UK surname
An English topographic surname referring to someone residing near a woodland enclosure or clearing.
In the 1881 census there were 48 people recorded with the Baisley surname, ranking it #26,869 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 58, ranked #34,457, down from #26,869 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Leonard Shoreditch, St Dunstan Stepney and St John Hackney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Baisley is 132 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 20.8%.
1881 census count
48
Ranked #26,869
Modern count
58
2016, ranked #34,457
Peak year
1861
132 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Baisley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Baisley surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 63 | #22,069 |
| 1861 | historical | 132 | #16,957 |
| 1881 | historical | 48 | #26,869 |
| 1891 | historical | 101 | #23,870 |
| 1901 | historical | 70 | #26,383 |
| 1911 | historical | 51 | #27,708 |
| 1997 | modern | 57 | #31,917 |
| 1998 | modern | 57 | #32,226 |
| 1999 | modern | 59 | #32,174 |
| 2000 | modern | 52 | #32,916 |
| 2001 | modern | 49 | #33,048 |
| 2002 | modern | 57 | #32,661 |
| 2003 | modern | 55 | #32,895 |
| 2004 | modern | 58 | #32,880 |
| 2005 | modern | 53 | #33,528 |
| 2006 | modern | 51 | #33,992 |
| 2007 | modern | 52 | #34,195 |
| 2008 | modern | 55 | #34,165 |
| 2009 | modern | 59 | #34,072 |
| 2010 | modern | 63 | #34,002 |
| 2011 | modern | 59 | #34,265 |
| 2012 | modern | 60 | #34,287 |
| 2013 | modern | 59 | #34,435 |
| 2014 | modern | 62 | #34,281 |
| 2015 | modern | 58 | #34,470 |
| 2016 | modern | 58 | #34,457 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Leonard Shoreditch, St Dunstan Stepney, St John Hackney, Norton and Lasswade. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 2 | St Dunstan Stepney | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | St John Hackney | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Norton | Northamptonshire |
| 5 | Lasswade | Edinburgh |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Baisley surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Baisley, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Baisley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Baisley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Baisley is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Baisley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Baisley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Baisley is of English origin and dates back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "bæc" meaning "back" and "leah" meaning "meadow" or "clearing." The name likely referred to someone who lived or worked near a meadow or clearing located behind a particular location.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Bacoleslei." This entry suggests that the name was already established in England by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.
During the 13th century, the name was recorded in various forms, such as "Backelesleye" and "Baculesleye," reflecting the linguistic changes and regional variations in spelling at the time.
In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the name Baisley was John Baisley, who was born around 1320 in Gloucestershire, England. He was a prominent clergyman and served as the Bishop of Llandaff from 1369 to 1397.
Another historical figure with the surname Baisley was Sir William Baisley, who lived in the late 15th century. He was a member of the English gentry and served as a Justice of the Peace in Somerset.
During the Tudor period, the name Baisley was associated with several notable individuals, including Thomas Baisley (c. 1490-1558), who was a member of the English Parliament and served as the Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1550.
In the 17th century, the name Baisley was found in various parts of England, including Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wiltshire. One notable individual from this period was Edward Baisley (c. 1630-1705), who was a wealthy merchant and landowner in Bristol.
As the name spread across England, it also gave rise to various place names, such as Baisley Court in Gloucestershire and Baisley Farm in Somerset, further solidifying its connection to the local geography and history.
Throughout its history, the surname Baisley has been borne by a diverse range of individuals, from clergymen and landed gentry to merchants and tradesmen, reflecting the diverse social and economic backgrounds of those who carried this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Baisley surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Buckinghamshire leads with 9 Baisleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.81x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Buckinghamshire | 9 | 31.81x |
| Midlothian | 9 | 14.35x |
| Middlesex | 7 | 1.50x |
| Huntingdonshire | 5 | 53.82x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 0.90x |
| Oxfordshire | 5 | 17.30x |
| Staffordshire | 3 | 1.90x |
| Bedfordshire | 1 | 4.13x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 1.36x |
| Devon | 1 | 1.03x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 1.23x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.44x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Fenny Stratford in Buckinghamshire leads with 5 Baisleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1851.85x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Fenny Stratford | 5 | 1851.85x |
| Hackney London | 5 | 19.05x |
| Hethe | 5 | 8333.33x |
| Knowsley | 5 | 2500.00x |
| Liberton | 5 | 515.46x |
| Somersham | 5 | 2173.91x |
| Lasswade | 4 | 279.72x |
| Water Eaton | 4 | 10000.00x |
| Wednesfield | 3 | 129.31x |
| Shoreditch London | 2 | 9.86x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 3.35x |
| Cardiff St John | 1 | 37.59x |
| Derby St Werburgh | 1 | 23.64x |
| Kempston | 1 | 181.82x |
| Sidmouth | 1 | 178.57x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Baisley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Baisley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Baisley households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 9 |
| Ag Lab | 3 |
| Agric Labourer | 1 |
| Farrier And Caretaker Of Horses | 1 |
| Field Work | 1 |
| Gen Labourer | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Genrl Labourer (Out Of Emply) | 1 |
| Hay Dealer | 1 |
| Hay Dealer Wife | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Needlewoman | 1 |
| Plaiter Straw | 1 |
| Railway Engine Driver | 1 |
| Warehouseman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 48 people were recorded with the Baisley surname. That placed it at #26,869 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 58 in 2016. That gives Baisley a modern rank of #34,457.
An English topographic surname referring to someone residing near a woodland enclosure or clearing.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Baisley bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.