UK surname
A derivative of the medieval English feminine name Elia, of uncertain origin.
In the 1881 census there were 105 people recorded with the Elly surname, ranking it #19,183 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 61, ranked #34,287, down from #19,183 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Manchester, Weston and Walcott, Charlcome. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Elly is 170 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 41.9%.
1881 census count
105
Ranked #19,183
Modern count
61
2016, ranked #34,287
Peak year
1861
170 bearers
Map years
5
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Elly surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Elly surname density by area, 1881 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 | 87 | #18,695 |
| 1861 | historical | 170 | #13,763 |
| 1881 | historical | 105 | #19,183 |
| 1891 | historical | 146 | #18,664 |
| 1901 | historical | 104 | #22,310 |
| 1911 | historical | 134 | #19,131 |
| 1997 | modern | 75 | #30,109 |
| 1998 | modern | 81 | #29,849 |
| 1999 | modern | 79 | #30,243 |
| 2000 | modern | 62 | #31,939 |
| 2001 | modern | 60 | #31,985 |
| 2002 | modern | 61 | #32,286 |
| 2003 | modern | 60 | #32,446 |
| 2004 | modern | 62 | #32,478 |
| 2005 | modern | 61 | #32,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 57 | #33,513 |
| 2007 | modern | 62 | #33,346 |
| 2008 | modern | 58 | #33,918 |
| 2009 | modern | 59 | #34,072 |
| 2010 | modern | 66 | #33,791 |
| 2011 | modern | 57 | #34,393 |
| 2012 | modern | 54 | #34,608 |
| 2013 | modern | 57 | #34,538 |
| 2014 | modern | 57 | #34,556 |
| 2015 | modern | 59 | #34,407 |
| 2016 | modern | 61 | #34,287 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Manchester, Weston, Walcott, Charlcome, Bath St Michael and Stockport. 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 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 2 | Weston | Somerset |
| 3 | Walcott, Charlcome | Somerset |
| 4 | Bath St Michael | Somerset |
| 5 | Stockport | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Elly 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 Elly, 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 Elly surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Elly 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, Elly 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 Elly is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Elly, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "ELLY" is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It likely derived from the Old English word "ealh," which meant "temple" or "shrine." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near or worked at a temple or other religious site.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "ELLY" can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and population across much of England and parts of Wales. The entry refers to a landowner named "Aelfric de Ealh" in the county of Oxfordshire.
During the 13th century, various spellings of the name emerged, including "Ely," "Elie," and "Elly." These variations likely arose due to regional dialects and the inconsistent spelling conventions of the time.
In the 14th century, the surname "ELLY" appeared in several historical records. For instance, a man named John Elly was listed as a resident of the town of Stratford-upon-Avon in 1327. This town is notable for being the birthplace of the renowned playwright William Shakespeare.
One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname "ELLY" was Sir William Elly (1390-1456), a member of the English gentry and a prominent landowner in the counties of Wiltshire and Dorset. He served as a knight of the shire (a representative in Parliament) for Wiltshire in 1421 and 1432.
Another notable figure was Thomas Elly (1543-1609), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Dean of Winchester Cathedral from 1599 until his death. He was also a distinguished scholar and contributed to the translation of the King James Bible.
In the 17th century, the name "ELLY" was found in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk. One notable individual from this period was Robert Elly (1612-1681), a merchant and member of the East India Company who played a significant role in the company's trade activities in Asia.
During the 18th century, the surname "ELLY" was associated with several families of notable status and wealth. For example, the Elly family of Beverley, Yorkshire, owned substantial estates and had connections to the local nobility.
Throughout the 19th century, individuals bearing the surname "ELLY" continued to make their mark in various fields. One such notable figure was Sir John Elly (1823-1901), a British politician and businessman who served as a Member of Parliament and held directorships in several companies.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Elly 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. Somerset leads with 41 Ellys recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.87x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Somerset | 41 | 24.87x |
| Lancashire | 26 | 2.14x |
| Cheshire | 7 | 3.10x |
| Lanarkshire | 6 | 1.81x |
| Lincolnshire | 6 | 3.66x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 0.59x |
| Staffordshire | 3 | 0.87x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 1.00x |
| Sussex | 2 | 1.16x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 1.30x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.47x |
| Flintshire | 1 | 3.63x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.29x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 0.64x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.20x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Walcot in Somerset leads with 24 Ellys recorded in 1881 and an index of 273.35x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Walcot | 24 | 273.35x |
| Ashton Under Lyne | 18 | 67.77x |
| Weston | 9 | 708.66x |
| Rusholme | 8 | 246.91x |
| Barony | 6 | 7.16x |
| Dukinfield | 6 | 57.42x |
| Lyncombe Widcombe | 6 | 138.89x |
| St George Hanover Square | 5 | 27.70x |
| Sausthorpe | 4 | 8000.00x |
| Bath St James | 2 | 116.28x |
| Bristol St George | 2 | 21.53x |
| Uttoxeter | 2 | 112.99x |
| Brighton | 1 | 2.87x |
| Cheadle | 1 | 23.15x |
| Croydon | 1 | 3.61x |
| Deal | 1 | 33.56x |
| Gittisham | 1 | 625.00x |
| Heigham | 1 | 11.83x |
| Hove | 1 | 13.19x |
| Metheringham | 1 | 153.85x |
| Moulton | 1 | 126.58x |
| Ramshorn | 1 | 2500.00x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.21x |
| Whitchurch | 1 | 312.50x |
| Whitford | 1 | 69.93x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Elly 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 Elly 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 Elly households.
FAQ
In 1881, 105 people were recorded with the Elly surname. That placed it at #19,183 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 61 in 2016. That gives Elly a modern rank of #34,287.
A derivative of the medieval English feminine name Elia, of uncertain origin.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Elly 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.