NameCensus.

UK surname

Wardell

An English locational surname derived from a place name meaning "dell frequented by hawks."

In the 1881 census there were 1,192 people recorded with the Wardell surname, ranking it #3,380 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,475, ranked #4,176, down from #3,380 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hull Holy Trinity, London parishes and Stockton-on-Tees (Stockton-on-Tees), Stainton (Thornaby ), Norton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ryedale, East Riding of Yorkshire and IZ09.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wardell is 1,617 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 23.7%.

1881 census count

1,192

Ranked #3,380

Modern count

1,475

2016, ranked #4,176

Peak year

1998

1,617 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wardell had 1,192 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,380 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,475 in 2016, ranked #4,176.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,457 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Wardell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wardell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wardell 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 949 #2,926
1861 historical 745 #3,659
1881 historical 1,192 #3,380
1891 historical 1,141 #3,731
1901 historical 1,430 #3,554
1911 historical 1,457 #3,312
1997 modern 1,539 #3,827
1998 modern 1,617 #3,807
1999 modern 1,615 #3,838
2000 modern 1,567 #3,915
2001 modern 1,536 #3,910
2002 modern 1,566 #3,933
2003 modern 1,492 #4,019
2004 modern 1,489 #4,031
2005 modern 1,456 #4,062
2006 modern 1,455 #4,068
2007 modern 1,471 #4,069
2008 modern 1,511 #4,001
2009 modern 1,528 #4,049
2010 modern 1,560 #4,049
2011 modern 1,537 #4,064
2012 modern 1,513 #4,056
2013 modern 1,531 #4,082
2014 modern 1,540 #4,085
2015 modern 1,507 #4,121
2016 modern 1,475 #4,176

Geography

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Where Wardells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hull Holy Trinity, London parishes, Stockton-on-Tees (Stockton-on-Tees), Stainton (Thornaby ), Norton and Birmingham Town: Birmingham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Ryedale, East Riding of Yorkshire, IZ09, Kingston upon Hull and Scarborough. 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 Hull Holy Trinity Yorkshire, East Riding
2 London parishes London 3
3 Stockton-on-Tees (Stockton-on-Tees), Stainton (Thornaby ), Norton Durham
4 London parishes London 2
5 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Ryedale 002 Ryedale
2 East Riding of Yorkshire 011 East Riding of Yorkshire
3 IZ09 East Lothian
4 Kingston upon Hull 003 Kingston upon Hull, City of
5 Scarborough 014 Scarborough

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wardell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wardell

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Wardell, 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 Wardell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Wardell 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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Wardell is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Wardell is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Wardell 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 Wardell 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 Wardell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Wardell

The surname Wardell originated in England, with the earliest known records dating back to the 11th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "weard" meaning watchman or guardian, and "hyll" meaning hill or mound, suggesting that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived near or guarded a fortified hill or mound.

The name is thought to have first appeared in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and property ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The earliest recorded spelling of the name was "Wardhyll," found in the records of the county of Staffordshire.

In the 13th century, the name was also recorded as "Wardehill" and "Wardhull," reflecting the various spellings that emerged over time. The place name "Wardell" can be found in Yorkshire, derived from the Old English words "weard" and "dæl," meaning valley or dale, suggesting that some bearers of the name may have originated from this location.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Sir John Wardell, a knight who fought alongside King Edward III in the Battle of Crécy during the Hundred Years' War in 1346. Another notable figure was Robert Wardell, a merchant and alderman in the city of London during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in the 16th century.

In the 17th century, the Wardell family established themselves as significant landowners in the county of Yorkshire. Thomas Wardell (1601-1671) was a prominent member of this family and served as a magistrate and deputy lieutenant for the county.

During the English Civil War, Captain William Wardell (1620-1689) fought for the Parliamentarian forces and was later appointed as a commissioner for the trial of King Charles I in 1649.

In the 18th century, the Reverend John Wardell (1712-1784) was a respected clergyman and author, known for his published works on theology and philosophy.

