UK surname
Of English origin, referring to a person from a hilly or heathery area.
In the 1881 census there were 153 people recorded with the Heely surname, ranking it #15,320 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 11, ranked #37,501, down from #15,320 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Whitwell, Mirfield and Darlaston. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Heely is 161 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 92.8%.
1881 census count
153
Ranked #15,320
Modern count
11
2016, ranked #37,501
Peak year
1851
161 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1881
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Heely surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Heely surname density by area, 1881 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 | 161 | #12,288 |
| 1861 | historical | 123 | #17,914 |
| 1881 | historical | 153 | #15,320 |
| 1891 | historical | 89 | #25,542 |
| 1901 | historical | 65 | #26,917 |
| 1911 | historical | 39 | #29,025 |
| 1997 | modern | 12 | #36,785 |
| 1998 | modern | 14 | #36,565 |
| 1999 | modern | 14 | #36,595 |
| 2000 | modern | 9 | #37,119 |
| 2001 | modern | 8 | #37,124 |
| 2002 | modern | 9 | #37,051 |
| 2003 | modern | 7 | #37,397 |
| 2004 | modern | 7 | #37,496 |
| 2005 | modern | 6 | #37,724 |
| 2006 | modern | 7 | #37,634 |
| 2007 | modern | 7 | #37,687 |
| 2008 | modern | 8 | #37,597 |
| 2009 | modern | 10 | #37,446 |
| 2010 | modern | 13 | #37,215 |
| 2011 | modern | 7 | #37,865 |
| 2012 | modern | 8 | #37,740 |
| 2013 | modern | 9 | #37,653 |
| 2014 | modern | 9 | #37,679 |
| 2015 | modern | 10 | #37,563 |
| 2016 | modern | 11 | #37,501 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Whitwell, Mirfield, Darlaston, London parishes and Penistone (Denby), Kirkburton (Cumberworth Half). 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 | Whitwell | Nottinghamshire |
| 2 | Mirfield | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 3 | Darlaston | Staffordshire |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | Penistone (Denby), Kirkburton (Cumberworth Half) | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Heely 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 Heely, 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 Heely surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Heely 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, Heely 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 Heely is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Heely, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Heely originated in England, with its earliest known roots tracing back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Anglo-Saxon word "healan," meaning "to heal" or "to cure." This suggests that the name may have initially been an occupational surname given to those who practiced healing arts or worked as herbalists.
The Heely surname was primarily concentrated in the northern counties of England, particularly in Yorkshire and Lancashire. Early records show variations in the spelling, such as Heley, Helie, and Hely, which were common during the medieval period due to inconsistencies in record-keeping and spelling conventions.
One of the earliest known references to the Heely name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from 1297, which mentions a John Hely. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also recorded a Thomas Hely in Oxfordshire, providing further evidence of the name's early presence in England.
Over the centuries, the Heely family established themselves in various parts of England. Notable individuals bearing this surname include William Heely (1520-1585), a prominent merchant and alderman in the City of London during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another notable figure was John Heely (1633-1701), a Puritan minister and author who served as the rector of St. Alban's Church in Hertfordshire.
In the 18th century, the Heely name was associated with the village of Heeley in Yorkshire, which may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname in that region. One notable individual from this era was Samuel Heely (1745-1822), a successful businessman and landowner from Heeley who served as the High Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1798.
The 19th century saw the Heely surname spread further across England, with several individuals making significant contributions in various fields. One such individual was Charles Heely (1825-1895), a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the St. James's Theatre and the Royal Opera Arcade.
Another noteworthy figure was Mary Heely (1865-1944), a philanthropist and social reformer who campaigned for women's rights and founded the Heely Memorial Convalescent Home in Bournemouth. Her brother, Thomas Heely (1868-1937), was a successful businessman and served as the Lord Mayor of Birmingham from 1927 to 1928.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Heely 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. Yorkshire leads with 90 Heelys recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.09x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 90 | 6.09x |
| Lancashire | 12 | 0.68x |
| Staffordshire | 11 | 2.18x |
| Derbyshire | 7 | 3.00x |
| Durham | 6 | 1.35x |
| Northamptonshire | 6 | 4.28x |
| Surrey | 6 | 0.83x |
| Nottinghamshire | 5 | 2.49x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 0.27x |
| Warwickshire | 3 | 0.80x |
| Buckinghamshire | 1 | 1.11x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.34x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 0.42x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Mirfield in Yorkshire leads with 47 Heelys recorded in 1881 and an index of 578.82x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Mirfield | 47 | 578.82x |
| Little Bolton | 10 | 43.92x |
| Nether Hallam | 7 | 34.98x |
| Thurlstone | 7 | 479.45x |
| Darlaston | 6 | 86.21x |
| Gildersome | 6 | 337.08x |
| Lockwood | 6 | 112.78x |
| Standground | 6 | 895.52x |
| Lambeth | 5 | 3.84x |
| Sutton | 5 | 2631.58x |
| Skelmanthorpe | 4 | 250.00x |
| Westminster St John | 4 | 22.01x |
| Darfield | 3 | 222.22x |
| Huddersfield | 3 | 13.93x |
| Manningham | 3 | 16.47x |
| Monkwearmouth | 3 | 70.59x |
| Tudhoe | 3 | 77.32x |
| Walsall Foreign | 3 | 11.53x |
| Aston | 2 | 1.93x |
| Brampton | 2 | 61.16x |
| Claylane | 2 | 61.54x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 0.80x |
| Chesterfield | 1 | 11.42x |
| Clifford Chambers | 1 | 500.00x |
| Eckington | 1 | 17.61x |
| Foston Scropton | 1 | 370.37x |
| Golcar | 1 | 25.58x |
| Hopwood | 1 | 43.29x |
| Kimberworth | 1 | 12.18x |
| Manchester | 1 | 1.26x |
| Newbold Dunston | 1 | 45.05x |
| Sheffield | 1 | 2.12x |
| Spalding | 1 | 21.10x |
| Streatham | 1 | 9.03x |
| Upton Cum Chalvey | 1 | 27.78x |
| Wheatley | 1 | 196.08x |
| Wolverhampton | 1 | 2.58x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Heely 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 Heely surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| John | 10 |
| George | 6 |
| William | 6 |
| Joseph | 5 |
| Arthur | 4 |
| Alfred | 3 |
| Allan | 2 |
| Ben | 2 |
| Benjamin | 2 |
| Edward | 2 |
| Henry | 2 |
| Walter | 2 |
| Albert | 1 |
| Allen | 1 |
| Annie | 1 |
| Aurther | 1 |
| Charles | 1 |
| Edmund | 1 |
| Elliott | 1 |
| Fred. | 1 |
| Fredrick | 1 |
| Herbert | 1 |
| Herod | 1 |
| James | 1 |
| Jonathan | 1 |
| Lewis | 1 |
| Luke | 1 |
| Matthew | 1 |
| Oliver | 1 |
| Patrick | 1 |
| Ralph | 1 |
| Robert | 1 |
| Sam | 1 |
| Samuel | 1 |
| Stephen | 1 |
| Thomas | 1 |
| Thos. | 1 |
| Tom | 1 |
| Willie | 1 |
| Willie. | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 153 people were recorded with the Heely surname. That placed it at #15,320 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 11 in 2016. That gives Heely a modern rank of #37,501.
Of English origin, referring to a person from a hilly or heathery area.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Heely 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.