NameCensus.

UK surname

Iley

A locational surname derived from the village of Iley in Berkshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 336 people recorded with the Iley surname, ranking it #8,996 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 733, ranked #7,430, up from #8,996 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Walsingham, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside and Cross Cannonby. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include County Durham, Gateshead and Middlesbrough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Iley is 742 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 118.2%.

1881 census count

336

Ranked #8,996

Modern count

733

2016, ranked #7,430

Peak year

2014

742 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Iley had 336 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,996 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 733 in 2016, ranked #7,430.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 536 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Iley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Iley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Iley 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 151 #12,840
1861 historical 136 #16,556
1881 historical 336 #8,996
1891 historical 169 #16,885
1901 historical 488 #8,194
1911 historical 536 #7,432
1997 modern 681 #7,404
1998 modern 711 #7,389
1999 modern 714 #7,408
2000 modern 717 #7,374
2001 modern 711 #7,275
2002 modern 719 #7,355
2003 modern 703 #7,367
2004 modern 695 #7,450
2005 modern 688 #7,453
2006 modern 698 #7,366
2007 modern 695 #7,467
2008 modern 698 #7,498
2009 modern 728 #7,407
2010 modern 733 #7,504
2011 modern 739 #7,396
2012 modern 707 #7,550
2013 modern 725 #7,535
2014 modern 742 #7,448
2015 modern 735 #7,438
2016 modern 733 #7,430

Geography

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Where Ileys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Walsingham, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Cross Cannonby, Gateshead and Bishop Wearmouth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to County Durham, Gateshead and Middlesbrough. 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 Walsingham Durham
2 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
3 Cross Cannonby Cumberland
4 Gateshead Durham
5 Bishop Wearmouth Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 County Durham 034 County Durham
2 Gateshead 007 Gateshead
3 County Durham 032 County Durham
4 Middlesbrough 007 Middlesbrough
5 Middlesbrough 010 Middlesbrough

Forenames

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First names often paired with Iley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Iley

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Iley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Iley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Iley 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

Iley is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Iley falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Iley 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 Iley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Iley

The surname ILEY has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "iley," which referred to a small island or a dwelling located on an island. This name was commonly found in areas near rivers or coastlines where such islands were present.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Norfolk from 1273, where it appears as "de Iley." This suggests that the name was initially used as a locational surname, indicating a person's place of residence or origin.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Iley," "Ily," and "Yly," reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation that were common during that time. One notable individual from this period was John Iley, a merchant from London who was mentioned in city records from 1367.

During the 16th century, the surname ILEY was found in various parts of England, including Essex, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire. In the Subsidy Rolls of Essex from 1524, the name is recorded as "Yley," while in the Musters of Lincolnshire from 1543, it appears as "Iley."

Among the notable individuals bearing the surname ILEY was Thomas Iley, a clergyman born in 1590 in Lincolnshire. He served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Ely, Cambridgeshire, and was known for his contributions to the local community.

In the 17th century, the name ILEY was found in various historical records, including parish registers and court documents. One prominent figure was Sir John Iley, a wealthy landowner and member of Parliament for Nottinghamshire, who lived from 1620 to 1699.

Another notable individual was Elizabeth Iley, born in 1675 in Essex. She was a prominent Quaker and writer, known for her autobiography detailing her religious journey and experiences as a nonconformist during a time of religious persecution.

In the 18th century, the surname ILEY remained present in various regions of England. One noteworthy individual was William Iley, born in 1732 in Yorkshire. He was a renowned architect and was responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in the area.

Lastly, in the 19th century, the name ILEY was found in historical records across England, with individuals bearing this surname residing in counties such as Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire. One notable figure was Edward Iley, born in 1845 in Lincolnshire, who was a prominent educator and headmaster of a prestigious school in the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Iley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Iley 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. Durham leads with 222 Ileys recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.83x.

County Total Index
Durham 222 22.83x
Yorkshire 32 0.99x
Cumberland 20 7.11x
Northumberland 17 3.50x
Northamptonshire 10 3.25x
Middlesex 9 0.28x
Somerset 9 1.71x
Surrey 9 0.57x
Oxfordshire 2 0.99x
Staffordshire 2 0.18x
Cheshire 1 0.14x
Lancashire 1 0.03x
Warwickshire 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stanhope in Durham leads with 29 Ileys recorded in 1881 and an index of 288.84x.

Place Total Index
Stanhope 29 288.84x
Wolsingham 29 327.31x
Sunderland 22 128.13x
Stockton On Tees 20 42.68x
Tanfield 19 164.36x
Crosscanonby 17 182.80x
Middlesbrough 15 35.57x
Shildon 15 192.06x
Iveston 11 245.54x
Bishopwearmouth 10 11.98x
Helmdon 9 1525.42x
Muggleswick 9 957.45x
Brotton 8 189.13x
Hunwick Helmington 8 343.35x
Burnham 7 174.56x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 7 24.10x
Bishop Auckland 6 46.01x
Westoe 6 10.89x
Camberwell 5 2.40x
North Shields 5 51.55x
Southwick 5 54.29x
Whitworth 5 70.22x
Doncaster 4 16.91x
Islington London 4 1.26x
Norton 4 112.04x
Tynemouth 4 15.36x
Winlaton 4 42.87x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 3 7.12x
Lambeth 3 1.05x
Stranton 3 9.17x
Workington 3 18.62x
Boldon 2 57.64x
Cornsay 2 76.34x
Crook Billy Row 2 16.06x
Great Ayton 2 101.01x
St George Bloomsbury 2 10.67x
St Pancras London 2 0.76x
Wednesbury 2 7.25x
Wingate 2 30.03x
Witton Le Wear 2 72.46x
Yarm 2 120.48x
Auckland St Andrew 1 38.91x
Bath St James 1 18.21x
Birkenhead 1 1.74x
Bridgewater 1 7.00x
Chertsey 1 9.72x
Hartlepool 1 7.24x
Horton In Bradford 1 1.98x
Leamington Priors 1 4.93x
Monkwearmouth Shore 1 5.27x
Neithrop 1 14.75x
Oxford St Giles 1 10.38x
Shotley High Quarter 1 303.03x
Shotton 1 41.67x
St Giles In Fields London 1 6.24x
Towcester 1 31.55x
Toxteth Park 1 0.76x

FAQ

Iley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Iley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 336 people were recorded with the Iley surname. That placed it at #8,996 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Iley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 733 in 2016. That gives Iley a modern rank of #7,430.

What does the Iley surname mean?

A locational surname derived from the village of Iley in Berkshire, England.

What does the Iley map show?

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