NameCensus.

UK surname

Drakeley

A surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from Drakelow, England.

In the 1881 census there were 103 people recorded with the Drakeley surname, ranking it #19,410 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 319, ranked #14,121, up from #19,410 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Tamworth, St Werburgh and Hucknall Torkard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Central Bedfordshire, Ceredigion and East Riding of Yorkshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Drakeley is 338 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 209.7%.

1881 census count

103

Ranked #19,410

Modern count

319

2016, ranked #14,121

Peak year

2014

338 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Drakeley had 103 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #19,410 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 319 in 2016, ranked #14,121.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 270 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Drakeley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Drakeley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Drakeley 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 54 #23,577
1861 historical 76 #24,114
1881 historical 103 #19,410
1891 historical 138 #19,411
1901 historical 216 #14,426
1911 historical 270 #12,273
1997 modern 286 #13,942
1998 modern 310 #13,578
1999 modern 315 #13,524
2000 modern 313 #13,541
2001 modern 299 #13,758
2002 modern 307 #13,805
2003 modern 301 #13,785
2004 modern 291 #14,138
2005 modern 282 #14,368
2006 modern 291 #14,175
2007 modern 296 #14,172
2008 modern 293 #14,364
2009 modern 304 #14,287
2010 modern 320 #14,088
2011 modern 314 #14,165
2012 modern 324 #13,751
2013 modern 329 #13,810
2014 modern 338 #13,624
2015 modern 322 #14,023
2016 modern 319 #14,121

Geography

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Where Drakeleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Tamworth, St Werburgh, Hucknall Torkard, Nuneaton and Bolton-le-Moors. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Central Bedfordshire, Ceredigion, East Riding of Yorkshire, North East Derbyshire and Wolverhampton. 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 Tamworth Staffordshire
2 St Werburgh Derbyshire
3 Hucknall Torkard Nottinghamshire
4 Nuneaton Warwickshire
5 Bolton-le-Moors Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Central Bedfordshire 021 Central Bedfordshire
2 Ceredigion 001 Ceredigion
3 East Riding of Yorkshire 041 East Riding of Yorkshire
4 North East Derbyshire 012 North East Derbyshire
5 Wolverhampton 007 Wolverhampton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Drakeley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Drakeley

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

Drakeley is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Drakeley falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Drakeley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Drakeley

The surname Drakeley originated in England during the late medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words 'dracan' meaning dragon and 'leah' meaning a meadow or clearing in a forest, likely referring to a specific place or region where the name originated.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Drakeley can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of land and property ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. This suggests the name had already been established by the 11th century.

In the 13th century, records show a John de Drakeleye who lived in Staffordshire, indicating the name's presence in that region. The spelling variations during this time included Drakelay, Dracaley, and Drakeley.

A notable individual bearing the Drakeley name was Sir Robert Drakeley (1465-1534), a prominent landowner and member of the gentry in Staffordshire. He held significant estates and served as a Justice of the Peace during the reign of Henry VIII.

Another notable figure was Anne Drakeley (1594-1662), a Puritan colonist who emigrated to Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1638. She was among the early settlers of Dedham, Massachusetts, and her descendants played a role in the development of the American colonies.

In the 17th century, the Drakeley family had established themselves in various parts of England, including Yorkshire, Leicestershire, and Warwickshire. Records from this period show variations in spelling such as Drakelie, Drakley, and Drakelee.

During the 18th century, a prominent member of the family was William Drakeley (1712-1789), a successful merchant and landowner in Staffordshire. He was known for his philanthropic efforts and contributed to the construction of several churches and schools in the region.

The Drakeley surname has persisted throughout history, with individuals bearing the name making their mark in various fields, including law, religion, and business. While the name's origins can be traced back to medieval England, its legacy has extended far beyond its geographical roots.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Drakeley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Drakeley 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. Warwickshire leads with 33 Drakeleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.02x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 33 13.02x
Derbyshire 17 10.81x
Kent 11 3.21x
Yorkshire 11 1.10x
Staffordshire 10 2.95x
Nottinghamshire 5 3.69x
Leicestershire 4 3.59x
Northamptonshire 4 4.23x
Worcestershire 4 3.05x
Surrey 3 0.61x
Middlesex 1 0.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 15 Drakeleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.50x.

Place Total Index
Aston 15 21.50x
Derby St Werburgh 15 165.20x
Gillingham 7 99.01x
Bolehall Glascote 6 560.75x
Castleford 6 165.29x
Stoke Upon Trent 6 16.69x
Hucknall Torkard 5 145.77x
Ossett Cum Gawthorpe 5 140.45x
Dartford 4 113.96x
Edgbaston 4 50.89x
Northfield 4 160.64x
Nuneaton 4 136.05x
Ashley 3 3000.00x
Barwell 3 508.47x
Lambeth 3 3.42x
Walsall Foreign 3 17.12x
Heanor 2 85.11x
Mancetter 2 273.97x
Bilston 1 15.22x
Birmingham 1 1.18x
Coventry St Michael 1 12.29x
Hardingstone 1 111.11x
Islington London 1 1.03x
Leicester St Mary 1 11.11x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 7
Hannah 5
Alice 4
Emma 4
Elizabeth 3
Sarah 3
Anne 2
Clara 2
Harriet 2
Harriett 2
Kate 2
Levinia 2
Ann 1
Dora 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Francis 1
Georgiana 1
Jane 1
Jessie 1
Lizzie 1
Maria 1
Maud 1
Rose 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Drakeley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Drakeley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 103 people were recorded with the Drakeley surname. That placed it at #19,410 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Drakeley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 319 in 2016. That gives Drakeley a modern rank of #14,121.

What does the Drakeley surname mean?

A surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from Drakelow, England.

What does the Drakeley map show?

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