NameCensus.

UK surname

Yelland

An English location name derived from a place called Yelland in Devon.

In the 1881 census there were 801 people recorded with the Yelland surname, ranking it #4,649 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 942, ranked #6,091, down from #4,649 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Dennis, Roach and St Austell. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall and Torridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Yelland is 1,049 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 17.6%.

1881 census count

801

Ranked #4,649

Modern count

942

2016, ranked #6,091

Peak year

1999

1,049 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Yelland had 801 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,649 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 942 in 2016, ranked #6,091.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,040 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Yelland surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Yelland surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Yelland 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 575 #4,429
1861 historical 473 #5,497
1881 historical 801 #4,649
1891 historical 785 #5,115
1901 historical 956 #4,913
1911 historical 1,040 #4,418
1997 modern 990 #5,551
1998 modern 1,045 #5,464
1999 modern 1,049 #5,490
2000 modern 1,037 #5,519
2001 modern 1,015 #5,515
2002 modern 1,030 #5,565
2003 modern 974 #5,712
2004 modern 954 #5,828
2005 modern 939 #5,833
2006 modern 945 #5,817
2007 modern 935 #5,915
2008 modern 938 #5,940
2009 modern 938 #6,058
2010 modern 976 #5,984
2011 modern 959 #6,028
2012 modern 964 #5,906
2013 modern 976 #5,937
2014 modern 976 #5,971
2015 modern 958 #6,024
2016 modern 942 #6,091

Geography

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Where Yellands are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Dennis, Roach, St Austell, St Stephen in Brannel and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall and Torridge. 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 St Dennis Cornwall
2 Roach Cornwall
3 St Austell Cornwall
4 St Stephen in Brannel Cornwall
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 024 Cornwall
2 Torridge 008 Torridge
3 Cornwall 039 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 009 Cornwall
5 Cornwall 021 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Yelland

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Yelland

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

Ageing Communities

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Yelland is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Yelland is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Yelland falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Yelland 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 Yelland, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Yelland

The surname Yelland has its origins in England, specifically in the southwestern regions such as Devon and Cornwall. The name is believed to derive from Old English words, with "gēol" or "geol" meaning "yellow," and "land" meaning "land" or "estate." Hence, Yelland likely described a person who lived on or owned land characterized by yellowish soil or vegetation.

First historical references to the name appear during the medieval period. For instance, variations of the name in older records include Yeland, Yolland, and Yelande. The surname appears in various local documents and registers, reflecting its geographical origin. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Yelland dates back to the 13th century in Devon, where a Richard de Yeland is documented in 1275.

The Domesday Book, compiled in 1086, does not directly reference the surname, but it does mention the manors and estates that could have formed the basis for the name's origin. In Devon, specifically, the place name Yelland in North Devon reflects this linkage, with records indicating residents adopting the name of their location.

John Yelland, born circa 1540, is one of the earlier documented individuals bearing this surname. He lived in Cornwall and was involved in local council matters, illustrating the name’s spread and establishment in southwestern England. Another notable individual is Thomas Yelland, born in 1620, who immigrated to New England and helped settle the American colonies, symbolizing the name's migration beyond the British Isles.

In more recent history, George Yelland (1764–1836), an esteemed English clergyman, contributed significantly to religious and community life in Devon. His documented sermons and community services highlight the family's continued prominence in local society. Similarly, Mary Yelland (1819–1892), an author and social reformer from Cornwall, played a crucial role in advocating education and women's rights in the 19th century.

Charles Yelland, another notable figure, was born in 1854 and became a renowned architect in London, designing several landmark buildings during the late Victorian era. His works remain a testament to the influence and reach of the Yelland family name well into the modern period.

Conclusively, the surname Yelland bears a rich heritage with deep ties to specific regions in England. Its evolution from place-name origins, historical appearances in medieval records, and notable bearers over the centuries exemplifies its enduring legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Yelland families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Yelland 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. Devon leads with 267 Yellands recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.40x.

County Total Index
Devon 267 16.40x
Cornwall 264 29.81x
Yorkshire 86 1.11x
Middlesex 45 0.58x
Surrey 20 0.52x
Hampshire 14 0.87x
Kent 13 0.49x
Lancashire 11 0.12x
Shropshire 11 1.63x
Cumberland 10 1.48x
Essex 10 0.65x
Glamorgan 10 0.73x
Sussex 9 0.68x
Derbyshire 6 0.49x
Warwickshire 6 0.30x
Staffordshire 4 0.15x
Gloucestershire 3 0.20x
Caernarfonshire 2 0.63x
Dorset 2 0.39x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.19x
Royal Navy 2 2.15x
Bedfordshire 1 0.25x
Durham 1 0.04x
Lincolnshire 1 0.08x
Monmouthshire 1 0.18x
Wiltshire 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Stephen In Brannel in Cornwall leads with 93 Yellands recorded in 1881 and an index of 1150.99x.

