NameCensus.

UK surname

Clay

An English occupational surname referring to a person who worked with clay, such as a potter or brickmaker.

In the 1881 census there were 6,152 people recorded with the Clay surname, ranking it #707 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 7,291, ranked #918, down from #707 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Halifax, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Shropshire, Barnsley and Kirklees.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Clay is 7,891 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 18.5%.

1881 census count

6,152

Ranked #707

Modern count

7,291

2016, ranked #918

Peak year

1911

7,891 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Clay had 6,152 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #707 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 7,291 in 2016, ranked #918.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7,891 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Clay surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Clay surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Clay 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 4,510 #627
1861 historical 4,640 #614
1881 historical 6,152 #707
1891 historical 6,598 #693
1901 historical 7,313 #746
1911 historical 7,891 #648
1997 modern 7,414 #867
1998 modern 7,790 #861
1999 modern 7,838 #865
2000 modern 7,803 #864
2001 modern 7,587 #867
2002 modern 7,675 #878
2003 modern 7,446 #880
2004 modern 7,477 #875
2005 modern 7,317 #884
2006 modern 7,291 #892
2007 modern 7,364 #891
2008 modern 7,407 #895
2009 modern 7,535 #899
2010 modern 7,670 #902
2011 modern 7,572 #899
2012 modern 7,396 #896
2013 modern 7,490 #900
2014 modern 7,497 #907
2015 modern 7,339 #916
2016 modern 7,291 #918

Geography

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Where Clays are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Halifax, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes, Nottingham St Mary and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Shropshire, Barnsley, Kirklees and Broxtowe. 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 Halifax Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire
5 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Shropshire 004 Shropshire
2 Barnsley 008 Barnsley
3 Kirklees 049 Kirklees
4 Broxtowe 004 Broxtowe
5 Broxtowe 003 Broxtowe

Forenames

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First names often paired with Clay

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Clay

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

Clay is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Clay falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Clay

The surname CLAY is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word "claeg," meaning "clay" or "earth." It was initially used as a descriptive name for someone who lived near clay-rich land or worked with clay as a potter or brickmaker.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name CLAY can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a person named William de la Claye was listed as a landowner in Oxfordshire. The "de la" prefix suggests that this individual resided near a location with clay-rich soil.

During the Middle Ages, variations of the name, such as Cley, Cleye, and Claie, were also found in various records and documents. These spellings reflect the regional dialects and scribal practices of the time.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named Thomas de la Clay was recorded as a prominent landowner in Derbyshire. The place name "Clay Cross" in Derbyshire is believed to have derived from his family name and landholdings.

Another early bearer of the name was Sir John Clay, a renowned soldier who fought in the Wars of the Roses during the 15th century. He was knighted for his valor on the battlefield by King Edward IV.

During the 17th century, a prominent family with the surname CLAY lived in Nottinghamshire. One member, Jeremiah Clay (1623-1695), was a prominent Puritan minister and author who wrote several religious texts.

In the 18th century, Henry Clay (1777-1852) was an influential American statesman and politician. He served as the ninth Secretary of State and was a leading figure in the Whig Party. His political career spanned several decades, and he was a influential figure in shaping American foreign and domestic policies.

Another notable bearer of the name was Sir Josiah Clay (1820-1893), an English industrialist and philanthropist. He made significant contributions to the development of the coal and iron industries in the West Midlands region of England.

Throughout history, the surname CLAY has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including landowners, soldiers, clergymen, statesmen, and industrialists, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and occupations of those who bore this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Clay families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Clay 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. Yorkshire leads with 1,214 Clays recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.04x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 1,214 2.04x
Nottinghamshire 712 8.81x
Middlesex 577 0.96x
Lancashire 454 0.64x
Staffordshire 418 2.07x
Lincolnshire 325 3.39x
Derbyshire 311 3.31x
Warwickshire 275 1.82x
Surrey 198 0.68x
Leicestershire 177 2.66x
Shropshire 176 3.40x
Worcestershire 139 1.78x
Cheshire 127 0.96x
Hampshire 110 0.90x
Essex 101 0.85x
Durham 100 0.56x
Kent 86 0.42x
Northamptonshire 79 1.40x
Devon 51 0.41x
Gloucestershire 49 0.42x
Buckinghamshire 45 1.24x
Cambridgeshire 42 1.11x
Oxfordshire 31 0.84x
Northumberland 30 0.34x
Sussex 30 0.30x
Somerset 28 0.29x
Flintshire 23 1.43x
Berkshire 22 0.49x
Hertfordshire 22 0.53x
Midlothian 22 0.27x
Anglesey 20 1.88x
Wiltshire 20 0.38x
Glamorgan 18 0.17x
Bedfordshire 17 0.55x
Suffolk 17 0.23x
Caernarfonshire 12 0.49x
Pembrokeshire 10 0.52x
Norfolk 9 0.10x
Denbighshire 8 0.35x
Monmouthshire 7 0.16x
Brecknockshire 6 0.50x
Cumberland 6 0.12x
Huntingdonshire 5 0.42x
Roxburghshire 5 0.46x
Lanarkshire 3 0.02x
Royal Navy 2 0.28x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.02x
Dorset 1 0.03x
Fife 1 0.03x
Isle of Man 1 0.09x
Montgomeryshire 1 0.07x
Perthshire 1 0.04x
Westmorland 1 0.08x
Wigtownshire 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Nottingham St Mary in Nottinghamshire leads with 180 Clays recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.61x.

