UK surname
A surname derived from the French word "baillie," meaning an officer in charge of administering a county or district.
In the 1881 census there were 77 people recorded with the Baly surname, ranking it #22,617 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 57, ranked #34,511, down from #22,617 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to King's Lynn St Margaret, St Pancras and Ealing, Chiswick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Baly is 170 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 26.0%.
1881 census count
77
Ranked #22,617
Modern count
57
2016, ranked #34,511
Peak year
1861
170 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Baly surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Baly surname density by area, 1861 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 | 103 | #16,835 |
| 1861 | historical | 170 | #13,763 |
| 1881 | historical | 77 | #22,617 |
| 1891 | historical | 89 | #25,542 |
| 1901 | historical | 67 | #26,703 |
| 1911 | historical | 62 | #26,622 |
| 1997 | modern | 52 | #32,444 |
| 1998 | modern | 54 | #32,518 |
| 1999 | modern | 61 | #31,971 |
| 2000 | modern | 62 | #31,939 |
| 2001 | modern | 57 | #32,275 |
| 2002 | modern | 58 | #32,564 |
| 2003 | modern | 53 | #33,076 |
| 2004 | modern | 53 | #33,336 |
| 2005 | modern | 51 | #33,701 |
| 2006 | modern | 52 | #33,923 |
| 2007 | modern | 52 | #34,195 |
| 2008 | modern | 51 | #34,439 |
| 2009 | modern | 58 | #34,144 |
| 2010 | modern | 65 | #33,863 |
| 2011 | modern | 66 | #33,768 |
| 2012 | modern | 60 | #34,287 |
| 2013 | modern | 59 | #34,435 |
| 2014 | modern | 58 | #34,500 |
| 2015 | modern | 57 | #34,519 |
| 2016 | modern | 57 | #34,511 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around King's Lynn St Margaret, St Pancras, Ealing, Chiswick, Mortlake and Halesowen (all except Hunnington, Romsley; partly in Halesowen, Worcestershire). 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 | King's Lynn St Margaret | Norfolk |
| 2 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 3 | Ealing, Chiswick | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 4 | Mortlake | Surrey |
| 5 | Halesowen (all except Hunnington, Romsley; partly in Halesowen, Worcestershire) | Staffordshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Baly 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 Baly, 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 Baly surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Baly 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, Baly 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 Baly is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Baly, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Baly is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "balu," meaning "bare" or "bald." This suggests that the name may have initially been a nickname given to someone who was bald or had very little hair.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Baly surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1195, where a person named Robert Baly is mentioned. The surname also appears in the Hundred Rolls of Norfolk in 1273, listing a John Baly as a landowner in the area.
During the 13th century, the Baly surname was predominantly concentrated in the counties of Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire. Several variations in spelling, such as Balie, Baly, and Baley, were common due to the lack of standardized spelling practices at the time.
In the 14th century, the name gained prominence with the birth of John Baly (1324-1390), a renowned English scholar and theologian who served as the Chancellor of the University of Cambridge from 1365 to 1366. His notable works include commentaries on the works of Aristotle and contributions to the field of logic.
Another notable figure was Sir William Baly (1466-1524), a Member of Parliament for Lincolnshire during the reign of Henry VIII. He was actively involved in the royal court and held several important positions, including Sheriff of Lincolnshire in 1513.
The Baly surname also has connections to various place names in England. For instance, the village of Baly in Lincolnshire is believed to have derived its name from the surname, indicating the presence of Baly families in the area.
In the 16th century, the name gained further recognition with the birth of Walter Baly (1545-1592), an English Jesuit priest and martyr. He was executed during the reign of Elizabeth I for his involvement in the Catholic missionary efforts in England.
Another prominent individual was Robert Baly (1784-1856), a successful merchant and businessman from Yorkshire. He played a significant role in the development of the wool trade and was known for his philanthropic efforts in supporting educational institutions.
Throughout history, the Baly surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, politicians, clergymen, and businessmen. While its origins may have been humble, the name has left an indelible mark on the annals of English history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Baly 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. Middlesex leads with 25 Balys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.33x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 25 | 3.33x |
| Warwickshire | 10 | 5.28x |
| Norfolk | 9 | 7.79x |
| Cumberland | 6 | 9.28x |
| Devon | 6 | 3.84x |
| Surrey | 5 | 1.37x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.34x |
| Northumberland | 3 | 2.68x |
| Staffordshire | 3 | 1.18x |
| Worcestershire | 3 | 3.06x |
| Durham | 2 | 0.90x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.60x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.79x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Warwick St Mary in Warwickshire leads with 10 Balys recorded in 1881 and an index of 609.76x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Warwick St Mary | 10 | 609.76x |
| St Christopher Le Stocks | 7 | 70000.00x |
| St Marylebone London | 6 | 14.96x |
| Chelsea London | 5 | 22.09x |
| Hardingham | 5 | 3846.15x |
| Mortlake | 5 | 306.75x |
| Rickergate | 5 | 364.96x |
| Exeter St Leonard | 4 | 930.23x |
| Elswick | 3 | 33.63x |
| Great Yarmouth | 3 | 31.35x |
| Harborne | 3 | 36.90x |
| Oldbury | 3 | 62.11x |
| Paddington London | 3 | 10.86x |
| Exeter St Sidwell | 2 | 55.87x |
| Garston | 2 | 76.05x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 4.79x |
| Chorlton On Medlock | 1 | 7.06x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 5.41x |
| Hampton London | 1 | 81.30x |
| Hastings St Mary | 1 | 31.75x |
| Healeyfield | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Heigham | 1 | 16.13x |
| Hurworth | 1 | 256.41x |
| Sale | 1 | 49.26x |
| West Linton | 1 | 909.09x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Baly 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 Baly 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 Baly households.
FAQ
In 1881, 77 people were recorded with the Baly surname. That placed it at #22,617 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 57 in 2016. That gives Baly a modern rank of #34,511.
A surname derived from the French word "baillie," meaning an officer in charge of administering a county or district.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Baly 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.