NameCensus.

UK surname

Kennerley

A habitational surname originating in areas around Kidderminster, England.

In the 1881 census there were 428 people recorded with the Kennerley surname, ranking it #7,587 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 963, ranked #5,971, up from #7,587 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Over, Davenham and Astbury. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester and Shropshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kennerley is 1,025 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 125.0%.

1881 census count

428

Ranked #7,587

Modern count

963

2016, ranked #5,971

Peak year

2011

1,025 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kennerley had 428 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,587 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 963 in 2016, ranked #5,971.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 861 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Kennerley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kennerley surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Kennerley 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 303 #7,590
1861 historical 235 #10,427
1881 historical 428 #7,587
1891 historical 482 #7,652
1901 historical 794 #5,684
1911 historical 861 #5,160
1997 modern 945 #5,744
1998 modern 998 #5,682
1999 modern 1,012 #5,663
2000 modern 1,010 #5,641
2001 modern 986 #5,635
2002 modern 989 #5,752
2003 modern 988 #5,646
2004 modern 986 #5,661
2005 modern 959 #5,741
2006 modern 937 #5,858
2007 modern 939 #5,898
2008 modern 949 #5,885
2009 modern 992 #5,799
2010 modern 1,014 #5,822
2011 modern 1,025 #5,706
2012 modern 990 #5,784
2013 modern 995 #5,850
2014 modern 994 #5,889
2015 modern 981 #5,899
2016 modern 963 #5,971

Geography

Back to top

Where Kennerleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Over, Davenham, Astbury, Manchester and Great Budworth (Witton with Twambrook), Davenham (Leftwich). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester and Shropshire. 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 Over Cheshire
2 Davenham Cheshire
3 Astbury Cheshire
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Great Budworth (Witton with Twambrook), Davenham (Leftwich) Cheshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cheshire East 020 Cheshire East
2 Cheshire East 033 Cheshire East
3 Cheshire West and Chester 021 Cheshire West and Chester
4 Cheshire East 028 Cheshire East
5 Shropshire 010 Shropshire

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Kennerley

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Kennerley

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Kennerley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Kennerley 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Kennerley is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Kennerley is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kennerley falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kennerley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Kennerley

The surname Kennerley has its origins in England, specifically from the counties of Cheshire and Lancashire. It is believed to have originated in the late medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century. The name is derived from the Old English words "cene," meaning bold or brave, and "leah," meaning a meadow or clearing in a forest.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kennerley can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327, where it appears as "de Kenerdelegh." This suggests that the name was initially associated with a specific place or location, likely a meadow or clearing where the family resided or held land.

In the 15th century, the Kennerley family was well-established in the area around Wilmslow, Cheshire. Records from this time show variations in the spelling, such as "Kenerdeley," "Kenerdlegh," and "Kennerley." This was common during this period when standardized spelling had not yet been established.

One notable early bearer of the name was John Kennerley, a soldier who served in the English Civil War during the 17th century. He fought for the Parliamentarian forces and is mentioned in historical accounts of the Battle of Nantwich in 1644.

In the 18th century, the Kennerley family had spread to other parts of England, including Staffordshire and Shropshire. A prominent figure from this time was Thomas Kennerley (1718-1781), a renowned printer and publisher based in London. He was responsible for publishing works by notable authors such as Samuel Johnson and Oliver Goldsmith.

Another notable bearer of the name was Edward Kennerley (1795-1868), a prominent architect who designed several churches and other buildings in Cheshire and Lancashire during the Victorian era.

In the 19th century, the name Kennerley also appeared in the United States, as some members of the family emigrated from England. One such individual was William Kennerley (1830-1901), who served as a Union soldier during the American Civil War.

Throughout its history, the surname Kennerley has been associated with various professions, including soldiers, printers, architects, and farmers, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and occupations of those who bore this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Kennerley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kennerley 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. Cheshire leads with 236 Kennerleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.61x.

County Total Index
Cheshire 236 25.61x
Lancashire 112 2.26x
Staffordshire 24 1.70x
Lincolnshire 14 2.10x
Warwickshire 10 0.95x
Middlesex 8 0.19x
Yorkshire 7 0.17x
Derbyshire 6 0.92x
Surrey 6 0.29x
Cornwall 2 0.42x
Durham 1 0.08x
Kent 1 0.07x
Sussex 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Over in Cheshire leads with 49 Kennerleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 522.95x.

