NameCensus.

UK surname

Leavey

An Irish surname originating from the Gaelic "Ó Liamhna" meaning descendent of the chanter.

In the 1881 census there were 108 people recorded with the Leavey surname, ranking it #18,888 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 289, ranked #15,137, up from #18,888 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Southampton St Mary and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Basingstoke and Deane, Ashford and Sedgemoor.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Leavey is 363 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 167.6%.

1881 census count

108

Ranked #18,888

Modern count

289

2016, ranked #15,137

Peak year

1998

363 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Leavey had 108 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,888 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 289 in 2016, ranked #15,137.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 253 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Leavey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Leavey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Leavey 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 106 #16,512
1861 historical 120 #18,255
1881 historical 108 #18,888
1891 historical 159 #17,636
1901 historical 222 #14,169
1911 historical 253 #12,776
1997 modern 353 #12,096
1998 modern 363 #12,228
1999 modern 356 #12,456
2000 modern 354 #12,460
2001 modern 347 #12,449
2002 modern 354 #12,490
2003 modern 334 #12,847
2004 modern 320 #13,311
2005 modern 320 #13,243
2006 modern 323 #13,205
2007 modern 313 #13,648
2008 modern 306 #13,943
2009 modern 306 #14,218
2010 modern 303 #14,626
2011 modern 294 #14,798
2012 modern 289 #14,875
2013 modern 305 #14,577
2014 modern 313 #14,406
2015 modern 302 #14,687
2016 modern 289 #15,137

Geography

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Where Leaveys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Southampton St Mary, Lambeth, Croydon, Battersea (Penge), Sanderstead and Pewsham, Chippenham, Langley Burrell, Hardenhuish, Kington, Slaughterford, Biddestone St Nicholas an. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Basingstoke and Deane, Ashford, Sedgemoor and Castlemilk. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Southampton St Mary Hampshire
3 Lambeth London (South Districts)
4 Croydon, Battersea (Penge), Sanderstead Surrey
5 Pewsham, Chippenham, Langley Burrell, Hardenhuish, Kington, Slaughterford, Biddestone St Nicholas an Wiltshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Basingstoke and Deane 017 Basingstoke and Deane
2 Ashford 004 Ashford
3 Sedgemoor 003 Sedgemoor
4 Castlemilk Glasgow City
5 Basingstoke and Deane 005 Basingstoke and Deane

Forenames

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First names often paired with Leavey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Leavey

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Leavey 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

Leavey 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

Leavey 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 Leavey 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Leavey

The surname Leavey has its roots in England, originating during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "leah," meaning a meadow or forest clearing, combined with the suffix "-ey," which signifies a location. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone residing in or near a meadow or clearing.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Leavey can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and population in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Levei," which likely evolved into its current spelling over time.

In the 13th century, records indicate the presence of a family bearing the name Leavey in the county of Lancashire. This region is known for place names containing the element "lea" or "ley," lending further credence to the name's connection with meadows or clearings.

During the late 16th century, a notable figure named John Leavey (1550-1628) was a prominent merchant and landowner in the city of Bristol. His legacy includes the establishment of several charitable endowments that benefited the local community.

Another individual of note was Sir Michael Leavey (1676-1749), a British military officer who served in the War of the Spanish Succession. He rose to the rank of Colonel and was recognized for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.

In the 18th century, the name Leavey gained recognition through the works of the poet and playwright William Leavey (1720-1789). His literary contributions, though not widely celebrated today, were well-regarded during his lifetime.

The 19th century saw the emergence of Elizabeth Leavey (1832-1912), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights. She founded several schools and institutions dedicated to improving educational opportunities for women in England.

Another notable figure was Sir Arthur Leavey (1856-1928), a prominent architect responsible for designing numerous iconic buildings across Britain, including churches, universities, and government structures.

Throughout history, the surname Leavey has been associated with various geographical locations, particularly in England, where it is believed to have originated. Variants of the name, such as Leavy, Levey, and Levie, have also been recorded, reflecting regional variations in spelling and pronunciation.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Leavey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Leavey 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. Hampshire leads with 42 Leaveys recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.45x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 42 19.45x
Surrey 23 4.48x
Lancashire 14 1.12x
Wiltshire 9 9.66x
Durham 8 2.55x
Middlesex 5 0.47x
Kent 4 1.11x
Channel Islands 1 3.20x
Dorset 1 1.45x
Somerset 1 0.59x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Basingstoke in Hampshire leads with 16 Leaveys recorded in 1881 and an index of 645.16x.

Place Total Index
Basingstoke 16 645.16x
Southwark Christchurch 14 283.40x
Chippenham 8 410.26x
Toxteth Park 8 18.90x
Wootton St Lawrence 8 2222.22x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 6 44.22x
Leatherhead 6 465.12x
Tadley 6 1621.62x
Southampton St Mary 5 36.82x
Sherfield Upon Loddon 4 1739.13x
Maidstone 3 28.01x
Warrington 3 20.24x
Witton 3 191.08x
Clapham 2 15.19x
Elvet 2 88.50x
St George In East London 2 20.18x
St Martin In Fields 2 31.70x
Alton 1 61.35x
Chard 1 48.78x
Frimley 1 68.49x
Holy Rood 1 227.27x
Laycock 1 238.10x
Milton In Gravesend 1 18.55x
Portland 1 26.88x
Shadwell London 1 33.90x
St Peter Port 1 17.33x
Wolverton 1 1428.57x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 7
Ellen 4
Mary 4
Sarah 3
Ada 2
Anne 2
Annie 2
Clara 2
Clementina 2
Eliza 2
Kate 2
Matilda 2
Rosina 2
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Amy 1
Berth 1
Bridget 1
Caroline 1
Catherin 1
Catrina 1
Charlotte 1
Edith 1
Ella 1
Ethel 1
Fanny 1
Frances 1
Gertrude 1
Louisa 1
M. 1
Marey 1
Rosa 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Leavey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Leavey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 108 people were recorded with the Leavey surname. That placed it at #18,888 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Leavey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 289 in 2016. That gives Leavey a modern rank of #15,137.

What does the Leavey surname mean?

An Irish surname originating from the Gaelic "Ó Liamhna" meaning descendent of the chanter.

What does the Leavey map show?

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