UK surname
A surname derived from the Old French word "hurler" meaning to howl or shout.
In the 1881 census there were 128 people recorded with the Hurly surname, ranking it #17,079 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 6, ranked #38,110, down from #17,079 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), St George in the East and St Mary Whitechapel. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hurly is 235 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 95.3%.
1881 census count
128
Ranked #17,079
Modern count
6
2016, ranked #38,110
Peak year
1861
235 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hurly surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hurly 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 | 222 | #9,597 |
| 1861 | historical | 235 | #10,427 |
| 1881 | historical | 128 | #17,079 |
| 1891 | historical | 138 | #19,411 |
| 1901 | historical | 69 | #26,499 |
| 1911 | historical | 88 | #24,041 |
| 1997 | modern | 4 | #38,094 |
| 1998 | modern | 2 | #38,550 |
| 1999 | modern | 4 | #38,100 |
| 2000 | modern | 2 | #38,472 |
| 2001 | modern | 2 | #38,335 |
| 2002 | modern | 3 | #38,152 |
| 2003 | modern | 3 | #38,198 |
| 2004 | modern | 4 | #38,013 |
| 2005 | modern | 4 | #38,078 |
| 2006 | modern | 3 | #38,334 |
| 2007 | modern | 5 | #38,004 |
| 2008 | modern | 2 | #38,673 |
| 2009 | modern | 3 | #38,494 |
| 2010 | modern | 3 | #38,552 |
| 2011 | modern | 2 | #38,745 |
| 2012 | modern | 5 | #38,167 |
| 2013 | modern | 5 | #38,195 |
| 2014 | modern | 4 | #38,376 |
| 2015 | modern | 4 | #38,392 |
| 2016 | modern | 6 | #38,110 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), St George in the East, St Mary Whitechapel, London parishes and St Giles-in-the-Fields. 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 | Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) | Glamorganshire |
| 2 | St George in the East | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | St Mary Whitechapel | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | St Giles-in-the-Fields | London (Central Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hurly 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 Hurly, 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 Hurly surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hurly 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, Hurly 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 Hurly is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hurly, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname HURLY is believed to have originated in Ireland, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is thought to be a variant of the Gaelic name O'Hurley or O'Hurly, derived from the Old Irish word "Iarmhuilleadh," meaning "descendant of the heir."
One of the earliest records of the name HURLY can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a historical chronicle compiled in the 17th century, which mentions a notable figure named Aodh O'Hurley who lived in the 15th century.
In the 16th century, the HURLY name appears in various historical documents and records related to County Cork and County Limerick in Ireland. Some variations in spelling, such as Hurlee, Hurly, and Hurlie, were also documented during this time.
The HURLY surname is also associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was Dermot O'Hurly, an Irish Catholic priest and martyr who was executed in 1584 for his religious beliefs during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Another prominent bearer of the HURLY name was Maurice Hurly (1591-1627), an Irish Franciscan friar and theologian who served as the Archbishop of Cashel and Emly in Ireland.
In the 17th century, the name HURLY appears in various legal documents and land records in County Cork, indicating the family's presence in the region. One notable example is John Hurly (1630-1701), a landowner and member of the Irish Parliament who played a role in the Williamite War in Ireland.
During the 18th century, the HURLY surname continued to be associated with Ireland, particularly in counties like Cork, Limerick, and Tipperary. One notable figure from this period was James Hurly (1719-1789), an Irish Catholic priest and educator who established a renowned school in County Cork.
As the HURLY family spread beyond Ireland, the name also gained a presence in other parts of the world, including the United States and Australia, where descendants of Irish immigrants settled and established themselves.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hurly 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 29 Hurlys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.50x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 29 | 2.50x |
| Surrey | 26 | 4.60x |
| Lancashire | 12 | 0.87x |
| Monmouthshire | 10 | 11.92x |
| Glamorgan | 8 | 3.96x |
| Sussex | 7 | 3.58x |
| Derbyshire | 6 | 3.30x |
| Bedfordshire | 4 | 6.66x |
| Kent | 3 | 0.76x |
| Staffordshire | 3 | 0.77x |
| Durham | 2 | 0.58x |
| Shropshire | 2 | 1.99x |
| Somerset | 2 | 1.07x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.17x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.41x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 0.78x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 0.97x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bethnal Green London in Middlesex leads with 8 Hurlys recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.87x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bethnal Green London | 8 | 15.87x |
| Aberystruth | 7 | 94.59x |
| Chinley Bugsworth | 6 | 1250.00x |
| Lambeth | 6 | 5.93x |
| Newington | 6 | 13.99x |
| Old Artillery Ground | 6 | 600.00x |
| Brighton | 5 | 12.66x |
| Islington London | 5 | 4.44x |
| Manchester | 5 | 8.07x |
| Southwark St John | 5 | 140.85x |
| Caddington | 4 | 454.55x |
| Clase | 4 | 53.26x |
| Liverpool | 4 | 4.78x |
| Rotherhithe | 4 | 27.89x |
| Duffryn | 3 | 2727.27x |
| St Clement Danes London | 3 | 125.00x |
| Streatham | 3 | 34.84x |
| Tipton | 3 | 25.00x |
| Cainham | 2 | 434.78x |
| Canterbury St George | 2 | 416.67x |
| Dawdon | 2 | 47.06x |
| Hapton | 2 | 232.56x |
| Hastings St Clement | 2 | 108.70x |
| Horton In Bradford | 2 | 11.14x |
| Whitechapel London | 2 | 17.48x |
| Bermondsey | 1 | 2.89x |
| Bromley | 1 | 16.56x |
| Bromley London | 1 | 3.92x |
| Exminster | 1 | 114.94x |
| Gelligaer | 1 | 21.65x |
| Leicester St Margaret | 1 | 3.19x |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 1 | 5.15x |
| Midsomer Norton | 1 | 56.82x |
| Parr | 1 | 20.28x |
| Poplar London | 1 | 4.56x |
| Portishead | 1 | 71.94x |
| Preshute | 1 | 158.73x |
| Ratcliffe London | 1 | 15.60x |
| Spitalfields London | 1 | 11.45x |
| St George In East London | 1 | 9.16x |
| Swansea Town | 1 | 6.04x |
| Wimbledon | 1 | 15.75x |
| Ystradyfodwg | 1 | 5.64x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hurly 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 Hurly surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 128 people were recorded with the Hurly surname. That placed it at #17,079 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 6 in 2016. That gives Hurly a modern rank of #38,110.
A surname derived from the Old French word "hurler" meaning to howl or shout.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hurly 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.