NameCensus.

UK surname

Casley

A surname derived from an English place name, possibly meaning "ash-tree clearing" or "ash-tree meadow".

In the 1881 census there were 264 people recorded with the Casley surname, ranking it #10,655 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 187, ranked #20,488, down from #10,655 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Exeter St David (including Castle Yard), Morvah and Rattery. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Neath Port Talbot.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Casley is 355 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 29.2%.

1881 census count

264

Ranked #10,655

Modern count

187

2016, ranked #20,488

Peak year

1891

355 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Casley had 264 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,655 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 187 in 2016, ranked #20,488.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 355 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Casley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Casley surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Casley 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 332 #7,031
1861 historical 351 #7,278
1881 historical 264 #10,655
1891 historical 355 #9,721
1901 historical 278 #12,252
1911 historical 306 #11,281
1997 modern 180 #18,812
1998 modern 192 #18,561
1999 modern 195 #18,517
2000 modern 181 #19,360
2001 modern 177 #19,357
2002 modern 190 #18,889
2003 modern 180 #19,347
2004 modern 176 #19,731
2005 modern 170 #20,066
2006 modern 170 #20,214
2007 modern 171 #20,387
2008 modern 181 #19,875
2009 modern 183 #20,135
2010 modern 188 #20,235
2011 modern 183 #20,425
2012 modern 175 #20,984
2013 modern 184 #20,643
2014 modern 183 #20,880
2015 modern 186 #20,576
2016 modern 187 #20,488

Geography

Back to top

Where Casleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Exeter St David (including Castle Yard), Morvah, Rattery, Madron and Dunsford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Neath Port Talbot and Wiltshire. 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 Exeter St David (including Castle Yard) Devon
2 Morvah Cornwall
3 Rattery Devon
4 Madron Cornwall
5 Dunsford Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 073 Cornwall
2 Rhondda Cynon Taf 029 Rhondda Cynon Taf
3 Neath Port Talbot 017 Neath Port Talbot
4 Wiltshire 054 Wiltshire
5 Cornwall 069 Cornwall

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Casley

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Casley

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

Casley 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

Casley 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 Casley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Casley

The surname CASLEY originates from England, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. The name is believed to have derived from a place name, specifically a location called Caistor or Caistor-on-the-Wolds in Lincolnshire. The place name itself is derived from the Old English word "cæster," meaning a fortified town or a Roman station.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the CASLEY surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and population in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared as "de Caistor," indicating an individual hailing from the town of Caistor.

Throughout the centuries, the surname has undergone various spelling variations, such as Caistour, Cayster, Caystour, and Caystor, before settling into the modern form of CASLEY. These variations reflect the fluidity of spelling practices during earlier times and the influence of regional dialects.

Notable individuals bearing the CASLEY surname include Sir John Casley, a prominent English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Lincolnshire in the late 16th century. Another notable figure was William Casley, an English antiquarian and bibliographer who lived from 1690 to 1756 and made significant contributions to the study of ancient manuscripts and records.

In the 18th century, a notable bearer of the CASLEY surname was Thomas Casley, a renowned clockmaker from Lincolnshire. His clocks and timepieces were highly regarded for their craftsmanship and accuracy, and some of his works are still preserved in museums and private collections today.

Moving forward to the 19th century, we encounter John Casley, a renowned architect and surveyor who was responsible for designing several notable buildings in London and the surrounding areas. His works included churches, public buildings, and private residences, reflecting the architectural styles of the Victorian era.

Another individual of note was Mary Casley, a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights in the late 19th century. Born in 1835, she was instrumental in establishing educational opportunities for women and campaigning for equal rights and suffrage.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have borne the CASLEY surname throughout history, representing various fields and professions. The name's enduring presence and significance can be traced back to its origins in the medieval town of Caistor, serving as a testament to the rich tapestry of English history and heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Casley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Casley 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. Cornwall leads with 107 Casleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 36.56x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 107 36.56x
Devon 77 14.31x
Middlesex 21 0.81x
Surrey 14 1.11x
Yorkshire 13 0.51x
Cumberland 5 2.25x
Bedfordshire 4 2.99x
Glamorgan 4 0.89x
Essex 2 0.39x
Kent 2 0.23x
Lincolnshire 2 0.48x
Midlothian 2 0.58x
Northumberland 2 0.52x
Somerset 2 0.48x
Suffolk 2 0.64x
Gloucestershire 1 0.20x
Hampshire 1 0.19x
Lanarkshire 1 0.12x
Norfolk 1 0.25x
Royal Navy 1 3.25x
Warwickshire 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Just In Penwith in Cornwall leads with 72 Casleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1267.61x.

