UK surname
A locational surname derived from a place name, likely originating from a town or region.
In the 1881 census there were 65 people recorded with the Dorley surname, ranking it #24,420 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 29, ranked #36,059, down from #24,420 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Alderton, Hollesley and Toxteth Park. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dorley is 226 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 55.4%.
1881 census count
65
Ranked #24,420
Modern count
29
2016, ranked #36,059
Peak year
1861
226 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Dorley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Dorley surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 48 | #24,615 |
| 1861 | historical | 226 | #10,797 |
| 1881 | historical | 65 | #24,420 |
| 1891 | historical | 169 | #16,885 |
| 1901 | historical | 61 | #27,379 |
| 1911 | historical | 47 | #28,110 |
| 1997 | modern | 32 | #34,472 |
| 1998 | modern | 31 | #34,740 |
| 1999 | modern | 31 | #34,821 |
| 2000 | modern | 31 | #34,798 |
| 2001 | modern | 30 | #34,753 |
| 2002 | modern | 27 | #35,243 |
| 2003 | modern | 27 | #35,279 |
| 2004 | modern | 26 | #35,519 |
| 2005 | modern | 22 | #35,993 |
| 2006 | modern | 24 | #35,981 |
| 2007 | modern | 25 | #36,006 |
| 2008 | modern | 23 | #36,211 |
| 2009 | modern | 24 | #36,261 |
| 2010 | modern | 24 | #36,341 |
| 2011 | modern | 27 | #36,136 |
| 2012 | modern | 24 | #36,288 |
| 2013 | modern | 24 | #36,344 |
| 2014 | modern | 27 | #36,180 |
| 2015 | modern | 28 | #36,106 |
| 2016 | modern | 29 | #36,059 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Alderton, Hollesley, Toxteth Park, Manchester and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alderton | Suffolk |
| 2 | Hollesley | Suffolk |
| 3 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Dorley surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Dorley, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Dorley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Dorley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Dorley is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Dorley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Dorley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Dorley is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the 12th century. It is believed to have originated in the county of Dorset, derived from the Old English words "dor" meaning door or gate, and "leah" meaning a clearing or meadow. This suggests that the name may have referred to someone who lived near a gate or entrance to a clearing or meadow.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Dorset from 1195, where a person named William de Dorlee is mentioned. This spelling variation reflects the evolving nature of surnames during that time period.
In the 13th century, the name appeared in various records, such as the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a Richard de Doreleye is listed in Oxfordshire. This spelling variation further highlights the regional differences in the name's development.
During the 14th century, the surname took on a more recognizable form, with instances like John Dorley recorded in the Calendarium Genealogicum from 1347. This document was a compilation of genealogical records from various sources, indicating the growing prominence of the Dorley surname.
Notable figures throughout history who bore the Dorley surname include Sir Thomas Dorley (1510-1565), an English nobleman and courtier during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He served as a Member of Parliament and was awarded lands in Buckinghamshire.
Another prominent individual was Robert Dorley (1612-1689), an English clergyman and author who served as the rector of St. Bride's Church in London. He wrote several religious works and was known for his sermons.
In the 18th century, John Dorley (1720-1788) was a successful merchant and landowner in Yorkshire. He acquired significant wealth through his trading ventures and invested in substantial properties in the region.
The 19th century saw the birth of William Dorley (1842-1912), a British explorer and naturalist who led expeditions to South America and Africa. He made significant contributions to the field of natural history through his writings and specimen collections.
Lastly, Sir Edward Dorley (1876-1957) was a distinguished British lawyer and judge. He served as a Lord Justice of Appeal and was highly respected for his legal expertise and fair judgments.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dorley surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Suffolk leads with 18 Dorleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.67x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Suffolk | 18 | 23.67x |
| Middlesex | 9 | 1.44x |
| Yorkshire | 8 | 1.29x |
| Durham | 7 | 3.77x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 0.67x |
| Cheshire | 3 | 2.18x |
| Lanarkshire | 3 | 1.49x |
| Lincolnshire | 3 | 3.01x |
| Glamorgan | 2 | 1.84x |
| Ayrshire | 1 | 2.14x |
| Dorset | 1 | 2.44x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.81x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.78x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.47x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 1.44x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Alderton in Suffolk leads with 11 Dorleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 10000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Alderton | 11 | 10000.00x |
| Sheffield | 8 | 40.61x |
| Sunderland | 5 | 152.44x |
| Hollesley | 4 | 3636.36x |
| Middle Hulton | 4 | 909.09x |
| Boston | 3 | 99.01x |
| Glasgow | 3 | 8.37x |
| Nantwich | 3 | 187.50x |
| St Luke London | 3 | 29.97x |
| Bredfield | 2 | 2222.22x |
| Islington London | 2 | 3.31x |
| Swansea Town | 2 | 22.45x |
| Bromley London | 1 | 7.28x |
| Clerkenwell London | 1 | 6.78x |
| Garston | 1 | 45.66x |
| Hedworth Monkton Jarrow | 1 | 12.44x |
| Kilmarnock | 1 | 17.99x |
| Lakenheath | 1 | 250.00x |
| Leicester St Margaret | 1 | 5.92x |
| Milton In Gravesend | 1 | 31.35x |
| Pinner | 1 | 181.82x |
| Portsmouth | 1 | 33.90x |
| Sherborne | 1 | 82.64x |
| St George In East London | 1 | 17.04x |
| Stockton On Tees | 1 | 11.17x |
| Walthamstow | 1 | 22.52x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Dorley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Dorley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Dorley households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 10 |
| Farm Labourer | 3 |
| Annuitant | 2 |
| Brooch Maker | 2 |
| General Servant | 2 |
| Labourer | 2 |
| A B | 1 |
| Ag Labourer | 1 |
| Agent In Cigar & Tobacco | 1 |
| Comb Maker | 1 |
| Comb Presser | 1 |
| Companion | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Dairy Woman (Ag) | 1 |
| Dock Labourer | 1 |
| Domestic (Servant) | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Fisherman | 1 |
| Formerly Dom Servant | 1 |
| General Laborer | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| Greengrocer | 1 |
| House Carpenter | 1 |
| Labour In Ship Yard | 1 |
| Labourers Widow | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Printers Asst | 1 |
| Railway Porter | 1 |
| Serv | 1 |
| Servant Dom | 1 |
| Shoemaker | 1 |
| Soldier 53rd Regt | 1 |
| Tailoress | 1 |
| Wood Turner | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 65 people were recorded with the Dorley surname. That placed it at #24,420 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 29 in 2016. That gives Dorley a modern rank of #36,059.
A locational surname derived from a place name, likely originating from a town or region.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Dorley bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.