UK surname
A surname derived from living near a well or spring.
In the 1881 census there were 193 people recorded with the Well surname, ranking it #13,144 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 88, ranked #32,396, down from #13,144 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Paddington, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Well is 1,029 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 54.4%.
1881 census count
193
Ranked #13,144
Modern count
88
2016, ranked #32,396
Peak year
1861
1,029 bearers
Map years
6
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Well surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Well surname density by area, 1881 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 | 413 | #5,872 |
| 1861 | historical | 1,029 | #2,720 |
| 1881 | historical | 193 | #13,144 |
| 1891 | historical | 756 | #5,271 |
| 1901 | historical | 226 | #14,006 |
| 1911 | historical | 328 | #10,714 |
| 1997 | modern | 95 | #27,638 |
| 1998 | modern | 93 | #28,563 |
| 1999 | modern | 78 | #30,327 |
| 2000 | modern | 53 | #32,805 |
| 2001 | modern | 20 | #35,754 |
| 2002 | modern | 26 | #35,338 |
| 2003 | modern | 25 | #35,471 |
| 2004 | modern | 30 | #35,186 |
| 2005 | modern | 33 | #35,119 |
| 2006 | modern | 36 | #35,131 |
| 2007 | modern | 35 | #35,347 |
| 2008 | modern | 38 | #35,262 |
| 2009 | modern | 51 | #34,612 |
| 2010 | modern | 68 | #33,632 |
| 2011 | modern | 61 | #34,121 |
| 2012 | modern | 60 | #34,287 |
| 2013 | modern | 71 | #33,693 |
| 2014 | modern | 74 | #33,531 |
| 2015 | modern | 77 | #33,272 |
| 2016 | modern | 88 | #32,396 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Paddington, London parishes, St Pancras, Lambeth and Brighton. 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 | Paddington | London (West Districts) |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | Brighton | Sussex |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Well 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 Well, 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 Well surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Well 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, Well 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 Well is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Well, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname WELL is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period in England. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "well" or "welle," referring to a natural spring or source of water. This name was likely adopted by those who lived near a well or a dwelling located close to one.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname WELL can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which listed landowners and tenants in England after the Norman Conquest. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Atte Welle" and "de la Welle," indicating the proximity of the bearer's residence to a well.
During the 13th century, the surname WELL emerged in various parts of England, including Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, and Oxfordshire. Records from this period show the name spelled as "Welle" and "Wel," reflecting the evolution of spelling over time.
In the 14th century, John Well (born around 1320) was a prominent English scholar and theologian who served as the Chancellor of Oxford University. He was known for his contributions to the study of logic and philosophy.
Another notable figure with the surname WELL was William Well (c. 1450 - 1499), a English clergyman and academic who served as the Master of Magdalen College, Oxford, and was renowned for his theological writings.
In the 16th century, the name WELL was associated with several places in England, such as Well Court in Kent and Well Hall in Hertfordshire, further solidifying its connection to locations near water sources.
Among the prominent bearers of the WELL surname in the 17th century was Thomas Well (1590 - 1676), an English clergyman and author who wrote influential works on practical divinity.
In the 18th century, the WELL surname gained prominence in the field of science with Robert Well (1722 - 1795), a Scottish mathematician and philosopher known for his contributions to the study of mechanics and optics.
