UK surname
A locational surname derived from places named Durley in Hampshire or Leicestershire, England.
In the 1881 census there were 92 people recorded with the Durley surname, ranking it #20,709 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 52, ranked #34,780, down from #20,709 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Portsmouth, Portsea and Harrow-on-the-Hill. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Durley is 174 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 43.5%.
1881 census count
92
Ranked #20,709
Modern count
52
2016, ranked #34,780
Peak year
1891
174 bearers
Map years
4
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Durley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Durley surname density by area, 1911 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 | 53 | #23,739 |
| 1861 | historical | 162 | #14,310 |
| 1881 | historical | 92 | #20,709 |
| 1891 | historical | 174 | #16,520 |
| 1901 | historical | 137 | #19,032 |
| 1911 | historical | 157 | #17,348 |
| 1997 | modern | 50 | #32,658 |
| 1998 | modern | 48 | #33,111 |
| 1999 | modern | 48 | #33,233 |
| 2000 | modern | 39 | #34,066 |
| 2001 | modern | 46 | #33,311 |
| 2002 | modern | 45 | #33,712 |
| 2003 | modern | 44 | #33,875 |
| 2004 | modern | 46 | #33,883 |
| 2005 | modern | 43 | #34,328 |
| 2006 | modern | 42 | #34,714 |
| 2007 | modern | 49 | #34,422 |
| 2008 | modern | 56 | #34,084 |
| 2009 | modern | 53 | #34,481 |
| 2010 | modern | 56 | #34,480 |
| 2011 | modern | 54 | #34,563 |
| 2012 | modern | 55 | #34,565 |
| 2013 | modern | 55 | #34,628 |
| 2014 | modern | 52 | #34,803 |
| 2015 | modern | 49 | #34,946 |
| 2016 | modern | 52 | #34,780 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Portsmouth, Portsea, Harrow-on-the-Hill and Whitchurch. 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 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Portsmouth, Portsea | Hampshire |
| 4 | Harrow-on-the-Hill | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 5 | Whitchurch | Buckinghamshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Durley 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 Durley, 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 Durley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Durley 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, Durley 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 Durley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Durley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Durley originates from England and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "deor" meaning "deer" and "leah" meaning "wood" or "clearing," suggesting that the name may have referred to a person who lived near a deer park or forest clearing.
The earliest recorded instance of the name appears in the Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire in 1195, where it is spelled "de Derlega." This spelling variation is likely a reference to the village of Durley in Hampshire, which was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Derleia."
In the 13th century, the name was also found in various records with spellings such as "Durle," "Durleye," and "Dyrley." During this period, the surname was particularly associated with families residing in the counties of Hampshire, Berkshire, and Wiltshire.
One of the earliest notable bearers of the name was Sir John Durley, who lived in the late 13th century and held lands in Hampshire. Another notable figure was William Durley, a merchant who was recorded in the tax rolls of London in 1381.
In the 16th century, the Durley family established themselves as landowners in the village of Durley, Hampshire. Thomas Durley, born in 1523, was a prominent member of this branch and served as the High Sheriff of Hampshire in 1573.
During the 17th century, the surname spread to other parts of England, with records showing Durleys residing in counties such as Kent, Somerset, and Gloucestershire. One notable individual from this period was Robert Durley, a wealthy merchant and landowner in Somerset, who died in 1687.
In the 18th century, the Durley name was associated with the literary world, with Samuel Durley, born in 1720, becoming a respected poet and writer. He is best known for his work "The Poetical Works of Samuel Durley," published in 1762.
Throughout history, the Durley surname has also been linked to various professions, including law, politics, and the military. Sir Edward Durley, born in 1805, was a distinguished British officer who served in the Crimean War and was awarded the Order of the Bath for his service.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Durley 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. Middlesex leads with 23 Durleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.54x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 23 | 2.54x |
| Buckinghamshire | 14 | 25.53x |
| Kent | 12 | 3.88x |
| Yorkshire | 12 | 1.34x |
| Bedfordshire | 10 | 21.29x |
| Essex | 5 | 2.79x |
| Hampshire | 5 | 2.69x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 0.46x |
| Sussex | 2 | 1.31x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 1.60x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 1.52x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.68x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.33x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.23x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Whitchurch in Buckinghamshire leads with 10 Durleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 4347.83x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Whitchurch | 10 | 4347.83x |
| Luton | 8 | 98.40x |
| Bexley | 7 | 255.47x |
| Alverstoke | 5 | 74.29x |
| Dagenham | 5 | 467.29x |
| Harlington | 5 | 1041.67x |
| Harrow | 5 | 359.71x |
| Holy Trinity | 5 | 23.13x |
| Salford | 5 | 15.79x |
| Aylesbury | 4 | 164.61x |
| Deptford St Paul | 4 | 16.76x |
| St Marylebone London | 4 | 8.26x |
| St Pancras London | 4 | 5.48x |
| Sheffield | 3 | 10.48x |
| Bedford St Paul | 2 | 62.11x |
| Huddersfield | 2 | 15.27x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 3.97x |
| Sculcoates | 2 | 14.04x |
| Southwick | 2 | 246.91x |
| Willesden | 2 | 23.39x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 1.73x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 1.97x |
| Minster In Sheppey | 1 | 19.49x |
| St Albans St Michael | 1 | 142.86x |
| St Woollos | 1 | 13.66x |
| Wells St Cuthbert Out | 1 | 84.75x |
| West Bromwich | 1 | 5.70x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Durley 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 Durley 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 Durley households.
FAQ
In 1881, 92 people were recorded with the Durley surname. That placed it at #20,709 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 52 in 2016. That gives Durley a modern rank of #34,780.
A locational surname derived from places named Durley in Hampshire or Leicestershire, England.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Durley 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.