NameCensus.

UK surname

Galley

An occupational surname referring to a chef or cook on a ship or galley.

In the 1881 census there were 1,067 people recorded with the Galley surname, ranking it #3,704 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,462, ranked #4,211, down from #3,704 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Over, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leeds, Bassetlaw and Sedgemoor.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Galley is 1,633 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 37.0%.

1881 census count

1,067

Ranked #3,704

Modern count

1,462

2016, ranked #4,211

Peak year

1999

1,633 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Galley had 1,067 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,704 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,462 in 2016, ranked #4,211.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,608 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Galley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Galley surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Galley 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 645 #4,025
1861 historical 777 #3,546
1881 historical 1,067 #3,704
1891 historical 1,243 #3,472
1901 historical 1,398 #3,599
1911 historical 1,608 #3,021
1997 modern 1,567 #3,763
1998 modern 1,616 #3,810
1999 modern 1,633 #3,797
2000 modern 1,612 #3,825
2001 modern 1,574 #3,836
2002 modern 1,582 #3,893
2003 modern 1,531 #3,928
2004 modern 1,536 #3,918
2005 modern 1,514 #3,931
2006 modern 1,531 #3,888
2007 modern 1,519 #3,952
2008 modern 1,540 #3,923
2009 modern 1,541 #4,019
2010 modern 1,573 #4,018
2011 modern 1,535 #4,070
2012 modern 1,500 #4,084
2013 modern 1,510 #4,136
2014 modern 1,521 #4,133
2015 modern 1,485 #4,174
2016 modern 1,462 #4,211

Geography

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Where Galleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Over, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, London parishes, Leeds and Great Leighs. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Leeds, Bassetlaw, Sedgemoor, King's Lynn and West Norfolk and Bolton. 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 Over Cheshire
2 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
3 London parishes London 3
4 Leeds Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Great Leighs Essex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Leeds 069 Leeds
2 Bassetlaw 004 Bassetlaw
3 Sedgemoor 005 Sedgemoor
4 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 019 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
5 Bolton 024 Bolton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Galley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Galley

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Galley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Galley 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Galley is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Galley is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Galley falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Galley

The surname Galley is of English origin, derived from the Old French word "galie" or "galée," meaning a galley or a type of medieval ship. It is believed that the name first emerged in England around the 13th century, likely referring to someone who worked on or was associated with these vessels.

During the Middle Ages, the Galley name appeared in various historical records, including the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1279, where it was recorded as "Galye." This early spelling variation suggests a direct link to the Old French word "galie."

One of the earliest known bearers of the Galley surname was John Galley, who was mentioned in the records of the Borough of Colchester, Essex, in 1365. This reference provides evidence of the name's presence in medieval England.

In the 16th century, the Galley surname was also found in the parish records of St. Michael's Church in Stamford, Lincolnshire. The christening of Margaret Galley was recorded there in 1570, indicating the continued use and spread of the name across different regions of England.

Notably, the Galley name has been associated with several prominent individuals throughout history. One such figure was Sir Robert Galley (1565-1644), an English merchant and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Newcastle-under-Lyme in 1625 and 1626.

Another notable bearer of the Galley surname was Edmund Galley (1599-1675), an English clergyman and author who served as the chaplain to King Charles I during the English Civil War. His literary works include "A Treatise of the Forme of Prayer," published in 1642.

In the 18th century, the Galley name gained further recognition with the birth of John Gaspard Galley (1715-1782), a French-born British painter and engraver known for his landscape paintings and etchings.

Towards the 19th century, Thomas Galley (1780-1855) was a prominent English architect who designed several notable buildings, including the Royal Pavilion in Brighton and the Canberra Memorial in London.

Furthermore, the Galley surname has been linked to various place names in England, such as Galley Hill in Kent and Galley Wood in Surrey, which may have influenced the origin and spread of the name in certain regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Galley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Galley 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. Durham leads with 175 Galleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.64x.

