NameCensus.

UK surname

Bulley

From a topographic description meaning dweller in a small bulldike or small valley.

In the 1881 census there were 702 people recorded with the Bulley surname, ranking it #5,177 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 800, ranked #6,916, down from #5,177 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Edmonton, Brixham and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Devon, Hartlepool and Kettering.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bulley is 1,093 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 14.0%.

1881 census count

702

Ranked #5,177

Modern count

800

2016, ranked #6,916

Peak year

1911

1,093 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bulley had 702 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,177 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 800 in 2016, ranked #6,916.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,093 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Bulley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bulley surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Bulley 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 560 #4,524
1861 historical 489 #5,336
1881 historical 702 #5,177
1891 historical 854 #4,794
1901 historical 962 #4,885
1911 historical 1,093 #4,244
1997 modern 877 #6,087
1998 modern 924 #6,028
1999 modern 915 #6,125
2000 modern 907 #6,142
2001 modern 891 #6,125
2002 modern 893 #6,223
2003 modern 874 #6,213
2004 modern 851 #6,345
2005 modern 816 #6,508
2006 modern 796 #6,658
2007 modern 793 #6,741
2008 modern 803 #6,725
2009 modern 806 #6,843
2010 modern 832 #6,807
2011 modern 841 #6,670
2012 modern 818 #6,711
2013 modern 829 #6,754
2014 modern 835 #6,751
2015 modern 813 #6,840
2016 modern 800 #6,916

Geography

Back to top

Where Bulleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Edmonton, Brixham, London parishes, Stokeinteignhead, Combeinteignhead, Haccombe, St Nicholas and Ware (Ware). Hertford St John, Hertford All Saints. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to West Devon, Hartlepool, Kettering, Cornwall and Exeter. 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 Edmonton Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
2 Brixham Devon
3 London parishes London 3
4 Stokeinteignhead, Combeinteignhead, Haccombe, St Nicholas Devon
5 Ware (Ware). Hertford St John, Hertford All Saints Hertfordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 West Devon 005 West Devon
2 Hartlepool 001 Hartlepool
3 Kettering 011 Kettering
4 Cornwall 030 Cornwall
5 Exeter 010 Exeter

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Bulley

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Bulley

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bulley, 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 Bulley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Bulley 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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Bulley 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

Bulley is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bulley falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bulley 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 Bulley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Bulley

The surname Bulley is believed to have originated in England, with its roots tracing back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English word "bolle," which means "rounded hill" or "knoll." This suggests that the name was initially given to someone who lived near or on a rounded hilltop.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, compiled in 1086 under the orders of William the Conqueror. The entry mentions a landowner named Radulfus de Bulleya, indicating the presence of the surname in the form of a place name during the 11th century.

The name Bulley has also been linked to various place names across England, such as Bulley in Gloucestershire and Bulley Priory in Essex. These locations may have been named after individuals bearing the surname or vice versa, reflecting the close connection between surnames and geographical features.

In the 13th century, records show a William de Bulley who held lands in Staffordshire. This historic figure serves as an early example of the surname's prominence in the region.

Over the centuries, the name has undergone various spelling variations, including Bulley, Bulleigh, Bullye, and Bullaye, reflecting the fluid nature of surname spellings during those times.

Notable individuals with the surname Bulley include:

1. William Bulley (c. 1520 – c. 1590), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Steyning during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

2. John Bulley (1654 – 1726), an English clergyman and author known for his writings on theology and philosophy.

3. Charles Bulley (1819 – 1879), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including St. Saviour's Church in Pimlico.

4. Charles Bulley (1865 – 1934), an English cricketer who played for Worcestershire County Cricket Club in the late 19th century.

5. Frederick Bulley (1890 – 1968), a British soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration awarded for valor in the face of the enemy during World War I.

While the surname Bulley may not be among the most common in modern times, its rich history and connections to various places and notable figures across England serve as a testament to its enduring presence throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Bulley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bulley 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. Devon leads with 296 Bulleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.68x.

County Total Index
Devon 296 20.68x
Middlesex 99 1.44x
Norfolk 81 7.66x
Hertfordshire 34 7.17x
Lancashire 32 0.39x
Surrey 31 0.93x
Cheshire 19 1.25x
Cornwall 15 1.93x
Hampshire 15 1.06x
Somerset 14 1.26x
Lincolnshire 12 1.09x
Essex 9 0.66x
Kent 9 0.38x
Berkshire 7 1.36x
Yorkshire 5 0.07x
Gloucestershire 4 0.30x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.43x
Oxfordshire 4 0.94x
Royal Navy 3 3.66x
Wiltshire 3 0.49x
Northumberland 2 0.20x
Stirlingshire 2 0.79x
Suffolk 2 0.24x
Denbighshire 1 0.38x
Northamptonshire 1 0.15x
Sussex 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wolborough in Devon leads with 32 Bulleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 176.80x.

