NameCensus.

UK surname

Bayly

A locational surname derived from the old French placename "Bailli".

In the 1881 census there were 434 people recorded with the Bayly surname, ranking it #7,512 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 379, ranked #12,371, down from #7,512 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and Portsmouth, Portsea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Babergh, West Lindsey and Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bayly is 582 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 12.7%.

1881 census count

434

Ranked #7,512

Modern count

379

2016, ranked #12,371

Peak year

1911

582 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bayly had 434 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,512 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 379 in 2016, ranked #12,371.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 582 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Bayly surname distribution map

The map shows where the Bayly surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Bayly surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bayly over time

The 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 508 #4,924
1861 historical 345 #7,398
1881 historical 434 #7,512
1891 historical 412 #8,653
1901 historical 490 #8,171
1911 historical 582 #6,995
1997 modern 420 #10,608
1998 modern 441 #10,560
1999 modern 443 #10,577
2000 modern 434 #10,730
2001 modern 417 #10,878
2002 modern 432 #10,801
2003 modern 422 #10,825
2004 modern 426 #10,768
2005 modern 421 #10,762
2006 modern 398 #11,304
2007 modern 381 #11,798
2008 modern 390 #11,693
2009 modern 404 #11,636
2010 modern 393 #12,157
2011 modern 389 #12,106
2012 modern 396 #11,807
2013 modern 399 #11,944
2014 modern 389 #12,258
2015 modern 378 #12,405
2016 modern 379 #12,371

Geography

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Where Baylys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, Portsmouth, Portsea and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Babergh, West Lindsey, Cornwall, Shepway and South Holland. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Babergh 007 Babergh
2 West Lindsey 004 West Lindsey
3 Cornwall 047 Cornwall
4 Shepway 001 Shepway
5 South Holland 008 South Holland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bayly

These lists show first names that appear often with the Bayly surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bayly

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bayly, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Bayly surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Bayly household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Bayly is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bayly is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bayly falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bayly is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Bayly, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Bayly

The surname BAYLY originated in England during the medieval period. It derives from the Old French word "baillie," meaning an administrative officer or steward. This occupation-based surname was typically given to those who held such positions, particularly in royal or noble households.

The earliest known record of the BAYLY surname dates back to the 13th century in the county of Gloucestershire. In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, there is a mention of a Robert le Bayly, indicating the presence of the name during that time.

One of the earliest references to the BAYLY surname can be found in the famous Domesday Book, compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. This historical record mentions several individuals with variations of the name, such as "Bailli" and "Baily," further confirming the name's antiquity.

In the 14th century, the BAYLY surname was also present in the county of Wiltshire, where it was recorded in the Wiltshire Subsidy Rolls of 1377 as "Baily." This document provides evidence of the surname's evolution and variations in spelling over time.

One notable individual bearing the BAYLY surname was Sir Paulet Bayly (c. 1530-1617), an English politician and landowner from Wiltshire. He served as a Member of Parliament for Devizes in 1572 and 1586, and was known for his involvement in local affairs.

Another prominent figure was Anselm Bayly (1719-1794), an English Catholic priest and writer. He was born in Lancashire and is best known for his work "The Old English Constitutions," which explored the history and traditions of the Catholic Church in England.

In the 18th century, Benjamin Bayly (1737-1808) was a renowned English lawyer and judge. He served as a Justice of the King's Bench and was also appointed to the Privy Council, reflecting his esteemed legal career.

The BAYLY surname also has connections to Ireland, where it is believed to have been introduced by English settlers during the 16th and 17th centuries. One notable Irish figure was Lewis Bayly (1565-1631), an Anglican bishop who served as the Bishop of Bangor from 1616 until his death.

In the 19th century, Ada Bayly (1857-1950) was a British novelist and children's writer. She published numerous works, including the popular "Basket of Flowers" series, which gained widespread popularity among young readers.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bayly families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bayly surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Kent leads with 106 Baylys recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.30x.

County Total Index
Kent 106 7.30x
Surrey 56 2.70x
Middlesex 52 1.22x
Devon 34 3.84x
Hampshire 21 2.41x
Gloucestershire 20 2.40x
Sussex 18 2.51x
Lancashire 16 0.32x
Cornwall 12 2.49x
Norfolk 12 1.84x
Somerset 9 1.31x
Wiltshire 9 2.39x
Berkshire 7 2.19x
Dorset 7 2.51x
Northamptonshire 6 1.50x
Suffolk 6 1.16x
Cheshire 5 0.53x
Derbyshire 5 0.75x
Lincolnshire 5 0.74x
Shropshire 5 1.36x
Yorkshire 5 0.12x
Dunbartonshire 4 3.50x
Hertfordshire 4 1.36x
Leicestershire 3 0.64x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.35x
Royal Navy 2 3.95x
Warwickshire 2 0.19x
Brecknockshire 1 1.18x
Glamorgan 1 0.14x
Worcestershire 1 0.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Deal in Kent leads with 38 Baylys recorded in 1881 and an index of 306.95x.

