he single gentleman -- One of the many unnamed characters in the book. He is the estranged younger brother of Nell's grandfather. He leads the search for Nell and her grandfather.
Mr. Sampson Brass -- a groveling and corrupt attorney. He works for Mr. Quilp.
Miss Sarah ('Sally') Brass -- Mr. Brass's sister and clerk. She is a domineering woman often referred to as the "dragon".
Mrs. Jarley, proprietor of a travelling waxworks show, who takes in Nell and her grandfather out of kindness.
The 'small servant' -- Miss Brass's maidservant. Dick Swiveller befriends her and, finding that she does not know her age or name or parents, nicknames her 'The Marquise'. In the original manuscript, there is a suggestion that she is the illegitimate daughter of Quilp and Miss Brass but this reference was removed in the publication. Swiveller later marries her.