UK surname
A locational surname derived from a place name likely meaning "the hare's meadow".
In the 1881 census there were 36 people recorded with the Hearley surname, ranking it #28,559 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 49, ranked #34,957, down from #28,559 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Hillingdon (Hillingdon), Ickenham, Cowley, St Pancras and Falmouth Town. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hearley is 121 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 36.1%.
1881 census count
36
Ranked #28,559
Modern count
49
2016, ranked #34,957
Peak year
1861
121 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hearley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hearley surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 58 | #22,928 |
| 1861 | historical | 121 | #18,148 |
| 1881 | historical | 36 | #28,559 |
| 1891 | historical | 87 | #25,802 |
| 1901 | historical | 44 | #29,276 |
| 1911 | historical | 56 | #27,216 |
| 1997 | modern | 61 | #31,526 |
| 1998 | modern | 69 | #31,076 |
| 1999 | modern | 70 | #31,135 |
| 2000 | modern | 63 | #31,829 |
| 2001 | modern | 56 | #32,379 |
| 2002 | modern | 51 | #33,193 |
| 2003 | modern | 54 | #32,990 |
| 2004 | modern | 51 | #33,478 |
| 2005 | modern | 51 | #33,701 |
| 2006 | modern | 50 | #34,077 |
| 2007 | modern | 57 | #33,800 |
| 2008 | modern | 55 | #34,165 |
| 2009 | modern | 58 | #34,144 |
| 2010 | modern | 56 | #34,480 |
| 2011 | modern | 55 | #34,502 |
| 2012 | modern | 52 | #34,709 |
| 2013 | modern | 56 | #34,581 |
| 2014 | modern | 53 | #34,753 |
| 2015 | modern | 53 | #34,726 |
| 2016 | modern | 49 | #34,957 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Hillingdon (Hillingdon), Ickenham, Cowley, St Pancras, Falmouth Town, St John Hackney and Falmouth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hillingdon (Hillingdon), Ickenham, Cowley | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 2 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 3 | Falmouth Town | Cornwall |
| 4 | St John Hackney | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Falmouth | Cornwall |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hearley surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hearley, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Hearley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hearley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Hearley is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hearley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hearley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Hearley has its origins in England, believed to have emerged in the late 12th or early 13th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "here" meaning army and "leah" meaning a meadow or clearing, suggesting it may have been an occupational name for someone who worked on a meadow or clearing used by an army.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Shropshire in 1239, where a Roger de Herleye is mentioned. The spelling variations at the time included Herleye, Heerley, and Herlye. In the Hundred Rolls of 1275, there is a reference to a William de Herleia in Cambridgeshire.
The Hearley surname appears to have been concentrated in the counties of Shropshire, Staffordshire, and Worcestershire during the Middle Ages. There are records of several Hearley families residing in these areas during this period, including the Hearleys of Norbury in Staffordshire and the Hearleys of Wolverhampton in Staffordshire.
One notable individual with the Hearley surname was Sir John Hearley, born in 1495 in Norbury, Staffordshire. He served as a Member of Parliament for Stafford in 1547 and was knighted by King Edward VI in 1548 for his military service.
Another individual of note was Thomas Hearley, born in 1612 in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire. He was a prominent banker and merchant who played a significant role in the economic development of the region during the 17th century.
In the 16th century, the Hearley family of Worcestershire gained prominence, with several members holding positions of influence. One such individual was William Hearley, born in 1568 in Kidderminster, Worcestershire. He served as a magistrate and was active in local politics.
Another notable Hearley was Robert Hearley, born in 1634 in Staffordshire. He was a renowned scholar and theologian who authored several works on religious topics during the 17th century.
While the surname Hearley is not as common today as it once was, it continues to hold a place in the historical records of England, particularly in the counties where it originated and flourished during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hearley surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 11 Hearleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.97x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 11 | 2.97x |
| Cornwall | 7 | 16.69x |
| Hampshire | 3 | 3.95x |
| Midlothian | 3 | 6.05x |
| Channel Islands | 2 | 18.21x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 2.45x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.54x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 3.60x |
| Devon | 1 | 1.30x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 1.55x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 3.92x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.83x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.23x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 1.76x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 2.07x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Falmouth in Cornwall leads with 7 Hearleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 472.97x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Falmouth | 7 | 472.97x |
| Southampton St Mary | 3 | 62.89x |
| St Luke London | 3 | 50.51x |
| Chelsea London | 2 | 17.92x |
| Edinburgh Canongate | 2 | 158.73x |
| Enfield | 2 | 82.30x |
| Goole | 2 | 322.58x |
| St Helier | 2 | 56.02x |
| St Marylebone London | 2 | 10.11x |
| Barony | 1 | 3.30x |
| Birkenhead | 1 | 15.34x |
| Clerkenwell London | 1 | 11.44x |
| Cookham | 1 | 114.94x |
| East Teignmouth | 1 | 312.50x |
| Kidderminster Borough | 1 | 35.34x |
| Norwich St Helen | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Oldham | 1 | 7.05x |
| Poplar London | 1 | 14.31x |
| South Leith | 1 | 17.92x |
| Swansea Town | 1 | 18.90x |
| Utkinton | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Watford | 1 | 50.51x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hearley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Hearley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 36 people were recorded with the Hearley surname. That placed it at #28,559 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 49 in 2016. That gives Hearley a modern rank of #34,957.
A locational surname derived from a place name likely meaning "the hare's meadow".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hearley bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.