NameCensus.

UK surname

Emsley

A surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from Emsley in Yorkshire.

In the 1881 census there were 868 people recorded with the Emsley surname, ranking it #4,364 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 978, ranked #5,905, down from #4,364 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Calverley, Halifax and Bradford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wyre, Leeds and Craven.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Emsley is 1,101 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 12.7%.

1881 census count

868

Ranked #4,364

Modern count

978

2016, ranked #5,905

Peak year

1911

1,101 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Emsley had 868 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,364 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 978 in 2016, ranked #5,905.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,101 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Emsley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Emsley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Emsley 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 576 #4,422
1861 historical 605 #4,382
1881 historical 868 #4,364
1891 historical 989 #4,185
1901 historical 999 #4,766
1911 historical 1,101 #4,218
1997 modern 967 #5,640
1998 modern 999 #5,679
1999 modern 1,001 #5,710
2000 modern 1,008 #5,655
2001 modern 999 #5,582
2002 modern 1,042 #5,500
2003 modern 1,000 #5,593
2004 modern 990 #5,643
2005 modern 974 #5,654
2006 modern 962 #5,733
2007 modern 967 #5,766
2008 modern 954 #5,860
2009 modern 968 #5,914
2010 modern 975 #5,990
2011 modern 957 #6,041
2012 modern 961 #5,923
2013 modern 977 #5,930
2014 modern 978 #5,963
2015 modern 972 #5,945
2016 modern 978 #5,905

Geography

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Where Emsleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Calverley, Halifax, Bradford, Guiseley and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wyre, Leeds, Craven and Bradford. 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 Calverley Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Halifax Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Guiseley Yorkshire, West Riding
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wyre 005 Wyre
2 Leeds 101 Leeds
3 Leeds 011 Leeds
4 Craven 001 Craven
5 Bradford 002 Bradford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Emsley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Emsley

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Emsley, 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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Emsley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Emsley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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, Emsley 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

Emsley is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Emsley falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Emsley 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 Emsley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Emsley

The surname Emsley originated in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from a combination of the Old English words "emel," meaning "old," and "ley," meaning "field" or "meadow." This suggests that the name was initially given to someone who lived near an old field or meadow.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Emsley can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which lists a "John de Emelley" from Derbyshire. This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time.

In the 14th century, the Emsley surname appeared in various records, including the Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns of 1379, which mentions a "Willelmus de Emelley." This suggests that the name was present in different regions of England during this period.

The Emsley surname has also been associated with several place names, such as Emley in West Yorkshire and Emley Woodhouse in Derbyshire. These place names likely contributed to the development and spread of the surname.

Notable individuals throughout history bearing the Emsley surname include:

1. William Emsley (1751-1821), an English industrialist and entrepreneur who played a significant role in the development of the textile industry in Manchester.

2. John Emsley (1838-1913), a British chemist and author who published numerous works on chemistry and its applications.

3. Clive Emsley (1944-), a British historian and academic known for his contributions to the study of crime, policing, and social history.

4. Bert Emsley (1899-1983), an English professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for several clubs, including Liverpool and Everton.

5. Steven Emsley (born 1969), a British actor and writer best known for his roles in television series such as "Coronation Street" and "Emmerdale."

While these are just a few examples, the Emsley surname has been present throughout English history, with its origins rooted in the medieval period and a connection to various regions and place names within the country.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Emsley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Emsley 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. Yorkshire leads with 687 Emsleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.19x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 687 8.19x
Lancashire 58 0.58x
Middlesex 39 0.46x
Sussex 33 2.31x
Angus 14 1.78x
Durham 7 0.28x
Surrey 5 0.12x
Cheshire 4 0.21x
Norfolk 3 0.23x
Northamptonshire 3 0.38x
Ayrshire 2 0.32x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.39x
Derbyshire 2 0.15x
Perthshire 2 0.53x
Staffordshire 2 0.07x
Warwickshire 2 0.09x
Kincardineshire 1 0.97x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.09x
Shropshire 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Pudsey in Yorkshire leads with 106 Emsleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 236.34x.

