NameCensus.

UK surname

Eastley

A surname derived from an English place name referring to a clearing or meadow in the east.

In the 1881 census there were 124 people recorded with the Eastley surname, ranking it #17,429 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 204, ranked #19,320, down from #17,429 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Paignton, Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin and Ugborough. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Hams, Cornwall and West Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Eastley is 254 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 64.5%.

1881 census count

124

Ranked #17,429

Modern count

204

2016, ranked #19,320

Peak year

2000

254 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Eastley had 124 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #17,429 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 204 in 2016, ranked #19,320.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 143 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Eastley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Eastley surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Eastley 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 72 #20,720
1861 historical 81 #23,431
1881 historical 124 #17,429
1891 historical 114 #22,006
1901 historical 130 #19,649
1911 historical 143 #18,401
1997 modern 233 #15,975
1998 modern 236 #16,304
1999 modern 245 #16,012
2000 modern 254 #15,578
2001 modern 244 #15,753
2002 modern 243 #16,147
2003 modern 227 #16,718
2004 modern 213 #17,492
2005 modern 215 #17,334
2006 modern 215 #17,441
2007 modern 213 #17,744
2008 modern 216 #17,758
2009 modern 223 #17,735
2010 modern 224 #18,047
2011 modern 218 #18,206
2012 modern 214 #18,358
2013 modern 213 #18,743
2014 modern 207 #19,259
2015 modern 205 #19,269
2016 modern 204 #19,320

Geography

Back to top

Where Eastleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Paignton, Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin, Ugborough, Modbury, Bigbury, Ermington, Kingston and Calstock. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Hams, Cornwall and West Devon. 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 Paignton Devon
2 Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin Devon
3 Ugborough Devon
4 Modbury, Bigbury, Ermington, Kingston Devon
5 Calstock Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Hams 006 South Hams
2 Cornwall 028 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 037 Cornwall
4 South Hams 005 South Hams
5 West Devon 001 West Devon

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Eastley

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Eastley

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

Eastley is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Eastley falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Eastley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Eastley

The surname Eastley is of English origin, derived from the Old English words "east" and "leah," which together mean "east wood" or "east clearing." This suggests that the name originated as a place name, referring to a settlement or location situated in an easterly direction from a particular landmark or reference point.

The earliest known record of the name Eastley appears in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. In this historic document, the name is listed as "Estleia," a reference to a settlement located in the county of Wiltshire.

During the Middle Ages, the name Eastley was predominantly found in the southern counties of England, particularly in Wiltshire, Hampshire, and Dorset. Historical records from this period show variations in the spelling, including Estlegh, Estlee, and Estleigh.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Sir John Eastley, a prominent landowner and knight who lived in the late 13th century. He was a member of the retinue of King Edward I and participated in several military campaigns, including the Wars of Scottish Independence.

In the 16th century, the name Eastley was associated with a family of wealthy merchants and landowners based in the village of East Meon, Hampshire. Thomas Eastley, born in 1525, was a successful wool merchant and served as a justice of the peace in his local community.

Another notable figure was Richard Eastley, a Puritan minister born in 1594 in Wiltshire. He was a prominent preacher during the English Civil War and was known for his strong Calvinist beliefs and opposition to the established Church of England.

During the 17th century, the Eastley family had a presence in the American colonies. William Eastley, born in 1620 in Wiltshire, was one of the early settlers of Massachusetts Bay Colony, arriving in 1635. He and his descendants established themselves as farmers and landowners in the region.

In the 18th century, John Eastley (1735-1817), a renowned architect and surveyor, made significant contributions to the development of London's urban landscape. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings, including the King's Bench Prison and the Strand Bridge.

Throughout history, the name Eastley has remained relatively uncommon, but it has endured as a distinct English surname with a rich heritage rooted in the rural landscapes of southern England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Eastley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Eastley 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. Devon leads with 75 Eastleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 27.57x.

County Total Index
Devon 75 27.57x
Middlesex 14 1.07x
Channel Islands 10 25.82x
Cornwall 10 6.76x
Kent 5 1.12x
Hampshire 4 1.49x
Yorkshire 4 0.31x
Essex 3 1.16x
Lancashire 3 0.19x
Surrey 3 0.47x
Westmorland 2 6.96x
Dorset 1 1.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Loddiswell in Devon leads with 13 Eastleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3611.11x.

Place Total Index
Loddiswell 13 3611.11x
Ugborough 13 1969.70x
Calstock 10 344.83x
Modbury 10 1449.28x
St Helier 10 79.30x
Islington London 8 6.32x
Paignton 8 386.47x
Plymstock 6 422.54x
Blackawton 5 1063.83x
Dartmouth St Saviour 5 641.03x
West Alvington 5 1315.79x
Aldershot 4 44.59x
Calverley Cum Farsley 4 108.70x
Tormoham 4 34.75x
Chelmsford 3 67.72x
Liverpool 3 3.19x
Minster In Sheppey 3 40.60x
Bampton 2 833.33x
Bermondsey 2 5.14x
Ermington 2 202.02x
Plymouth Charles The 2 16.68x
Hampstead London 1 4.91x
Heston 1 23.04x
Milton In Gravesend 1 14.95x
Shoreditch London 1 1.76x
Slapton 1 357.14x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 3.80x
St George Hanover Square 1 4.34x
Staines 1 48.31x
Wembury 1 400.00x
Westminster St John 1 6.28x
Weymouth 1 61.73x
Woolwich 1 6.07x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 11
Mary 10
Elizabeth 4
Ann 3
Edith 3
Emma 3
Florence 3
Annie 2
Beatrice 2
Ellen 2
Harriett 2
Jane 2
Louisa 2
Rosa 2
Ada 1
Amelia 1
Anne 1
Charles 1
Charlotte 1
Eliza 1
Emily 1
Esther 1
Etheldreda 1
Fanny 1
Frances 1
Jessey 1
Lydia 1
Margaret 1
Margret 1
Martha 1
Minnie 1
Sophia 1
Thurzana 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 10
William 10
Thomas 6
Richard 5
Charles 3
George 3
James 3
Robert 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Edwin 2
Frederick 2
Fredirick 2
Joseph 2
Arthur 1
Barnard 1
Chas.H. 1
Frank 1
Garibaldi 1
Harry 1
Jack 1
Lewis 1
Yard 1

FAQ

Eastley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Eastley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 124 people were recorded with the Eastley surname. That placed it at #17,429 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Eastley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 204 in 2016. That gives Eastley a modern rank of #19,320.

What does the Eastley surname mean?

A surname derived from an English place name referring to a clearing or meadow in the east.

What does the Eastley map show?

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