NameCensus.

UK surname

Chalkley

A locational surname denoting someone who lived near a chalky area.

In the 1881 census there were 924 people recorded with the Chalkley surname, ranking it #4,156 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,462, ranked #4,211, down from #4,156 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Baldock, Willian, Weston, Clothall, Bygrave, Norton and Datchworth, Knebworth, Aston, Bennington, Watton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wakefield, North Hertfordshire and East Hertfordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Chalkley is 1,600 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 58.2%.

1881 census count

924

Ranked #4,156

Modern count

1,462

2016, ranked #4,211

Peak year

1999

1,600 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Chalkley had 924 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,156 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,462 in 2016, ranked #4,211.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,426 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Chalkley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Chalkley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Chalkley 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 529 #4,745
1861 historical 568 #4,631
1881 historical 924 #4,156
1891 historical 1,107 #3,826
1901 historical 1,281 #3,883
1911 historical 1,426 #3,388
1997 modern 1,530 #3,843
1998 modern 1,589 #3,863
1999 modern 1,600 #3,876
2000 modern 1,575 #3,901
2001 modern 1,536 #3,910
2002 modern 1,569 #3,927
2003 modern 1,520 #3,953
2004 modern 1,498 #4,002
2005 modern 1,493 #3,978
2006 modern 1,424 #4,138
2007 modern 1,436 #4,149
2008 modern 1,442 #4,159
2009 modern 1,490 #4,139
2010 modern 1,528 #4,138
2011 modern 1,485 #4,185
2012 modern 1,440 #4,212
2013 modern 1,477 #4,203
2014 modern 1,478 #4,217
2015 modern 1,482 #4,178
2016 modern 1,462 #4,211

Geography

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Where Chalkleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Baldock, Willian, Weston, Clothall, Bygrave, Norton, Datchworth, Knebworth, Aston, Bennington, Watton, Hitchin and Stevenage. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wakefield, North Hertfordshire, East Hertfordshire and Welwyn Hatfield. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Baldock, Willian, Weston, Clothall, Bygrave, Norton Hertfordshire
3 Datchworth, Knebworth, Aston, Bennington, Watton Hertfordshire
4 Hitchin Hertfordshire
5 Stevenage Hertfordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wakefield 024 Wakefield
2 North Hertfordshire 014 North Hertfordshire
3 Wakefield 032 Wakefield
4 East Hertfordshire 013 East Hertfordshire
5 Welwyn Hatfield 007 Welwyn Hatfield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Chalkley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Chalkley

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Chalkley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Chalkley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Chalkley is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Chalkley is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Chalkley 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 Chalkley 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 Chalkley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Chalkley

The surname Chalkley is of English origin, dating back to the 13th century. It is a locational name derived from the place name Chalkley, a small village in Worcestershire. The name itself is derived from the Old English words "chalc" meaning chalk and "leah" meaning a meadow or clearing, referring to a chalky meadow or clearing.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Chalkley can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1275, where a Richard de Chalcleye is listed. This early spelling variation highlights the locational roots of the name.

In the 16th century, the name appeared in various records and documents across Worcestershire and the surrounding areas. A notable example is a Thomas Chalkley, born in 1675 in Woodborough, Wiltshire, who was a Quaker minister and author of a popular autobiography detailing his travels and religious experiences.

Another significant figure with this surname was John Chalkley, born in 1676 in Woodborough, Wiltshire. He was a Quaker missionary who traveled extensively throughout the American colonies, preaching and establishing Quaker meetings. His journal, published posthumously in 1751, provides valuable insights into the life and challenges faced by early Quakers in the New World.

In the 18th century, the Chalkley family had a strong presence in the county of Gloucestershire, with several members recorded in parish registers and local records. One notable individual was William Chalkley, born in 1712 in Stroud, Gloucestershire, who was a successful wool merchant and philanthropist, contributing significantly to the local community.

Moving into the 19th century, the name Chalkley continued to be found throughout England, with pockets of concentration in the West Midlands and the Southwest regions. A prominent figure from this era was James Chalkley, born in 1804 in Bristol, who was a renowned architect and engineer. He designed several notable buildings in Bristol, including the city's iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge, which was completed in 1864.

Throughout its history, the surname Chalkley has maintained a strong connection to its roots in the English countryside, particularly in the counties of Worcestershire, Wiltshire, and Gloucestershire. While not a widespread name, it has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields, from religion and literature to architecture and engineering.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Chalkley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Chalkley 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. Hertfordshire leads with 401 Chalkleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 64.40x.

