UK surname
A locational surname referring to someone from any one of several places called Berkley or Barkley.
In the 1881 census there were 21 people recorded with the Burkley surname, ranking it #30,609 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3, ranked #38,594, down from #30,609 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Halifax, Manchester and Madeley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Burkley is 327 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 85.7%.
1881 census count
21
Ranked #30,609
Modern count
3
2016, ranked #38,594
Peak year
1861
327 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Burkley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Burkley surname density by area, 1891 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 | 74 | #20,443 |
| 1861 | historical | 327 | #7,788 |
| 1881 | historical | 21 | #30,609 |
| 1891 | historical | 150 | #18,328 |
| 1901 | historical | 47 | #28,929 |
| 1911 | historical | 10 | #32,609 |
| 1997 | modern | 6 | #37,704 |
| 1998 | modern | 9 | #37,189 |
| 1999 | modern | 2 | #38,551 |
| 2000 | modern | 1 | #38,790 |
| 2001 | modern | 4 | #37,862 |
| 2002 | modern | 5 | #37,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 5 | #37,750 |
| 2004 | modern | 5 | #37,830 |
| 2005 | modern | 4 | #38,078 |
| 2006 | modern | 2 | #38,590 |
| 2007 | modern | 3 | #38,372 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 5 | #38,122 |
| 2010 | modern | 6 | #38,024 |
| 2011 | modern | 5 | #38,168 |
| 2012 | modern | 3 | #38,530 |
| 2013 | modern | 2 | #38,761 |
| 2014 | modern | 3 | #38,552 |
| 2015 | modern | 3 | #38,558 |
| 2016 | modern | 3 | #38,594 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Halifax, Manchester, Madeley, Darfield and Rochdale. 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 | Halifax | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 2 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 3 | Madeley | Staffordshire |
| 4 | Darfield | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 5 | Rochdale | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Burkley 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 Burkley, 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 Burkley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Burkley 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, Burkley 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 Burkley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Burkley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Burkley is of English origin, with roots dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "burh" or "burg," meaning a fortified town or settlement, combined with the suffix "-ley," which denotes a meadow or clearing.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "Burkeley." This suggests that the name was initially associated with a particular place name, likely a location with a fortified town surrounded by meadows or clearings.
During the medieval period, the Burkley surname was prominent in various regions of England, including Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Worcestershire. It is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey commissioned by William the Conqueror to record land ownership and taxation details.
Notable individuals bearing the Burkley name include Sir John Burkley (c. 1350-1412), a prominent English soldier and landowner who fought in the Hundred Years' War. Another significant figure was William Burkley (1571-1632), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the Archdeacon of Lewes and wrote several theological works.
In the 16th century, the surname gained prominence in the county of Gloucestershire, where the Burkley family held significant land and influence. Sir Robert Burkley (1548-1619) was a notable member of this lineage, serving as a Member of Parliament and holding the position of High Sheriff of Gloucestershire.
Moving into the 17th century, the Burkley name continued to be associated with landed gentry and influential families. Sir Maurice Burkley (1617-1687) was a prominent English landowner and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire during the reign of King Charles II.
Another noteworthy figure was Elizabeth Burkley (1684-1758), an English writer and poet who gained recognition for her work "The Ladies' Calling," which explored the roles and responsibilities of women in society.
As the surname spread across England and beyond, it underwent various spelling variations, including Burkeley, Burkly, and Birkley. These variations often reflected regional dialects and preferences, but all ultimately traced their roots back to the original Old English derivation.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Burkley 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. Northumberland leads with 7 Burkleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.97x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Northumberland | 7 | 22.97x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 1.65x |
| Glamorgan | 3 | 8.41x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.99x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 6.51x |
| Essex | 1 | 2.47x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 7.08x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 1.45x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 5.52x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bedlington in Northumberland leads with 7 Burkleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 686.27x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bedlington | 7 | 686.27x |
| Aberdare | 3 | 122.45x |
| Rusholme | 3 | 461.54x |
| Leeds | 2 | 17.45x |
| Manchester | 1 | 9.15x |
| Prittlewell | 1 | 178.57x |
| Salisbury St Martin | 1 | 526.32x |
| Sandhurst | 1 | 333.33x |
| Standon | 1 | 666.67x |
| Stoke Upon Trent | 1 | 13.64x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Burkley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Burkley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Burkley households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 2 |
| ((Corn Miller)) | 1 |
| Butcher | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Collery Engenman | 1 |
| Dom Serv | 1 |
| Formally Coal Miner | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| General Servant Out Of Employ | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Labourer Excavator (Navvy) | 1 |
| Omnibus Driver | 1 |
| Pork Butcher | 1 |
| Scholar Orphan Convalesant | 1 |
| Schoolmaster | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 21 people were recorded with the Burkley surname. That placed it at #30,609 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 3 in 2016. That gives Burkley a modern rank of #38,594.
A locational surname referring to someone from any one of several places called Berkley or Barkley.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Burkley 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.