NameCensus.

UK surname

Ellery

An English place name derived from the Old English word "alor" meaning meadow.

In the 1881 census there were 807 people recorded with the Ellery surname, ranking it #4,623 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 861, ranked #6,510, down from #4,623 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Padstow, Redruth and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Rotherham and Doncaster.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ellery is 939 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 6.7%.

1881 census count

807

Ranked #4,623

Modern count

861

2016, ranked #6,510

Peak year

1911

939 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ellery had 807 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,623 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 861 in 2016, ranked #6,510.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 939 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Ellery surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ellery surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ellery 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 643 #4,042
1861 historical 484 #5,397
1881 historical 807 #4,623
1891 historical 754 #5,285
1901 historical 925 #5,041
1911 historical 939 #4,779
1997 modern 883 #6,051
1998 modern 892 #6,203
1999 modern 893 #6,239
2000 modern 866 #6,358
2001 modern 837 #6,419
2002 modern 887 #6,246
2003 modern 865 #6,255
2004 modern 861 #6,289
2005 modern 863 #6,235
2006 modern 857 #6,276
2007 modern 869 #6,269
2008 modern 872 #6,282
2009 modern 903 #6,247
2010 modern 909 #6,343
2011 modern 898 #6,333
2012 modern 897 #6,261
2013 modern 902 #6,330
2014 modern 891 #6,425
2015 modern 869 #6,486
2016 modern 861 #6,510

Geography

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Where Ellerys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Padstow, Redruth, London parishes, North Nibley, Wotton-under-Edge and St Columb Minor. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Rotherham, Doncaster and Shropshire. 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 Padstow Cornwall
2 Redruth Cornwall
3 London parishes London 3
4 North Nibley, Wotton-under-Edge Gloucestershire
5 St Columb Minor Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 019 Cornwall
2 Rotherham 029 Rotherham
3 Doncaster 005 Doncaster
4 Shropshire 026 Shropshire
5 Rotherham 028 Rotherham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ellery

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ellery

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Ellery is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ellery is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ellery 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 Ellery is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Ellery

The surname Ellery is believed to have originated in England, tracing its roots back to the Anglo-Saxon era. It is derived from the Old English words "el," meaning "eel," and "ry," meaning "a stream or waterway." This suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals who lived near a waterway where eels were found.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ellery can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive record of landowners and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared as "Elredi" and "Elredi," suggesting variations in spelling during that time.

During the Middle Ages, the name was often spelled as "Ellerye" or "Ellerie," reflecting the influence of Norman French on the English language after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Records from this period show that the Ellery family held lands in various parts of England, including Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the name Ellery was William Ellery (1505-1572), who served as a Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another prominent individual was Thomas Ellery (1648-1718), a merchant and landowner in the city of Bristol.

Moving into the 17th century, William Ellery (1727-1820) was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, representing the state of Rhode Island. He was a successful merchant and politician who played a significant role in the American Revolution.

In the literary world, John Ellery (1753-1826) was an English poet and critic who gained recognition for his works, which included "Specimens of the Classic Poets" and "Poetical Essays on the Truths of Christianity."

Another notable figure was Charles Ellery (1792-1862), an English artist and engraver who specialized in landscape paintings and etchings. His works were widely admired and are now part of several prestigious art collections.

Throughout its history, the surname Ellery has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including politicians, merchants, artists, and writers. While the exact origin and meaning of the name may have evolved over time, it remains a distinctly English surname with a rich heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ellery families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ellery 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. Cornwall leads with 220 Ellerys recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.50x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 220 24.50x
Devon 111 6.72x
Dorset 91 17.48x
Hampshire 57 3.51x
Lancashire 46 0.49x
Gloucestershire 45 2.89x
Surrey 43 1.11x
Middlesex 41 0.52x
Glamorgan 25 1.81x
Yorkshire 25 0.32x
Wiltshire 20 2.85x
Worcestershire 16 1.54x
Warwickshire 13 0.65x
Somerset 11 0.86x
Derbyshire 9 0.72x
Northumberland 8 0.68x
Royal Navy 6 6.35x
Kent 5 0.18x
Hertfordshire 4 0.73x
Carmarthenshire 2 0.60x
Durham 2 0.08x
Leicestershire 2 0.23x
Monmouthshire 2 0.35x
Northamptonshire 2 0.27x
Berkshire 1 0.17x
Brecknockshire 1 0.63x
Essex 1 0.06x
Shropshire 1 0.15x
Staffordshire 1 0.04x
Sussex 1 0.07x
West Lothian 1 0.84x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Egloshayle in Cornwall leads with 20 Ellerys recorded in 1881 and an index of 475.06x.

