NameCensus.

UK surname

Headley

A locational surname referring to someone who lived near a heath or heather-covered meadow.

In the 1881 census there were 816 people recorded with the Headley surname, ranking it #4,586 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,274, ranked #4,696, down from #4,586 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars and Enderby. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Selby, Southwark and Powys.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Headley is 1,372 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 56.1%.

1881 census count

816

Ranked #4,586

Modern count

1,274

2016, ranked #4,696

Peak year

2010

1,372 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Headley had 816 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,586 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,274 in 2016, ranked #4,696.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 881 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Headley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Headley surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Headley 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 535 #4,703
1861 historical 808 #3,405
1881 historical 816 #4,586
1891 historical 871 #4,716
1901 historical 881 #5,217
1911 historical 832 #5,305
1997 modern 1,207 #4,684
1998 modern 1,254 #4,703
1999 modern 1,275 #4,682
2000 modern 1,267 #4,685
2001 modern 1,225 #4,723
2002 modern 1,268 #4,684
2003 modern 1,267 #4,585
2004 modern 1,262 #4,607
2005 modern 1,244 #4,616
2006 modern 1,241 #4,640
2007 modern 1,258 #4,629
2008 modern 1,273 #4,592
2009 modern 1,306 #4,589
2010 modern 1,372 #4,479
2011 modern 1,317 #4,584
2012 modern 1,249 #4,749
2013 modern 1,253 #4,809
2014 modern 1,284 #4,731
2015 modern 1,281 #4,697
2016 modern 1,274 #4,696

Geography

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Where Headleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars, Enderby, St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles and Halesowen (all except Hunnington, Romsley; partly in Halesowen, Worcestershire). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Selby, Southwark, Powys, Telford and Wrekin and Harborough. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire
3 Enderby Leicestershire
4 St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles Yorkshire, East Riding
5 Halesowen (all except Hunnington, Romsley; partly in Halesowen, Worcestershire) Staffordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Selby 003 Selby
2 Southwark 013 Southwark
3 Powys 006 Powys
4 Telford and Wrekin 011 Telford and Wrekin
5 Harborough 011 Harborough

Forenames

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First names often paired with Headley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Headley

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Headley is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Headley 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

Headley 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 Headley 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 Headley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Headley

The surname Headley has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval period. It is a locational name derived from the place name Headley, which itself comes from the Old English words "hēafod" meaning "head" and "lēah" meaning "clearing" or "meadow." This suggests that the name may have originated from a settlement located at the head of a clearing or meadow.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Hedelee" and "Hethlei." This renowned survey, commissioned by William the Conqueror, documented the landowners and properties across much of England at the time.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms such as "Hedlegh" and "Hedleye." During this period, several individuals bearing the name were mentioned in historical records. Among them was Robert de Hedleye, who was listed as a witness in a deed from the county of Hampshire in 1260.

Another notable figure was Sir Thomas Headley, who lived in the 15th century and served as a Member of Parliament for the county of Kent in 1472. He held significant landholdings and was well-regarded in his community.

In the 16th century, the name was further recorded as "Hedley" and "Headley." One prominent individual was Richard Headley, a wealthy merchant from London who was born around 1530 and became a member of the prestigious Worshipful Company of Mercers.

The 17th century saw the rise of Sir John Headley, who was born in 1619 and served as a Member of Parliament for the borough of Grantham in Lincolnshire. He was a staunch Royalist during the English Civil War and played an important role in supporting King Charles I.

In the 18th century, the name continued to be associated with notable figures, including Sir Henry Hedley, a successful businessman and landowner who was born in 1720 and held considerable influence in the county of Kent.

Throughout its history, the surname Headley has been linked to various place names across England, including Headley in Hampshire, Surrey, and Buckinghamshire, as well as other locations with similar names derived from the same Old English roots.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Headley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Headley 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. Yorkshire leads with 200 Headleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.56x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 200 2.56x
Leicestershire 151 17.26x
Middlesex 51 0.65x
Kent 47 1.75x
Durham 40 1.70x
Northumberland 36 3.07x
Cumberland 26 3.83x
Lancashire 22 0.23x
Lincolnshire 19 1.51x
Hampshire 18 1.11x
Surrey 18 0.47x
Somerset 17 1.34x
Sussex 16 1.20x
Ayrshire 15 2.54x
Warwickshire 15 0.75x
Worcestershire 15 1.46x
Cambridgeshire 13 2.60x
Devon 12 0.73x
Shropshire 12 1.76x
Essex 8 0.51x
Midlothian 8 0.76x
Staffordshire 6 0.23x
Huntingdonshire 5 3.19x
Nottinghamshire 5 0.47x
Gloucestershire 4 0.26x
Wiltshire 4 0.57x
Berwickshire 3 3.14x
Monmouthshire 3 0.53x
Cardiganshire 2 1.04x
Derbyshire 2 0.16x
Flintshire 2 0.94x
Glamorgan 2 0.15x
Northamptonshire 2 0.27x
Berkshire 1 0.17x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.21x
Fife 1 0.21x
Herefordshire 1 0.31x
Lanarkshire 1 0.04x
Norfolk 1 0.08x
Perthshire 1 0.28x
Roxburghshire 1 0.70x
Royal Navy 1 1.06x
Suffolk 1 0.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leicester St Margaret in Leicestershire leads with 68 Headleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.87x.

