NameCensus.

UK surname

Matley

A variant spelling of the surname Motley, referring to a cloth worker or dealer.

In the 1881 census there were 399 people recorded with the Matley surname, ranking it #7,984 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 460, ranked #10,657, down from #7,984 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Manchester, Mottram-in-Longdendale and Stockport. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tameside, Trafford and Bradford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Matley is 510 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 15.3%.

1881 census count

399

Ranked #7,984

Modern count

460

2016, ranked #10,657

Peak year

1911

510 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Matley had 399 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,984 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 460 in 2016, ranked #10,657.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 510 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Matley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Matley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Matley 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 312 #7,397
1861 historical 261 #9,481
1881 historical 399 #7,984
1891 historical 427 #8,391
1901 historical 425 #9,081
1911 historical 510 #7,718
1997 modern 414 #10,729
1998 modern 431 #10,754
1999 modern 427 #10,919
2000 modern 434 #10,730
2001 modern 442 #10,388
2002 modern 443 #10,577
2003 modern 438 #10,507
2004 modern 427 #10,749
2005 modern 407 #11,041
2006 modern 418 #10,861
2007 modern 419 #10,954
2008 modern 428 #10,869
2009 modern 451 #10,649
2010 modern 469 #10,533
2011 modern 458 #10,630
2012 modern 462 #10,470
2013 modern 477 #10,376
2014 modern 470 #10,557
2015 modern 464 #10,586
2016 modern 460 #10,657

Geography

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Where Matleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Manchester, Mottram-in-Longdendale, Stockport, Ashton-under-Lyne and Prestwich. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Tameside, Trafford, Bradford and Poole. 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 Manchester Lancashire
2 Mottram-in-Longdendale Lancashire
3 Stockport Lancashire
4 Ashton-under-Lyne Lancashire
5 Prestwich Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Tameside 029 Tameside
2 Trafford 017 Trafford
3 Tameside 007 Tameside
4 Bradford 031 Bradford
5 Poole 017 Poole

Forenames

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First names often paired with Matley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Matley

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Matley, 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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Matley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Matley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

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Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles

Group

Established Homeowners with Children

Within London, Matley is most associated with areas classed as Established Homeowners with Children, part of Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

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Group profile

These predominantly British-born residents are typically married/in civil partnerships and own the properties in which they are raising their children. Parents are typically over 45, and many other residents are beyond normal retirement age. Detached and semi-detached houses predominate and multiple car ownership is common.

Wider London pattern

These neighbourhoods house people of all ages, predominantly of White British or European extraction. Resident turnover is low. Religious affiliation is less common than average and tends to be Christian if expressed. Homeownership, typically of terraced houses, is common but use of the social rented sector is not. Employment is typically in professional, managerial and associate professional or technical occupations. There are few full-time students. Level 4 qualifications are common. More households lack dependent children than have them which, considered alongside low levels of crowding and over-all age structure, indicates that many households may be post child-rearing and in late middle age. Incidence of disability is low, as is residence in communal establishments.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Matley is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Matley falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Matley

The surname Matley has its origins in England, tracing back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to be a locational name, derived from the Old English words "maete" meaning "meadow" and "leah" meaning "clearing" or "woodland glade." This suggests that the name likely originated from a place where meadows or clearings in the woods were a prominent feature.

One of the earliest records of the name Matley can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Mateleia" in reference to a place in Gloucestershire. This indicates that the name was already well-established in that region during the late 11th century.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Mateley," "Matelye," and "Mateleye," reflecting the variations in spelling common during that period. These variations likely stemmed from the different pronunciations and dialect influences across different regions of England.

A notable early bearer of the name was Robert de Mateley, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1246. Another early record is that of John de Matelee, who was listed in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1279.

During the 14th century, the name continued to evolve, with spellings like "Mattelay" and "Matlay" appearing in various records. One noteworthy individual from this time was William Matley, a landowner in Warwickshire, who was recorded in the Court Rolls of 1375.

The 16th century saw the emergence of the more modern spelling "Matley." In 1567, a John Matley was born in Gloucestershire, and his descendants carried on the name in that region for several generations.

In the 17th century, the Matley family had spread to various parts of England, with records showing individuals bearing the name in counties such as Worcestershire, Oxfordshire, and Warwickshire. One prominent figure from this period was Sir Thomas Matley, a wealthy merchant and landowner from Gloucestershire, who lived from 1625 to 1692.

The 18th century brought forth several notable individuals with the surname Matley. Edward Matley (1703-1776) was a renowned clockmaker from Gloucestershire, known for his intricate and precise timepieces. Another individual of note was Robert Matley (1745-1823), a prominent architect from Warwickshire who designed several churches and country estates.

