UK surname
An English habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "black wood or clearing."
In the 1881 census there were 132 people recorded with the Blatchley surname, ranking it #16,744 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 79, ranked #33,100, down from #16,744 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes and St James Westminster. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Blatchley is 138 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 40.2%.
1881 census count
132
Ranked #16,744
Modern count
79
2016, ranked #33,100
Peak year
1901
138 bearers
Map years
4
1881 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Blatchley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Blatchley surname density by area, 1881 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 | 77 | #19,998 |
| 1861 | historical | 59 | #26,466 |
| 1881 | historical | 132 | #16,744 |
| 1891 | historical | 125 | #20,713 |
| 1901 | historical | 138 | #18,955 |
| 1911 | historical | 123 | #20,128 |
| 1997 | modern | 71 | #30,521 |
| 1998 | modern | 70 | #30,968 |
| 1999 | modern | 67 | #31,409 |
| 2000 | modern | 74 | #30,785 |
| 2001 | modern | 66 | #31,394 |
| 2002 | modern | 69 | #31,527 |
| 2003 | modern | 72 | #31,281 |
| 2004 | modern | 70 | #31,681 |
| 2005 | modern | 68 | #32,097 |
| 2006 | modern | 71 | #32,147 |
| 2007 | modern | 77 | #31,856 |
| 2008 | modern | 80 | #31,833 |
| 2009 | modern | 90 | #31,094 |
| 2010 | modern | 90 | #31,621 |
| 2011 | modern | 83 | #32,336 |
| 2012 | modern | 82 | #32,701 |
| 2013 | modern | 81 | #32,996 |
| 2014 | modern | 82 | #32,992 |
| 2015 | modern | 81 | #32,975 |
| 2016 | modern | 79 | #33,100 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes, St James Westminster and St James Clerkenwell. 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 | Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) | Glamorganshire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | St James Westminster | London (West Districts) |
| 5 | St James Clerkenwell | London (Central Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Blatchley 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 Blatchley, 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 Blatchley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Blatchley 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, Blatchley 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 Blatchley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Blatchley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Blatchley is of English origin, traced back to the county of Buckinghamshire. It is believed to have originated from a place name, possibly derived from the Old English words "blæc" meaning "black" and "leah" meaning "woodland clearing" or "meadow."
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Blatchley is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Blacheleia." This suggests that the name was already established in the region by the late 11th century.
During the medieval period, the name was spelled in various ways, such as Blacheleye, Blacchelegh, and Blatcheley, reflecting the evolution of language and local dialects. It is thought that the name may have initially referred to a specific location, possibly a settlement or estate near a dark or shaded area of woodland.
In the 16th century, records show a John Blatchley (c. 1520-1585) who was a prominent merchant and landowner in the village of Amersham, Buckinghamshire. His descendants continued to reside in the area, contributing to the further establishment of the name in the region.
Another notable figure was Robert Blatchley (1659-1723), a respected clergyman who served as the Rector of Brickhill Monachorum in Buckinghamshire from 1689 until his death.
In the 18th century, Richard Blatchley (1735-1807) gained recognition as a skilled clockmaker and watchmaker in the town of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. His work was highly regarded, and his clocks can still be found in private collections and museums today.
Moving into the 19th century, Samuel Blatchley (1819-1892) was a prominent industrialist and entrepreneur who founded the Blatchley Foundry in Manchester, England. The foundry played a significant role in the Industrial Revolution, producing high-quality cast iron products for various industries.
Another influential figure was Robert Blatchley (1851-1924), a renowned journalist and social reformer. He was a prominent advocate for women's rights and was involved in the suffragette movement. His writings and activism contributed to raising awareness about gender equality and social justice.
