NameCensus.

UK surname

Berkley

From the birch tree meadow or clearing, derived from the Old English "beorc" meaning birch tree and "leah" meaning wood or clearing.

In the 1881 census there were 405 people recorded with the Berkley surname, ranking it #7,903 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 416, ranked #11,533, down from #7,903 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Gateshead and St Marylebone. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Lancashire, South Somerset and Whitecraigs and Broom.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Berkley is 418 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 2.7%.

1881 census count

405

Ranked #7,903

Modern count

416

2016, ranked #11,533

Peak year

2000

418 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Berkley had 405 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,903 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 416 in 2016, ranked #11,533.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 405 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Berkley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Berkley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Berkley 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 225 #9,509
1861 historical 321 #7,938
1881 historical 405 #7,903
1891 historical 326 #10,405
1901 historical 294 #11,805
1911 historical 345 #10,358
1997 modern 374 #11,574
1998 modern 390 #11,563
1999 modern 401 #11,422
2000 modern 418 #11,047
2001 modern 405 #11,121
2002 modern 408 #11,272
2003 modern 384 #11,589
2004 modern 395 #11,390
2005 modern 400 #11,189
2006 modern 417 #10,886
2007 modern 412 #11,116
2008 modern 410 #11,245
2009 modern 417 #11,346
2010 modern 416 #11,627
2011 modern 416 #11,492
2012 modern 414 #11,431
2013 modern 417 #11,556
2014 modern 414 #11,708
2015 modern 409 #11,713
2016 modern 416 #11,533

Geography

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Where Berkleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Gateshead, St Marylebone, Ponteland and Ormskirk. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to West Lancashire, South Somerset and Whitecraigs and Broom. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 Gateshead Durham
3 St Marylebone London (North Districts)
4 Ponteland Northumberland
5 Ormskirk Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 West Lancashire 006 West Lancashire
2 West Lancashire 007 West Lancashire
3 West Lancashire 011 West Lancashire
4 South Somerset 015 South Somerset
5 Whitecraigs and Broom East Renfrewshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Berkley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Berkley

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Berkley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Berkley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Berkley is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Berkley is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Berkley 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 Berkley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Berkley

The surname Berkley originated in England during the Anglo-Saxon period. It is derived from the Old English words "beorc" meaning birch tree and "leah" meaning a clearing or meadow. The name likely referred to someone who lived near a birch clearing or meadow.

The earliest recorded instances of the name date back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Berchelai" and "Berchelei." These entries refer to places in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, respectively. The Berkley family held lands in Somerset, England as early as the 11th century.

In the 13th century, the name was also spelled as "Berkeleye" and "Barkeley." One notable bearer of the name was Sir Maurice de Berkeley (c.1218-1281), a prominent English baron and Lord of Berkeley Castle. His son, Thomas de Berkeley (c.1245-1321), was also a significant figure and served as Lord of Berkeley.

Another important Berkley was Sir William Berkeley (1605-1677), a colonial governor of Virginia who played a key role in the events leading up to Bacon's Rebellion in 1676. He was also a celebrated author and playwright.

In the 18th century, George Berkeley (1685-1753), an Irish philosopher and Bishop of Cloyne, made significant contributions to the field of metaphysics and is best known for his philosophical concept of "immaterialism" or "subjective idealism."

A more recent figure was Busby Berkeley (1895-1976), an American film director and choreographer known for his elaborate musical productions featuring extravagant dance numbers. His innovative choreography and camera work left a lasting impact on the film industry.

While the name has various spellings, including Berkeley, Barkley, and Burkley, the Berkley variation has been consistently used throughout history by notable individuals and families, reflecting its English origins and long-standing presence in the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Berkley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Berkley 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. Northumberland leads with 80 Berkleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.58x.

County Total Index
Northumberland 80 13.58x
Middlesex 56 1.41x
Lancashire 54 1.15x
Surrey 34 1.76x
Durham 27 2.29x
Herefordshire 20 12.32x
Kent 20 1.48x
Yorkshire 16 0.41x
Warwickshire 13 1.30x
Norfolk 8 1.31x
Essex 6 0.77x
Gloucestershire 6 0.77x
Hertfordshire 6 2.20x
Northamptonshire 6 1.61x
Suffolk 6 1.24x
Glamorgan 5 0.73x
Worcestershire 5 0.97x
Denbighshire 4 2.67x
Dorset 4 1.54x
Sussex 4 0.60x
Devon 3 0.36x
Lincolnshire 3 0.47x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.56x
Cambridgeshire 2 0.80x
Derbyshire 2 0.32x
Monmouthshire 2 0.70x
Oxfordshire 2 0.82x
Staffordshire 2 0.15x
Wiltshire 2 0.57x
Berkshire 1 0.34x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.42x
Cheshire 1 0.11x
Isle of Man 1 1.36x
Midlothian 1 0.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ormskirk in Lancashire leads with 24 Berkleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 266.96x.

