UK surname
A topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a valley bottom or low-lying land.
In the 1881 census there were 270 people recorded with the Bottomly surname, ranking it #10,484 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 8, ranked #37,829, down from #10,484 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Halifax and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bottomly is 380 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 97.0%.
1881 census count
270
Ranked #10,484
Modern count
8
2016, ranked #37,829
Peak year
1851
380 bearers
Map years
6
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bottomly surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bottomly 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 | 380 | #6,284 |
| 1861 | historical | 368 | #6,935 |
| 1881 | historical | 270 | #10,484 |
| 1891 | historical | 269 | #12,060 |
| 1901 | historical | 152 | #17,916 |
| 1911 | historical | 106 | #21,948 |
| 1997 | modern | 7 | #37,533 |
| 1998 | modern | 7 | #37,533 |
| 1999 | modern | 8 | #37,367 |
| 2000 | modern | 6 | #37,624 |
| 2001 | modern | 5 | #37,652 |
| 2002 | modern | 5 | #37,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 8 | #37,248 |
| 2004 | modern | 6 | #37,655 |
| 2005 | modern | 5 | #37,885 |
| 2006 | modern | 4 | #38,130 |
| 2007 | modern | 7 | #37,687 |
| 2008 | modern | 7 | #37,735 |
| 2009 | modern | 11 | #37,336 |
| 2010 | modern | 7 | #37,904 |
| 2011 | modern | 10 | #37,504 |
| 2012 | modern | 7 | #37,854 |
| 2013 | modern | 10 | #37,539 |
| 2014 | modern | 8 | #37,806 |
| 2015 | modern | 8 | #37,797 |
| 2016 | modern | 8 | #37,829 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Halifax, Manchester and Huddersfield. 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 | Rochdale | Lancashire |
| 2 | Halifax | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Rochdale | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 5 | Huddersfield | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bottomly 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 Bottomly, 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 Bottomly surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bottomly 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, Bottomly 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 Bottomly is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bottomly, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Bottomly has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period, specifically the 11th and 12th centuries. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "botm" or "botom," meaning a valley or a low-lying area, and the suffix "-ley," which denotes a clearing or a meadow. Thus, Bottomly likely referred to a person or family residing in a settlement situated in a valley or near a low-lying area.
One of the earliest known references to the name Bottomly can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landholdings and property in England compiled in 1086 by order of King William the Conqueror. The Domesday Book mentions a place called "Botomlea" in the county of Somerset, which may have been the origin of the surname.
The name has undergone various spelling variations throughout history, including Bottomley, Bottomely, Bottmley, and Bottmeley. These variations reflect the regional dialects and scribal practices of the time, as well as the evolution of the English language.
One notable bearer of the Bottomly surname was Sir John Bottomly (c. 1400-1460), a prominent English landowner and member of the gentry in Yorkshire. He held significant estates and participated in several military campaigns during the Wars of the Roses.
Another figure of historical significance was Elizabeth Bottomly (1564-1623), a wealthy widow from London who played a crucial role in the establishment of the Virginia Colony in North America. She was one of the early investors in the Virginia Company of London and provided financial support for the Jamestown settlement.
In the 17th century, Thomas Bottomly (1635-1704) emigrated from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony, where he became a respected member of the community and served as a deacon in the local church. His descendants went on to become influential figures in the early history of New England.
During the 18th century, the Bottomly family had a notable presence in the industrial revolution in England. Robert Bottomly (1756-1823) was a pioneering textile manufacturer who established several mills in Yorkshire, contributing significantly to the region's economic growth.
In the field of literature, Mary Bottomly (1823-1892) was a renowned author and poet who wrote extensively about the beauty of the English countryside and the lives of rural communities. Her works were widely acclaimed and influential during the Victorian era.