Place Total Index
Egloshayle 20 475.06x
Plymouth St Andrew 18 14.15x
Battersea 17 5.83x
Broadmayne 17 1223.02x
Loders 17 656.37x
Perranzabuloe 17 219.35x
Portsea 17 5.34x
Redruth 17 66.93x
Swansea Town 17 15.02x
St Minver 15 547.45x
Tywardreath 15 259.97x
Blackburn 14 5.59x
Lanteglos By Fowey 13 356.16x
Northowram 13 23.59x
Plympton St Mary 13 136.27x
St Columb Minor 13 172.41x
Stoke Damerel 13 11.25x
Litton Cheney 12 952.38x
Padstow 12 201.01x
Southampton St Mary 12 11.74x
Longbredy 11 1774.19x
Lifton 10 251.89x
Clapham 9 9.08x
Madron Penzance 9 27.57x
St Issey 9 489.13x
Weymouth 9 91.28x
Winterborne Whitechurch 9 782.61x
Bermondsey 8 3.39x
Broughton Gifford 8 481.93x
Islington London 8 1.04x
Tavistock 8 42.55x
East Stonehouse 7 21.53x
Ryde 7 20.05x
Sutton Benger 7 721.65x
Truro St Mary 7 92.84x
West Derby 7 2.54x
Andover 6 39.06x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 6 4.10x
Dewlish 6 480.00x
Droitwich St Andrew 6 229.89x
Gerrans 6 247.93x
Hexham 6 32.86x
Lezant 6 298.51x
Painswick 6 54.55x
Plymouth Charles The 6 8.25x
Royal Navy 6 7.43x
Saltash 6 86.21x
St Austell 6 19.55x
Westminster St Margaret 6 15.68x
Aston 5 0.91x
Dawlish 5 40.62x
Llandaff 5 10.88x
Modbury 5 118.48x
St Pancras London 5 0.78x
St Pinnock 5 367.65x
Upton On Severn 5 73.75x
West Teignmouth 5 39.59x
Westminster St John 5 5.18x
Wormhill 5 192.31x
Birmingham 4 0.60x
Bodmin 4 26.94x
Everton 4 1.33x
Halifax 4 3.47x
Kelly 4 645.16x
Kingswood 4 158.10x
Lyndhurst 4 89.89x
Mangotsfield 4 25.81x
Oldbury On Hill 4 380.95x
Salford 4 1.45x
St Albans St Peter 4 21.69x
St Marylebone London 4 0.94x
Weston 4 40.73x
Aislaby In Whitby 3 329.67x
Bodmin St Mabyn 3 600.00x
Leigh On Mendip 3 240.00x
South Stoneham 3 8.51x
St Columb Major 3 40.27x
St Mary Magdalene 3 45.45x
St Stephens By Saltash 3 77.52x
Stapleton 3 10.17x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 76
Elizabeth 40
Sarah 25
Jane 23
Ellen 19
Emma 14
Eliza 12
Annie 10
Ann 9
Ada 8
Catherine 8
Alice 7
Amelia 7
Hannah 7
Bessie 6
Emily 6
Florence 6
Margaret 6
Caroline 5
Charlotte 5
Kate 5
Anna 4
Fanny 4
Harriet 4
Rosina 4
Susan 4
Beatrice 3
Eleanor 3
Elizth. 3
Esther 3
Ethel 3
Grace 3
Isabella 3
Martha 3
Minnie 3
Agnes 2
Blanche 2
Edith 2
Harriett 2
Katie 2
Laura 2
Lilian 2
Louisa 2
Maria 2
Rhoda 2
Selina 2
Bessey 1
Elgina 1
Elina 1
Eliz. 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 53
John 51
George 27
Thomas 25
Charles 17
James 17
Henry 14
Samuel 14
Frederick 13
Richard 13
Alfred 11
Joseph 8
Arthur 7
Albert 6
Edward 6
Ernest 5
Francis 5
Andrew 4
Edmund 3
Edwin 3
Frank 3
Fred 3
Harry 3
Herbert 3
Robert 3
Thos. 3
Walter 3
Augustus 2
Christopher 2
Elijah 2
Frederic 2
Henery 2
Stephen 2
Willm. 2
Wm. 2
Chas. 1
Clarence 1
Daniel 1
Fred. 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Georg 1
Jeffery 1
Manfred 1
Oliver 1
Owen 1
Reginald 1
Reuben 1
Wm.J. 1

FAQ

Ellery surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ellery surname in 1881?

In 1881, 807 people were recorded with the Ellery surname. That placed it at #4,623 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ellery surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 861 in 2016. That gives Ellery a modern rank of #6,510.

What does the Ellery surname mean?

An English place name derived from the Old English word "alor" meaning meadow.

What does the Ellery map show?

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