Throughout history, the Wardell name has been associated with various professions, including military service, law, religion, and commerce, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who have borne this surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wardell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wardell 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. Yorkshire leads with 445 Wardells recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.87x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 445 3.87x
Durham 154 4.46x
Middlesex 141 1.21x
Surrey 84 1.49x
Warwickshire 72 2.46x
Essex 46 2.01x
Lancashire 46 0.33x
Kent 36 0.91x
Lincolnshire 31 1.67x
Cheshire 25 0.98x
Staffordshire 25 0.64x
Derbyshire 13 0.72x
Northumberland 10 0.58x
Nottinghamshire 10 0.64x
Worcestershire 10 0.66x
Norfolk 9 0.50x
Shropshire 9 0.90x
Devon 4 0.17x
Channel Islands 3 0.87x
Northamptonshire 3 0.27x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.29x
Hampshire 2 0.08x
Hertfordshire 2 0.25x
Sussex 2 0.10x
Cumberland 1 0.10x
Denbighshire 1 0.23x
Dorset 1 0.13x
Gloucestershire 1 0.04x
Royal Navy 1 0.72x
Suffolk 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sculcoates in Yorkshire leads with 49 Wardells recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.87x.

Place Total Index
Sculcoates 49 26.87x
New Malton 40 290.91x
Birmingham 35 3.59x
Stockton On Tees 29 17.42x
Bishopwearmouth 27 9.11x
Holy Trinity 27 9.76x
Stranton 27 23.22x
Lambeth 20 1.98x
West Ham 20 3.95x
Kensington London 19 2.94x
Rotherhithe 19 13.25x
Scarborough 19 18.18x
Pickering 18 124.31x
Poplar London 18 8.22x
Bermondsey 15 4.34x
Limehouse London 14 10.99x
St George In East 14 17.73x
Aston 13 1.61x
West Derby 13 3.23x
Islington London 12 1.07x
Bow London 10 6.77x
Ganton 10 740.74x
Leeds 10 1.54x
Dawley 9 24.66x
Grasby 9 552.15x
Hutton Le Hole 9 833.33x
Monkwearmouth Shore 9 13.35x
Oxton 9 62.11x
Chesterfield 8 11.74x
Darlington 8 6.00x
Great Grimsby 8 6.79x
Hartlepool 8 16.30x
Hipperholme Cum 8 15.83x
Lockngtn In Kilnwck 8 392.16x
Ossett Cum Gawthorpe 8 19.47x
Stoneleigh 8 164.61x
Thornley 8 64.00x
Barnsley 7 5.90x
Barthomley 7 472.97x
Caytn Deepdal Kilrby 7 288.07x
Clapham 7 4.82x
Great Driffield 7 29.65x
Huddersfield 7 4.18x
Hutton Cranswick 7 144.63x
Lapworth 7 255.47x
Luttons Ambo 7 292.89x
Middlesbrough 7 4.67x
Oldham 7 1.57x
Ramsgate 7 10.83x
Sedgley 7 4.81x
Southwick 7 21.40x
St Marylebone London 7 1.13x
Sutton 7 53.39x
Sutton Coldfield 7 22.75x
Wanstead 7 17.44x
Wolverhampton 7 2.32x
Barking 6 8.95x
Bradford 6 2.15x
Bromley London 6 2.35x
Broughton 6 115.38x
Camberwell 6 0.81x
Chelsea London 6 1.72x
Gomersal 6 11.18x
Hulme 6 2.09x
Huttons Ambo 6 363.64x
Kings Norton 6 4.41x
Kingston On Thames 6 4.42x
Leyton 6 15.20x
Nettleton 6 312.50x
North Burton 6 277.78x
Pittington 6 61.79x
Swinton In Rotherham 6 19.72x
Toxteth Park 6 1.29x
Wednesbury 6 6.13x
Aldbrough In Richmond 5 314.47x
Crossgate 5 33.11x
Croydon 5 1.59x
Prittlewell 5 15.74x
St George Bloomsbury 5 7.51x
Tamworth 5 23.87x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 81
William 81
Thomas 50
George 39
James 35
Joseph 25
Robert 24
Charles 20
Henry 20
Alfred 19
Frederick 11
Edward 10
Richard 10
Arthur 9
Walter 8
David 7
Ernest 6
Matthew 6
Samuel 6
Albert 5
Francis 5
Thos. 5
Frank 4
Fred 4
Harry 4
Edwin 3
Geo. 3
Benjamin 2
Christopher 2
Fredrick 2
Herbert 2
Peter 2
Robt. 2
Tom 2
Aurther 1
Cecil 1
Chas.Alfd. 1
Christ 1
Edwrd. 1
Elias 1
Fracis 1
Frances 1
Frederic 1
Harold 1
Hy.Allard 1
Ivo 1
Jeremiah 1
Joe 1
Johnson 1
Jonathan 1

FAQ

Wardell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wardell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,192 people were recorded with the Wardell surname. That placed it at #3,380 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wardell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,475 in 2016. That gives Wardell a modern rank of #4,176.

What does the Wardell surname mean?

An English locational surname derived from a place name meaning "dell frequented by hawks."

What does the Wardell map show?

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