While the name Blatchley originated in Buckinghamshire, it gradually spread to other parts of England and beyond, with various branches of the family establishing themselves in different regions over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Blatchley 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 40 Blatchleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.11x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 40 | 3.11x |
| Surrey | 22 | 3.51x |
| Yorkshire | 20 | 1.57x |
| Devon | 16 | 5.97x |
| Lancashire | 14 | 0.92x |
| Gloucestershire | 9 | 3.56x |
| Somerset | 3 | 1.45x |
| Monmouthshire | 2 | 2.15x |
| Suffolk | 2 | 1.28x |
| Cornwall | 1 | 0.69x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.39x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.23x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 0.88x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Battersea in Surrey leads with 14 Blatchleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.55x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Battersea | 14 | 29.55x |
| Clerkenwell London | 12 | 39.49x |
| Guiseley | 9 | 552.15x |
| West Derby | 9 | 20.14x |
| Exeter St Mary Major | 8 | 493.83x |
| Yeadon | 8 | 277.78x |
| Hampstead London | 7 | 34.91x |
| Cheltenham | 6 | 30.80x |
| Ashton Under Lyne | 5 | 14.97x |
| Acton | 4 | 52.98x |
| Westminster St Margaret | 4 | 64.41x |
| Bisley | 3 | 131.00x |
| Chelsea London | 3 | 7.73x |
| Exeter St Thomas The | 3 | 109.89x |
| Lambeth | 3 | 2.67x |
| Southwark St John | 3 | 76.14x |
| St Marylebone London | 3 | 4.36x |
| Walcot | 3 | 27.17x |
| Westminster St James | 3 | 22.66x |
| Barrow | 2 | 500.00x |
| Bermondsey | 2 | 5.22x |
| Calverley Cum Farsley | 2 | 55.25x |
| Exeter St Mary Arches | 2 | 800.00x |
| Stoke Damerel | 2 | 10.66x |
| Trevethin | 2 | 22.75x |
| Colchester St Botolph | 1 | 46.30x |
| Deptford St Paul | 1 | 2.95x |
| Devizes St James | 1 | 66.23x |
| Ealing | 1 | 8.69x |
| Exeter Holy Trinity | 1 | 95.24x |
| Islington London | 1 | 0.80x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 1.40x |
| Preston | 1 | 142.86x |
| Saltash | 1 | 88.50x |
| Westminster St John | 1 | 6.38x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Blatchley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 7 |
| Alice | 6 |
| Annie | 6 |
| Elizabeth | 4 |
| Jane | 4 |
| Emily | 3 |
| Maria | 3 |
| Ellen | 2 |
| Florence | 2 |
| A. | 1 |
| Ada | 1 |
| Amy | 1 |
| C. | 1 |
| Caroline | 1 |
| Charlotte | 1 |
| Clara | 1 |
| Clare | 1 |
| Cordelia | 1 |
| E. | 1 |
| Edith | 1 |
| Eliz. | 1 |
| Eliza | 1 |
| Ethelinda | 1 |
| Florie | 1 |
| Frances | 1 |
| Henrietta | 1 |
| Hetty | 1 |
| Kate | 1 |
| Leila | 1 |
| Louisa | 1 |
| Lucy | 1 |
| Lydia | 1 |
| Minnie | 1 |
| Priscilla | 1 |
| Rebecca | 1 |
| Rose | 1 |
| Samuel | 1 |
| Susan | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Blatchley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| William | 10 |
| John | 7 |
| Charles | 5 |
| Alfred | 4 |
| Edwin | 3 |
| Thomas | 3 |
| Benjamin | 2 |
| George | 2 |
| James | 2 |
| W. | 2 |
| Wm. | 2 |
| Abraham | 1 |
| Archibald | 1 |
| Chas. | 1 |
| Chas.J.G. | 1 |
| Edgar | 1 |
| Edward | 1 |
| Francis | 1 |
| Frank | 1 |
| Fred | 1 |
| Frederick | 1 |
| G. | 1 |
| Gabriel | 1 |
| H. | 1 |
| Harry | 1 |
| Henry | 1 |
| Joseph | 1 |
| Percy | 1 |
| R. | 1 |
| Samuel | 1 |
| Sidney | 1 |
| Thos. | 1 |
| Walter | 1 |
| Willm. | 1 |
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 Blatchley households.
FAQ
In 1881, 132 people were recorded with the Blatchley surname. That placed it at #16,744 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 79 in 2016. That gives Blatchley a modern rank of #33,100.
An English habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "black wood or clearing."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Blatchley 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.