UK surname
A metonymic occupational surname derived from the Old French "jolif" referring to someone of a cheerful or lively disposition.
In the 1881 census there were 115 people recorded with the Jollie surname, ranking it #18,230 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 57, ranked #34,511, down from #18,230 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Melrose, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Jollie is 148 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 50.4%.
1881 census count
115
Ranked #18,230
Modern count
57
2016, ranked #34,511
Peak year
1901
148 bearers
Map years
3
1881 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Jollie surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Jollie 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 | 75 | #20,268 |
| 1861 | historical | 89 | #22,419 |
| 1881 | historical | 115 | #18,230 |
| 1891 | historical | 117 | #21,658 |
| 1901 | historical | 148 | #18,212 |
| 1911 | historical | 29 | #30,190 |
| 1997 | modern | 63 | #31,335 |
| 1998 | modern | 63 | #31,639 |
| 1999 | modern | 62 | #31,893 |
| 2000 | modern | 61 | #32,039 |
| 2001 | modern | 62 | #31,798 |
| 2002 | modern | 62 | #32,214 |
| 2003 | modern | 61 | #32,352 |
| 2004 | modern | 63 | #32,380 |
| 2005 | modern | 60 | #32,917 |
| 2006 | modern | 56 | #33,587 |
| 2007 | modern | 58 | #33,731 |
| 2008 | modern | 56 | #34,084 |
| 2009 | modern | 58 | #34,144 |
| 2010 | modern | 56 | #34,480 |
| 2011 | modern | 58 | #34,330 |
| 2012 | modern | 50 | #34,814 |
| 2013 | modern | 55 | #34,628 |
| 2014 | modern | 56 | #34,601 |
| 2015 | modern | 57 | #34,519 |
| 2016 | modern | 57 | #34,511 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Melrose, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Dalkeith and Glasgow. 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 | Melrose | Roxburgh |
| 2 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 3 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| 4 | Dalkeith | Edinburgh |
| 5 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Jollie 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 Jollie, 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 Jollie surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Jollie 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, Jollie 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 Jollie is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Jollie, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Jollie originates from England and first appeared in records during the late 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "joli," meaning "pretty" or "lovely." This suggests that the name may have initially been a nickname given to someone with an attractive or pleasant appearance.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Jollie surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, where a person named William Jolie is mentioned. The name also appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296, which lists a John Jolie among the taxpayers.
Throughout the centuries, the name has undergone various spelling variations, including Jolly, Jollie, Joly, and Joley. These variations were common due to inconsistencies in record-keeping and regional dialects.
In the late 14th century, the name Jollie appeared in the Poll Tax Rolls of Yorkshire, where a Richard Jolye is recorded. Around the same time, a John Jolly is mentioned in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in 1379.
One notable historical figure with the surname Jollie was Thomas Jollie, a 17th-century English divine and author. He was born in 1629 and served as the rector of Attleborough in Norfolk. Jollie published several works, including a treatise on logic titled "Logicæ Artis Compendium" in 1672.
Another individual of note was Alexander Jollie, a Scottish minister and theologian who lived from 1756 to 1827. He was born in Auchinleck, Ayrshire, and served as the minister of Attridge, Aberdeenshire, for over 50 years.
In the 19th century, William Jollie (1786-1846) was a notable British architect who designed several buildings in London, including the Royal Asiatic Society's headquarters and the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Munster Square.
Furthermore, Sir John Jollie (1847-1926) was a Scottish businessman and politician. He served as the Member of Parliament for the Perthshire constituency from 1895 to 1906 and was knighted in 1902 for his contributions to public service.
Lastly, William Jollie (1887-1963) was a Scottish artist known for his landscape paintings and portraits. He studied at the Glasgow School of Art and exhibited his works at the Royal Scottish Academy and the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Jollie 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. Fife leads with 41 Jollies recorded in 1881 and an index of 61.74x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Fife | 41 | 61.74x |
| Lanarkshire | 29 | 7.99x |
| Surrey | 12 | 2.20x |
| Lancashire | 8 | 0.60x |
| Angus | 6 | 5.77x |
| Midlothian | 5 | 3.33x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.27x |
| Roxburghshire | 3 | 14.76x |
| Perthshire | 2 | 3.97x |
| Aberdeenshire | 1 | 0.96x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.40x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.30x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.26x |
| Kincardineshire | 1 | 7.32x |
| Stirlingshire | 1 | 2.42x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leslie in Fife leads with 40 Jollies recorded in 1881 and an index of 2380.95x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Leslie | 40 | 2380.95x |
| Barony | 21 | 22.87x |
| Glasgow | 8 | 12.42x |
| Newington | 7 | 16.89x |
| Barrow In Furness | 6 | 33.15x |
| Dundee | 6 | 15.46x |
| Lambeth | 5 | 5.11x |
| Dalkeith | 4 | 135.14x |
| Melrose | 3 | 170.45x |
| Muthill | 2 | 303.03x |
| Bow London | 1 | 7.00x |
| Crossgate | 1 | 68.49x |
| Dover Castle | 1 | 357.14x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 1 | 1.65x |
| Hampton London | 1 | 54.35x |
| Kirkdale | 1 | 4.47x |
| Laurencekirk | 1 | 126.58x |
| Lumphanan | 1 | 227.27x |
| Markinch | 1 | 44.44x |
| Pendleton In Salford | 1 | 6.31x |
| St George Bloomsbury | 1 | 15.53x |
| Stirling | 1 | 19.16x |
| Stockport | 1 | 7.85x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Jollie 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 Jollie surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Jollie households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 3 |
| General Servant | 2 |
| Acting Bombr Royal Artillery | 1 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Assistant Housekeeper | 1 |
| Barmaid | 1 |
| Book Keeper At Stonequarry | 1 |
| Clerk & Cashier | 1 |
| Clerk L S W Bank | 1 |
| Curate St Lukes Lwr Norwood | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Genl Serv Domestic | 1 |
| Housekeeper Domestic | 1 |
| Mariner | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 115 people were recorded with the Jollie surname. That placed it at #18,230 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 57 in 2016. That gives Jollie a modern rank of #34,511.
A metonymic occupational surname derived from the Old French "jolif" referring to someone of a cheerful or lively disposition.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Jollie 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.