UK surname
Family name derived from a location, likely a place called Filley.
In the 1881 census there were 75 people recorded with the Filley surname, ranking it #22,893 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 14, ranked #37,178, down from #22,893 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and St Giles Camberwell. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Filley is 329 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 81.3%.
1881 census count
75
Ranked #22,893
Modern count
14
2016, ranked #37,178
Peak year
1861
329 bearers
Map years
5
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Filley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Filley surname density by area, 1911 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 | 141 | #13,507 |
| 1861 | historical | 329 | #7,748 |
| 1881 | historical | 75 | #22,893 |
| 1891 | historical | 272 | #11,957 |
| 1901 | historical | 123 | #20,248 |
| 1911 | historical | 181 | #15,911 |
| 1997 | modern | 17 | #36,181 |
| 1998 | modern | 19 | #36,009 |
| 1999 | modern | 20 | #35,923 |
| 2000 | modern | 18 | #36,104 |
| 2001 | modern | 17 | #36,053 |
| 2002 | modern | 16 | #36,267 |
| 2003 | modern | 14 | #36,512 |
| 2004 | modern | 15 | #36,530 |
| 2005 | modern | 17 | #36,407 |
| 2006 | modern | 15 | #36,707 |
| 2007 | modern | 14 | #36,886 |
| 2008 | modern | 13 | #37,056 |
| 2009 | modern | 13 | #37,140 |
| 2010 | modern | 14 | #37,124 |
| 2011 | modern | 11 | #37,397 |
| 2012 | modern | 12 | #37,292 |
| 2013 | modern | 13 | #37,224 |
| 2014 | modern | 14 | #37,161 |
| 2015 | modern | 14 | #37,157 |
| 2016 | modern | 14 | #37,178 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, St Giles Camberwell, Beeching Stoke and Gillingham, Grange, Lidsing. 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 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 2 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 3 | St Giles Camberwell | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Beeching Stoke | Wiltshire |
| 5 | Gillingham, Grange, Lidsing | Kent |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Filley 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 Filley, 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 Filley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Filley 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, Filley 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 Filley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Filley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Filley is of English origin, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "filegild," which means "one who pays a fee or tax." This suggests that the name may have originated from someone who held a position related to collecting taxes or fees.
The earliest known record of the name Filley can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is spelled as "Filegilede." This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, was a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England, providing valuable insight into the names and locations of people at that time.
In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Filleigh" and "Filey," reflecting the regional variations in spelling and pronunciation. One notable bearer of the name was John Filley, who was born in Northamptonshire, England, in 1275 and served as a tax collector for the local manor.
The Filley surname has been associated with several place names in England, particularly in the counties of Devon and Somerset. The village of Filleigh, located in Devon, is believed to have derived its name from the same Old English root as the surname, further reinforcing the connection between the name and tax collection or fee payment.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Filley name gained prominence in various parts of England. One notable figure was Sir Edward Filley (1550-1622), a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament for the borough of Taunton in Somerset. Another prominent individual was Elizabeth Filley (1592-1672), a Puritan writer and poet known for her religious works.
As the British Empire expanded, the Filley surname spread to various colonies and territories. In the 18th century, Samuel Filley (1720-1788) was a prominent merchant and landowner in the American colonies, settling in Connecticut. He played a significant role in the early development of the town of Bloomfield.
Another notable individual was William Filley (1786-1858), an American politician and lawyer who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for the state of Ohio. He was also a prominent abolitionist and played a key role in the Underground Railroad, assisting enslaved individuals in their pursuit of freedom.
Throughout its history, the surname Filley has been associated with various occupations, from tax collectors and landowners to merchants, politicians, and writers. While the name may have originated from a specific occupation or role, it has since transcended its initial meaning and become a respected surname carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Filley 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. Middlesex leads with 19 Filleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.60x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Strood in Kent leads with 13 Filleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 915.49x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Strood | 13 | 915.49x |
| Ipswich St Margaret | 7 | 231.79x |
| Leeds | 6 | 14.66x |
| Poplar London | 6 | 43.45x |
| Dudley | 5 | 43.07x |
| Norwich St Martin At Oak | 5 | 735.29x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 5 | 19.61x |
| Walcot | 5 | 79.74x |
| St George Martyr London | 4 | 270.27x |
| Gillingham | 3 | 58.25x |
| Bow London | 2 | 21.48x |
| Camberwell | 2 | 4.28x |
| St Pancras London | 2 | 3.40x |
| Chatham | 1 | 14.56x |
| Chelsea London | 1 | 4.54x |
| Cogan | 1 | 526.32x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 2.44x |
| Hornsey | 1 | 10.81x |
| Islington London | 1 | 1.41x |
| Reigate Foreign | 1 | 25.91x |
| Southwark Christchurch | 1 | 29.15x |
| Spitalfields London | 1 | 18.18x |
| West Ham | 1 | 3.14x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Filley 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 Filley 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 Filley households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 23 |
| Mariner | 3 |
| Silk Filler | 2 |
| Barmaid | 1 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Bricklayer Labourer | 1 |
| Bricklayers Laborer | 1 |
| Captain Of Barge (Lighter Man) | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Dairyman | 1 |
| Dom Ser Housemaid | 1 |
| Drapers Assistant | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Flax Mill Hand | 1 |
| Furniture Dealer | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Grocers Assistant | 1 |
| Housemaid(Domestic) | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Laborers Boy | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Mate | 1 |
| Milliner | 1 |
| Nursing (Hosp) | 1 |
| Pilot | 1 |
| Plate Chest Maker | 1 |
| Retired Wesleyan Minister | 1 |
| Shoe Riverter | 1 |
| Spade Forgeman | 1 |
| Tailors Assistant | 1 |
| Wife Of | 1 |
| Wife Plate Chest Maker | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 75 people were recorded with the Filley surname. That placed it at #22,893 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 14 in 2016. That gives Filley a modern rank of #37,178.
Family name derived from a location, likely a place called Filley.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Filley 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.