NameCensus.

UK surname

Glancey

A Gaelic surname likely derived from the Olde English word "glancing" meaning shining or bright.

In the 1881 census there were 203 people recorded with the Glancey surname, ranking it #12,717 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 237, ranked #17,418, down from #12,717 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Gateshead, Lochgelly East and Northumberland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Glancey is 303 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 16.7%.

1881 census count

203

Ranked #12,717

Modern count

237

2016, ranked #17,418

Peak year

1901

303 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Glancey had 203 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,717 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 237 in 2016, ranked #17,418.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 303 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Glancey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Glancey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Glancey 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 85 #18,940
1861 historical 141 #16,072
1881 historical 203 #12,717
1891 historical 232 #13,429
1901 historical 303 #11,569
1911 historical 153 #17,633
1997 modern 242 #15,597
1998 modern 254 #15,508
1999 modern 257 #15,506
2000 modern 250 #15,741
2001 modern 253 #15,403
2002 modern 251 #15,770
2003 modern 242 #15,960
2004 modern 241 #16,086
2005 modern 237 #16,244
2006 modern 232 #16,600
2007 modern 238 #16,505
2008 modern 241 #16,481
2009 modern 242 #16,789
2010 modern 250 #16,791
2011 modern 252 #16,543
2012 modern 229 #17,537
2013 modern 234 #17,556
2014 modern 242 #17,285
2015 modern 241 #17,235
2016 modern 237 #17,418

Geography

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Where Glanceys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow and Bedlington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Gateshead, Lochgelly East, Northumberland, Darlington and Earlston and Hurlford Rural. 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 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Bedlington Northumberland

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Gateshead 001 Gateshead
2 Lochgelly East Fife
3 Northumberland 024 Northumberland
4 Darlington 012 Darlington
5 Earlston and Hurlford Rural East Ayrshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Glancey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Glancey

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Glancey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Glancey household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Glancey is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Glancey is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Glancey falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Glancey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Glancey

The surname Glancey has its origins in Ireland, with records indicating its presence dating back to the 16th century. The name is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word "glancaidhe," which translates to "a person with a bright, shining appearance" or "one with a bright complexion."

Early records of the Glancey surname can be found in County Donegal, where it was particularly prominent in the Inishowen peninsula. The name is also found in County Derry and parts of Ulster. In its earliest forms, the name was spelled as "Glanchy" or "Glanchie" before evolving into its more modern spelling of "Glancey."

One of the earliest documented references to the Glancey name can be found in the Fiants of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, which recorded land grants and official appointments in Ireland during the late 16th century. Several individuals with the surname Glancey are mentioned in these records, indicating their presence in the region during that period.

In the 17th century, the Glancey surname appeared in the Hearth Money Rolls, which were records of households subject to a tax based on the number of hearths or fireplaces in their homes. This provides evidence of the name's continued presence and distribution across various parts of Ireland during that era.

Notable individuals bearing the Glancey surname throughout history include:

1. Sir John Glancey (1778-1861), an Irish-born soldier and politician who served as a member of the British Parliament for the constituency of Newry from 1826 to 1830.

2. Michael Glancey (1857-1938), an Irish author and journalist who wrote extensively about the history and culture of County Donegal.

3. Joseph Glancey (1910-1990), an Irish Catholic priest and scholar who was appointed as the Bishop of Brentwood in 1966.

4. William Glancey (1923-2018), a British artist and sculptor known for his public art installations and works in metal and stone.

5. Jonathan Glancey (born 1953), a British architecture critic and writer who has contributed to publications such as The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph.

The Glancey surname has also been associated with various place names in Ireland, such as Glancey Beg and Glancey More in County Donegal, further reinforcing its historical roots and geographical connections within the country.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Glancey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Glancey 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. Lanarkshire leads with 31 Glanceys recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.86x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 31 4.86x
Durham 29 4.95x
Midlothian 25 9.47x
Renfrewshire 24 15.72x
Lancashire 21 0.90x
Fife 11 9.43x
Stirlingshire 9 12.38x
Dunbartonshire 8 15.11x
East Lothian 8 30.65x
West Lothian 7 23.59x
Northumberland 6 2.05x
Yorkshire 6 0.31x
Perthshire 3 3.39x
Staffordshire 3 0.45x
Hampshire 2 0.50x
Middlesex 2 0.10x
Ayrshire 1 0.68x
Cheshire 1 0.23x
Devon 1 0.24x
Dumfriesshire 1 2.30x
Kent 1 0.15x
Surrey 1 0.10x
Wigtownshire 1 3.82x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Manchester in Lancashire leads with 14 Glanceys recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.31x.

Place Total Index
Manchester 14 13.31x
Glasgow 13 11.49x
Govan 12 7.61x
Dunfermline 11 61.32x
Duddingston 10 188.68x
Port Glasgow 10 135.50x
Kilsyth 9 194.38x
Dirleton 8 784.31x
Carriden 7 522.39x
Edinburgh Canongate 7 104.17x
Gateshead 7 15.95x
Bedlington 6 61.29x
East Greenock 6 41.61x
Renfrew 6 119.05x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 5 19.69x
Kirkintilloch 5 69.54x
Monk Hesleden 5 306.75x
Stockton On Tees 5 17.69x
Benfieldside 4 103.63x
Barony 3 1.86x
Cardross 3 47.17x
Cockpen 3 97.09x
Edinburgh Tron Church 3 241.94x
Logie 3 94.64x
Salford 3 4.36x
Leeds 2 1.81x
Liverpool 2 1.41x
Portsmouth 2 21.51x
Sheffield 2 3.22x
Shettleston 2 35.03x
St George In East London 2 10.79x
Abbey 1 4.29x
Annan 1 26.74x
Cheadle 1 12.03x
Cheriton 1 36.50x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 2.69x
Darlington 1 4.42x
Dundonald 1 18.38x
Edinburgh New North 1 43.48x
Edinburgh St Georges 1 18.25x
Hart 1 69.93x
Hartlepool 1 12.00x
Holy Trinity 1 2.13x
Inch 1 39.22x
Kingston On Thames 1 4.34x
Lanark 1 19.49x
Lidford 1 54.35x
Newcastle Under Lyme 1 8.50x
Paisley High Church 1 8.22x
Tamworth 1 28.09x
Toxteth Park 1 1.26x
Wakefield 1 6.67x
Wolverhampton 1 1.96x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Bridget 4
Mary 4
Catherine 3
Elizabeth 3
Annie 2
Ellen 2
Hannah 2
Margaret 2
Agnes 1
Amy 1
Anna 1
Betsy 1
Emily 1
Honor 1
Isabella 1
Jane 1
Julia 1
Matilda 1
Rebecca 1
Rose 1
Winifriede 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 11
James 7
Michael 4
Nicholas 2
Patrick 2
Thomas 2
William 2
Barnet 1
Charles 1
Edward 1
Frances 1
Frank 1
Hugh 1
Phillip 1
Thom 1

FAQ

Glancey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Glancey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 203 people were recorded with the Glancey surname. That placed it at #12,717 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Glancey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 237 in 2016. That gives Glancey a modern rank of #17,418.

What does the Glancey surname mean?

A Gaelic surname likely derived from the Olde English word "glancing" meaning shining or bright.

What does the Glancey map show?

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