UK surname
A French surname derived from a topographic name for someone who lived near a small gate or barrier.
In the 1881 census there were 43 people recorded with the Bayle surname, ranking it #27,575 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 79, ranked #33,100, down from #27,575 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Gateshead, Manchester 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 Bayle is 243 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 83.7%.
1881 census count
43
Ranked #27,575
Modern count
79
2016, ranked #33,100
Peak year
1861
243 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bayle surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bayle 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 | 139 | #13,659 |
| 1861 | historical | 243 | #10,116 |
| 1881 | historical | 43 | #27,575 |
| 1891 | historical | 183 | #15,918 |
| 1901 | historical | 91 | #23,921 |
| 1911 | historical | 60 | #26,808 |
| 1997 | modern | 60 | #31,629 |
| 1998 | modern | 66 | #31,387 |
| 1999 | modern | 63 | #31,798 |
| 2000 | modern | 58 | #32,317 |
| 2001 | modern | 55 | #32,482 |
| 2002 | modern | 58 | #32,564 |
| 2003 | modern | 63 | #32,152 |
| 2004 | modern | 66 | #32,079 |
| 2005 | modern | 67 | #32,196 |
| 2006 | modern | 67 | #32,532 |
| 2007 | modern | 68 | #32,760 |
| 2008 | modern | 71 | #32,753 |
| 2009 | modern | 71 | #33,102 |
| 2010 | modern | 73 | #33,249 |
| 2011 | modern | 74 | #33,151 |
| 2012 | modern | 85 | #32,395 |
| 2013 | modern | 83 | #32,813 |
| 2014 | modern | 81 | #33,061 |
| 2015 | modern | 77 | #33,272 |
| 2016 | modern | 79 | #33,100 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Gateshead, Manchester, St John Hackney, St Marylebone and Liverpool. 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 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 2 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 3 | St John Hackney | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bayle 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 Bayle, 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 Bayle surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bayle 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, Bayle 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 Bayle is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bayle, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Bayle originates from France, with its roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "baile," meaning a bailiff or administrator, suggesting that the name may have been initially associated with individuals holding such positions within medieval communities.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the Bayle surname can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The Domesday Book includes references to individuals bearing similar surnames, such as "Bail" and "Baille," which likely evolved into the modern spelling of Bayle over time.
During the 13th century, the Bayle surname appeared in various historical records across different regions of France. For instance, a nobleman named Renaud Bayle was documented as residing in the Burgundy region in 1245, while a merchant named Pierre Bayle was recorded in Marseille in 1287.
In the 14th century, the surname gained prominence in the city of Toulouse, where a notable figure named Raymon Bayle (1285-1349) served as a prominent lawyer and judge. His contributions to the city's legal system and his expertise in Roman law earned him significant recognition during his lifetime.
Another influential individual bearing the Bayle surname was Pierre Bayle (1647-1706), a French philosopher and scholar from the village of Le Carla in the Languedoc region. Bayle is renowned for his writings on religious tolerance and his contributions to the Enlightenment movement. His most notable work, "Historical and Critical Dictionary," published in 1697, was a groundbreaking compilation of biographies and critical essays that challenged traditional beliefs and promoted free-thinking.
In the 18th century, the Bayle surname was associated with the village of Beaulieu in the Calvados region of Normandy. A notable figure from this area was Jacques Bayle (1701-1770), a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings, including the Church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris.
Throughout its history, the Bayle surname has been linked to various place names and locations across France, such as Bayeux, Bailleau, and Bailleval, which may have influenced the spelling variations observed over time. Additionally, the surname has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including nobles, lawyers, philosophers, and architects, contributing to its rich historical legacy.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bayle 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 17 Bayles recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.05x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 17 | 4.05x |
| Lancashire | 8 | 1.61x |
| Kent | 7 | 4.89x |
| Yorkshire | 6 | 1.44x |
| Cumberland | 2 | 5.54x |
| Nottinghamshire | 2 | 3.54x |
| Renfrewshire | 1 | 3.08x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hackney London in Middlesex leads with 11 Bayles recorded in 1881 and an index of 46.81x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hackney London | 11 | 46.81x |
| Batley | 5 | 126.58x |
| Herne | 5 | 793.65x |
| Liverpool | 5 | 16.55x |
| Bury | 2 | 35.21x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 2 | 13.68x |
| Shoreditch London | 2 | 11.01x |
| Bethnal Green London | 1 | 5.49x |
| Camerton | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Everton | 1 | 6.31x |
| Havercroft Cum Cold | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Milton In Gravesend | 1 | 46.73x |
| Neilston | 1 | 61.35x |
| St Ann St Agnes London | 1 | 5000.00x |
| St Bees | 1 | 588.24x |
| St George Hanover Square | 1 | 13.53x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 4.47x |
| Walmer | 1 | 161.29x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bayle 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 Bayle 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 Bayle households.
FAQ
In 1881, 43 people were recorded with the Bayle surname. That placed it at #27,575 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 79 in 2016. That gives Bayle a modern rank of #33,100.
A French surname derived from a topographic name for someone who lived near a small gate or barrier.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bayle 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.