NameCensus.

UK surname

Wressell

A local surname derived from a place name in Yorkshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 86 people recorded with the Wressell surname, ranking it #21,449 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 119, ranked #27,704, down from #21,449 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wickersley, Crowle and Sheffield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire and East Lindsey.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wressell is 178 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 38.4%.

1881 census count

86

Ranked #21,449

Modern count

119

2016, ranked #27,704

Peak year

1911

178 bearers

Map years

6

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wressell had 86 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #21,449 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 119 in 2016, ranked #27,704.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 178 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Wressell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wressell surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wressell 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 40 #26,118
1861 historical 57 #26,718
1881 historical 86 #21,449
1891 historical 107 #22,967
1901 historical 139 #18,876
1911 historical 178 #16,073
1997 modern 122 #23,917
1998 modern 128 #23,828
1999 modern 129 #23,907
2000 modern 132 #23,562
2001 modern 132 #23,230
2002 modern 134 #23,492
2003 modern 139 #22,734
2004 modern 145 #22,289
2005 modern 133 #23,502
2006 modern 131 #23,942
2007 modern 136 #23,708
2008 modern 133 #24,350
2009 modern 127 #25,564
2010 modern 133 #25,379
2011 modern 127 #25,926
2012 modern 130 #25,559
2013 modern 126 #26,585
2014 modern 125 #26,896
2015 modern 122 #27,245
2016 modern 119 #27,704

Geography

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Where Wressells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wickersley, Crowle, Sheffield, Snaith and Althorp. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire and East Lindsey. 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 Wickersley Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Crowle Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Snaith Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Althorp Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Lincolnshire 006 North Lincolnshire
2 North East Lincolnshire 003 North East Lincolnshire
3 North East Lincolnshire 019 North East Lincolnshire
4 East Lindsey 001 East Lindsey
5 North East Lincolnshire 002 North East Lincolnshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wressell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wressell

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

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Wressell is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

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

Wressell 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

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

Meaning and origin of Wressell

The surname Wressell has its origins in England, specifically from the East Riding of Yorkshire. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 13th century. The name is derived from a geographic location, believed to be the village of Wressle, located in the same area. The village name itself likely comes from Old English elements, with "wrāsel" meaning "a place where something is tangled or twisted."

One of the earliest references to the name appears in old English records such as tax and land documents. The place name Wressle is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Weresa," showing the early formation of the name. Over time, the spelling of the name has varied, including forms such as Wresel and Wresall before settling on the modern Wressell.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Wressell was Richard Wressell, who lived in the mid-15th century. Richard held lands in Yorkshire, reflecting the surname's association with the region. Henry Wressell, another notable figure, served as a witness in several land transactions in the late 16th century, highlighting the name's continued presence.

A significant historical figure bearing the name is Thomas Wressell, born in 1510 and died in 1577, who was a prominent landowner and played a role in local governance in Yorkshire. His contributions are mentioned in various legal documents and records of the time.

Edward Wressell, born in 1684 and died in 1732, was another significant bearer of the surname. He was involved in trade and commerce, reflecting the evolving social and economic roles of families with the surname.

In the late 18th century, John Wressell, born in 1765 and died in 1823, made his mark as a local official in the East Riding of Yorkshire. His name appears in several civic records, underscoring the surname’s long-standing association with the region.

The surname Wressell has thus been rooted deeply in the landscape and history of Yorkshire, evolving over centuries and maintaining a consistent regional presence. The individuals bearing the name have contributed to various facets of local life, from landholding to governance and trade, reflecting the diverse roles held by families bearing this unique surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wressell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wressell 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 61 Wressells recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.25x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 61 7.25x
Lincolnshire 14 10.32x
Durham 6 2.38x
Hampshire 3 1.72x
Middlesex 3 0.35x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leeds in Yorkshire leads with 12 Wressells recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.27x.

Place Total Index
Leeds 12 25.27x
Wickersley 11 4782.61x
Great Grimsby 10 116.14x
Crowle 8 963.86x
Haldenby 6 20000.00x
Waldridge 6 1428.57x
Goole 4 283.69x
Northowram 4 67.80x
Whitgift 4 3636.36x
Ecclesall Bierlow 3 17.53x
Poplar London 3 18.73x
Whiston 3 750.00x
Holton Le Moor 2 4000.00x
Hook 2 108.11x
Kirkheaton 2 147.06x
Luddington 2 1176.47x
Ventnor 2 121.21x
Ormesby 1 44.25x
Sculcoates 1 7.50x
St Thomas Winchester 1 81.30x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 9
Sarah 4
Alice 2
Annie 2
Dinah 2
Hannah 2
Martha 2
Amy 1
Ann 1
Anne 1
Eliza 1
Elizabeth 1
Ellen 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Esther 1
Eva 1
Florence 1
Jane 1
Kate 1
Lillie 1
Lizzie 1
Louisa 1
Margaret 1
Miriam 1
Ruth 1
Sophia 1
Susan 1
Susannah 1
Valinda 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 8
George 4
John 4
Joseph 4
Richard 2
Robert 2
Thomas 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Arthur 1
Edwin 1
Fisher 1
Harry 1
James 1
Jos. 1
Nicholas 1
Nicholes 1
Richd. 1
Samuel 1
Septimus 1

FAQ

Wressell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wressell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 86 people were recorded with the Wressell surname. That placed it at #21,449 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wressell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 119 in 2016. That gives Wressell a modern rank of #27,704.

What does the Wressell surname mean?

A local surname derived from a place name in Yorkshire, England.

What does the Wressell map show?

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