Throughout its long history, the surname WELL has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, clergy, scientists, and landowners, all connected by the common thread of its origin rooted in the proximity to natural water sources in medieval England.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Well 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. Middlesex leads with 28 Wells recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.64x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 28 | 1.64x |
| Yorkshire | 24 | 1.42x |
| Surrey | 23 | 2.77x |
| Lancashire | 18 | 0.89x |
| Warwickshire | 10 | 2.32x |
| Kent | 8 | 1.37x |
| Essex | 7 | 2.08x |
| Northamptonshire | 4 | 2.49x |
| Worcestershire | 4 | 1.79x |
| Aberdeenshire | 3 | 1.90x |
| Bedfordshire | 3 | 3.39x |
| Durham | 3 | 0.59x |
| Gloucestershire | 3 | 0.90x |
| Lincolnshire | 3 | 1.10x |
| Midlothian | 3 | 1.31x |
| Staffordshire | 3 | 0.52x |
| Angus | 2 | 1.26x |
| Cumberland | 2 | 1.36x |
| Derbyshire | 2 | 0.75x |
| Dumfriesshire | 2 | 5.30x |
| Flintshire | 2 | 4.36x |
| Nottinghamshire | 2 | 0.87x |
| Pembrokeshire | 2 | 3.69x |
| Somerset | 2 | 0.73x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 0.78x |
| Buckinghamshire | 1 | 0.97x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.27x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.28x |
| Herefordshire | 1 | 1.43x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 0.85x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 0.39x |
| Perthshire | 1 | 1.31x |
| Shropshire | 1 | 0.68x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 0.48x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.35x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 0.66x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 9 Wells recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.27x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Well surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 14 |
| Elizabeth | 13 |
| Sarah | 6 |
| Ann | 3 |
| Eliza | 3 |
| Hannah | 3 |
| Martha | 3 |
| Alice | 2 |
| Annie | 2 |
| Jane | 2 |
| Louisa | 2 |
| Sophia | 2 |
| Amy | 1 |
| Anne | 1 |
| Camilla | 1 |
| Caroline | 1 |
| Catherine | 1 |
| Charloti | 1 |
| Charlotte | 1 |
| Clara | 1 |
| Cordlia | 1 |
| Dorothy | 1 |
| Edith | 1 |
| Elen | 1 |
| Elizath. | 1 |
| Elizh.Annie | 1 |
| Elizth. | 1 |
| Ellen | 1 |
| Emly | 1 |
| Florence | 1 |
| Frances | 1 |
| Harriet | 1 |
| Henrietta | 1 |
| Julia | 1 |
| Laura | 1 |
| Lillie | 1 |
| Louise | 1 |
| Lydia | 1 |
| Magnel | 1 |
| Margaret | 1 |
| Maria | 1 |
| Maryier | 1 |
| May | 1 |
| Penelope | 1 |
| Rachael | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Well 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 Well households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 24 |
| General Servant | 3 |
| Labourer | 3 |
| Domestic Servant | 2 |
| Dressmaker | 2 |
| General Labourer | 2 |
| Barmaid | 1 |
| Blacksmith (Master) | 1 |
| Boy 1 Cls | 1 |
| Brick Burner | 1 |
| Bricklayers Labourer | 1 |
| Builder | 1 |
| Butcher | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Checkman | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Commercial Clerk | 1 |
| Convicted Felon | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Cook (Domestic) | 1 |
| Cook Domestic | 1 |
| Cook Servant Domes | 1 |
| Cotton Mill Piecer | 1 |
| Dairy Maid | 1 |
| Domestic | 1 |
| Domestic Servt | 1 |
| Drysalters Traveller | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| Fancy Knitter | 1 |
| Farm Labourer | 1 |
| Farm Serv | 1 |
| Farmer (of 7 1/2 Acres | 1 |
| Farmer's Wife | 1 |
| Field Worker Ag Lab | 1 |
| Gamekeeper | 1 |
| Gamekeeper Wife | 1 |
| Genl Lab | 1 |
| Genl Labr | 1 |
| Governess | 1 |
| Grocer Assistant | 1 |
| Groom (Dom) | 1 |
| Hawker | 1 |
| Housekeeper (Dom Unemployed) | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Housemaid Domestic | 1 |
| Innkeeper | 1 |
| Innkeepers Wife | 1 |
| Iron Miner | 1 |
| Worsted Spinner | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 193 people were recorded with the Well surname. That placed it at #13,144 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 88 in 2016. That gives Well a modern rank of #32,396.
A surname derived from living near a well or spring.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Well 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.