Place Total Index
Deal 38 306.95x
Margate St John Baptist 18 67.75x
Bermondsey 16 12.64x
Dover St James 12 188.68x
Great Yarmouth 12 22.15x
Islington London 12 2.91x
St Pancras London 12 3.51x
Newington 11 7.00x
Cheltenham 10 15.54x
Plumstead 9 18.61x
Putney 9 46.44x
Pennycross 8 1081.08x
Plymouth St Andrew 8 11.73x
Woolwich 8 14.92x
Clifton 7 16.60x
Great Faringdon 7 152.51x
Horsham 7 50.25x
Oldham 7 4.30x
Southampton St Mary 7 12.77x
Bethnal Green London 6 3.25x
East Knoyle 6 468.75x
Godalming 6 45.98x
Hove 6 19.07x
Lambeth 6 1.62x
Northampton Priory St 6 25.00x
Warbstow 6 2068.97x
Dronfield 5 58.62x
Grantham 5 56.43x
Hammersmith London 5 4.77x
Holdenhurst 5 21.87x
Lyme Regis 5 149.70x
Stanton Upon Hine Heath 5 515.46x
Beckenham 4 21.09x
Cheshunt 4 39.02x
Christchurch 4 21.16x
Folkestone 4 14.21x
Gorton 4 8.43x
Ipswich St Mary At Elms 4 242.42x
Kingston On Thames 4 8.04x
Liverpool 4 1.31x
Mile End Old Town London 4 4.42x
Row 4 27.05x
Sandwich St Peter 4 261.44x
St Lawrence 4 40.08x
Sutton In Macclesfield 4 41.07x
Weaverthorpe 4 425.53x
Alverstoke 3 9.51x
East Stonehouse 3 17.20x
Long Whatton 3 294.12x
Paddington London 3 1.92x
St Andrew Holborn London 3 16.30x
St Thomas Apostle 3 202.70x
Barnstaple 2 14.39x
Birmingham 2 0.56x
Brighton 2 1.38x
Chudleigh 2 71.17x
Falmouth 2 11.74x
Kew 2 166.67x
Plymouth Charles The 2 5.13x
Royal Navy 2 4.62x
Stoke Damerel 2 3.23x
Walcot 2 5.49x
Warminster 2 24.27x
Wincanton 2 56.82x
Woolverton 2 1052.63x
Wyke Regis 2 50.00x
Aldbourn 1 45.66x
Aldershot 1 3.42x
Chelsea London 1 0.78x
Dawlish 1 15.15x
Debenham 1 58.14x
Eastry 1 49.75x
Edmonton 1 2.92x
Holy Trinity 1 0.99x
Lavernock 1 833.33x
Milton Abbott 1 78.13x
Moreton Hampstead 1 43.67x
St Marylebone London 1 0.44x
Tormoham 1 2.67x
Worcester St Martin 1 13.35x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bayly surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Elizabeth 15
Mary 14
Sarah 14
Emma 12
Florence 11
Alice 10
Ann 9
Jane 9
Emily 7
Hannah 7
Martha 7
Annie 6
Clara 6
Ellen 5
Edith 4
Eliza 4
Frances 4
Amelia 3
Catherine 3
Charlotte 3
Esther 3
Ethel 3
Flora 3
Laura 3
Louisa 3
Margaret 3
Agnes 2
Anne 2
Caroline 2
Fanny 2
Helen 2
Maud 2
Susannah 2
Amy 1
Anna 1
Annabella 1
Audrey 1
Augusta 1
Constance 1
Edwina 1
Eleanor 1
Elenor 1
Eliz. 1
Elizth.A. 1
Flo.Mary 1
G.Florence 1
Gertrude 1
Grace 1
Helena 1
Tiny 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Bayly surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 22
William 17
Thomas 12
George 10
Charles 8
Henry 8
Edward 7
Robert 7
Alfred 6
Arthur 6
James 6
Richard 6
Daniel 4
Walter 4
Albert 3
Edwin 3
Francis 3
Joseph 3
W. 3
Archibald 2
Benjamin 2
Frederic 2
Harold 2
Harry 2
Josiah 2
Samuel 2
Stephen 2
Wm. 2
Chas. 1
Clifford 1
Cyril 1
David 1
F. 1
Fancis 1
Fk.J. 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Fritz 1
Geo. 1
Gerald 1
H. 1
J. 1
J.J. 1
J.T. 1
Lee 1
Leonard 1
Lewis 1
Mansell 1
Martin 1
Martyn 1

FAQ

Bayly surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bayly surname in 1881?

In 1881, 434 people were recorded with the Bayly surname. That placed it at #7,512 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bayly surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 379 in 2016. That gives Bayly a modern rank of #12,371.

What does the Bayly surname mean?

A locational surname derived from the old French placename "Bailli".

What does the Bayly map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bayly bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.