UK surname
Derived from the Old French 'baillie', referring to an administrative officer or local magistrate.
In the 1881 census there were 281 people recorded with the Baley surname, ranking it #10,175 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 45, ranked #35,162, down from #10,175 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Moulton and St Leonard Shoreditch. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Baley is 799 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 84.0%.
1881 census count
281
Ranked #10,175
Modern count
45
2016, ranked #35,162
Peak year
1861
799 bearers
Map years
6
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Baley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Baley surname density by area, 1881 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 | 650 | #4,003 |
| 1861 | historical | 799 | #3,436 |
| 1881 | historical | 281 | #10,175 |
| 1891 | historical | 215 | #14,155 |
| 1901 | historical | 125 | #20,061 |
| 1911 | historical | 118 | #20,649 |
| 1997 | modern | 34 | #34,282 |
| 1998 | modern | 37 | #34,149 |
| 1999 | modern | 43 | #33,683 |
| 2000 | modern | 35 | #34,420 |
| 2001 | modern | 29 | #34,839 |
| 2002 | modern | 30 | #34,950 |
| 2003 | modern | 28 | #35,200 |
| 2004 | modern | 27 | #35,444 |
| 2005 | modern | 29 | #35,431 |
| 2006 | modern | 25 | #35,903 |
| 2007 | modern | 25 | #36,006 |
| 2008 | modern | 29 | #35,808 |
| 2009 | modern | 32 | #35,730 |
| 2010 | modern | 38 | #35,514 |
| 2011 | modern | 38 | #35,501 |
| 2012 | modern | 37 | #35,531 |
| 2013 | modern | 37 | #35,582 |
| 2014 | modern | 44 | #35,241 |
| 2015 | modern | 42 | #35,322 |
| 2016 | modern | 45 | #35,162 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Moulton, St Leonard Shoreditch, Manchester and St Marylebone. 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 | Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside | Durham |
| 2 | Moulton | Lincolnshire |
| 3 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Baley 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 Baley, 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 Baley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Baley 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, Baley 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 Baley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Baley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname BALEY is of English origin, with its roots tracing back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English word "bæle," meaning a blaze or fire, indicating that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived near a beacon or a forge.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name BALEY appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and population in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The entry mentions a person named Balius, which is believed to be an early spelling variation of BALEY.
During the 13th century, the name BALEY was particularly prevalent in the counties of Warwickshire and Leicestershire. Some historical records from this period mention individuals such as John Baley, a landowner in Warwickshire, and Thomas Baley, a merchant in Leicester.
In the 14th century, the surname BALEY was found in various parts of England, including the county of Norfolk. A notable figure from this time was Robert Baley, a prominent clergyman who served as the Bishop of Norwich from 1370 to 1399.
The 15th century saw the emergence of different spellings of the surname, such as Baily and Bailey. One notable individual from this period was Sir William Baily (c. 1415-1492), a military commander who fought in the Wars of the Roses and was knighted for his service to King Edward IV.
During the 16th century, the name BALEY spread to other parts of England, including the county of Yorkshire. A prominent figure from this time was Sir John Baley (c. 1520-1589), a wealthy landowner and member of the gentry who served as a Member of Parliament for the borough of Ripon.
In the 17th century, the name BALEY was found in various parts of England, including the county of Gloucestershire. A notable individual from this period was Thomas Baley (1624-1701), a renowned mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics.
As the centuries passed, the surname BALEY continued to be present in various regions of England, with its spelling variations and pronunciations evolving over time. Despite its modest origins, the name has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including clergymen, military leaders, landowners, and scholars.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Baley 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. Yorkshire leads with 30 Baleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.12x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 30 | 1.12x |
| Norfolk | 28 | 6.74x |
| Lancashire | 27 | 0.84x |
| Kent | 25 | 2.71x |
| Durham | 21 | 2.61x |
| Middlesex | 20 | 0.74x |
| Staffordshire | 18 | 1.97x |
| Lincolnshire | 14 | 3.24x |
| Hampshire | 8 | 1.44x |
| Somerset | 8 | 1.84x |
| Surrey | 8 | 0.61x |
| Cheshire | 7 | 1.17x |
| Warwickshire | 7 | 1.03x |
| Worcestershire | 7 | 1.98x |
| Cambridgeshire | 5 | 2.92x |
| Derbyshire | 5 | 1.18x |
| Suffolk | 5 | 1.52x |
| Northamptonshire | 4 | 1.57x |
| Nottinghamshire | 4 | 1.10x |
| Cumberland | 3 | 1.29x |
| Monmouthshire | 3 | 1.54x |
| Shropshire | 3 | 1.29x |
| Denbighshire | 2 | 1.96x |
| Devon | 2 | 0.36x |
| Dorset | 2 | 1.13x |
| Hertfordshire | 2 | 1.07x |
| Lanarkshire | 2 | 0.23x |
| Northumberland | 2 | 0.50x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.19x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 0.33x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 0.28x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.22x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 0.42x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Plumstead in Kent leads with 10 Baleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 32.54x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Baley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 19 |
| Sarah | 11 |
| Elizabeth | 8 |
| Jane | 7 |
| Margaret | 6 |
| Eliza | 5 |
| Hannah | 5 |
| Ada | 4 |
| Alice | 4 |
| Annie | 4 |
| Emma | 4 |
| Maria | 4 |
| Henrietta | 3 |
| Louisa | 3 |
| Susannah | 3 |
| Agnes | 2 |
| Ann | 2 |
| Ellen | 2 |
| Emily | 2 |
| Florence | 2 |
| Harriet | 2 |
| Martha | 2 |
| Anna | 1 |
| Dorothy | 1 |
| Eliga | 1 |
| Elizas | 1 |
| Evelyn | 1 |
| F. | 1 |
| Fanny | 1 |
| Farincas | 1 |
| Frances | 1 |
| Gertrude | 1 |
| Grace | 1 |
| Harriett | 1 |
| Hephsibah | 1 |
| Isabella | 1 |
| Jemima | 1 |
| Kate | 1 |
| Laura | 1 |
| Lena | 1 |
| Leonara | 1 |
| Liley | 1 |
| Lizey | 1 |
| Lois | 1 |
| Lucy | 1 |
| Margery | 1 |
| Marget | 1 |
| Margret | 1 |
| Marian | 1 |
| Marie | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Baley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| John | 17 |
| William | 13 |
| George | 11 |
| James | 11 |
| Joseph | 7 |
| Richard | 6 |
| Thomas | 6 |
| Robert | 5 |
| Charles | 4 |
| Edward | 3 |
| Samuel | 3 |
| Walter | 3 |
| Albert | 2 |
| Alfred | 2 |
| Benjamin | 2 |
| Edwin | 2 |
| Harry | 2 |
| Henry | 2 |
| Peter | 2 |
| Arthur | 1 |
| Brice | 1 |
| Daniel | 1 |
| David | 1 |
| E. | 1 |
| Earnest | 1 |
| Edmund | 1 |
| Eliza | 1 |
| Ernest | 1 |
| Frank | 1 |
| G.H. | 1 |
| Herbert | 1 |
| Isaih | 1 |
| Jacob | 1 |
| Jeremiah | 1 |
| Jonathan | 1 |
| Matthew | 1 |
| Philip | 1 |
| Robet | 1 |
| Robinson | 1 |
| Sydney | 1 |
| Willie | 1 |
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 Baley households.
FAQ
In 1881, 281 people were recorded with the Baley surname. That placed it at #10,175 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 45 in 2016. That gives Baley a modern rank of #35,162.
Derived from the Old French 'baillie', referring to an administrative officer or local magistrate.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Baley 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.