NameCensus.

UK surname

Hayle

An English habitation surname derived from a place name meaning "hazel tree clearing."

In the 1881 census there were 163 people recorded with the Hayle surname, ranking it #14,689 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 191, ranked #20,194, down from #14,689 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Whittlebury, Rochdale and Bury. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes and Bexley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hayle is 615 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 17.2%.

1881 census count

163

Ranked #14,689

Modern count

191

2016, ranked #20,194

Peak year

1861

615 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hayle had 163 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,689 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 191 in 2016, ranked #20,194.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 615 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Hayle surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hayle surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hayle 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 218 #9,754
1861 historical 615 #4,330
1881 historical 163 #14,689
1891 historical 459 #7,965
1901 historical 187 #15,793
1911 historical 152 #17,712
1997 modern 127 #23,352
1998 modern 174 #19,729
1999 modern 176 #19,722
2000 modern 167 #20,332
2001 modern 154 #21,122
2002 modern 171 #20,177
2003 modern 167 #20,245
2004 modern 169 #20,206
2005 modern 164 #20,552
2006 modern 170 #20,214
2007 modern 163 #21,050
2008 modern 163 #21,238
2009 modern 169 #21,190
2010 modern 188 #20,235
2011 modern 178 #20,809
2012 modern 182 #20,440
2013 modern 189 #20,273
2014 modern 193 #20,159
2015 modern 186 #20,576
2016 modern 191 #20,194

Geography

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Where Hayles are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Whittlebury, Rochdale, Bury, Silverstone and Bury (Walmersley and Tottington, Heap),Middleton (Birtle with Bamford, Pilsworth). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes and Bexley. 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 Whittlebury Northamptonshire
2 Rochdale Lancashire
3 Bury Lancashire
4 Silverstone Northamptonshire
5 Bury (Walmersley and Tottington, Heap),Middleton (Birtle with Bamford, Pilsworth) Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Northamptonshire 007 South Northamptonshire
2 Milton Keynes 008 Milton Keynes
3 Milton Keynes 023 Milton Keynes
4 South Northamptonshire 004 South Northamptonshire
5 Bexley 002 Bexley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hayle

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hayle

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Hayle 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

Hayle is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hayle 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 Hayle is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Hayle

The surname Hayle has its origins in England, specifically in the county of Cornwall. The name is believed to have derived from the Cornish place name "Heyl," which refers to the town of Hayle located on the north coast of Cornwall. This place name is thought to have its roots in the Cornish word "heyl," meaning estuary or tidal creek.

The surname Hayle can be traced back to the 13th century, with some of the earliest recorded instances appearing in Cornish parish records and manorial rolls. One notable example is the mention of a John de Heyl in the Assize Rolls of Cornwall in 1284.

In the Domesday Book, a medieval manuscript recording the great survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, there are references to the settlement of "Heyl" and its surrounding lands. This provides evidence of the long-standing history of the place name and its potential influence on the subsequent development of the Hayle surname.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Hayle was Sir John Hayle, who lived in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. He was a prominent figure in Cornwall and served as a member of Parliament for the borough of Helston in 1401.

Another noteworthy individual was Thomas Hayle, born in 1522 in Hayle, Cornwall. He was a merchant and shipowner who played a significant role in the local economy and maritime trade during the 16th century.

In the 17th century, John Hayle (1633-1700) was a renowned Anglican clergyman who served as the Archdeacon of Cornwall and the Vicar of Bodmin. He was known for his influential sermons and writings on religious matters.

Moving into the 18th century, Sir John Hayle (1706-1782) was a prominent landowner and politician. He was a member of Parliament for the borough of Callington from 1734 to 1747 and played a role in shaping local policies and legislation.

In more recent times, one notable figure with the surname Hayle was Robert Hayle (1836-1909), a Cornish engineer and inventor. He is credited with designing and constructing several innovative mining and industrial machinery systems, contributing significantly to the advancement of technology in the 19th century.

