NameCensus.

UK surname

Kiteley

A habitational surname originating from a place named Kiteley.

In the 1881 census there were 136 people recorded with the Kiteley surname, ranking it #16,433 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 282, ranked #15,406, up from #16,433 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Sedgley, Chilvers Coton and St Mary Stratford-le-Bow. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Warwickshire, East Cambridgeshire and Central Bedfordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kiteley is 337 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 107.4%.

1881 census count

136

Ranked #16,433

Modern count

282

2016, ranked #15,406

Peak year

1998

337 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kiteley had 136 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,433 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 282 in 2016, ranked #15,406.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 213 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Kiteley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kiteley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kiteley 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 113 #15,815
1861 historical 59 #26,466
1881 historical 136 #16,433
1891 historical 114 #22,006
1901 historical 158 #17,507
1911 historical 213 #14,379
1997 modern 304 #13,409
1998 modern 337 #12,859
1999 modern 329 #13,147
2000 modern 322 #13,307
2001 modern 312 #13,392
2002 modern 310 #13,697
2003 modern 297 #13,917
2004 modern 302 #13,833
2005 modern 291 #14,105
2006 modern 287 #14,295
2007 modern 295 #14,198
2008 modern 300 #14,135
2009 modern 311 #14,069
2010 modern 316 #14,198
2011 modern 303 #14,506
2012 modern 290 #14,838
2013 modern 295 #14,918
2014 modern 290 #15,203
2015 modern 293 #15,005
2016 modern 282 #15,406

Geography

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Where Kiteleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Sedgley, Chilvers Coton, St Mary Stratford-le-Bow, Kidderminster and Nuneaton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Warwickshire, East Cambridgeshire, Central Bedfordshire and Sandwell. 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 Sedgley Staffordshire
2 Chilvers Coton Warwickshire
3 St Mary Stratford-le-Bow London (East Districts)
4 Kidderminster Worcestershire
5 Nuneaton Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Warwickshire 003 North Warwickshire
2 East Cambridgeshire 011 East Cambridgeshire
3 Central Bedfordshire 014 Central Bedfordshire
4 Sandwell 004 Sandwell
5 Central Bedfordshire 013 Central Bedfordshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kiteley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kiteley

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Kiteley, 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 Kiteley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Kiteley 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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Kiteley 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

Kiteley is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kiteley falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kiteley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Kiteley

The surname Kiteley has its roots in England, with its origins dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "cyte," meaning a cottage or small dwelling, and the suffix "-ley," which refers to a meadow or clearing. This combination suggests that the name originally referred to a person who lived in a cottage situated in a meadow or clearing.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kiteley can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landholdings and taxation compiled in 1086 under the orders of William the Conqueror. It is mentioned in the entry for Gloucestershire, where a certain Radulfus de Kiteleia is listed as a landowner.

The surname Kiteley is also linked to several place names across England, such as Kitteley in Shropshire and Kitteley in Worcestershire. These locations likely served as the ancestral homes of families bearing the name, which later spread to other regions.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named John de Kytteley was recorded as a member of the gentry in Gloucestershire. Records from this time period show variations in the spelling, including Kytteley, Kyttelee, and Kittelee.

During the 16th century, a prominent individual named William Kiteley (1535-1598) served as a Member of Parliament for Wallingford in Berkshire. He was a respected landowner and played an active role in local governance.

Another notable bearer of the name was Richard Kiteley (1603-1678), a clergyman and scholar who served as the rector of Brightwell Baldwin in Oxfordshire. He was recognized for his contributions to religious literature and theological discourse.

In the 18th century, John Kiteley (1727-1801) gained recognition as a successful merchant and philanthropist in Bristol. He was instrumental in establishing several charitable institutions and supporting causes that benefited the local community.

The 19th century saw the rise of Charles Kiteley (1819-1892), a renowned architect and urban planner who left his mark on the architectural landscape of London. His designs included several notable buildings and public spaces that are still cherished today.

These are just a few examples of individuals who carried the surname Kiteley throughout history, each leaving their unique imprint on various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of the name's legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kiteley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kiteley 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. Staffordshire leads with 38 Kiteleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.49x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 38 8.49x
Middlesex 28 2.11x
Warwickshire 18 5.38x
Worcestershire 18 10.39x
Bedfordshire 14 20.38x
Northamptonshire 9 7.21x
Huntingdonshire 3 11.39x
Lancashire 2 0.13x
Shropshire 2 1.75x
Yorkshire 2 0.15x
Derbyshire 1 0.48x
Surrey 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kidderminster Borough in Worcestershire leads with 13 Kiteleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 128.21x.

Place Total Index
Kidderminster Borough 13 128.21x
Sedgley 13 78.17x
Bow London 11 65.13x
Finchley 11 216.11x
Wolverhampton 10 29.04x
Clifton 8 1212.12x
Weston 8 8000.00x
Upper Boddington 7 5000.00x
Leighton Buzzard 6 203.39x
Leamington Hastings 5 2380.95x
Shoreditch London 5 8.69x
West Bromwich 4 15.60x
Buckden 3 638.30x
Harborne 3 20.91x
Martley 3 600.00x
Walsall Foreign 3 12.97x
Birdingbury 2 6666.67x
Leamington Priors 2 24.30x
Rushall 2 75.76x
Salford 2 4.32x
Upper Arley 2 606.06x
Wombridge 2 141.84x
Woodford Cum Membris 2 740.74x
Camberwell 1 1.18x
Cannock 1 12.80x
Chaddesley Corbett 1 153.85x
Fulham London 1 5.20x
Kidderminster Foreign 1 40.82x
Matlock 1 35.84x
Pannal 1 79.37x
Southam 1 123.46x
West Ardsley 1 63.29x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
Joseph 7
George 6
John 6
Thomas 6
William 6
David 4
Arthur 3
Alfred 2
Frederick 2
James 2
Robert 2
Samuel 2
Walter 2
Benjamin 1
Charles 1
Edward 1
Evered 1
Frederic 1
Henry 1
Herbert 1
Jessie 1
Richard 1
Thos. 1
Willm. 1
Wm. 1
Yeoman 1
Yerman 1

FAQ

Kiteley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kiteley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 136 people were recorded with the Kiteley surname. That placed it at #16,433 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kiteley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 282 in 2016. That gives Kiteley a modern rank of #15,406.

What does the Kiteley surname mean?

A habitational surname originating from a place named Kiteley.

What does the Kiteley map show?

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