Place Total Index
Leicester St Margaret 68 31.87x
Leicester St Mary 22 31.12x
Stranton 19 24.04x
Cleator 17 60.11x
Enderby 16 353.20x
Kings Norton 13 14.07x
Cowpen 11 40.68x
Girvan 11 74.22x
Huby 11 820.90x
Leeds 11 2.49x
Bridlington 10 55.87x
Walcot 10 14.78x
Beckenham 9 25.57x
Desford 9 370.37x
Hackington St Stephen 9 520.23x
Leicester St Martin 9 153.06x
Southcoates 9 20.73x
Workington 9 23.14x
Barton St Mary 8 126.38x
Birmingham 8 1.21x
Caytn Deepdal Kilrby 8 484.85x
Charlton Next Woolwich 8 28.49x
Croft 8 512.82x
East Hartford 8 2500.00x
Hellifield 8 695.65x
Kirkleatham 8 75.76x
Salford 8 2.90x
St Marylebone London 8 1.90x
Stoke Damerel 8 6.96x
Airmyn 7 518.52x
Broseley 7 57.76x
Brotton 7 68.56x
Crook Billy Row 7 23.28x
Hunslet 7 5.74x
Kensington London 7 1.60x
Knayton With Brawith 7 752.69x
Portsea 7 2.21x
Skelton In Great 7 864.20x
Barton St Mary St Peter 6 256.41x
Cleckheaton 6 20.83x
Ecclesall Bierlow 6 3.77x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 6 1.41x
Greenwich 6 4.78x
Holy Trinity 6 3.19x
Middlesbrough 6 5.89x
Muston 6 560.75x
Newby Wiske 6 1034.48x
St George Hanover Square 6 4.32x
Aston 5 0.91x
Barton Le Street 5 1111.11x
Bluntisham 5 170.07x
Bromley London 5 2.88x
Flamborough 5 131.93x
Lambeth 5 0.73x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 5 7.13x
Newton Upon Ouse 5 312.50x
Sculcoates 5 4.03x
St Andrewthe Great 5 77.40x
St Pancras London 5 0.79x
West Ham 5 1.45x
Westonsuper Mare 5 193.05x
Willesborough 5 69.06x
York St Giles In 5 67.84x
Bishop Wilton Cum 4 266.67x
Bootle Cum Linacre 4 5.38x
Cosby 4 147.60x
Filey 4 63.29x
Leicester Black Friars 4 70.30x
Madeley 4 16.00x
Newhaven 4 37.00x
Nottingham St Mary 4 1.45x
Sorn 4 34.48x
St Andrewthe Less 4 7.00x
Walsall Foreign 4 2.91x
Aberystruth 3 5.97x
Hardenhuish 3 1111.11x
Lofthouse 3 25.68x
Longbenton 3 6.03x
Ticehurst 3 36.86x
Washington 3 30.49x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 63
John 56
George 28
Thomas 26
Henry 22
Joseph 21
Robert 16
Frederick 11
James 11
Charles 10
Arthur 9
Alfred 6
Edward 6
Richard 6
Walter 6
Alexander 5
Harry 5
Herbert 5
Horace 4
Ralph 4
Benjamin 3
David 3
Edwin 3
Ernest 3
Frank 3
Matthew 3
Albert 2
Francis 2
Isaac 2
Lewis 2
Mark 2
Morris 2
Reginald 2
Robt. 2
Samuel 2
Thos. 2
Tom 2
Wm.J. 2
Amos 1
Danial 1
Dudley 1
Earnest 1
Fred 1
Gabriel 1
Garbutt 1
Geo.W. 1
Jonathan 1
Lawerance 1
Lawrance 1
Lorenzo 1

FAQ

Headley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Headley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 816 people were recorded with the Headley surname. That placed it at #4,586 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Headley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,274 in 2016. That gives Headley a modern rank of #4,696.

What does the Headley surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone who lived near a heath or heather-covered meadow.

What does the Headley map show?

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