Throughout its history, the surname Hayle has often been associated with the town of Hayle in Cornwall, reflecting the strong connection between the name and its geographic origins. While the name may have evolved slightly in spelling over the centuries, its roots can be traced back to the ancient Cornish place name and the region's rich heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hayle families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hayle 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. Middlesex leads with 20 Hayles recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.26x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 20 1.26x
Yorkshire 19 1.21x
Lancashire 16 0.85x
Northamptonshire 15 10.03x
Glamorgan 14 5.06x
Surrey 11 1.42x
Sussex 11 4.10x
Herefordshire 9 13.81x
Ayrshire 8 6.72x
Devon 6 1.81x
Durham 6 1.27x
Warwickshire 5 1.25x
Kent 4 0.74x
Monmouthshire 4 3.48x
Gloucestershire 3 0.96x
Shropshire 3 2.18x
Hampshire 2 0.61x
Cumberland 1 0.73x
Derbyshire 1 0.40x
Hertfordshire 1 0.91x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.47x
Somerset 1 0.39x
Staffordshire 1 0.19x
Suffolk 1 0.52x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Briton Ferry in Glamorgan leads with 11 Hayles recorded in 1881 and an index of 333.33x.

Place Total Index
Briton Ferry 11 333.33x
Silverstone 10 1587.30x
Munsley 9 10000.00x
Stair 8 1568.63x
Bishopstone 6 4000.00x
Longwood 6 236.22x
Sunderland 6 71.86x
Wooldale 6 224.72x
Crompton 5 93.11x
Islington London 5 3.24x
Kensington London 5 5.66x
Abergavenny 4 93.02x
Hulme 4 10.15x
Lambeth 4 2.89x
Newhaven 4 183.49x
Warwick St Nicholas 4 136.05x
Battersea 3 5.13x
Camberwell 3 2.95x
Cwmdu 3 89.02x
Eltham 3 94.34x
Hackney London 3 3.37x
Richards Castle 3 714.29x
Shoreditch London 3 4.35x
Paddington London 2 3.42x
Parr 2 29.63x
Plymouth Charles The 2 13.72x
Rastrick 2 45.66x
Rumworth 2 74.07x
Tormoham 2 14.29x
Whittlebury 2 740.74x
Ashton Under Lyne 1 2.43x
Bedminster 1 4.16x
Binsted 1 80.65x
Bishop Stortford 1 27.32x
Brighton 1 1.85x
Brixworth 1 156.25x
Cheltenham 1 4.16x
Clifton 1 6.35x
Coventry St Michael 1 7.76x
Eccleshall 1 49.26x
Finedon 1 76.34x
Handsworth 1 24.04x
Hartington Nether 1 476.19x
Heckmondwike 1 19.72x
Huddersfield 1 4.36x
Manchester 1 1.18x
Moresby 1 192.31x
Morton 1 1666.67x
Newington 1 1.70x
Newmarket St Mary 1 67.11x
Northampton Priory St 1 11.15x
Paignton 1 39.68x
Portsea 1 1.57x
Scarborough 1 6.98x
Smarden 1 161.29x
South Hamlet 1 51.81x
St George Hanover Square 1 3.57x
St Marylebone London 1 1.18x
Stoke Damerel 1 4.32x
Toxteth Park 1 1.57x
York Holy Trinity 1 73.53x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 12
Elizabeth 8
Ann 5
Annie 5
Margaret 4
Alice 3
Charlotte 3
Ellen 3
Louisa 3
Martha 3
Amelia 2
Edith 2
Emily 2
Florence 2
Isabella 2
Rosina 2
Agnes 1
Anna 1
Barbara 1
Beatrice 1
Bridget 1
Caroline 1
Clare 1
Eliza 1
Emma 1
Esther 1
Evelinia 1
Joanna 1
Leoni 1
Lucy 1
Margret 1
Maria 1
Marie 1
May 1
Miriam 1
Sara 1
Sarah 1
Sophia 1
Sophy 1
Vinnie 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Hayle 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
George 6
Charles 4
Thomas 4
Joseph 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Edward 2
Edwin 2
Richard 2
Walter 2
William 2
Arthur 1
Ben 1
Benjamin 1
David 1
Earnest 1
Edmond 1
Elijah 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
H.J.P. 1
Harry 1
Isaac 1
Luther 1
Michael 1
Nicholas 1
Robert 1
Shaw 1
Sidney 1
Tom 1
Wm. 1
Wm.Hy. 1

FAQ

Hayle surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hayle surname in 1881?

In 1881, 163 people were recorded with the Hayle surname. That placed it at #14,689 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hayle surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 191 in 2016. That gives Hayle a modern rank of #20,194.

What does the Hayle surname mean?

An English habitation surname derived from a place name meaning "hazel tree clearing."

What does the Hayle map show?

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