NameCensus.

UK surname

Longley

Derived from a place name meaning "long meadow" in Old English, referring to someone who lived near such a feature.

In the 1881 census there were 2,028 people recorded with the Longley surname, ranking it #2,170 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,444, ranked #2,697, down from #2,170 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Giles Camberwell and Sheffield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Doncaster, Kingston upon Hull and Leeds.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Longley is 2,838 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 20.5%.

1881 census count

2,028

Ranked #2,170

Modern count

2,444

2016, ranked #2,697

Peak year

1911

2,838 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Longley had 2,028 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,170 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,444 in 2016, ranked #2,697.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,838 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Longley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Longley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Longley 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 1,349 #2,135
1861 historical 1,604 #1,775
1881 historical 2,028 #2,170
1891 historical 2,396 #1,965
1901 historical 2,645 #2,086
1911 historical 2,838 #1,837
1997 modern 2,566 #2,473
1998 modern 2,645 #2,489
1999 modern 2,701 #2,465
2000 modern 2,630 #2,497
2001 modern 2,576 #2,498
2002 modern 2,616 #2,520
2003 modern 2,532 #2,539
2004 modern 2,518 #2,555
2005 modern 2,445 #2,588
2006 modern 2,446 #2,589
2007 modern 2,469 #2,593
2008 modern 2,481 #2,599
2009 modern 2,492 #2,650
2010 modern 2,544 #2,659
2011 modern 2,514 #2,663
2012 modern 2,471 #2,653
2013 modern 2,495 #2,668
2014 modern 2,515 #2,665
2015 modern 2,460 #2,696
2016 modern 2,444 #2,697

Geography

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Where Longleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Giles Camberwell, Sheffield and Leeds. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Doncaster, Kingston upon Hull, Leeds, Wakefield and Sevenoaks. 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 St Giles Camberwell London (South Districts)
3 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
4 London parishes London 2
5 Leeds Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Doncaster 002 Doncaster
2 Kingston upon Hull 008 Kingston upon Hull, City of
3 Leeds 046 Leeds
4 Wakefield 024 Wakefield
5 Sevenoaks 015 Sevenoaks

Forenames

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First names often paired with Longley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Longley

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Longley is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Longley 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

Longley 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 Longley 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 Longley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Longley

The surname Longley is of English origin, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "lang" and "leah," which together signify a long meadow or clearing. This name likely originated in areas where such landscapes were prevalent, such as the counties of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Derbyshire.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Longley can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and resources commissioned by William the Conqueror. This ancient document contains references to individuals bearing variations of the name, including Langelei and Longelei, indicating its long-standing presence in England.

During the 13th century, the name Longley appeared in various legal and ecclesiastical records, such as the Pipe Rolls and the Chartularies of religious houses. One notable example is Robert de Longeleia, a landowner mentioned in the Chartulary of Rievaulx Abbey in Yorkshire in 1240.

By the 16th century, the spelling of the name had evolved closer to its modern form. In 1563, the marriage of John Longley and Agnes Browne was recorded in the parish registers of Ecclesfield, Yorkshire. This region, along with Lancashire and Derbyshire, remained strongholds for the Longley surname throughout the subsequent centuries.

Among the notable individuals who bore the Longley name, Sir Henry Longley (1549-1611) stands out as a distinguished lawyer and Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another prominent figure was Thomas Longley (1794-1868), who served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1862 until his death, playing a significant role in the Church of England during the Victorian era.

In the realm of literature, the English poet and writer William Longley (1813-1881) made his mark with works such as "The Midnight Watch" and "The Sailing of King Olaf." Additionally, the American artist and educator Earl Longley (1894-1980) gained recognition for his landscape paintings and his role as a professor at the University of Oregon.

The Longley surname has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as Longley Lane in Huddersfield and Longley Village in Sheffield, both located in Yorkshire. These toponyms further reinforce the connection between the name and the geographical features from which it originated.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Longley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Longley 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. Yorkshire leads with 749 Longleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.81x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 749 3.81x
Kent 344 5.08x
Sussex 264 7.89x
Surrey 169 1.75x
Middlesex 155 0.78x
Lancashire 101 0.43x
Durham 47 0.80x
Nottinghamshire 27 1.01x
Derbyshire 22 0.71x
Essex 18 0.46x
Hampshire 17 0.42x
Cheshire 14 0.32x
Cumberland 13 0.76x
Warwickshire 12 0.24x
Hertfordshire 11 0.80x
Gloucestershire 10 0.26x
Suffolk 8 0.33x
Lincolnshire 7 0.22x
Norfolk 7 0.23x
Buckinghamshire 5 0.42x
Montgomeryshire 5 1.10x
Northamptonshire 4 0.21x
Staffordshire 4 0.06x
Channel Islands 3 0.51x
Devon 3 0.07x
Somerset 3 0.09x
Berkshire 2 0.13x
Cornwall 2 0.09x
Northumberland 2 0.07x
Royal Navy 2 0.85x
Worcestershire 2 0.08x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.08x
Lanarkshire 1 0.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leeds in Yorkshire leads with 77 Longleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.94x.