County Total Index
Hertfordshire 401 64.40x
Middlesex 284 3.14x
Essex 45 2.52x
Surrey 44 1.00x
Yorkshire 26 0.29x
Bedfordshire 22 4.70x
Kent 21 0.68x
Derbyshire 16 1.13x
Cambridgeshire 14 2.45x
Sussex 13 0.85x
Hampshire 12 0.65x
Shropshire 7 0.90x
Cheshire 6 0.30x
Northamptonshire 3 0.35x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.37x
Lancashire 2 0.02x
Devon 1 0.05x
Dorset 1 0.17x
Glamorgan 1 0.06x
Gloucestershire 1 0.06x
Monmouthshire 1 0.15x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.08x
Royal Navy 1 0.93x
Warwickshire 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stevenage in Hertfordshire leads with 67 Chalkleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 694.30x.

Place Total Index
Stevenage 67 694.30x
Hitchin 51 181.49x
Islington London 41 4.68x
Tottenham 37 25.72x
Ware 33 184.87x
St Ippollitts 24 766.77x
Datchworth 20 1030.93x
Weston 20 666.67x
Aston 18 1016.95x
Clerkenwell London 16 7.50x
Kensington London 15 2.99x
St Albans 15 117.55x
Ashwell 13 265.85x
Bethnal Green London 13 3.31x
Luton 13 16.06x
St Giles In Fields London 13 29.34x
St Pancras London 13 1.79x
Dartford 12 38.08x
Flamstead 12 209.06x
Shoreditch London 12 3.06x
Standon 12 187.21x
Finchley 11 31.76x
Hackney London 11 2.17x
Waltham Holy Cross 11 65.99x
Welwyn 11 204.08x
West Ham 11 2.79x
Hornsey 10 8.75x
Kingsbury 10 425.53x
Tewin 10 609.76x
Bermondsey 9 3.35x
Braughing 9 283.02x
Graveley 9 769.23x
Isfield 9 647.48x
Barking 8 15.33x
Enfield 8 13.50x
Hertford St John 8 86.21x
Penge 8 13.86x
St Luke London 8 5.52x
Walkern 8 305.34x
Woolley 8 430.11x
Bow London 7 6.09x
Clapham 7 6.20x
Kirk Smeaton 7 598.29x
Litchurch 7 12.30x
Mile End Old Town London 7 3.64x
North Mimms 7 178.57x
Shrewsbury St Chad 7 25.56x
St Thomas Winchester 7 53.56x
Studham 7 272.37x
Bengeo 6 82.99x
Chiswick 6 12.16x
Kimpton 6 205.48x
Lambeth 6 0.76x
St Albans St Peter 6 28.56x
St Andrewthe Less 6 9.18x
Tranmere 6 8.19x
Westminster St John 6 5.45x
Derby St Werburgh 5 6.12x
St George Hanover Square 5 3.14x
Aldenham 4 70.67x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 4 4.80x
Bassingbourn 4 47.56x
Beckenham 4 9.93x
Derby St Alkmund 4 9.44x
Ealing 4 4.95x
East Ham 4 12.09x
Harpenden 4 42.11x
Kings Walden 4 113.64x
Kingston On Thames 4 3.78x
Sacombe 4 500.00x
Shadwell London 4 15.82x
Shepreth 4 353.98x
Watton 4 157.48x
Croydon 3 1.23x
Hertingfordbury 3 118.11x
Leyton 3 9.77x
Poplar London 3 1.76x
Sandal Magna 3 22.66x
Southwark St George Martyr 3 1.65x
Walthamstow 3 4.67x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 77
John 34
George 33
Henry 31
James 26
Charles 25
Thomas 25
Alfred 21
Arthur 21
Frederick 16
Edward 13
Joseph 11
David 10
Samuel 9
Albert 7
Walter 7
Richard 6
Robert 6
Ernest 5
Harry 5
Herbert 5
Sidney 5
Francis 4
Isaac 4
Noah 4
Edwin 3
Frank 3
Fredrick 3
Fredk. 2
Gustavus 2
Horace 2
Josiah 2
Leonard 2
Wilfred 2
Wm. 2
Alford 1
Allen 1
Arther 1
Berty 1
Cornelias 1
Daniel 1
Florence 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Gilbert 1
Jonas 1
Lamey 1
Maurice 1
North 1
Wm.E. 1

FAQ

Chalkley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Chalkley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 924 people were recorded with the Chalkley surname. That placed it at #4,156 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Chalkley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,462 in 2016. That gives Chalkley a modern rank of #4,211.

What does the Chalkley surname mean?

A locational surname denoting someone who lived near a chalky area.

What does the Chalkley map show?

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