NameCensus.

UK surname

Fishley

English surname denoting someone from a place named for a fishpond or fish farm.

In the 1881 census there were 81 people recorded with the Fishley surname, ranking it #22,082 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 97, ranked #31,585, down from #22,082 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Devonport Stonehouse, East, London parishes and Fremington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leeds, Gloucester and Selby.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fishley is 116 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 19.8%.

1881 census count

81

Ranked #22,082

Modern count

97

2016, ranked #31,585

Peak year

1891

116 bearers

Map years

3

1891 to 2006

Key insights

  • Fishley had 81 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #22,082 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 97 in 2016, ranked #31,585.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 116 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Fishley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Fishley surname density by area, 2006 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Fishley 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 61 #22,412
1861 historical 81 #23,431
1881 historical 81 #22,082
1891 historical 116 #21,766
1901 historical 92 #23,800
1911 historical 86 #24,243
1997 modern 105 #26,188
1998 modern 109 #26,273
1999 modern 110 #26,315
2000 modern 100 #27,695
2001 modern 102 #27,093
2002 modern 109 #26,552
2003 modern 101 #27,561
2004 modern 93 #29,065
2005 modern 102 #27,689
2006 modern 101 #28,125
2007 modern 97 #29,156
2008 modern 98 #29,355
2009 modern 97 #30,076
2010 modern 104 #29,618
2011 modern 101 #29,938
2012 modern 96 #30,949
2013 modern 102 #30,415
2014 modern 102 #30,714
2015 modern 100 #31,005
2016 modern 97 #31,585

Geography

Back to top

Where Fishleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Devonport Stonehouse, East, London parishes, Fremington, Swansea and Plymouth St Charles the Martyr. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Leeds, Gloucester, Selby, Solihull and North Devon. 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 Devonport Stonehouse, East Devon
2 London parishes London 1
3 Fremington Devon
4 Swansea Glamorganshire
5 Plymouth St Charles the Martyr Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Leeds 042 Leeds
2 Gloucester 005 Gloucester
3 Selby 002 Selby
4 Solihull 007 Solihull
5 North Devon 012 North Devon

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Fishley

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Fishley

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Fishley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Fishley 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Fishley is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Fishley 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

Fishley 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 Fishley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Fishley

The surname Fishley has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be a locational surname, derived from a place name in Norfolk, possibly referring to a fishing settlement or an area known for its fishing activities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Fishley can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were records of land ownership and taxation in England. This suggests that the name was already established in the region by the late 13th century.

During the medieval period, the spelling of the surname varied, with forms such as Fisshele, Fissheley, and Fyssheley appearing in various historical documents. These variations reflect the fluid nature of surname spellings before they became standardized.

The Fishley surname is also associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was John Fishley, a merchant and alderman of Norwich in the 15th century, who played a significant role in the city's affairs during his lifetime (c. 1420 – 1490).

Another prominent bearer of the Fishley name was Sir Robert Fishley, a military commander who served in the English Civil War during the 17th century (c. 1610 – 1675). He fought on the Parliamentarian side and was known for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.

In the 18th century, a notable individual named Mary Fishley (1720 – 1795) gained recognition as a philanthropist and benefactor in Norfolk. She established several charitable institutions and left a lasting legacy in the region.

Moving into the 19th century, William Fishley (1825 – 1890) was a prominent author and historian who wrote extensively about the history and culture of Norfolk. His works provided invaluable insights into the region's past and helped preserve its rich heritage.

Another notable figure was Sir Edward Fishley (1860 – 1935), a politician and member of the British Parliament who represented a Norfolk constituency for several years. He was known for his advocacy of agricultural interests and his efforts to support rural communities.

Throughout its history, the Fishley surname has been associated with various locations in Norfolk, reflecting its locational origins. While the name may have evolved over time, it has maintained a strong connection to its English roots and the fishing traditions of the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Fishley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fishley 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. Devon leads with 47 Fishleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 27.89x.

County Total Index
Devon 47 27.89x
Cornwall 23 25.10x
Surrey 7 1.77x
Royal Navy 2 20.73x
Anglesey 1 6.97x
Clackmannanshire 1 14.95x
Middlesex 1 0.12x
Yorkshire 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Instow in Devon leads with 10 Fishleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 5555.56x.

Place Total Index
Instow 10 5555.56x
St Endellion 9 2812.50x
Fremington 8 2352.94x
Clapham 7 69.17x
St Minver 7 2500.00x
Cookbury 6 12000.00x
Stonehouse East 6 705.88x
East Stonehouse 4 120.48x
Plymouth St Andrew 4 30.82x
East Looe 3 810.81x
Barnstaple 2 75.76x
Great Torrington 2 208.33x
Royal Navy 2 24.24x
Stoke Damerel 2 16.96x
Alloa 1 30.86x
Ashford 1 156.25x
Brightside Bierlow 1 6.36x
Holyhead 1 37.45x
Okehampton 1 156.25x
Padstow 1 163.93x
Plymouth Charles The 1 13.48x
Sandford 1 243.90x
St Breock 1 200.00x
St Mary Magdalene 1 149.25x
St Stephen In Brannel 1 119.05x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 9
John 6
Charles 3
Robert 3
Saml.Billing 3
Frederick 2
James 2
Samuel 2
Archibald 1
Arscott 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Francis 1
Fredk.D. 1
George 1
Herman 1
Ralph 1
Richard 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Fishley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Fishley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 81 people were recorded with the Fishley surname. That placed it at #22,082 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Fishley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 97 in 2016. That gives Fishley a modern rank of #31,585.

What does the Fishley surname mean?

English surname denoting someone from a place named for a fishpond or fish farm.

What does the Fishley map show?

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