NameCensus.

UK surname

Mackley

An English, Scottish, or Irish surname meaning "son of Matthew".

In the 1881 census there were 463 people recorded with the Mackley surname, ranking it #7,170 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 603, ranked #8,687, down from #7,170 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Redmile, London parishes and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Melton, Ryedale and Charnwood.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mackley is 680 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 30.2%.

1881 census count

463

Ranked #7,170

Modern count

603

2016, ranked #8,687

Peak year

1911

680 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mackley had 463 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,170 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 603 in 2016, ranked #8,687.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 680 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Mackley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mackley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mackley 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 330 #7,062
1861 historical 369 #6,919
1881 historical 463 #7,170
1891 historical 533 #7,045
1901 historical 621 #6,877
1911 historical 680 #6,214
1997 modern 617 #7,988
1998 modern 635 #8,050
1999 modern 658 #7,874
2000 modern 658 #7,865
2001 modern 640 #7,883
2002 modern 627 #8,187
2003 modern 599 #8,351
2004 modern 597 #8,375
2005 modern 591 #8,363
2006 modern 577 #8,533
2007 modern 568 #8,690
2008 modern 581 #8,623
2009 modern 575 #8,866
2010 modern 586 #8,946
2011 modern 600 #8,696
2012 modern 594 #8,679
2013 modern 610 #8,628
2014 modern 597 #8,832
2015 modern 598 #8,763
2016 modern 603 #8,687

Geography

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Where Mackleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Redmile, London parishes, Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars, St Paul, St Saviour, St Edmund, St Simon and Jude, St Peter Hungate, St Michael at Plea, St Martin a and Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Melton, Ryedale, Charnwood, East Riding of Yorkshire and Bromley. 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 Redmile Lincolnshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire
4 St Paul, St Saviour, St Edmund, St Simon and Jude, St Peter Hungate, St Michael at Plea, St Martin a Norfolk
5 Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Melton 001 Melton
2 Ryedale 003 Ryedale
3 Charnwood 014 Charnwood
4 East Riding of Yorkshire 015 East Riding of Yorkshire
5 Bromley 032 Bromley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mackley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mackley

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Mackley is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mackley is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mackley falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mackley 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 Mackley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Mackley

The surname Mackley is believed to have originated in England, with roots dating back to the medieval era. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "mæc" and "leah," which together mean "meadow of the sons." This suggests that the name may have referred to a family or group residing in a particular meadow or clearing.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Mackley name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation conducted by William the Conqueror after the Norman Conquest of England. The entry mentions a landowner named Macli, which is likely a variant spelling of the surname.

During the 13th century, the name appeared in various records and documents, often spelled as "Mackeley" or "Mackelay." These variations could be attributed to regional dialects or the scribes' interpretations of the name at the time.

In the 14th century, there are records of a John Mackley, born around 1320, who was a prominent merchant and landowner in the county of Yorkshire. His descendants continued to use the Mackley surname, and some of them became influential figures in their local communities.

Another notable bearer of the Mackley name was Sir William Mackley, who lived during the late 15th century. He was a respected military commander and served under King Henry VII during the Wars of the Roses. Sir William Mackley was knighted for his bravery and loyalty on the battlefield.

In the 17th century, the Mackley family had established roots in various parts of England, including the counties of Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire. One significant figure from this period was Thomas Mackley, born in 1625, who was a prominent scholar and author of several works on theology and philosophy.

Another noteworthy individual was Robert Mackley, born in 1742, who was a renowned architect and contributed to the design of several churches and public buildings in London and the surrounding areas.

During the 19th century, the Mackley name became associated with various industries, including agriculture, mining, and manufacturing. One example is James Mackley, born in 1812, who was a successful industrialist and owned several coal mines in the north of England.

While the Mackley surname has its origins in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and exploration. However, the historical records and documented instances mentioned above provide valuable insights into the rich heritage and significance of this surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mackley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mackley 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. Leicestershire leads with 99 Mackleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.81x.

County Total Index
Leicestershire 99 19.81x
Norfolk 73 10.54x
Yorkshire 64 1.43x
Nottinghamshire 42 6.91x
Kent 32 2.08x
Lincolnshire 28 3.89x
Lancashire 19 0.36x
Middlesex 18 0.40x
Northamptonshire 15 3.54x
Essex 12 1.35x
Sussex 12 1.58x
Surrey 11 0.50x
Cheshire 10 1.01x
Northumberland 10 1.49x
Durham 4 0.30x
Hampshire 3 0.32x
Dorset 2 0.68x
Rutland 2 6.04x
Cornwall 1 0.20x
Huntingdonshire 1 1.12x
Morayshire 1 1.43x
Staffordshire 1 0.07x
Suffolk 1 0.18x
Warwickshire 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leicester St Margaret in Leicestershire leads with 20 Mackleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.41x.