Place Total Index
Over 49 522.95x
Congleton 29 182.16x
Odd Rode 17 372.81x
Hale 14 440.25x
Barton Upon Irwell 9 24.14x
Macclesfield 9 21.97x
Moulton 9 1058.82x
Moulton Eaton In 9 1168.83x
Wednesbury 9 25.55x
Smallwood 8 963.86x
Alsager 7 305.68x
Aston 7 2.41x
Buglawton 7 315.32x
Eccleston In Prescot 7 28.15x
Over Darwen 7 17.69x
Plumbley 7 1346.15x
Droylsden 6 37.13x
Hulme 6 5.80x
Northwich 6 408.16x
Oldham 6 3.75x
St Swithin Lincoln 6 57.14x
Toxteth Park 6 3.58x
Witton Cum Twambrooks 6 73.17x
Wolstanton 6 14.02x
Camberwell 5 1.87x
Chorlton Cum Hardy 5 151.98x
Dukinfield 5 11.74x
Farnworth 5 16.85x
Habergham Eaves 5 11.04x
Hoyland Nether 5 49.26x
Knutsford Nether 5 89.77x
Manchester 5 2.24x
Newcastle Under Lyme 5 20.05x
Old Withington 5 602.41x
Siddington 5 862.07x
Stretford 5 18.34x
Winceby 5 5555.56x
Bradford 4 17.25x
Davenport 4 3333.33x
Derby St Werburgh 4 10.60x
Liscard 4 24.10x
Moss Side 4 15.34x
Shoreditch London 4 2.21x
Wharton 4 79.68x
Windle 4 14.35x
Blackley 3 34.56x
Davenham 3 357.14x
Everton 3 1.90x
Fulshaw 3 176.47x
Heaton Norris 3 10.64x
Little Hulton 3 36.59x
North Meols 3 6.19x
Openshaw 3 12.93x
Pownall Fee 3 72.82x
Rushton Spencer 3 612.24x
Sefton 3 545.45x
Shustoke 3 319.15x
Wigtoft 3 309.28x
Chorlton On Medlock 2 2.54x
Clerkenwell London 2 2.03x
Leftwich 2 48.90x
Litchurch 2 7.60x
Rostherne 2 363.64x
Sproston 2 1000.00x
St Just In Roseland 2 96.62x
Sutton In Macclesfield 2 20.92x
Tranmere 2 5.90x
Burslem 1 2.48x
Chatham 1 2.55x
Cheetham 1 2.71x
Cranage 1 158.73x
Goostrey Cum Barnshaw 1 192.31x
Hartlepool 1 5.67x
Hastings Holy Trinity 1 19.27x
Heaton 1 47.85x
Monks Coppenhall 1 2.88x
Nether Hallam 1 1.79x
Rudheath 1 138.89x
Sale 1 8.84x
Weaverham Cum Milton 1 40.98x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 33
Sarah 20
Elizabeth 15
Emily 13
Ellen 10
Alice 8
Ann 8
Annie 8
Eliza 6
Hannah 6
Martha 6
Ada 4
Bertha 4
Edith 4
Emma 4
Harriet 4
Margaret 4
Charlotte 3
Jane 3
Lucy 3
Amelia 2
Catherine 2
Fanny 2
Frances 2
Francis 2
Selina 2
Amy 1
Clara 1
Deborah 1
Dora 1
Elizh. 1
Elly 1
Elsie 1
Flora 1
Florence 1
Gertrude 1
H. 1
Kate 1
Lavinia 1
Leah 1
Lily 1
Lizzie 1
Louisa 1
Louise 1
Lucilla 1
Lydia 1
M. 1
Margret 1
Maria 1
Susanah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 35
William 26
Thomas 23
James 15
George 13
Joseph 13
Samuel 9
Edward 5
Albert 4
Arthur 4
Charles 4
Henry 4
Edwin 3
Herbert 3
Peter 3
Wm. 3
Amos 2
Francis 2
Frederick 2
Geo. 2
Harry 2
Richard 2
Auther 1
Bernard 1
Charlie 1
Clement 1
Elisha 1
Ernest 1
Evelyn 1
Frank 1
Fred.W. 1
Frederic 1
Fredrick 1
Geo.Wm. 1
Gordon 1
Harold 1
Hy. 1
Isaac 1
J.T. 1
J.W. 1
Jas. 1
Jno. 1
Martin 1
Nathaniel 1
Noah 1
Randle 1
Reginald 1
Robert 1
Sam 1
Vincent 1

FAQ

Kennerley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kennerley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 428 people were recorded with the Kennerley surname. That placed it at #7,587 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kennerley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 963 in 2016. That gives Kennerley a modern rank of #5,971.

What does the Kennerley surname mean?

A habitational surname originating in areas around Kidderminster, England.

What does the Kennerley map show?

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