Place Total Index
Ormskirk 24 266.96x
Benwell 13 201.86x
Elswick 13 27.64x
Aston 12 4.36x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 12 23.52x
Westgate 12 32.89x
Camberwell 10 3.95x
Lambeth 9 2.61x
Riding 9 3103.45x
Felton 8 869.57x
Islington London 8 2.08x
Ledbury 8 143.37x
Newton 8 22.09x
St Marylebone London 8 3.78x
Thetford St Mary 8 481.93x
Battersea 7 4.80x
Newcastle On Tyne St 7 22.92x
Pipe Lyde 7 2187.50x
Westminster St John 7 14.51x
Wouldham 7 406.98x
Kensington London 6 2.73x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 6 17.05x
Palgrave 6 594.06x
Sibbertoft 6 1500.00x
Tanfield 6 42.83x
Bethnal Green London 5 2.91x
Everton 5 3.34x
Leeds 5 2.26x
Linton In Newent 5 396.83x
Liverpool 5 1.75x
Navestock 5 442.48x
Oldham 5 3.30x
Ware 5 63.94x
Yardley 5 37.79x
Barnes 4 49.02x
Bishopwearmouth 4 3.96x
Hackney London 4 1.80x
Sevenoaks 4 36.53x
St Anne Soho London 4 17.68x
Stroud 4 26.47x
Wadsworth 4 62.60x
York St Mary 4 24.62x
Cardiff St Mary 3 7.90x
E W Thirston With 3 833.33x
Hammersmith London 3 3.08x
Lewisham 3 4.16x
Melcombe Regis 3 27.86x
Nottingham St Mary 3 2.17x
Ponteland 3 491.80x
Ramsgate 3 13.60x
Windle 3 11.35x
Alford 2 51.02x
Croydon 2 1.87x
Cwmdu 2 23.81x
Gresford Gwersyllt 2 43.10x
Hipperholme Cum 2 11.60x
Longbenton 2 8.01x
Matlock 2 24.04x
Newton On The Moor 2 625.00x
Seaton Carew 2 84.39x
Ticehurst 2 48.90x
Westminster St James 2 4.91x
Westoe 2 2.99x
Abbots Langley 1 24.69x
Chatham 1 2.69x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 1.34x
Ealing 1 2.83x
Fulham London 1 1.74x
Gloucester St Michael 1 56.18x
Hornton 1 147.06x
Jesmond 1 12.06x
Moreton In Marsh 1 51.28x
Norwood 1 11.04x
Sherborne 1 13.05x
St George Bloomsbury 1 4.40x
St George Hanover Square 1 1.43x
St Giles Cambridge 1 30.86x
Westhampnett 1 140.85x
Wrexham Abbot 1 26.60x
Wycombe 1 5.60x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 28
John 19
George 15
Thomas 12
James 9
Henry 7
Joseph 7
Robert 7
Alfred 6
Charles 6
Matthew 5
Michael 5
Richard 5
Albert 4
Arthur 4
Frederick 4
Edward 3
Brackenbury 2
Cuthbert 2
Harry 2
Hugh 2
Johnathon 2
Noah 2
Samuel 2
Walter 2
Bowland 1
Chas. 1
Christopher 1
Clarence 1
Emile 1
Essex 1
Ford 1
Forster 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.Hild. 1
Geo. 1
Granville 1
Hubert 1
Lindsay 1
Lucas 1
M.Fredk. 1
Mark 1
Maurice 1
Miles 1
Patrick 1
Philip 1
R. 1
R.W. 1
Ralph 1
Wolston 1

FAQ

Berkley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Berkley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 405 people were recorded with the Berkley surname. That placed it at #7,903 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Berkley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 416 in 2016. That gives Berkley a modern rank of #11,533.

What does the Berkley surname mean?

From the birch tree meadow or clearing, derived from the Old English "beorc" meaning birch tree and "leah" meaning wood or clearing.

What does the Berkley map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Berkley 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.