NameCensus.

UK surname

Denley

A locational surname derived from a place name likely meaning "valley of the Danes".

In the 1881 census there were 322 people recorded with the Denley surname, ranking it #9,262 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 639, ranked #8,280, up from #9,262 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Sevenhampton and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Tyneside, Wiltshire and Poole.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Denley is 649 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 98.4%.

1881 census count

322

Ranked #9,262

Modern count

639

2016, ranked #8,280

Peak year

2014

649 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Denley had 322 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,262 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 639 in 2016, ranked #8,280.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 601 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Denley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Denley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Denley 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 190 #10,852
1861 historical 259 #9,561
1881 historical 322 #9,262
1891 historical 482 #7,652
1901 historical 578 #7,272
1911 historical 601 #6,832
1997 modern 619 #7,977
1998 modern 631 #8,095
1999 modern 624 #8,215
2000 modern 603 #8,394
2001 modern 584 #8,445
2002 modern 640 #8,050
2003 modern 625 #8,060
2004 modern 602 #8,330
2005 modern 597 #8,299
2006 modern 569 #8,612
2007 modern 570 #8,676
2008 modern 579 #8,636
2009 modern 605 #8,544
2010 modern 620 #8,568
2011 modern 610 #8,569
2012 modern 616 #8,423
2013 modern 641 #8,307
2014 modern 649 #8,266
2015 modern 639 #8,304
2016 modern 639 #8,280

Geography

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Where Denleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Sevenhampton, London parishes, Bishops Cleeve and Cheltenham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Tyneside, Wiltshire, Poole and Cornwall. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Sevenhampton Gloucestershire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Bishops Cleeve Gloucestershire
5 Cheltenham Gloucestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Tyneside 023 North Tyneside
2 Wiltshire 002 Wiltshire
3 Poole 017 Poole
4 North Tyneside 027 North Tyneside
5 Cornwall 013 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Denley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Denley

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Denley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Denley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Denley is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Denley is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Denley

The surname Denley is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to have derived from the Old English words "dene" meaning valley and "ley" meaning field or meadow, suggesting that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived in a valley or meadow.

The earliest known record of the name Denley dates back to the 13th century, appearing in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. This document, which was a survey of landowners and their holdings, mentions a Roger de Deneleg, indicating that the name was likely associated with a particular place or location.

During the 14th century, the surname Denley appeared in various forms, such as Denlegh, Denley, and Deneleg, reflecting the variations in spelling that were common during that era. The name was particularly prominent in the counties of Berkshire and Oxfordshire, where several Denley families are recorded in historical documents.

One notable bearer of the Denley surname was Sir Robert Denley (c. 1420-1492), a wealthy landowner and member of the gentry from Berkshire. He served as a Member of Parliament for the borough of Wallingford in 1472 and was known for his philanthropic efforts, including the endowment of a chantry chapel in the Church of St. Mary in Reading.

Another prominent figure was John Denley (c. 1550-1628), a Church of England clergyman who served as the Archdeacon of Taunton in Somerset. He was also the author of several religious works, including a treatise on the Ten Commandments.

In the 17th century, the Denley family continued to hold significant landholdings in Berkshire and Oxfordshire. One member, Thomas Denley (1617-1695), was a prominent lawyer and served as the Recorder of Oxford, a position of legal authority within the city.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Denley name appeared in various parts of England, with families documented in counties such as Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and Warwickshire. Notable individuals from this period include William Denley (1755-1832), a successful merchant and landowner in Gloucestershire, and John Denley (1787-1867), a respected architect who designed several notable buildings in London.

Throughout its history, the surname Denley has been associated with various occupations and professions, from landowners and gentry to clergymen, lawyers, and architects. While not among the most common surnames, it has maintained a presence in England for several centuries, reflecting the enduring legacy of its origins and the contributions of those who have borne the name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Denley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Denley 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. Gloucestershire leads with 102 Denleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.61x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 102 16.61x
Devon 75 11.51x
Worcestershire 30 7.34x
Warwickshire 18 2.28x
Wiltshire 16 5.78x
Surrey 14 0.92x
Cornwall 11 3.10x
Middlesex 10 0.32x
Northumberland 9 1.93x
Berkshire 7 2.98x
Staffordshire 7 0.66x
Somerset 6 1.19x
Yorkshire 5 0.16x
Lanarkshire 2 0.20x
Monmouthshire 2 0.88x
Bedfordshire 1 0.62x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.53x
Essex 1 0.16x
Glamorgan 1 0.18x
Hertfordshire 1 0.46x
Northamptonshire 1 0.34x
Sussex 1 0.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cheltenham in Gloucestershire leads with 19 Denleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.10x.

