NameCensus.

UK surname

Buley

A variant spelling of the English surname Buley, originally from a place name.

In the 1881 census there were 117 people recorded with the Buley surname, ranking it #18,026 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 131, ranked #26,004, down from #18,026 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Mary, Tunbridge, Bidborough and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North East Lincolnshire, Torbay and Badenoch and Strathspey North.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Buley is 166 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 12.0%.

1881 census count

117

Ranked #18,026

Modern count

131

2016, ranked #26,004

Peak year

2002

166 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Buley had 117 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,026 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 131 in 2016, ranked #26,004.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 165 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Buley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Buley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Buley 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 92 #18,050
1861 historical 161 #14,392
1881 historical 117 #18,026
1891 historical 162 #17,390
1901 historical 165 #17,085
1911 historical 150 #17,866
1997 modern 154 #20,780
1998 modern 164 #20,505
1999 modern 165 #20,535
2000 modern 158 #21,055
2001 modern 156 #20,974
2002 modern 166 #20,532
2003 modern 154 #21,308
2004 modern 149 #21,905
2005 modern 145 #22,253
2006 modern 148 #22,111
2007 modern 160 #21,296
2008 modern 158 #21,690
2009 modern 158 #22,168
2010 modern 152 #23,282
2011 modern 153 #22,996
2012 modern 149 #23,372
2013 modern 145 #24,207
2014 modern 143 #24,621
2015 modern 140 #24,836
2016 modern 131 #26,004

Geography

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Where Buleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Mary, Tunbridge, Bidborough, London parishes, Lanteglos by Fowey and Sittingbourne. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North East Lincolnshire, Torbay, Badenoch and Strathspey North and Plymouth. 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 St Mary Pembrokeshire
2 Tunbridge, Bidborough Kent
3 London parishes London 3
4 Lanteglos by Fowey Cornwall
5 Sittingbourne Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North East Lincolnshire 019 North East Lincolnshire
2 Torbay 017 Torbay
3 Badenoch and Strathspey North Highland
4 North East Lincolnshire 015 North East Lincolnshire
5 Plymouth 002 Plymouth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Buley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Buley

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Buley is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Buley is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Buley 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 Buley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Buley

The surname Buley has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. One of the earliest records of this name can be found in the 13th century, where it is believed to have derived from the Old French word "buille," meaning a small loaf or roll of bread.

During the Middle Ages, surnames were often derived from occupations, and it is possible that Buley was initially used to refer to a baker or someone involved in the bread-making trade. The name may also have originated as a nickname for a person who had a round, plump appearance reminiscent of a small loaf.

In the Domesday Book, compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror, there are several entries that may be related to the Buley surname, such as "Buille" and "Bule." These entries suggest that the name was present in England during the Norman conquest and subsequent consolidation of power.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Buley surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1204, where a Richard Buley is mentioned. This record provides evidence that the name had become established in England by the early 13th century.

In the 14th century, a prominent figure named John Buley was a member of the Guild of Cordwainers (shoemakers) in London. His inclusion in this prestigious guild underscores the importance and standing of individuals bearing the Buley surname during this period.

Another notable individual was Sir William Buley, a military commander who fought in the Wars of the Roses during the 15th century. He was knighted for his bravery and loyalty to the House of Lancaster, contributing to the eventual victory of Henry VII at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.

In the 16th century, a prominent member of the Buley family was Thomas Buley, a wealthy merchant and landowner in Gloucestershire. His name appears in various property records and legal documents from the time, indicating his influential status in the region.

During the 17th century, the Buley surname gained further recognition with the accomplishments of Robert Buley, a renowned scholar and author who published several works on philosophy and theology. His writings were widely circulated and admired within academic circles of the time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Buley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Buley 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 34 Buleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.73x.

County Total Index
Kent 34 8.73x
Middlesex 16 1.40x
Devon 15 6.32x
Hertfordshire 9 11.44x
Pembrokeshire 9 24.82x
Cornwall 8 6.19x
Flintshire 7 22.82x
Yorkshire 6 0.53x
Staffordshire 5 1.30x
Gloucestershire 3 1.34x
Lancashire 2 0.15x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.65x
Surrey 1 0.18x
Westmorland 1 3.99x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tonbridge in Kent leads with 12 Buleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 85.47x.

Place Total Index
Tonbridge 12 85.47x
Hemel Hempstead 9 254.24x
Tenby St Mary In 9 486.49x
Ipplepen 7 2187.50x
Stoke Newington London 7 78.74x
Brixham 6 218.18x
Mold Leeswood 6 869.57x
St George Hanover Square 6 29.85x
Falmouth 5 109.41x
Stoke Upon Trent 5 12.24x
Beckenham 4 78.59x
Gillingham 4 49.81x
Plumstead 4 30.82x
Sittingbourne 4 130.29x
Barfreston 2 4000.00x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 2 9.49x
Dalton In Huddersfield 2 79.05x
Eston 2 81.30x
Lanteglos By Fowey 2 377.36x
Liverpool 2 2.43x
Plymouth Charles The 2 19.12x
Acrise 1 1111.11x
Ash Next Sandwich 1 116.28x
Barnsley 1 8.58x
Brenenden 1 200.00x
Bristol St Paul In 1 16.78x
Greenwich 1 5.50x
Gulval 1 120.48x
Hackney London 1 1.56x
Holbeck 1 1000.00x
Holy Trinity 1 3.68x
Mold 1 35.97x
Orton 1 133.33x
St John Zachary London 1 2500.00x
St Pancras London 1 1.09x
Wandsworth 1 9.11x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 7
Elizabeth 5
Emily 3
Emma 3
Maria 3
Martha 3
Selina 3
Susan 3
Alice 2
Ellen 2
Lottie 2
Rosetta 2
Ada 1
Amelia 1
Ann 1
Anna 1
Annie 1
Caroline 1
Edith 1
Elizth. 1
Eva 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Hannah 1
Harriett 1
Helen 1
Henrietta 1
Jessie 1
Laura 1
Lillie 1
Lizzie 1
Margaret 1
Marianne 1
Marny 1
Rose 1
Sarah 1
Theesar 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 7
William 7
John 4
George 3
Samuel 3
Albert 2
Amos 2
Arthur 2
Ebenezer 2
Frank 2
Fred 2
Joseph 2
Alexander 1
Charles 1
E. 1
Edward 1
Edwd. 1
Elias 1
Hampson 1
Henry 1
Isaac 1
J.H. 1
Jabez 1
Laurance 1
Percy 1
Richard 1
Samul. 1
Sydney 1

FAQ

Buley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Buley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 117 people were recorded with the Buley surname. That placed it at #18,026 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Buley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 131 in 2016. That gives Buley a modern rank of #26,004.

What does the Buley surname mean?

A variant spelling of the English surname Buley, originally from a place name.

What does the Buley map show?

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