Place Total Index
Pudsey 106 236.34x
Horton In Bradford 64 48.84x
Rawdon 48 485.83x
Northowram 42 71.39x
Bradford 39 19.20x
Leeds 36 7.60x
Pendleton In Salford 32 26.73x
Bramley In Bramley 26 80.95x
Manningham 24 23.22x
Clayton 21 102.29x
Yeadon 20 105.54x
Bowling 18 21.66x
Hunslet 15 11.47x
Holbeck 14 25.18x
Wortley In Bramley 14 21.07x
Henfield 13 237.23x
Bethnal Green London 12 3.26x
Idle 12 30.85x
Otley 12 58.91x
Ashurst 11 1018.52x
Liff Benvie 10 8.40x
Tong 10 61.69x
Hunsworth 9 204.55x
Keighley 9 10.06x
Manchester 9 1.99x
North Bierley 9 19.87x
Sheffield 8 2.99x
Southowram 8 31.24x
Ashton Under Lyne 7 3.19x
Crossgate 7 63.58x
Appletreewick 6 857.14x
Bromley London 6 3.22x
Huddersfield 6 4.91x
Thornton In Craven 6 89.15x
Beeston 5 58.89x
Bingley 5 9.36x
Doncaster 5 8.16x
Islington London 5 0.61x
Lambeth 5 0.68x
Skipton 5 18.94x
Barnsley 4 4.62x
Bishop Thornton 4 287.77x
Dewsbury 4 4.65x
Farnley In Bramley 4 38.20x
Haverah Park 4 2105.26x
Headingley Cum Burley 4 7.41x
Horsforth 4 21.74x
Shoreditch London 4 1.09x
Willesden 4 5.01x
Wivelsfield 4 71.68x
Baildon 3 18.99x
Bewerley 3 86.96x
Bollin Fee 3 36.19x
Calverley Cum Farsley 3 12.59x
Forfar 3 7.06x
Hartshead 3 79.79x
Heckmondwike 3 11.12x
Holy Trinity 3 1.49x
Menwith Cum Darley 3 179.64x
Midgley 3 33.56x
Northampton St Sepulchre 3 7.40x
Skircoat 3 9.07x
Thruscross 3 326.09x
Armley 2 5.40x
Birmingham 2 0.28x
Birstwith 2 140.85x
Brightside Bierlow 2 1.22x
Burnsall 2 571.43x
Cawood 2 62.31x
Eccleshill 2 9.79x
Eckington 2 6.21x
Heston 2 7.11x
Ilkley 2 14.59x
Lakenham 2 10.81x
Newton On Ayr 2 10.54x
Sawley In Ripon 2 185.19x
Scone 2 29.63x
St George Hanover Square 2 1.34x
Stony Stratford East 2 94.79x
Wolstanton 2 2.30x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 65
Sarah 55
Elizabeth 28
Emma 20
Martha 19
Hannah 18
Annie 17
Jane 14
Ann 13
Eliza 12
Ellen 12
Emily 9
Harriet 9
Ada 6
Alice 6
Charlotte 6
Margaret 6
Edith 5
Agnes 4
Elizebeth 4
Florence 4
Maria 4
Clara 3
Harriett 3
Rebecca 3
Adelaide 2
Anne 2
Bertha 2
Caroline 2
Fanny 2
Grace 2
Kate 2
Leah 2
Louisa 2
Lydia 2
Rhoda 2
Rose 2
Susannah 2
Amelia 1
Avice 1
Betty 1
Elizebth 1
Emm 1
Emmeline 1
Hetty 1
Infant 1
Isabella 1
Isalbella 1
Jame 1
William 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 52
John 43
Joseph 35
James 27
Thomas 23
Charles 16
George 14
Henry 11
Alfred 10
Samuel 10
Arthur 8
Benjamin 8
Walter 8
Albert 7
David 7
Edward 7
Fred 7
Harry 7
Herbert 7
Robert 7
Matthew 6
Richard 5
Edwin 4
Joshua 4
Edmund 3
Frederick 3
Sam 3
Simeon 3
Ben 2
Chas. 2
Demain 2
Eli 2
Elijah 2
Frank 2
Fredrick 2
Isaac 2
J. 2
Louis 2
Tom 2
Willie 2
Daniel 1
Ephraim 1
Ernest 1
Ezra 1
Farrar 1
Flesher 1
Francis 1
Hustler 1
Hy. 1
Wm.Hy. 1

FAQ

Emsley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Emsley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 868 people were recorded with the Emsley surname. That placed it at #4,364 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Emsley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 978 in 2016. That gives Emsley a modern rank of #5,905.

What does the Emsley surname mean?

A surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from Emsley in Yorkshire.

What does the Emsley map show?

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