Place Total Index
Cheltenham 19 40.10x
Aston 16 7.36x
East Stonehouse 12 93.46x
Ilsington 12 1052.63x
Bradford On Avon 11 124.15x
Madron Penzance 10 77.58x
Tormoham 10 36.26x
Dowdeswell 9 1698.11x
Guiting Power 9 1363.64x
Kenn 9 891.09x
Claines 8 71.30x
Charlton Abbotts 7 5833.33x
Exeter St Olave 7 833.33x
St Pancras London 7 2.78x
Croome D Abitot 6 3000.00x
Harberton 6 405.41x
Ipplepen 6 674.16x
Lambourn 6 257.51x
North Shields 6 64.52x
Tewkesbury 6 109.49x
Wednesbury 6 22.72x
Bedminster 5 10.56x
Bengeworth 5 354.61x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 5 89.45x
Cam 5 265.96x
Charlton Kings 5 117.65x
Lambeth 5 1.83x
Sevenhampton 5 925.93x
Battersea 4 3.47x
Bishops Cleeve 4 256.41x
Brimpsfield 4 1000.00x
Clapham 4 10.22x
Clifton In York 4 61.63x
Hill Croome 4 1904.76x
Minchinhampton 4 81.80x
Salisbury St Martin 4 138.89x
Badgeworth 3 277.78x
Coston Hackett 3 1500.00x
Highweek 3 129.31x
Leckhampton 3 79.37x
Newcastle On Tyne St 3 12.42x
Rattery 3 714.29x
Whittington 3 1250.00x
Winchcomb 3 98.36x
Barony 2 0.78x
Bovey Tracey 2 87.72x
Great Rissington 2 454.55x
Kensington London 2 1.15x
South Brent 2 142.86x
Withington 2 298.51x
Worcester St Swithin 2 259.74x
Abergavenny 1 11.79x
Bedford St Paul 1 8.99x
Bristol 1 172.41x
Castle Cary 1 45.45x
Chertsey 1 10.14x
Clifton 1 3.22x
Colchester St Leonard 1 50.25x
Earls Croome 1 434.78x
Eastbourne 1 4.12x
Eastington 1 49.26x
Exeter St Mary Major 1 25.45x
Exeter St Sidwell 1 6.70x
Great Comberton 1 434.78x
Great Faringdon 1 29.59x
Ipsley 1 68.97x
Iver 1 40.98x
Mile End Old Town London 1 1.50x
Monmouth 1 16.67x
Morthoe 1 217.39x
Newnham 1 63.29x
Roath 1 4.04x
Rothwell 1 15.95x
Salford Priors 1 113.64x
Scilly Islands 1 156.25x
Standlynch 1 1000.00x
Watford 1 5.98x
Wicken 1 227.27x
Wolverhampton 1 1.23x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Elizabeth 13
Ann 9
Ellen 9
Eliza 8
Emma 7
Sarah 7
Jane 6
Kate 6
Alice 5
Annie 4
Hannah 4
Edith 3
Elizth. 3
Harriet 3
Martha 3
Rose 3
Ada 2
Anna 2
Caroline 2
Emily 2
Esther 2
Fanny 2
Florence 2
Frances 2
Gertrude 2
Levinia 2
Louisa 2
Lydia 2
M. 2
Maria 2
Matilda 2
Rosa 2
Rosina 2
Amelia 1
Amy 1
Beatrice 1
Blanch 1
Blanche 1
Cecilia 1
Eliz. 1
Emmy 1
Katherine 1
Leah 1
Lillian 1
Lois 1
Lottie 1
Louise 1
Mabel 1
Winafora 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 25
John 17
George 10
Charles 8
James 7
Joseph 7
Thomas 7
David 5
Harry 5
Daniel 4
Henry 4
Benjamin 3
Edward 3
Frank 3
Albert 2
Earnest 2
Frederick 2
Jesse 2
Richard 2
Andrew 1
Anslem 1
Arthur 1
C. 1
Chas 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Emanuel 1
Ernest 1
Esau 1
Ezra 1
Fredk.W. 1
Herbert 1
Hilary 1
Imanuel 1
L. 1
Leonard 1
Luther 1
Oliver 1
Peter 1
R.G.Henry 1
Raymond 1
Rich. 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Denley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Denley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 322 people were recorded with the Denley surname. That placed it at #9,262 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Denley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 639 in 2016. That gives Denley a modern rank of #8,280.

What does the Denley surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name likely meaning "valley of the Danes".

What does the Denley map show?

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