NameCensus.

UK surname

Werrell

An English surname derived from an Old English place name meaning "ridge of land covered with alders".

In the 1881 census there were 104 people recorded with the Werrell surname, ranking it #19,296 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 140, ranked #24,865, down from #19,296 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Waltham St Lawrence, Upton with Chalvey and Mildenhall. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Swindon, West Berkshire and Vale of White Horse.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Werrell is 162 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 34.6%.

1881 census count

104

Ranked #19,296

Modern count

140

2016, ranked #24,865

Peak year

2009

162 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Werrell had 104 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #19,296 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 140 in 2016, ranked #24,865.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 146 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Werrell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Werrell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Werrell 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 43 #25,518
1861 historical 50 #27,636
1881 historical 104 #19,296
1891 historical 129 #20,285
1901 historical 141 #18,718
1911 historical 146 #18,179
1997 modern 153 #20,868
1998 modern 159 #20,916
1999 modern 156 #21,290
2000 modern 158 #21,055
2001 modern 152 #21,294
2002 modern 150 #21,913
2003 modern 144 #22,270
2004 modern 150 #21,830
2005 modern 146 #22,146
2006 modern 141 #22,833
2007 modern 150 #22,212
2008 modern 151 #22,323
2009 modern 162 #21,791
2010 modern 159 #22,577
2011 modern 155 #22,790
2012 modern 152 #23,069
2013 modern 146 #24,107
2014 modern 148 #24,075
2015 modern 140 #24,836
2016 modern 140 #24,865

Geography

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Where Werrells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Waltham St Lawrence, Upton with Chalvey, Mildenhall, Frilsham and Marlborough Preshute. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Swindon, West Berkshire, Vale of White Horse and Reading. 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 Waltham St Lawrence Berkshire
2 Upton with Chalvey Buckinghamshire
3 Mildenhall Wiltshire
4 Frilsham Berkshire
5 Marlborough Preshute Wiltshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Swindon 006 Swindon
2 West Berkshire 002 West Berkshire
3 West Berkshire 007 West Berkshire
4 Vale of White Horse 003 Vale of White Horse
5 Reading 001 Reading

Forenames

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First names often paired with Werrell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Werrell

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Werrell is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Werrell is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Werrell falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Werrell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Werrell

The surname Werrell is believed to have originated in Germany, with its earliest roots dating back to the 13th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Old German word "werra," which means "to defend" or "to protect." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who held occupations or roles related to defense, such as soldiers, guards, or watchmen.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Werrell can be found in a historical document from the city of Cologne, dated around 1290. The document mentions a certain "Johannes Werrell," who was likely a resident of the city at that time. This suggests that the name was already in use and established in the region during the late medieval period.

In the 16th century, the name Werrell appeared in several church records and municipal documents across various regions of Germany, including Bavaria and Saxony. These records often list individuals with the name, along with their occupations, which ranged from farmers and craftsmen to clergymen and merchants.

One notable individual bearing the surname Werrell was Hans Werrell, a German soldier who fought in the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648). He was born in 1602 in the town of Nuremberg and served as a mercenary in the armies of various princes and nobles during the conflict.

Another historical figure with the name Werrell was Johann Werrell, a Lutheran theologian and scholar who lived in the 17th century. Born in 1635 in the city of Leipzig, Werrell was a respected academic and author, having written several treatises on religious and philosophical topics.

In the 18th century, the Werrell name gained prominence in the town of Steinau an der Straße, located in the modern-day state of Hesse, Germany. Here, the Werrell family owned and operated a successful brewery for several generations, with the business becoming a significant part of the local economy.

One member of this family, Friedrich Werrell, born in 1725, played a notable role in the town's history. He served as the mayor of Steinau an der Straße for many years and was instrumental in the development of the town's infrastructure, including the construction of new roads and bridges.

As the Werrell name spread across Germany and beyond, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Werrel, Werrell, and Werelle. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and differences in record-keeping practices.

While the surname Werrell is relatively uncommon today, it remains a part of Germany's rich cultural heritage, reflecting the country's long and diverse history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Werrell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Werrell 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. Berkshire leads with 45 Werrells recorded in 1881 and an index of 58.53x.

County Total Index
Berkshire 45 58.53x
Wiltshire 14 15.46x
Surrey 12 2.40x
Hampshire 11 5.24x
Middlesex 10 0.98x
Buckinghamshire 4 6.46x
Staffordshire 3 0.87x
Yorkshire 3 0.30x
Somerset 2 1.21x
Royal Navy 1 8.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Frilsham in Berkshire leads with 16 Werrells recorded in 1881 and an index of 22857.14x.

Place Total Index
Frilsham 16 22857.14x
Mildenhall 13 8125.00x
Bisham 8 3200.00x
Reading St Lawrence 8 487.80x
Long Ditton 6 740.74x
White Waltham 6 2068.97x
Wootton St Lawrence 6 1714.29x
Heckfield 5 2500.00x
Newington 5 13.21x
Shoreditch London 5 11.26x
Upton Cum Chalvey 4 161.94x
Marston 3 1304.35x
North Cave Drewton 3 750.00x
Twickenham 3 68.34x
Waltham St Lawrence 3 1000.00x
Bucklebury 2 500.00x
Charlcombe 1 454.55x
Islington London 1 1.01x
Kensington London 1 1.76x
Keynsham 1 84.75x
Lambeth 1 1.12x
Marlborough St Mary Virgin 1 156.25x
Reading St Giles 1 13.26x
Royal Navy 1 9.59x
Yattendon 1 909.09x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 8
Emily 4
Alice 3
Ann 3
Eliza 3
Elizabeth 3
Sarah 3
Catherine 2
Edith 2
Esther 2
Fanny 2
Florence 2
Hannah 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Annie 1
Clara 1
Elizh. 1
Ellen 1
Emma 1
Ester 1
Harriett 1
Isabel 1
Katherine 1
Louisa 1
Martha 1
Mitilda 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Werrell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Werrell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 104 people were recorded with the Werrell surname. That placed it at #19,296 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Werrell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 140 in 2016. That gives Werrell a modern rank of #24,865.

What does the Werrell surname mean?

An English surname derived from an Old English place name meaning "ridge of land covered with alders".

What does the Werrell map show?

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