Place Total Index
Wolborough 32 176.80x
Great Yarmouth 28 31.97x
Islington London 27 4.05x
Newton Abbot St Nicholas 26 887.37x
Brixham 25 150.69x
Crediton 19 140.12x
Hackney London 17 4.41x
Stoke Damerel 15 14.97x
Little Amwell 13 783.13x
Plymouth Charles The 13 20.61x
Tormoham 13 21.46x
Lambeth 12 2.00x
East Stonehouse 11 39.01x
Dartmouth Townstall 10 171.53x
Great Amwell 10 210.53x
Toxteth Park 10 3.62x
Buckland Monachorum 9 294.12x
Catfield 9 604.03x
Falmouth 9 32.66x
Powderham 9 1363.64x
St Pancras London 9 1.63x
Taunton St James 9 55.76x
Camberwell 8 1.82x
Clapham 8 9.30x
Crowland 8 115.94x
Dittisham 8 567.38x
Hertford St John 8 113.31x
Kingston 8 720.72x
Liscard 8 29.25x
Trunch 8 754.72x
Kensington London 7 1.83x
Kingsteignton 7 175.88x
Norwich St James 7 84.34x
Southampton St Mary 7 7.90x
Abbots Kerswell 6 582.52x
Ealing 6 9.76x
Kenn 6 269.06x
Little Hempston 6 1153.85x
Liverpool 6 1.21x
Pennington In Ulverston 6 147.78x
Plymouth St Andrew 6 5.44x
Rusholme 6 27.56x
West Ham 6 2.00x
Blofield 5 185.87x
Bradninch 5 123.76x
Cantley 5 781.25x
Edmonton 5 9.02x
Hornsey 5 5.75x
Newchurch 5 156.25x
Oxton 5 58.21x
Pilton 5 105.93x
Reading St Giles 5 9.87x
Swafield 5 1162.79x
Williton 5 134.77x
Acton 4 9.92x
Ashford 4 73.66x
Birkenhead 4 3.31x
Dawlish 4 37.45x
Exeter St Stephen 4 540.54x
Guisbrough 4 26.86x
Heigham 4 7.05x
Newark Upon Trent 4 12.00x
Old Artillery Ground 4 67.57x
Swaffham 4 46.51x
Torbrian 4 833.33x
Alverstoke 3 5.88x
Ashburton 3 43.86x
Buckfastleigh 3 45.39x
Exeter St David 3 24.53x
Exeter St Thomas The 3 20.56x
Formby 3 32.47x
Newton Abbot St Mary 3 24.98x
Norwich St John Sepulchre 3 43.73x
Otford 3 91.74x
Oxford St Peter In East 3 184.05x
Royal Navy 3 4.28x
Slapton 3 205.48x
Spalding 3 13.75x
Swindon 3 6.36x
Ware 3 22.08x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 43
Elizabeth 31
Eliza 19
Sarah 18
Jane 13
Alice 12
Louisa 11
Emily 9
Charlotte 8
Amelia 7
Ellen 7
Emma 7
Susan 7
Ann 6
Lucy 6
Anne 5
Bessie 5
Catherine 5
Harriet 5
Maria 5
Annie 4
Ada 3
Agnes 3
Amy 3
Anna 3
Blanche 3
Caroline 3
Edith 3
Ethel 3
Frances 3
Hannah 3
Jessie 3
Laura 3
Margaret 3
Anney 2
Eleanor 2
Fanny 2
Harriett 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Lydia 2
Minnie 2
Rose 2
Beatrice 1
Clara 1
Dorothy 1
Ellie 1
Herriet 1
J. 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 52
John 33
George 22
James 22
Henry 21
Edward 17
Charles 13
Richard 13
Samuel 13
Thomas 13
Frederick 12
Arthur 10
Joseph 7
Robert 7
Herbert 6
Walter 6
Albert 5
Benjamin 5
Ernest 5
Frank 5
Alfred 4
Francis 4
Edwin 3
Harry 3
Philip 3
Ashburnham 2
Daniel 2
Fred 2
Fred. 2
Horace 2
Jonas 2
Mark 2
Peter 2
Seth 2
Wm.H. 2
Alexander 1
Archibald 1
Arther 1
C.H.P. 1
Catherine 1
Charle 1
Elias 1
Ethelburt 1
F.Raffles 1
Felix 1
Herman 1
Infant 1
Isaac 1
Jas.C. 1
Jethro 1

FAQ

Bulley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bulley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 702 people were recorded with the Bulley surname. That placed it at #5,177 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bulley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 800 in 2016. That gives Bulley a modern rank of #6,916.

What does the Bulley surname mean?

From a topographic description meaning dweller in a small bulldike or small valley.

What does the Bulley map show?

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