Place Total Index
St Stephen In Brannel 93 1150.99x
St Dennis 26 785.50x
Tormoham 25 36.28x
Exeter St Sidwell 24 64.34x
Roche 23 511.11x
Hatherleigh 18 444.44x
Holsworthy 15 326.09x
Bridestow 14 813.95x
Plymouth Charles The 14 19.51x
Stoke Damerel 13 11.41x
Horbury 12 88.50x
Probus 11 303.03x
Askrigg 10 598.80x
Ermington 10 168.92x
Lidford 10 136.80x
York St Lawrence 10 123.76x
Dewsbury 9 11.32x
Iddesleigh 9 810.81x
Nether Hallam 9 8.58x
Portsea 9 2.86x
St Austell 9 29.73x
Brighton 8 3.01x
Liverpool 8 1.42x
Okehampton 8 130.29x
Sheffield 8 3.24x
St Mewan 8 293.04x
St Michael Carhayes 8 2285.71x
Dalton In Rotherham 7 642.20x
Dunterton 7 2258.06x
Holy Trinity Less 7 416.67x
Kenwyn 7 30.22x
Kingsteignton 7 154.53x
Launcells 7 469.80x
Newington 7 2.42x
Perranzabuloe 7 91.62x
Poplar London 7 4.74x
St Agnes 7 56.45x
St Blazey 7 89.97x
Tavistock 7 37.74x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 6 8.31x
Barnstaple 6 23.47x
Beckermet St Bridget 6 338.98x
Chelsea London 6 2.55x
Ecclesall Bierlow 6 3.80x
Hackney London 6 1.37x
Leamington Priors 6 12.36x
Madron Penzance 6 18.63x
North Tamerton 6 468.75x
Plymouth St Andrew 6 4.78x
Pontesbury 6 72.99x
Roath 6 9.70x
Walthamstow 6 10.80x
Brixham 5 26.50x
Bromley 5 12.29x
Milton Abbott 5 211.86x
Minster In Sheppey 5 11.31x
Pyworthy 5 370.37x
South Normanton 5 58.14x
West Teignmouth 5 40.13x
Aberdare 4 4.28x
Binsted 4 65.47x
Callington 4 77.52x
Chirbury 4 100.50x
Exminster 4 68.26x
Lambeth 4 0.59x
Millom 4 19.38x
Paignton 4 32.28x
St George Hanover 4 3.92x
Ashwater 3 129.87x
Black Torrington 3 127.66x
Clapham 3 3.07x
Doncaster 3 5.30x
Exeter Holy Trinity 3 47.02x
Islington London 3 0.40x
Newcastle Under Lyme 3 6.42x
Poughill 3 277.78x
Scarborough 3 4.26x
Southwark St John 3 12.54x
St Giles Cripplegate 3 28.87x
St Issey 3 165.75x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 66
John 57
George 29
James 22
Richard 19
Thomas 19
Henry 16
Charles 12
Joseph 12
Edward 10
Robert 9
Samuel 9
Arthur 7
Harry 7
Alfred 6
Frederick 6
Ernest 5
Daniel 4
Edwin 4
Frank 4
Abel 3
Albert 3
Nicholas 3
Richd. 3
Thos. 3
Wm. 3
David 2
Dyson 2
Edgar 2
Emmanuel 2
Herbert 2
Lewis 2
Marshall 2
Percy 2
Azarias 1
Benjaman 1
Dick 1
Ephraim 1
Fedrick 1
Fererich 1
Francis 1
Fredk. 1
Fredric 1
Fredrick 1
G.F. 1
Joe 1
Matthew 1
Murillo 1
Norman 1
Woodman 1

FAQ

Yelland surname: questions and answers

How common was the Yelland surname in 1881?

In 1881, 801 people were recorded with the Yelland surname. That placed it at #4,649 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Yelland surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 942 in 2016. That gives Yelland a modern rank of #6,091.

What does the Yelland surname mean?

An English location name derived from a place called Yelland in Devon.

What does the Yelland map show?

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