UK surname
An English habitational surname taken from a place named Bearley in Warwickshire.
In the 1881 census there were 50 people recorded with the Bearley surname, ranking it #26,587 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 41, ranked #35,388, down from #26,587 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Newchurch, Liverpool and Leamington Priors. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bearley is 360 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 18.0%.
1881 census count
50
Ranked #26,587
Modern count
41
2016, ranked #35,388
Peak year
1861
360 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bearley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bearley surname density by area, 1911 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 | 159 | #12,400 |
| 1861 | historical | 360 | #7,095 |
| 1881 | historical | 50 | #26,587 |
| 1891 | historical | 257 | #12,476 |
| 1901 | historical | 97 | #23,227 |
| 1911 | historical | 150 | #17,866 |
| 1997 | modern | 48 | #32,878 |
| 1998 | modern | 42 | #33,651 |
| 1999 | modern | 38 | #34,142 |
| 2000 | modern | 41 | #33,889 |
| 2001 | modern | 32 | #34,537 |
| 2002 | modern | 39 | #34,219 |
| 2003 | modern | 35 | #34,609 |
| 2004 | modern | 33 | #34,947 |
| 2005 | modern | 29 | #35,431 |
| 2006 | modern | 32 | #35,392 |
| 2007 | modern | 33 | #35,461 |
| 2008 | modern | 33 | #35,556 |
| 2009 | modern | 36 | #35,496 |
| 2010 | modern | 36 | #35,620 |
| 2011 | modern | 40 | #35,395 |
| 2012 | modern | 37 | #35,531 |
| 2013 | modern | 39 | #35,483 |
| 2014 | modern | 39 | #35,493 |
| 2015 | modern | 39 | #35,472 |
| 2016 | modern | 41 | #35,388 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Newchurch, Liverpool, Leamington Priors, St Mary Islington and St Giles Camberwell. 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 | Newchurch | Hampshire |
| 2 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| 3 | Leamington Priors | Warwickshire |
| 4 | St Mary Islington | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | St Giles Camberwell | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bearley 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 Bearley, 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 Bearley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bearley 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, Bearley 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 Bearley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bearley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Bearley is of English origin, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name, derived from the village of Bearley in Warwickshire, England. This village was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Burlei," which means "the wood or clearing frequented by bears."
The earliest recorded instance of the surname Bearley can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Warwickshire from 1199, where a William de Burlei is mentioned. This spelling variation reflects the name's evolution over time, as it transitioned from the original "Burlei" to the modern "Bearley."
One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname Bearley was Sir John Bearley, a prominent landowner and knight who lived in the 14th century. He was involved in several military campaigns during the Hundred Years' War and played a significant role in the Battle of Crécy in 1346.
Another historical figure with this surname was Richard Bearley, a wealthy merchant and alderman of the City of London in the 16th century. He was known for his philanthropic efforts and contributed to the construction of several churches and public buildings in the city.
In the 17th century, Edward Bearley was a renowned scholar and author who wrote extensively on topics related to theology and philosophy. His most notable work, "Treatise on the Soul," published in 1658, was widely read and discussed among intellectual circles of the time.
During the 18th century, the Bearley family established themselves as prominent landowners and industrialists in the Midlands region of England. One notable member was William Bearley, who owned several coal mines and ironworks in Staffordshire.
In the 19th century, the name Bearley gained recognition in the field of politics and public service. Henry Bearley was a Member of Parliament for the borough of Warwick from 1832 to 1847 and played a significant role in advocating for social reforms and worker's rights.
While the surname Bearley is not as common today as it once was, it continues to carry a rich historical legacy, reflecting the English roots and the contributions of individuals who bore this name throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bearley 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. Surrey leads with 11 Bearleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.63x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 11 | 4.63x |
| Middlesex | 9 | 1.85x |
| Lancashire | 6 | 1.04x |
| Kent | 5 | 3.01x |
| Staffordshire | 5 | 3.04x |
| Buckinghamshire | 4 | 13.57x |
| Warwickshire | 4 | 3.25x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 2.00x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.41x |
| Flintshire | 1 | 7.63x |
| Somerset | 1 | 1.27x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Southwark St John in Surrey leads with 7 Bearleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 469.80x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Southwark St John | 7 | 469.80x |
| Ardwick | 5 | 95.79x |
| Kingswinford | 4 | 66.89x |
| Mortlake | 4 | 377.36x |
| St Pancras London | 4 | 10.19x |
| Deptford St Nicholas | 3 | 227.27x |
| Wooburn | 3 | 731.71x |
| Manningham | 2 | 33.61x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 2.44x |
| Finchley | 1 | 53.48x |
| Great Alne | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Great Linford | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Greenwich | 1 | 12.89x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 3.66x |
| Heap | 1 | 32.57x |
| Holywell | 1 | 60.61x |
| Islington London | 1 | 2.12x |
| Lewisham | 1 | 11.27x |
| Portsea | 1 | 5.10x |
| Shoreditch London | 1 | 4.73x |
| Southampton All Sts | 1 | 58.48x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 3.84x |
| Stratford On Avon | 1 | 147.06x |
| Taunton St Mary | 1 | 69.44x |
| Walsall Foreign | 1 | 11.76x |
| Wootton Wawen | 1 | 256.41x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bearley 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 Bearley 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 Bearley households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 6 |
| Brewers Labourer | 2 |
| Silk Winder | 2 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Clerk | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Gen Labourer | 1 |
| Gen'l Labourer | 1 |
| General Laborer | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| General Servant (Domestic) | 1 |
| General Servant Domestic | 1 |
| Grocers Assistant | 1 |
| Independent | 1 |
| Iron Worker | 1 |
| Mariner | 1 |
| Monthly Nurse | 1 |
| Night Watchman | 1 |
| Nurse (S M) | 1 |
| Seaman R N | 1 |
| Staymaker | 1 |
| Stoker | 1 |
| Timber Dealers Foreman | 1 |
| Warehouse Boy (Mine) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 50 people were recorded with the Bearley surname. That placed it at #26,587 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 41 in 2016. That gives Bearley a modern rank of #35,388.
An English habitational surname taken from a place named Bearley in Warwickshire.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bearley 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.