NameCensus.

UK surname

Faley

A surname derived from a place name related to valleys or flat lands.

In the 1881 census there were 94 people recorded with the Faley surname, ranking it #20,467 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 105, ranked #30,114, down from #20,467 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Aberavon, St Leonard Bromley and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Harrow, Rotherham and Doncaster.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Faley is 215 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 11.7%.

1881 census count

94

Ranked #20,467

Modern count

105

2016, ranked #30,114

Peak year

1861

215 bearers

Map years

6

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Faley had 94 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #20,467 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 105 in 2016, ranked #30,114.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 215 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Faley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Faley surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Faley 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 109 #16,212
1861 historical 215 #11,316
1881 historical 94 #20,467
1891 historical 157 #17,778
1901 historical 84 #24,759
1911 historical 69 #25,965
1997 modern 103 #26,498
1998 modern 104 #26,981
1999 modern 98 #28,050
2000 modern 101 #27,555
2001 modern 101 #27,252
2002 modern 113 #26,024
2003 modern 103 #27,234
2004 modern 99 #28,136
2005 modern 104 #27,369
2006 modern 106 #27,332
2007 modern 102 #28,351
2008 modern 105 #28,180
2009 modern 107 #28,483
2010 modern 110 #28,666
2011 modern 112 #28,117
2012 modern 100 #30,258
2013 modern 108 #29,379
2014 modern 105 #30,204
2015 modern 108 #29,512
2016 modern 105 #30,114

Geography

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Where Faleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Aberavon, St Leonard Bromley, Manchester, St Giles-in-the-Fields and Garton-on-the-Wolds. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Harrow, Rotherham, Doncaster, Newcastle upon Tyne and Forest Heath. 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 Aberavon Glamorganshire
2 St Leonard Bromley London (East Districts)
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 St Giles-in-the-Fields London (Central Districts)
5 Garton-on-the-Wolds Yorkshire, East Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Harrow 031 Harrow
2 Rotherham 016 Rotherham
3 Doncaster 030 Doncaster
4 Newcastle upon Tyne 021 Newcastle upon Tyne
5 Forest Heath 004 Forest Heath

Forenames

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First names often paired with Faley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Faley

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Faley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Faley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Faley is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Faley is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Faley falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Faley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Faley

The surname FALEY is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the 13th century in the county of Norfolk, England. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "falegh," meaning "fallow land" or "uncultivated land," suggesting that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived or worked on such lands.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Norfolk, a census-like record from 1273, where it appears as "Falega." This variation in spelling was common during that era, as standardized spellings had not yet been established.

In the 14th century, the name FALEY appeared in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire, indicating its spread across different regions of England. During this time, the name was also recorded as "Faleye" and "Falley," further illustrating the fluidity of surnames in those days.

Notable historical figures bearing the FALEY surname include John Faley, a merchant and landowner from Lincolnshire, who lived in the late 15th century. His name is mentioned in various legal documents and property records from that period.

In the 16th century, Richard Faley, a prominent clergyman from Norfolk, is recorded as having served as the Rector of St. Mary's Church in the village of Fincham from 1542 to 1563.

The 17th century saw the emergence of William Faley, a successful entrepreneur from Yorkshire, who established a successful textile business and was known for his philanthropic endeavors in his local community.

During the 18th century, the name FALEY gained recognition through the works of Thomas Faley, a renowned poet and playwright from Gloucestershire, who was born in 1712 and died in 1785.

Another notable figure from the 19th century was Elizabeth Faley, a pioneering educator from Warwickshire, who established one of the first schools for girls in her region and made significant contributions to the advancement of women's education.

While the FALEY surname may not have been as widespread as some others, its rich history can be traced through various records and notable individuals who carried this name throughout the centuries, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who bore it.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Faley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Faley 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. Lancashire leads with 24 Faleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.21x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 24 2.21x
Middlesex 20 2.18x
Durham 14 5.13x
Yorkshire 14 1.54x
Midlothian 5 4.07x
Northumberland 5 3.67x
Glamorgan 3 1.88x
Kent 2 0.64x
Renfrewshire 2 2.82x
Devon 1 0.52x
Lanarkshire 1 0.34x
Lincolnshire 1 0.68x
Perthshire 1 2.43x
Warwickshire 1 0.43x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Newchurch in Lancashire leads with 9 Faleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 101.12x.

Place Total Index
Newchurch 9 101.12x
Southwick 8 310.08x
Garton On Wolds 7 4375.00x
Limehouse London 7 69.58x
Bishopwearmouth 5 21.36x
Edinburgh Greenside 5 308.64x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 5 61.35x
Hackney London 4 7.78x
Hulme 4 17.61x
St George In East London 4 46.40x
Fulham London 3 22.56x
Hollym 3 3750.00x
Merthyr Tydfil 3 19.56x
Kirkdale 2 10.93x
Manchester 2 4.09x
Standish With Langtree 2 149.25x
Warrington 2 15.50x
West Greenock 2 15.69x
Westminster St James 2 21.23x
Wortley In Bramley 2 27.82x
Birmingham 1 1.30x
Broughton In Salford 1 10.05x
Deptford St Nicholas 1 40.32x
Greenwich 1 6.85x
Hunslet 1 7.06x
Lamesley 1 68.03x
Lesmahagow 1 31.85x
Oldham 1 2.85x
Perth East Church 1 25.77x
Radcliffe 1 19.08x
Sledmere Cum Croom 1 625.00x
St Budeaux 1 169.49x
West Butterwick With 1 434.78x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 9
Patrick 5
Michael 4
Thomas 4
William 3
Martin 2
Peter 2
Carl 1
Edwin 1
Harry 1
Ilchie 1
James 1
Joseph 1
Mark 1
Matthew 1
Morris 1
Owen 1

FAQ

Faley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Faley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 94 people were recorded with the Faley surname. That placed it at #20,467 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Faley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 105 in 2016. That gives Faley a modern rank of #30,114.

What does the Faley surname mean?

A surname derived from a place name related to valleys or flat lands.

What does the Faley map show?

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