The surname Bottomly has maintained a presence throughout history, with various bearers making their mark in diverse fields, from military service and colonial exploration to industry and literature. While its origins can be traced back to the medieval period in England, the name has spread and evolved, reflecting the rich tapestry of human migration and cultural exchange.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bottomly 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. Yorkshire leads with 127 Bottomlys recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.79x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 127 | 4.79x |
| Lancashire | 85 | 2.68x |
| Surrey | 13 | 1.00x |
| Derbyshire | 8 | 1.91x |
| Middlesex | 8 | 0.30x |
| Lincolnshire | 6 | 1.40x |
| Cheshire | 5 | 0.85x |
| Channel Islands | 4 | 5.05x |
| Midlothian | 3 | 0.84x |
| Cambridgeshire | 2 | 1.18x |
| Durham | 2 | 0.25x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 0.37x |
| Northamptonshire | 2 | 0.80x |
| Northumberland | 2 | 0.50x |
| Nottinghamshire | 2 | 0.56x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.19x |
| Inverness-shire | 1 | 1.25x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.12x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Rastrick in Yorkshire leads with 17 Bottomlys recorded in 1881 and an index of 230.98x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bottomly surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 17 |
| Sarah | 16 |
| Elizabeth | 15 |
| Emma | 8 |
| Hannah | 6 |
| Ann | 4 |
| Eliza | 4 |
| Alice | 3 |
| Amelia | 3 |
| Annie | 3 |
| Emily | 3 |
| Jane | 3 |
| Martha | 3 |
| Susannah | 3 |
| Ada | 2 |
| Charlotte | 2 |
| Harriett | 2 |
| Kate | 2 |
| Lucy | 2 |
| Margaret | 2 |
| Sophia | 2 |
| Annis | 1 |
| Barbara | 1 |
| Catherine | 1 |
| Clara | 1 |
| Edith | 1 |
| Esther | 1 |
| Fanny | 1 |
| Florence | 1 |
| Frances | 1 |
| Harriet | 1 |
| Harrot | 1 |
| Isabel | 1 |
| Isobia | 1 |
| Janet | 1 |
| Judith | 1 |
| Lettice | 1 |
| Louisa | 1 |
| Maranda | 1 |
| Margeret | 1 |
| Margret | 1 |
| Matha | 1 |
| Maud | 1 |
| Nancy | 1 |
| Prissila | 1 |
| Rebecca | 1 |
| Ruth | 1 |
| Selina | 1 |
| Susan | 1 |
| Winfred | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Bottomly surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| John | 22 |
| James | 15 |
| William | 12 |
| Thomas | 7 |
| George | 6 |
| Joseph | 5 |
| Charles | 4 |
| Henry | 4 |
| Robert | 4 |
| Samuel | 4 |
| Alfred | 3 |
| Arthur | 3 |
| Joe | 3 |
| Matthew | 3 |
| Sam | 3 |
| Fred | 2 |
| Herbert | 2 |
| Isaac | 2 |
| Tom | 2 |
| Walter | 2 |
| Wm. | 2 |
| Abel | 1 |
| Albert | 1 |
| Ambrose | 1 |
| Ben | 1 |
| Benjamin | 1 |
| David | 1 |
| Dawson | 1 |
| Dennis | 1 |
| Edward | 1 |
| Errington | 1 |
| Frank | 1 |
| Gaulter | 1 |
| Godfey | 1 |
| Harry | 1 |
| Isac | 1 |
| Jonathan | 1 |
| Jonathon | 1 |
| Joshua | 1 |
| Luke | 1 |
| Nathan | 1 |
| Squire | 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 Bottomly households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 46 |
| Cotton Weaver | 5 |
| Butcher | 3 |
| Cotton Beamer | 3 |
| Cotton Winder | 3 |
| Dressmaker | 3 |
| Drover | 3 |
| Ag Lab | 2 |
| Charwoman | 2 |
| Cotton Reeler | 2 |
| Currier | 2 |
| Felt Hat Body Maker | 2 |
| Gardener | 2 |
| Housewife | 2 |
| Iron Moulder | 2 |
| Laundress | 2 |
| Minder | 2 |
| Shopman | 2 |
| Woollen Texcer | 2 |
| Worsted Spinner | 2 |
| Bay Builder | 1 |
| Beer House Keeper | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Book Keeper (Clk) | 1 |
| Book Keeper Son | 1 |
| Book Keeper Wife | 1 |
| Brewer Cashier (Comm Clerk) | 1 |
| Brick Labourer (Maker) | 1 |
| Brick Maker | 1 |
| Card Room Hand Cotton Mill | 1 |
| Carman | 1 |
| Charing | 1 |
| Cloth Finisher | 1 |
| Coachman (Dom) | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Coalminer | 1 |
| Commercial Cashier (Clerk) | 1 |
| Confectioner | 1 |
| Cook (Dom) | 1 |
| Corn Miller | 1 |
| Cotton Spinner | 1 |
| Cotton Warehouseman | 1 |
| Cotton Warp Agent | 1 |
| Cotton Warper | 1 |
| Designer Artizan | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| Farm Servant (Indoor) | 1 |
| Farmer Of 8 Acres | 1 |
| Finisher Cloth (Woolen) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 270 people were recorded with the Bottomly surname. That placed it at #10,484 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 8 in 2016. That gives Bottomly a modern rank of #37,829.
A topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a valley bottom or low-lying land.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bottomly 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.