NameCensus.

UK surname

Botley

A locational surname referring to someone from Botley, a place name in England.

In the 1881 census there were 157 people recorded with the Botley surname, ranking it #15,046 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 284, ranked #15,323, down from #15,046 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Westerham and St Marylebone. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tonbridge and Malling, South Bucks and Gravesham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Botley is 319 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 80.9%.

1881 census count

157

Ranked #15,046

Modern count

284

2016, ranked #15,323

Peak year

1999

319 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Botley had 157 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,046 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 284 in 2016, ranked #15,323.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 238 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Botley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Botley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Botley 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 87 #18,695
1861 historical 129 #17,271
1881 historical 157 #15,046
1891 historical 154 #18,004
1901 historical 179 #16,227
1911 historical 238 #13,356
1997 modern 318 #13,024
1998 modern 317 #13,392
1999 modern 319 #13,420
2000 modern 314 #13,516
2001 modern 311 #13,423
2002 modern 313 #13,615
2003 modern 300 #13,823
2004 modern 300 #13,871
2005 modern 307 #13,625
2006 modern 299 #13,949
2007 modern 294 #14,241
2008 modern 298 #14,206
2009 modern 302 #14,353
2010 modern 299 #14,769
2011 modern 292 #14,863
2012 modern 284 #15,090
2013 modern 289 #15,142
2014 modern 285 #15,416
2015 modern 283 #15,380
2016 modern 284 #15,323

Geography

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Where Botleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Westerham, St Marylebone and St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Tonbridge and Malling, South Bucks, Gravesham and Rushmoor. 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 Westerham Kent
4 St Marylebone London (North Districts)
5 St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Tonbridge and Malling 003 Tonbridge and Malling
2 South Bucks 007 South Bucks
3 Gravesham 005 Gravesham
4 Gravesham 006 Gravesham
5 Rushmoor 007 Rushmoor

Forenames

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First names often paired with Botley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Botley

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Botley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Botley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

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Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Botley is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Botley is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Botley falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Botley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Botley

The surname Botley is of English origin and dates back to the 12th century. It is a locational name derived from the town of Botley in Hampshire, England, which comes from the Old English words "bot" meaning boat, and "leah" meaning a clearing or meadow. This suggests that the area was likely a meadow or clearing near a place where boats were moored or built.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name comes from the Pipe Rolls of Hampshire in 1194, where it is listed as "Botteleia". This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time. The Domesday Book, compiled in 1086, also mentions a place called "Botelie" in Wiltshire, which may have been an early spelling of the name.

During the 13th century, the name appeared in various records, such as the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1292, which mention a "William de Bottelee". The "de" prefix indicates that the individual was from the place named Botley.

Notable individuals with the surname Botley include Sir John Botley, who was born in Botley, Hampshire in 1450 and served as a Member of Parliament for Winchester in 1491. Another early bearer of the name was Thomas Botley, born in Oxfordshire in 1588, who was a prominent merchant and landowner in the area.

In the 17th century, Samuel Botley (1622-1692) was a renowned English clergyman and author, known for his works on theology and philosophy. He served as the rector of Newington, Surrey, and published several books during his lifetime.

Moving into the 18th century, we find Mary Botley (1735-1811), who was a notable writer and poet from Wiltshire. Her collection of poems, titled "Poetical Effusions," was published in 1808 and received critical acclaim.

During the 19th century, Sir William Botley (1815-1899) was a prominent businessman and philanthropist from Manchester. He made his fortune in the textile industry and donated generously to various charitable causes, including the establishment of a hospital in his hometown.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the surname Botley throughout history, highlighting its English roots and the various accomplishments of those who bore this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Botley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Botley 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 48 Botleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.19x.

County Total Index
Kent 48 9.19x
Middlesex 34 2.22x
Shropshire 11 8.31x
Surrey 11 1.47x
Worcestershire 10 5.00x
Buckinghamshire 7 7.56x
Hampshire 7 2.23x
Sussex 5 1.94x
Denbighshire 4 6.91x
Lancashire 4 0.22x
Oxfordshire 4 4.23x
Hertfordshire 3 2.84x
Midlothian 3 1.46x
Herefordshire 1 1.59x
Northamptonshire 1 0.69x
Northumberland 1 0.44x
Royal Navy 1 5.48x
Staffordshire 1 0.19x
Yorkshire 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Westerham in Kent leads with 14 Botleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1157.02x.

Place Total Index
Westerham 14 1157.02x
Deptford St Paul 12 29.78x
Gradley 10 1030.93x
Worfield 10 1086.96x
Bethnal Green London 8 12.02x
Mile End Old Town London 8 24.55x
West Peckham 8 3333.33x
Aylesbury 7 170.73x
Acton 6 66.82x
Basingstoke 6 166.21x
Brasted 6 882.35x
Battersea 5 8.87x
Eastbourne 5 42.09x
Fulham London 5 22.51x
Manchester 4 4.89x
Penge 4 40.90x
Ruabon 4 50.31x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 3 3.63x
Kensington London 3 3.52x
Sevenoaks 3 70.75x
St Marylebone London 3 3.67x
Ashford 2 39.29x
Bicester Market End 2 114.94x
Hemel Hempstead 2 42.02x
Launton 2 645.16x
Anick Grange 1 3333.33x
Beckenham 1 14.64x
Camberwell 1 1.02x
Croydon 1 2.41x
Greenwich 1 4.10x
Hammersmith London 1 2.65x
Hereford All Sts 1 34.72x
Kettering 1 17.15x
Maidstone 1 6.43x
Normanton 1 21.93x
Portsea 1 1.63x
Royal Navy 1 6.41x
Wellington 1 13.44x
Welwyn 1 109.89x
West Bromwich 1 3.38x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 8
Alice 5
Eliza 5
Jane 5
Mary 4
Eleanor 3
Hannah 3
Ada 2
Anne 2
Caroline 2
Elizabeth 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Helen 2
Agnes 1
Ann 1
Annie 1
Clara 1
Edith 1
Esther 1
Ethal 1
Fanny 1
Flora 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Grace 1
Hanh. 1
Harriet 1
Harriot 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
L.I. 1
Lavinia 1
Lily 1
Lucy 1
Margaret 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
Minnie 1
Myra 1
Olive 1
Patty 1
Rebecca 1
S.J. 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 8
Henry 7
John 6
Charles 5
William 5
Alfred 4
James 4
Richard 4
Chas. 3
George 3
Frederick 2
Robert 2
Thos. 2
Walter 2
Aaron 1
Albert 1
Benjamin 1
Edward 1
Edwd. 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Geo. 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Hezekiah 1
Isaac 1
Joseph 1
Norman 1
Peter 1
Philemon 1
Stamford 1
Tom 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Botley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Botley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 157 people were recorded with the Botley surname. That placed it at #15,046 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Botley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 284 in 2016. That gives Botley a modern rank of #15,323.

What does the Botley surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from Botley, a place name in England.

What does the Botley map show?

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