County Total Index
Durham 175 5.64x
Essex 148 7.19x
Lancashire 114 0.92x
Cheshire 112 4.87x
Middlesex 95 0.91x
Norfolk 60 3.74x
Yorkshire 56 0.54x
Staffordshire 48 1.36x
Cambridgeshire 41 6.21x
Northumberland 41 2.64x
Surrey 33 0.65x
Suffolk 22 1.73x
Hampshire 20 0.94x
Gloucestershire 19 0.93x
Derbyshire 15 0.92x
Kent 14 0.39x
Dorset 10 1.46x
Huntingdonshire 7 3.38x
Shropshire 7 0.78x
Sussex 7 0.40x
Glamorgan 6 0.33x
Devon 5 0.23x
Worcestershire 4 0.29x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.14x
Berkshire 1 0.13x
Cumberland 1 0.11x
Inverness-shire 1 0.32x
Isle of Man 1 0.52x
Oxfordshire 1 0.16x
Renfrewshire 1 0.12x
Ross-shire 1 0.35x
Royal Navy 1 0.80x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Over in Cheshire leads with 34 Galleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 145.36x.

Place Total Index
Over 34 145.36x
Wolsingham 23 81.36x
Nantwich 21 78.50x
Braintree 19 102.81x
Limehouse London 18 15.72x
Cornsay 17 203.59x
Great Tey 17 682.73x
Great Leighs 15 559.70x
Pendleton In Salford 15 10.18x
Great Henny 14 1308.41x
Monks Coppenhall 14 16.12x
Poplar London 14 7.11x
Borough Green 13 902.78x
North Shields 13 41.99x
Stoke Upon Trent 13 3.48x
Ventnor 13 63.94x
Brightside Bierlow 12 5.92x
Gorton 12 10.32x
Houghton Le Spring 12 55.94x
Satley 12 674.16x
Wolstanton 12 11.22x
Lambeth 11 1.21x
Leeds 11 1.89x
Mile End Old Town London 11 4.96x
Monkwearmouth Shore 11 18.16x
Great Bradley 10 775.19x
Heigham 10 11.62x
Little Waltham 10 483.09x
Methwold 10 192.68x
Newbottle 10 59.03x
Bradford 9 15.54x
Hetton Le Hole 9 22.89x
Macclesfield 9 8.80x
Salford 9 2.47x
Shoreditch London 9 1.99x
Swanage 9 106.51x
Toxteth Park 9 2.15x
West Ham 9 1.98x
West Rainton 9 93.75x
Willington 9 50.20x
Cocken 8 412.37x
Dover St Mary Virgin 8 23.24x
Pemberton 8 16.21x
Sunderland 8 14.60x
Boreham 7 197.18x
Cannock 7 11.40x
Chesterfield 7 11.44x
Chirton 7 19.94x
Framwellgate 7 38.08x
Hempstead 7 280.00x
Hockwold Cum Wilton 7 256.41x
Hough 7 714.29x
Liscard 7 16.88x
Liverpool 7 0.93x
Portsea 7 1.67x
Stanhope 7 21.85x
Westminster St Margaret 7 13.92x
Acton 6 9.82x
Bromley London 6 2.62x
Burwell 6 75.85x
Bury St Edmunds St Mary 6 25.17x
Great Bolton 6 3.66x
Hedley Woodside 6 375.00x
Helmington Row 6 41.52x
Hulme 6 2.32x
Manchester 6 1.08x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 6 6.48x
Rushall 6 28.97x
Trumpington 6 178.57x
Alverthorpe Cum Thornes 5 13.32x
Ardsley 5 41.98x
Cressing 5 259.07x
Eckington 5 12.61x
Kensington London 5 0.86x
Lostock Gralam 5 180.51x
Roath 5 6.06x
St Andrewthe Less 5 6.63x
Stapleford Abbots 5 284.09x
Stranton 5 4.79x
Swaffham Prior 5 172.41x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 81
John 77
George 52
Thomas 45
James 36
Joseph 32
Henry 14
Robert 14
Arthur 13
Charles 13
Samuel 12
Walter 11
Edward 10
Frederick 9
Alfred 8
Ralph 5
Albert 4
Frank 4
Fredrick 4
Tom 4
Andrew 3
Benjamin 3
Chas. 3
Daniel 3
Fred 3
Harry 3
Herbert 3
Percy 3
Richard 3
Thos. 3
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Fredk. 2
Harold 2
Jabez 2
Josiah 2
Matthew 2
Uriah 2
Wm. 2
Archbold 1
Chas.H. 1
Conrad 1
Cuthbert 1
Elizah 1
Enoch 1
F.R. 1
Frederik 1
Isiah 1
Jno.Wm. 1
Wm.Hy. 1

FAQ

Galley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Galley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,067 people were recorded with the Galley surname. That placed it at #3,704 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Galley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,462 in 2016. That gives Galley a modern rank of #4,211.

What does the Galley surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a chef or cook on a ship or galley.

What does the Galley map show?

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