Place Total Index
Leeds 77 6.94x
Nether Hallam 56 21.05x
Ecclesall Bierlow 44 11.00x
Oldham 39 5.13x
Camberwell 35 2.76x
Broadwater 32 41.70x
Hunslet 32 10.44x
Alverthorpe Cum Thornes 28 39.22x
Worsbrough 25 43.40x
Liversedge 24 27.42x
Tonbridge 22 9.01x
Brighton 21 3.11x
Worth 21 86.46x
Darlington 20 8.78x
Morley 20 19.57x
Ramsgate 20 18.10x
Barugh 18 108.37x
Brightside Bierlow 18 4.67x
Chiddingstone 18 203.39x
East Grinstead 18 38.01x
Sheffield 18 2.88x
Wortley In Bramley 18 11.56x
Bethnal Green London 17 1.97x
Cowden 17 384.62x
Edenbridge 17 128.01x
Glossop Dale 16 11.00x
Islington London 16 0.83x
Rainham 16 86.02x
Lindley Cum Quarmby 15 30.25x
Lofthouse Cum Carlton 15 62.60x
Maidstone 15 7.44x
Saddleworth 15 9.89x
Ashton Under Lyne 14 2.72x
Bexhill 14 83.98x
Hever 14 302.38x
Newington 14 1.91x
Newton 14 7.72x
Ashford 13 19.72x
Brampton Bierlow 13 51.63x
Cawthorne In Wortley 13 163.73x
Chelsea London 13 2.17x
Hailsham 13 64.20x
Horsham 13 20.01x
St Lawrence 13 27.93x
Hammersmith London 12 2.46x
Reigate Foreign 12 11.46x
Sunderland 12 11.51x
Battersea 11 1.51x
Ditchling 11 120.75x
Huddersfield 11 3.84x
Potter Newton 11 31.71x
Armley 10 11.53x
Gomersal 10 10.90x
Rastrick 10 18.31x
Battle 9 39.86x
Cumberworth 9 89.91x
Dodworth 9 44.07x
Holbeck 9 6.91x
Lambeth 9 0.52x
Newenden 9 873.79x
Ossett Cum Gawthorpe 9 12.82x
Rotherhithe 9 3.67x
Sculcoates 9 2.89x
Warmsworth 9 318.02x
West Derby 9 1.31x
Arundel 8 42.71x
Canterbury St Alphage 8 110.65x
Churwell 8 59.66x
Cudworth 8 112.84x
Darton 8 39.72x
Dukinfield 8 3.95x
Hampton Wick London 8 55.06x
Horsemonden 8 80.89x
Longwood 8 25.24x
Wakefield 8 5.30x
Wandsworth 8 4.19x
Yalding 8 46.81x
Bearsted 7 171.57x
Shitlington 7 34.41x
Shoreditch London 7 0.81x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 113
John 93
George 78
Thomas 67
James 65
Henry 49
Charles 43
Joseph 37
Walter 32
Edward 28
Arthur 22
Alfred 18
Harry 18
Albert 17
Richard 17
Robert 15
Frank 13
Frederick 12
Herbert 12
David 11
Samuel 11
Ernest 10
Wm. 10
Edwin 7
Fred 7
Tom 7
Benjamin 6
Edgar 6
Joe 6
Thos. 6
Isaac 5
Reginald 5
Timothy 5
Louis 4
Sam 4
Abraham 3
Ben 3
Fredrick 3
Geo. 3
Hubert 3
Joshua 3
Laban 3
Percy 3
Sidney 3
Anthony 2
Charley 2
Chas. 2
Ezra 2
Mathew 2
Ralph 2

FAQ

Longley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Longley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,028 people were recorded with the Longley surname. That placed it at #2,170 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Longley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,444 in 2016. That gives Longley a modern rank of #2,697.

What does the Longley surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "long meadow" in Old English, referring to someone who lived near such a feature.

What does the Longley map show?

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