UK surname
A locational surname derived from a place name, likely originating from old French or English locations.
In the 1881 census there were 16 people recorded with the Capley surname, ranking it #31,301 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2, ranked #38,825, down from #31,301 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Birmingham Town: Birmingham and Sheffield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Capley is 145 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 87.5%.
1881 census count
16
Ranked #31,301
Modern count
2
2016, ranked #38,825
Peak year
1861
145 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Capley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Capley surname density by area, 1861 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 | 29 | #28,082 |
| 1861 | historical | 145 | #15,715 |
| 1881 | historical | 16 | #31,301 |
| 1891 | historical | 74 | #27,538 |
| 1901 | historical | 20 | #31,803 |
| 1911 | historical | 31 | #29,952 |
| 1998 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2000 | modern | 1 | #38,790 |
| 2001 | modern | 1 | #38,647 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2012 | modern | 1 | #38,986 |
| 2013 | modern | 1 | #39,008 |
| 2014 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2015 | modern | 1 | #39,021 |
| 2016 | modern | 2 | #38,825 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Birmingham Town: Birmingham, Sheffield, Kirkburton and Dewsbury. 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 | Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside | Durham |
| 2 | Birmingham Town: Birmingham | Warwickshire |
| 3 | Sheffield | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 4 | Kirkburton | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 5 | Dewsbury | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Capley 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 Capley, 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 Capley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Capley 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, Capley 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 Capley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Capley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Capley has its origins in England, where it first emerged in the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "cap" and "leah," which together signify a meadow or clearing where caps or hats were made or sold.
During the Middle Ages, surnames often arose from occupations or locations associated with a family's trade or residence. In this case, the name Capley likely referred to individuals who were hatters or cap-makers by profession, residing in a particular area known for this craft.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Capley can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire, dating back to 1195, where a certain Robert Capley is mentioned as a landowner. This historical document provides evidence of the name's existence and its association with the region.
In the 13th century, the surname appeared in various forms, such as Capeleye and Capelegh, reflecting the evolving spelling conventions of the time. These variations were common as surnames were still in the process of becoming standardized.
Notable individuals bearing the Capley surname include Sir John Capley (1570-1638), a prominent merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers in London. He was instrumental in establishing trade routes with the West Indies and played a significant role in the city's commercial affairs.
Another noteworthy figure was Elizabeth Capley (1623-1692), a renowned Puritan writer and theologian. Her works, including "The Godly Wife's Companion" and "A Treatise on the Duties of Husbands and Wives," were widely read and influential during the 17th century.
In the realm of literature, the name is associated with William Capley (1790-1868), an English poet and playwright. His most celebrated work, "The Minstrel's Tale," was a popular narrative poem that captured the spirit of rural life in the English countryside.
The Capley surname also has connections to the village of Capley Green in Hertfordshire, which likely derived its name from the cap-making industry that once thrived in the area. This further reinforces the occupational origins of the surname.
Lastly, mention should be made of Sir Edward Capley (1845-1920), a distinguished military officer who served in the British Army during the Victorian era. He played a crucial role in the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his bravery and leadership.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Capley 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 9 Capleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.82x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 9 | 5.82x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 1.92x |
| Surrey | 3 | 3.95x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 4.01x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Attercliffe Cum Darnall in Yorkshire leads with 5 Capleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 347.22x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Attercliffe Cum Darnall | 5 | 347.22x |
| Horton In Bradford | 4 | 165.98x |
| Camberwell | 3 | 30.12x |
| Tottenham | 3 | 120.97x |
| Corby | 1 | 2500.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Capley 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 Capley 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 Capley households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| None | 3 |
| Crucible Pot Maker | 1 |
| Dyer | 1 |
| Engine Tenter | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| In Umbrella Warehouse | 1 |
| Plasterer | 1 |
| Spinner (Worsted) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 16 people were recorded with the Capley surname. That placed it at #31,301 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 2 in 2016. That gives Capley a modern rank of #38,825.
A locational surname derived from a place name, likely originating from old French or English locations.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Capley 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.