NameCensus.

UK surname

Joly

A surname derived from the French word "joli" meaning "pretty" or "merry".

In the 1881 census there were 6 people recorded with the Joly surname, ranking it #32,926 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 162, ranked #22,512, up from #32,926 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Dorset, Winchester and Lambeth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Joly is 162 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2600.0%.

1881 census count

6

Ranked #32,926

Modern count

162

2016, ranked #22,512

Peak year

2015

162 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Joly had 6 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,926 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 162 in 2016, ranked #22,512.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 48 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Joly surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Joly surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Joly 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 14 #30,790
1861 historical 48 #27,896
1881 historical 6 #32,926
1891 historical 12 #33,181
1901 historical 15 #32,383
1911 historical 27 #30,437
1997 modern 107 #25,924
1998 modern 100 #27,619
1999 modern 101 #27,617
2000 modern 102 #27,425
2001 modern 98 #27,672
2002 modern 109 #26,552
2003 modern 103 #27,234
2004 modern 103 #27,503
2005 modern 110 #26,430
2006 modern 114 #26,120
2007 modern 108 #27,391
2008 modern 112 #27,061
2009 modern 109 #28,145
2010 modern 114 #28,017
2011 modern 135 #24,922
2012 modern 139 #24,485
2013 modern 142 #24,547
2014 modern 156 #23,231
2015 modern 162 #22,509
2016 modern 162 #22,512

Geography

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Where Jolys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to West Dorset, Winchester, Lambeth, Westminster and Blackburn with Darwen. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 West Dorset 011 West Dorset
2 Winchester 004 Winchester
3 Lambeth 028 Lambeth
4 Westminster 014 Westminster
5 Blackburn with Darwen 004 Blackburn with Darwen

Forenames

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First names often paired with Joly

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Joly

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Joly surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Joly household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Joly is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Joly is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

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

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Joly falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Joly is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Joly, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Joly

The surname Joly originated in France, with earliest records dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old French word "jolif," meaning "pretty" or "joyful." The name likely referred to someone with a cheerful disposition or an attractive appearance.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Renaud Joly, a French nobleman who lived in the late 12th century. He was mentioned in the cartulary of the Abbey of Saint-Père in Chartres, France.

In the 13th century, the Joly surname appeared in various regions of France, including Normandy, Burgundy, and Île-de-France. Some early variations of the spelling included Jolye, Jolie, and Joli.

The name Joly was also found in medieval English records, such as the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which listed a William Joly in Oxfordshire. This suggests that the name may have been introduced to England during the Norman Conquest.

In the 14th century, a prominent figure with the surname Joly was Philippe Joly, a French scholar and clergyman born around 1320. He served as the chancellor of the University of Paris and was highly respected for his knowledge of canon law.

During the Renaissance period, the Joly family produced several notable individuals, including Claude Joly (1607-1700), a French historian and clergyman who wrote extensively on the political and religious affairs of his time.

Another significant bearer of the Joly name was Guy Joly (1624-1705), a French jurist and writer who served as the president of the Parliament of Paris and was known for his opposition to the absolutist policies of Louis XIV.

In the 18th century, Jean-Claude Joly (1756-1838) was a French politician and lawyer who played a role in the French Revolution and served as the president of the National Assembly in 1792.

Throughout history, the Joly surname has also been associated with various place names in France, such as Joly-Ville, Joly-en-Brie, and Joly-sur-Moselle, further attesting to its French origins and geographical distribution.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Joly families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Joly 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. Channel Islands leads with 4 Jolys recorded in 1881 and an index of 138.89x.

County Total Index
Channel Islands 4 138.89x
Middlesex 3 3.08x
Ayrshire 1 13.74x
Gloucestershire 1 5.24x
Surrey 1 2.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Helier in Channel Islands leads with 4 Jolys recorded in 1881 and an index of 425.53x.

Place Total Index
St Helier 4 425.53x
St Pancras London 2 25.54x
Bristol 1 5000.00x
Monkton Prestwick 1 1428.57x
St George Bloomsbury 1 178.57x
Windlesham 1 1111.11x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Joly surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Josephine 1
Lucy 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Joly surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Anthony 1
Antoine 1
Antonio 1
Felix 1
Jean 1
Joseph 1
William 1

Top occupations

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 Joly households.

FAQ

Joly surname: questions and answers

How common was the Joly surname in 1881?

In 1881, 6 people were recorded with the Joly surname. That placed it at #32,926 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Joly surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 162 in 2016. That gives Joly a modern rank of #22,512.

What does the Joly surname mean?

A surname derived from the French word "joli" meaning "pretty" or "merry".

What does the Joly map show?

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