NameCensus.

UK surname

Zanelli

An Italian surname derived from the diminutive form of the name "Giano".

In the 1881 census there were 30 people recorded with the Zanelli surname, ranking it #29,363 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 166, ranked #22,140, up from #29,363 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Stevenage, Sheffield and Enfield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Zanelli is 190 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 453.3%.

1881 census count

30

Ranked #29,363

Modern count

166

2016, ranked #22,140

Peak year

1998

190 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Zanelli had 30 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,363 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 166 in 2016, ranked #22,140.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 30 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Zanelli surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Zanelli surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Zanelli 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
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1881 historical 30 #29,363
1891 historical 21 #32,526
1901 historical 13 #32,633
1911 historical 16 #31,804
1997 modern 182 #18,693
1998 modern 190 #18,687
1999 modern 186 #19,073
2000 modern 186 #19,055
2001 modern 176 #19,415
2002 modern 177 #19,759
2003 modern 181 #19,277
2004 modern 175 #19,805
2005 modern 161 #20,799
2006 modern 160 #21,066
2007 modern 163 #21,050
2008 modern 164 #21,137
2009 modern 164 #21,628
2010 modern 170 #21,560
2011 modern 163 #21,983
2012 modern 159 #22,361
2013 modern 165 #22,163
2014 modern 169 #22,006
2015 modern 166 #22,159
2016 modern 166 #22,140

Geography

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Where Zanellis are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Stevenage, Sheffield, Enfield, Sevenoaks 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Stevenage 005 Stevenage
2 Sheffield 012 Sheffield
3 Enfield 032 Enfield
4 Sevenoaks 013 Sevenoaks
5 East Lindsey 017 East Lindsey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Zanelli

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Zanelli

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Zanelli surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Zanelli household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Zanelli is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Zanelli is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Zanelli falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Zanelli is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Zanelli

The surname Zanelli finds its origins in Italy, a country with a rich tradition of hereditary surnames dating back to the Middle Ages. Specifically, Zanelli is derived from the northern regions such as Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna. The name is thought to have originated around the 13th or 14th century, a time when the adoption of surnames was becoming more widespread in Italy.

The etymology of Zanelli suggests it is a patronymic surname, meaning it is based on the given name of an ancestor. It is derived from "Zane," which is a Venetian dialect form of "Giovanni," the Italian equivalent of John. The suffix "elli" is a diminutive, suggesting that Zanelli originally meant "little John" or "son of John". Similar forms of the surname such as Zanello and Zanella can also be found, indicating regional variations in spelling.

Historical references to the surname Zanelli can be found in old records and manuscripts. One of the earliest recorded instances is from the late 14th century in church documents from Lombardy. These early records often listed members of the Zanelli family as landowners and merchants, indicating a family of some prominence.

One of the earliest known figures with the surname Zanelli was Pietro Zanelli, born around 1460, who was a notable merchant in the city of Milan. Another notable figure is Francesco Zanelli, a scholar from Bologna, born in 1543, who wrote extensively on local history and was well respected in academic circles.

In the realm of the arts, Giovanni Zanelli (1635-1705) was a highly regarded painter from Modena, whose works contributed significantly to Baroque art in Italy. His paintings are still appreciated in various Italian galleries and churches.

Moving to the 19th century, Giuseppe Zanelli was a noted Italian architect born in 1829. He contributed to several significant building projects in Lombardy, many of which still stand today and are considered landmarks of 19th-century Italian architecture.

In the 20th century, Carlo Zanelli (1894-1970) emerged as a prominent figure in the world of opera, known for his powerful baritone voice. He performed in many prestigious opera houses across Europe and was particularly celebrated for his interpretations of Verdi's works.

The Zanelli surname, with its roots deeply embedded in Italian culture and history, reflects a rich tapestry of contributions to commerce, scholarship, art, architecture, and music. The name has persisted through centuries, highlighting the enduring legacy of those who bore it.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Zanelli families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Zanelli 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. Middlesex leads with 19 Zanellis recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.50x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 19 6.50x
Yorkshire 11 3.80x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Attercliffe Cum Darnall in Yorkshire leads with 9 Zanellis recorded in 1881 and an index of 333.33x.

Place Total Index
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 9 333.33x
St Sepulchre London 7 1627.91x
St Andrew Holborn 5 505.05x
St George In East 5 251.26x
Clerkenwell London 2 28.99x
Leeds 2 12.22x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Angelina 1
Angna 1
Caroline 1
Christiana 1
Elisa 1
Elizth. 1
Ellen 1
Johanna 1
Kate 1
Leugia 1
Marianna 1
Rosa 1
Rosanna 1
Sarah 1
Victoria 1
Vittoria 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Antonio 2
Luigi 2
Aug. 1
Celesto 1
Christentura 1
Domenic 1
Domenice 1
Francisco 1
Giovanni 1
Jas. 1
John 1
William 1

Top occupations

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 Zanelli households.

FAQ

Zanelli surname: questions and answers

How common was the Zanelli surname in 1881?

In 1881, 30 people were recorded with the Zanelli surname. That placed it at #29,363 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Zanelli surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 166 in 2016. That gives Zanelli a modern rank of #22,140.

What does the Zanelli surname mean?

An Italian surname derived from the diminutive form of the name "Giano".

What does the Zanelli map show?

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