Place Total Index
Leicester St Margaret 20 16.41x
Redmile 20 2666.67x
Melton Mowbray 17 189.31x
Milton In Gravesend 16 69.38x
Norwich St Augustine 15 537.63x
Norwich St Clement 14 174.35x
St Swithin Lincoln 12 105.91x
Brighton 11 7.18x
Brightside Bierlow 11 12.56x
Garthorpe 11 5789.47x
Croxton Keyrial 10 1176.47x
Mistley 10 418.41x
Elswick 9 16.82x
Gravesend 9 69.12x
Lockton 9 1451.61x
Norwich St Giles 9 405.41x
Norwich St Gregory 9 743.80x
Nottingham St Mary 9 5.73x
Hathern 8 396.04x
Norwich St James 8 147.06x
Southcoates 8 32.27x
Stretford 8 27.19x
Camberwell 7 2.43x
Great Grimsby 7 15.31x
Langar 7 1060.61x
Peterborough 7 22.81x
St Pancras London 7 1.93x
Standground 7 344.83x
Azerley 6 566.04x
Colston Bassett 6 1250.00x
Huggate 6 705.88x
Monks Coppenhall 6 15.98x
North Muskham 5 595.24x
Spittlegate 5 50.15x
Altrincham 4 23.02x
Cheetham 4 10.03x
Heigham 4 10.76x
Lenton 4 27.95x
Manningham 4 7.27x
Melton Mowbray Welby 4 5000.00x
North Meols 4 7.64x
Norwich St Saviour 4 164.61x
Norwich St Stephen 4 62.89x
Sculcoates 4 5.65x
Asfordby 3 361.45x
Basford 3 10.71x
Kensington London 3 1.20x
Knottingley 3 38.22x
Leeds 3 1.19x
Norwich St Paul 3 72.29x
Portsea 3 1.66x
Radford 3 9.72x
Westoe 3 3.95x
Bethnal Green London 2 1.02x
Bingham 2 77.52x
Canford Magna 2 116.96x
Dartford 2 12.72x
Eltham 2 22.20x
Fishwick 2 60.42x
Greasley 2 14.60x
Lambeth 2 0.51x
Norwich St Benedict 2 64.72x
Paddington London 2 1.21x
Sheffield 2 1.41x
Shipley 2 8.63x
Shoreditch London 2 1.02x
West Ham 2 1.02x
Wilsden 2 43.57x
Barford 1 90.09x
Barkestone 1 212.77x
East Dereham 1 11.43x
Elgin 1 7.34x
Grantham 1 10.65x
Hythe St Leonard 1 18.42x
Ipswich St Mary Stoke 1 19.65x
Launde 1 1000.00x
Manton 1 208.33x
North Shields 1 7.47x
Papplewick 1 196.08x
Wistow 1 84.03x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 23
Sarah 21
Elizabeth 19
Ann 11
Jane 10
Annie 8
Eliza 8
Alice 7
Ellen 6
Hannah 6
Frances 5
Kate 5
Maria 5
Martha 5
Edith 4
Emma 4
Gertrude 4
Louisa 4
Caroline 3
Clara 3
Emily 3
Ethel 3
Florence 3
Harriett 3
Lucy 3
Amelia 2
Betsy 2
Charlotte 2
Eleanor 2
Fanny 2
George 2
Harriet 2
Mabel 2
Matilda 2
May 2
Nellie 2
Rosa 2
Rose 2
Alborough 1
Amy 1
Catherine 1
Elleanor 1
Ethelinda 1
Eva 1
Fannie 1
Juliana 1
Katie 1
Lilian 1
Lillian 1
Victoria 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 32
William 25
Thomas 21
George 18
Robert 14
Richard 9
Henry 8
Charles 7
James 7
Edward 5
Frank 4
Samuel 4
Walter 4
Alfred 3
Benjamin 3
Ernest 3
Herbert 3
Joseph 3
Wm. 3
Albert 2
David 2
Edgar 2
Harry 2
Isaac 2
Lewis 2
Willm. 2
Arthur 1
Auther 1
Bertram 1
Charlie 1
Chas. 1
Edd. 1
Edw. 1
Emmerson 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Geo. 1
Gibson 1
Jacob 1
Jno.Earnest 1
Leopold 1
Minnie 1
Patrick 1
Sarah 1
Stephen 1
Sydney 1
Waites 1
Ward 1
Wm.Henry 1

FAQ

Mackley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mackley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 463 people were recorded with the Mackley surname. That placed it at #7,170 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mackley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 603 in 2016. That gives Mackley a modern rank of #8,687.

What does the Mackley surname mean?

An English, Scottish, or Irish surname meaning "son of Matthew".

What does the Mackley map show?

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