UK surname
A surname derived from a place name in England, possibly related to the Old English word "mæs" meaning "meadow."
In the 1881 census there were 33 people recorded with the Masley surname, ranking it #28,965 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 11, ranked #37,501, down from #28,965 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Elmton, Shipton-under-Wychwood and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Masley is 311 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 66.7%.
1881 census count
33
Ranked #28,965
Modern count
11
2016, ranked #37,501
Peak year
1861
311 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Masley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Masley surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 71 | #20,875 |
| 1861 | historical | 311 | #8,151 |
| 1881 | historical | 33 | #28,965 |
| 1891 | historical | 96 | #24,559 |
| 1901 | historical | 42 | #29,487 |
| 1911 | historical | 28 | #30,296 |
| 1997 | modern | 4 | #38,094 |
| 1998 | modern | 9 | #37,189 |
| 1999 | modern | 8 | #37,367 |
| 2000 | modern | 8 | #37,264 |
| 2001 | modern | 8 | #37,124 |
| 2002 | modern | 9 | #37,051 |
| 2003 | modern | 8 | #37,248 |
| 2004 | modern | 7 | #37,496 |
| 2005 | modern | 7 | #37,581 |
| 2006 | modern | 8 | #37,481 |
| 2007 | modern | 11 | #37,217 |
| 2008 | modern | 12 | #37,143 |
| 2009 | modern | 14 | #37,041 |
| 2010 | modern | 15 | #37,038 |
| 2011 | modern | 12 | #37,287 |
| 2012 | modern | 11 | #37,394 |
| 2013 | modern | 12 | #37,342 |
| 2014 | modern | 11 | #37,462 |
| 2015 | modern | 11 | #37,467 |
| 2016 | modern | 11 | #37,501 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Elmton, Shipton-under-Wychwood, Manchester, Wednesbury and St Leonard. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elmton | Nottinghamshire |
| 2 | Shipton-under-Wychwood | Oxfordshire |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Wednesbury | Staffordshire |
| 5 | St Leonard | Berkshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Masley surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Masley, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Masley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Masley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Masley is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Masley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Masley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Masley is of English origin, with roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated from a place name, specifically a location in Yorkshire called Masham. The earliest recorded spelling of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Masselai."
During the 12th century, the name was primarily concentrated in the northern counties of England, particularly Yorkshire and Northumberland. It is thought to have derived from the Old English words "maes" meaning "meadow" and "leah" meaning "clearing," suggesting that the name may have referred to someone who lived in a meadow clearing.
One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the Masley surname was Sir Robert Masley, a knight who fought alongside King Edward III in the Hundred Years' War against France in the 14th century. Another notable figure was John Masley, a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of York during the late 15th century.
In the 16th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Maseley, Masseley, and Masely, reflecting the variations in spelling common during that era. One prominent individual from this period was William Masley, a scholar and clergyman who served as the Dean of Lincoln Cathedral from 1562 to 1568.
As the Masley family spread throughout England, they established roots in different regions, leading to the emergence of various branches and variations of the name. For instance, in the 17th century, there was a notable family of Masleys residing in Cheshire, with Sir Richard Masley, born in 1623, being a prominent landowner and member of the local gentry.
During the 18th century, the Masley name gained further recognition with the accomplishments of individuals like Thomas Masley, a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including St. Botolph's Church in Aldgate. Another notable figure from this era was Elizabeth Masley, a celebrated writer and poet whose works were widely read and appreciated throughout literary circles.
As time passed, the Masley surname continued to be carried by individuals from various walks of life, including politicians, artists, and scholars. One such example is James Masley, a 19th-century painter known for his landscapes and portraits, who exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Masley surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 12 Masleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.14x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 12 | 3.14x |
| Derbyshire | 5 | 9.93x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 1.57x |
| Leicestershire | 3 | 8.41x |
| Kent | 2 | 1.82x |
| Surrey | 2 | 1.28x |
| Brecknockshire | 1 | 15.55x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 1.59x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.31x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 2.02x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Heaton Norris in Lancashire leads with 7 Masleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 322.58x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Heaton Norris | 7 | 322.58x |
| Eckington | 5 | 409.84x |
| Salford | 5 | 44.52x |
| Ecclesfield | 3 | 128.21x |
| Leicester St Margaret | 3 | 34.48x |
| Bexley | 2 | 206.19x |
| Mexborough | 2 | 317.46x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 4.87x |
| Clifton | 1 | 31.35x |
| Gasthorpe | 1 | 10000.00x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 5.82x |
| Trallong | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Wandsworth | 1 | 32.26x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Masley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Masley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Masley households.
FAQ
In 1881, 33 people were recorded with the Masley surname. That placed it at #28,965 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 11 in 2016. That gives Masley a modern rank of #37,501.
A surname derived from a place name in England, possibly related to the Old English word "mæs" meaning "meadow."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Masley bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.