Place Total Index
Nottingham St Mary 180 8.61x
Mansfield 104 37.19x
Greasley 97 53.19x
Rastrick 73 44.23x
Leeds 72 2.15x
Mile End Old Town London 69 5.41x
Leicester St Margaret 68 4.19x
Halifax 66 7.57x
Stoke Upon Trent 64 2.98x
Bethnal Green London 61 2.34x
St Pancras London 59 1.22x
Huddersfield 55 6.35x
Warley 55 32.03x
Birmingham 51 1.01x
Nuneaton 51 29.11x
Slaithwaite 51 82.44x
Coventry Holy Trinity 47 10.41x
Ecclesall Bierlow 45 3.72x
Islington London 42 0.72x
Radford 40 9.74x
Wensley Snitterton 39 279.77x
West Meon 39 237.52x
Alfreton 38 13.32x
Camberwell 37 0.97x
Northowram 37 8.88x
Linthwaite 36 28.83x
Basford 35 9.40x
Everton 33 1.46x
Golcar 33 21.01x
Lambeth 33 0.63x
Manchester 32 1.00x
The Hill 32 63.63x
Aston 31 0.74x
Snenton 30 9.45x
Derby St Werburgh 29 5.35x
St Marylebone London 29 0.91x
Burslem 27 4.66x
Cleckheaton 26 11.88x
Stafford St Mary 26 9.07x
Wolstanton 26 4.23x
Bollington In 25 21.22x
Kensington London 25 0.75x
Ormesby 25 15.66x
Brightside Bierlow 24 2.06x
Liverpool 24 0.56x
Newcastle Under Lyme 24 6.70x
Rowley Regis 24 4.25x
Willenhall 24 6.33x
Faversham 23 11.79x
Norton 23 35.07x
Sculcoates 23 2.44x
Southwark St George Martyr 22 1.82x
Wednesfield 22 7.39x
West Derby 22 1.06x
Clerkenwell London 21 1.48x
Ottery St Mary 21 25.65x
Sheffield 21 1.11x
Toxteth Park 21 0.87x
Holyhead 20 10.09x
Ilkeston 20 7.60x
Prees 20 31.70x
Wolverhampton 20 1.29x
Almondbury 19 6.61x
Croydon 19 1.17x
Dewsbury 19 3.12x
Peterborough 19 4.65x
Bromley London 18 1.36x
Hambledon 18 43.42x
Hucknall Torkard 18 8.78x
Hunslet 18 1.94x
Leicester St Mary 18 3.35x
Pendleton In Salford 18 2.12x
Salford 18 0.86x
Stockton On Tees 18 2.09x
Arnold 17 14.41x
Chorlton On Medlock 17 1.50x
Horton In Bradford 17 1.83x
Long Eaton 17 13.72x
Madeley 17 8.95x
Willesden 17 3.01x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 409
Sarah 263
Elizabeth 246
Ann 116
Eliza 109
Jane 105
Emma 100
Alice 96
Annie 96
Hannah 95
Emily 77
Ellen 71
Martha 52
Maria 48
Edith 46
Louisa 43
Harriet 41
Florence 39
Fanny 37
Lucy 36
Ada 34
Charlotte 33
Harriett 30
Margaret 30
Caroline 28
Catherine 28
Clara 26
Susan 25
Anne 23
Kate 22
Lizzie 19
Rebecca 19
Gertrude 18
Agnes 15
Eleanor 14
Esther 14
Ethel 14
Matilda 14
Ruth 14
Frances 13
Julia 13
Susannah 13
Beatrice 12
Elizth. 12
Isabella 12
Lydia 12
Bertha 11
Jessie 11
Sophia 11
Betsy 10

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 367
William 364
George 223
Thomas 196
Henry 159
James 152
Joseph 146
Charles 131
Samuel 91
Alfred 71
Edward 65
Arthur 63
Richard 56
Robert 44
Frederick 43
Albert 40
Walter 35
Herbert 31
Harry 29
Frank 25
Benjamin 24
Edwin 22
Ernest 21
Francis 20
Wm. 19
Fred 18
Isaac 16
David 12
Sidney 11
Abraham 10
Thos. 10
Fredk. 8
Job 8
Mark 8
Tom 8
Willie 8
Daniel 7
Sam 7
Saml. 7
Alexander 6
Edmund 6
Enoch 6
Frederic 6
Fredrick 6
Jacob 6
Jesse 6
Ralph 6
Geo. 5
Joe 5
Jonathan 5

FAQ

Clay surname: questions and answers

How common was the Clay surname in 1881?

In 1881, 6,152 people were recorded with the Clay surname. That placed it at #707 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Clay surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 7,291 in 2016. That gives Clay a modern rank of #918.

What does the Clay surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to a person who worked with clay, such as a potter or brickmaker.

What does the Clay map show?

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