pancras London 13 3.29x
Bermondsey 10 6.83x
Plymouth Charles The 10 22.18x
Ramsgate 10 36.52x
Stoke Damerel 10 13.96x
Cerne Abbas 9 576.92x
Stoke Under Hambdon 9 346.15x
Battersea 8 4.42x
Exeter Heavitree 8 104.85x
Hornsey 8 12.87x
North Perrott 8 1454.55x
Tyldesley Cum Shakerley 8 47.65x
Westbury On Trym 8 24.49x
Woolaston 8 547.95x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 7 7.71x
Canterbury St Mary 7 62.17x
Kensington London 7 2.56x
Kettering 7 37.43x
Little Bolton 7 9.33x
Newington 7 3.85x
Newland 7 86.42x
Warrington 7 10.12x
West Alvington 7 486.11x
Yeovil 7 43.53x
Aston 6 1.76x
Bethnal Green London 6 2.81x
Manchester 6 2.29x
Passenham 6 315.79x
Southampton St Mary 6 9.47x
St Gluvias 6 192.31x
Sydling St Nicholas 6 638.30x
West Ham 6 2.80x
Wimborne Minster 6 114.94x
Bedminster 5 6.72x
Blackburn 5 3.22x
Highweek 5 136.99x
Leyton Low 5 25.34x
Martock 5 97.28x
Poplar London 5 5.39x
Portsea 5 2.53x
Southwark St George Martyr 5 5.05x
St Austell 5 26.27x
Taynton 5 515.46x
West Herrington 5 97.66x
Westoe 5 6.03x
Bourton 4 283.69x
Chorlton On Medlock 4 4.32x
Gillingham 4 11.57x
Hampton London 4 49.51x
Henstridge 4 182.65x
Pillerton Hersey 4 1600.00x
Risca 4 59.70x
West Derby 4 2.34x
Whitechapel London 4 8.25x
Brighton 3 1.79x
Bristol St James St Paul 3 9.33x
Chilvers Coton 3 58.82x
Exeter St David 3 34.32x
Gateshead 3 2.74x
Horsham 3 18.63x
Islington London 3 0.63x
Maker 3 58.37x
Mynyddyslwyn 3 21.40x
Osmotherley 3 375.00x
Paddington London 3 1.66x
Southcoates 3 11.09x
Warwick St Nicholas 3 33.00x
Birmingham 2 0.48x
Bootle Cum Linacre 2 4.32x
Evershot 2 238.10x
Ewhurst 2 108.70x
Hackney London 2 0.73x
Kirkdale 2 2.04x
Llandaff 2 7.02x
Nuneaton 2 13.93x
Painswick 2 29.33x
St George Hanover 2 3.12x
Up Cerne 2 1538.46x

Top female names

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

FAQ

Terrell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Terrell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 514 people were recorded with the Terrell surname. That placed it at #6,635 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Terrell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 730 in 2016. That gives Terrell a modern rank of #7,461.

What does the Terrell surname mean?

Derived from a French place name meaning "stubble field," likely referring to a person who lived near one.

What does the Terrell map show?

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