Place Total Index
St Just In Penwith 72 1267.61x
Rattery 11 3142.86x
Sancreed 9 1084.34x
Dean Prior 8 2857.14x
Exeter St Thomas The 8 145.99x
Madron Penzance 8 75.19x
Morvah 8 5000.00x
Newington 8 8.38x
South Tawton 8 720.72x
Brotton 7 209.58x
Bethnal Green London 6 5.34x
Lambeth 6 2.66x
Poplar London 6 12.30x
Egremont 5 94.16x
Exeter Holy Trinity 5 236.97x
Exeter St Mary Major 5 154.32x
Exeter St Sidwell 5 40.58x
Bedford St Paul 4 43.57x
Crediton 4 78.43x
Mullion 4 740.74x
Wakefield 4 20.35x
Denbury 3 1034.48x
Llangeinor 3 113.21x
Bracebridge 2 106.38x
Camborne 2 16.58x
Chudleigh 2 116.96x
Colchester St Botolph 2 46.08x
Crowcombe 2 512.82x
Dawlish 2 49.88x
Drewsteignton 2 281.69x
Ealing 2 8.66x
Edinburgh Canongate 2 22.70x
Exeter St Olave 2 289.86x
Kenn 2 238.10x
Knaresborough 2 49.75x
Lympston 2 208.33x
North Tawton 2 121.21x
Ottery St Mary 2 56.66x
Plumstead 2 6.80x
St George Hanover Square 2 4.39x
Birmingham 1 0.46x
Bristol Temple 1 29.94x
Bromley London 1 1.76x
Corsenside 1 166.67x
Dunchideock 1 769.23x
Exeter St Mary Arches 1 200.00x
Glasgow 1 0.67x
Glyncorrwg 1 87.72x
Gulval 1 53.19x
Hanwell 1 21.83x
Ipswich St Margaret 1 9.36x
Ipswich St Mary At Tower 1 142.86x
Islington London 1 0.40x
Kenninghall 1 91.74x
Madron 1 42.37x
Newcastle On Tyne St 1 5.02x
Paddington London 1 1.05x
Paul 1 18.80x
Plymouth Charles The 1 4.22x
Portsmouth 1 8.20x
Royal Navy 1 3.80x
Sennen 1 153.85x
Westminster St James 1 3.76x
Wolborough 1 14.71x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 22
Elizabeth 15
Ann 9
Emma 6
Jane 6
Margaret 6
Ellen 5
Eliza 4
Sarah 4
Annie 3
Catherine 3
Elizth. 3
Florence 3
Susan 3
Alice 2
Celia 2
Eliz. 2
Frances 2
Kate 2
Lily 2
Martha 2
Nancy 2
Wilmot 2
Amelia 1
Anna 1
Bessie 1
Blenda 1
Dorcas 1
Ellin 1
Elzaetnn 1
Fanny 1
Gertrude 1
Grace 1
Harriet 1
Helen 1
Honor 1
Isabella 1
Jessie 1
Johannah 1
Kezia 1
Lawra 1
Louisa 1
Loveday 1
Lydia 1
Margret 1
Maria 1
Matilda 1
Moad 1
Nanny 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 20
John 15
James 13
Thomas 11
George 10
Richard 6
Henry 5
Joseph 4
Alfred 3
Charles 2
Jno. 2
Noah 2
Peter 2
Samuel 2
Walter 2
Abraham 1
Albert 1
Allen 1
Arthur 1
Christopher 1
Edwin 1
Frank 1
Gariel 1
Harold 1
Jas. 1
Kimble 1
Martin 1
Reginald 1
Robert 1
Ruith 1
Stephen 1
Thos. 1
Tom 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Casley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Casley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 264 people were recorded with the Casley surname. That placed it at #10,655 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Casley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 187 in 2016. That gives Casley a modern rank of #20,488.

What does the Casley surname mean?

A surname derived from an English place name, possibly meaning "ash-tree clearing" or "ash-tree meadow".

What does the Casley map show?

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