NameCensus.

UK surname

Densley

An English habitational surname referring to someone from a densely wooded area.

In the 1881 census there were 210 people recorded with the Densley surname, ranking it #12,440 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 331, ranked #13,735, down from #12,440 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Englishcombe, Tiverton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bristol, North Somerset and Bromley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Densley is 365 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 57.6%.

1881 census count

210

Ranked #12,440

Modern count

331

2016, ranked #13,735

Peak year

2000

365 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Densley had 210 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,440 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 331 in 2016, ranked #13,735.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 305 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Densley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Densley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Densley 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 80 #19,558
1861 historical 132 #16,957
1881 historical 210 #12,440
1891 historical 247 #12,880
1901 historical 285 #12,063
1911 historical 305 #11,307
1997 modern 344 #12,319
1998 modern 354 #12,438
1999 modern 362 #12,316
2000 modern 365 #12,196
2001 modern 352 #12,318
2002 modern 353 #12,512
2003 modern 342 #12,627
2004 modern 346 #12,544
2005 modern 342 #12,579
2006 modern 348 #12,498
2007 modern 335 #13,001
2008 modern 337 #13,068
2009 modern 351 #12,940
2010 modern 359 #12,975
2011 modern 344 #13,249
2012 modern 353 #12,877
2013 modern 354 #13,079
2014 modern 349 #13,293
2015 modern 350 #13,159
2016 modern 331 #13,735

Geography

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Where Densleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Englishcombe, Tiverton, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and Lyncombe and Widcombe. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bristol, North Somerset, Bromley and East Riding of Yorkshire. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Englishcombe, Tiverton Somerset
4 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
5 Lyncombe and Widcombe Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bristol 002 Bristol, City of
2 North Somerset 018 North Somerset
3 Bromley 015 Bromley
4 East Riding of Yorkshire 028 East Riding of Yorkshire
5 Bristol 046 Bristol, City of

Forenames

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First names often paired with Densley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Densley

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Densley, 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 Densley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Densley 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Densley 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

Densley 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

Densley 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 Densley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Densley

The surname Densley is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, likely in the 12th or 13th century. It is a locational name derived from a place called Densley or Dennesleye, which was located in the county of Derbyshire. The name is thought to be a combination of the Old English words "denu," meaning valley, and "leah," meaning wood or clearing.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Densley can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire from 1199, where it appears as "Deneslega." This document suggests that the surname was already in use by the late 12th century. Additionally, the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1275 mention a place called "Denesle," which may be related to the surname's origins.

In the 14th century, the name appears in various records, such as the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire from 1317, where a "Robert de Dennesleye" is mentioned. Another notable early record is the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire from 1379, which lists a "Johannes Densley."

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname was Sir John Densley, a prominent landowner and knight who lived in the late 14th century. He was recorded as owning estates in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Another notable figure was William Densley, a wealthy merchant and alderman of the City of London who lived in the early 15th century.

During the Tudor period, the name appears in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1524, which mentions a "Thomas Densley." In the 16th century, the surname was also found in the Parish Registers of St. Mary's Church in Warwick, where a "John Densley" was recorded in 1568.

In the 17th century, a notable bearer of the surname was James Densley (1603-1679), a Puritan minister and writer who served as a chaplain in the English Civil War. He authored several religious works, including "The Poor Man's Cup of Cold Water" and "The Saint's Spiritual Delight."

Another prominent figure was Sir William Densley (1661-1736), a successful merchant and member of the East India Company. He amassed a considerable fortune through his trading ventures and was known for his philanthropic efforts, including the founding of a school in his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Densley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Densley 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. Somerset leads with 61 Densleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.50x.

County Total Index
Somerset 61 18.50x
Gloucestershire 41 10.21x
Staffordshire 25 3.62x
Devon 14 3.28x
Monmouthshire 12 8.10x
Lancashire 9 0.37x
Nottinghamshire 9 3.26x
Surrey 8 0.80x
Hampshire 7 1.67x
Wiltshire 7 3.86x
Yorkshire 6 0.30x
Kent 4 0.57x
Middlesex 3 0.15x
Cumberland 1 0.57x
Dorset 1 0.74x
Glamorgan 1 0.28x
Lanarkshire 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. Bristol St George in Gloucestershire leads with 40 Densleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 215.29x.

Place Total Index
Bristol St George 40 215.29x
Corston 18 6666.67x
Walsall Foreign 15 41.99x
Englishcombe 10 2702.70x
Lyncombe Widcombe 10 115.87x
Basford 9 70.70x
Aberystruth 7 53.64x
Carisbrooke 7 120.07x
Newington 7 9.25x
Twerton 6 176.47x
Bedwellty 5 19.12x
Cannock 5 41.43x
Exeter St Pancras 5 2272.73x
Barrow In Furness 4 12.10x
Bathwick 4 109.59x
Exeter Allhallows On The 4 571.43x
Exeter St Lawrence 4 1250.00x
Priston 4 2222.22x
Rugeley 4 80.65x
Swindon 4 28.47x
Leeds 3 2.62x
Toxteth Park 3 3.64x
Weston 3 118.11x
Woolwich 3 11.62x
Charterhouse Hinton 2 512.82x
Chelsea London 2 3.24x
Chippenham 2 52.63x
Kimberworth 2 17.75x
Arkholme With Cawood 1 476.19x
Bath St James 1 29.07x
Bath St Peter St Paul 1 68.49x
Bedminster 1 3.23x
Bitton Oldland 1 24.33x
Cockermouth 1 26.95x
Croydon 1 1.80x
Exeter St David 1 27.47x
Frome 1 12.67x
Glasgow 1 0.85x
Great Wishford 1 400.00x
Heaton 1 97.09x
Holy Trinity 1 2.05x
Hothfield 1 434.78x
Islington London 1 0.50x
Merthyr Tydfil 1 2.92x
Stoke Upon Trent 1 1.36x
Yetminster 1 200.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 19
Sarah 11
Ann 9
Elizabeth 7
Martha 6
Emily 5
Annie 3
Charlotte 3
Emma 3
Harriet 3
Ada 2
Eliza 2
Florence 2
Jane 2
Lousia 2
Rose 2
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Amy 1
Anne 1
Bertha 1
Bessie 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Clara 1
Dinah 1
Elisa 1
Elizbth. 1
Ethel 1
Eva 1
Florance 1
Hannah 1
Honor 1
Isabella 1
Lilian 1
Lily 1
Louisa 1
Love 1
Lucy 1
Margaret 1
Marion 1
Minnie 1
Naomi 1
Ruth 1
Sophia 1
Susan 1
Susanna 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 14
William 12
James 8
Henry 7
John 6
Edward 5
Samuel 4
Aaron 3
Arthur 3
Joseph 3
Albert 2
Charles 2
Daniel 2
Frederick 2
Walter 2
Wm. 2
Abraham 1
Adam 1
Alfred 1
Bazil 1
Earnest 1
Eli 1
Enoch 1
Enock 1
Ernest 1
Esau 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Infant 1
Isaac 1
Isaiah 1
Morley 1
Morris 1
Peter 1
Richmond 1
Samson 1

FAQ

Densley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Densley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 210 people were recorded with the Densley surname. That placed it at #12,440 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Densley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 331 in 2016. That gives Densley a modern rank of #13,735.

What does the Densley surname mean?

An English habitational surname referring to someone from a densely wooded area.

What does the Densley map show?

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