In the 19th century, the Matley name continued to be carried on by individuals in various professions. One such person was William Matley (1819-1892), a successful businessman and philanthropist from Oxfordshire, who made significant contributions to local charities and educational institutions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Matley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Matley 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. Lancashire leads with 231 Matleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.07x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 231 5.07x
Cheshire 55 6.48x
Leicestershire 21 4.93x
Middlesex 19 0.49x
Kent 17 1.30x
Yorkshire 13 0.34x
Hampshire 12 1.52x
Derbyshire 4 0.66x
Somerset 3 0.48x
Sussex 3 0.46x
Northamptonshire 2 0.55x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.39x
Staffordshire 2 0.15x
Suffolk 2 0.43x
Surrey 2 0.11x
Warwickshire 2 0.21x
Devon 1 0.13x
Herefordshire 1 0.63x
Lincolnshire 1 0.16x
Oxfordshire 1 0.42x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ashton Under Lyne in Lancashire leads with 57 Matleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 57.19x.

Place Total Index
Ashton Under Lyne 57 57.19x
Oldham 43 29.21x
Dukinfield 25 63.78x
Broughton In Salford 18 43.17x
Newton In Ashton Under 16 191.16x
Manchester 14 6.83x
Ibstock 13 419.35x
Moss Side 10 41.67x
Ardwick 9 21.88x
Bramshott 9 463.92x
Chadderton 9 40.36x
Plumstead 9 20.59x
Westminster St James 9 22.78x
Castleton 8 17.56x
Gomersal 8 44.99x
Haughton 8 120.30x
Ince In Makerfield 7 32.99x
Cheadle 6 37.04x
Chorlton On Medlock 6 8.28x
Lewisham 6 8.58x
Radcliffe 6 27.30x
Urmston 6 202.70x
Whitechapel London 6 15.84x
Whitwick 6 110.70x
Gorton 4 9.33x
Macclesfield 4 10.61x
Rumworth 4 61.35x
Salford 4 2.98x
Bedminster 3 5.16x
Brighton 3 2.29x
Cleckheaton 3 21.38x
North Meols 3 6.72x
Aston 2 0.75x
Beswick 2 17.15x
Birkdale 2 17.33x
Burton Upon Trent 2 6.59x
Derby St Werburgh 2 5.76x
Glossop Dale 2 7.10x
Heaton Norris 2 7.70x
Hulme 2 2.10x
Newton 2 5.69x
Northampton All Sts 2 16.30x
Nottingham St Mary 2 1.49x
Portsea 2 1.30x
Swepstone 2 289.86x
Aldershot 1 3.79x
Barrow In Furness 1 1.61x
Barton Upon Irwell 1 2.91x
Bredbury 1 20.37x
Bromley London 1 1.18x
Chatham 1 2.77x
Chelsea London 1 0.86x
Cratfield 1 153.85x
Denton 1 9.89x
Enfield 1 3.97x
Great Grimsby 1 2.56x
Handsworth 1 9.93x
Hereford All Sts 1 13.85x
Huddersfield 1 1.80x
Ipsden 1 106.38x
Kensington London 1 0.47x
Kingston On Thames 1 2.22x
Kirkley 1 25.51x
Lambeth 1 0.30x
Liverpool 1 0.36x
Mottram 1 26.04x
Northam 1 17.15x
Sevenoaks 1 9.41x
Stockport 1 2.29x
Sutton In Macclesfield 1 11.36x
Tottington Lower End 1 4.61x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 22
James 17
Joseph 14
Samuel 10
William 10
Thomas 9
Charles 6
Edward 6
Frederick 5
George 5
Arthur 4
Edwin 4
Frank 4
Henry 4
Abraham 3
Josiah 3
Richard 3
Aaron 2
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Andrew 2
Daniel 2
Fred 2
Harry 2
Jas. 2
Augustine 1
Bernard 1
Clifford 1
David 1
Ellis 1
Ernest 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.Geo. 1
Fredk.H.J. 1
Fredrick 1
Gilbert 1
Handel 1
Isaac 1
Jno. 1
Johnson 1
Jonathan 1
Jonathon 1
Joshua 1
Levi 1
Mary 1
Otho 1
Robert 1
Sam 1
Saml. 1
Wm.Henry 1

FAQ

Matley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Matley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 399 people were recorded with the Matley surname. That placed it at #7,984 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Matley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 460 in 2016. That gives Matley a modern rank of #10,657.

What does the Matley surname mean?

A variant spelling of the surname Motley, referring to a cloth worker or dealer.

What does the Matley map show?

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