UK surname
A surname derived from a place name, possibly of French origins.
In the 1881 census there were 106 people recorded with the Melley surname, ranking it #19,083 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 71, ranked #33,633, down from #19,083 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Northfield, Alvechurch and Kings Norton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Melley is 117 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 33.0%.
1881 census count
106
Ranked #19,083
Modern count
71
2016, ranked #33,633
Peak year
1891
117 bearers
Map years
3
1881 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Melley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Melley surname density by area, 1881 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 | 73 | #20,581 |
| 1861 | historical | 90 | #22,312 |
| 1881 | historical | 106 | #19,083 |
| 1891 | historical | 117 | #21,658 |
| 1901 | historical | 86 | #24,508 |
| 1911 | historical | 102 | #22,465 |
| 1997 | modern | 67 | #30,915 |
| 1998 | modern | 67 | #31,282 |
| 1999 | modern | 74 | #30,759 |
| 2000 | modern | 74 | #30,785 |
| 2001 | modern | 72 | #30,813 |
| 2002 | modern | 78 | #30,601 |
| 2003 | modern | 74 | #31,091 |
| 2004 | modern | 67 | #31,976 |
| 2005 | modern | 70 | #31,912 |
| 2006 | modern | 73 | #31,954 |
| 2007 | modern | 71 | #32,484 |
| 2008 | modern | 66 | #33,217 |
| 2009 | modern | 69 | #33,257 |
| 2010 | modern | 67 | #33,713 |
| 2011 | modern | 68 | #33,613 |
| 2012 | modern | 77 | #33,124 |
| 2013 | modern | 79 | #33,142 |
| 2014 | modern | 78 | #33,270 |
| 2015 | modern | 77 | #33,272 |
| 2016 | modern | 71 | #33,633 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Northfield, Alvechurch, Kings Norton, Manchester and Foleshill. 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 | Northfield | Worcestershire |
| 2 | Alvechurch | Worcestershire |
| 3 | Kings Norton | Worcestershire |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Foleshill | Warwickshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Melley 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 Melley, 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 Melley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Melley 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, Melley 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 Melley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Melley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Melley is of Anglo-Norman origin, emerging from the unification of England and Normandy under William the Conqueror in 1066. It is derived from the Old French words "melle" meaning "brawl" or "quarrel," and the suffix "-ey" denoting a location, suggesting it may have originated from a place where conflicts or disputes occurred.
The earliest known record of the name Melley dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "de Melleia," referring to a landowner in Yorkshire. This indicates that the name was likely associated with a specific place name, possibly derived from the Old English "melle" meaning "hill" or "ridge."
During the 12th century, the name Melley appeared in various records across England, such as the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire, where it was written as "Mellei." This variation in spelling was common during this period, as standardized spelling had not yet been established.
In the 13th century, the name Melley was found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, where it was recorded as "de Meleye." This record suggests that the name may have been associated with a specific location or manor.
One notable bearer of the surname Melley was Sir William Melley (c. 1325 - 1399), a prominent English landowner and military commander during the Hundred Years' War. He served under Edward III and was knighted for his bravery in the Battle of Crécy in 1346.
Another historical figure with the surname Melley was John Melley (c. 1450 - 1517), a wealthy merchant and alderman in the City of London. He was known for his philanthropic efforts and contributed to the construction of several churches and almshouses.
In the 16th century, the name Melley was found in various parish records across England, including the christening of Richard Melley in 1568 at St. Mary's Church in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk.
During the 17th century, the surname Melley appeared in various legal and property documents, such as the will of Thomas Melley, a landowner in Somerset, dated 1642.
Another notable bearer of the name Melley was Sir Edward Melley (1638 - 1703), a British military officer and member of Parliament for Wiltshire. He fought in the English Civil War and later served as a colonel in the Dragoon Guards.
Throughout history, the surname Melley has been associated with various localities, possibly derived from place names like Melley in Dorset, Melly in Lancashire, or Mileham in Norfolk. However, the exact origins of the name remain uncertain, and its evolution over centuries has led to various spellings and interpretations.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Melley 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. Worcestershire leads with 39 Melleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.89x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Worcestershire | 39 | 28.89x |
| Lancashire | 22 | 1.79x |
| Lanarkshire | 20 | 5.98x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 0.58x |
| Warwickshire | 6 | 2.30x |
| Renfrewshire | 4 | 4.99x |
| Yorkshire | 4 | 0.39x |
| Durham | 2 | 0.65x |
| Angus | 1 | 1.04x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.49x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 0.65x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 12 Melleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.11x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | 12 | 16.11x |
| Halesowen | 10 | 840.34x |
| Kings Norton | 10 | 82.58x |
| Alvechurch | 7 | 1228.07x |
| Northfield | 7 | 273.44x |
| Cambuslang | 6 | 178.04x |
| Salford | 6 | 16.63x |
| Feckenham | 5 | 322.58x |
| Govan | 5 | 6.05x |
| Abbey | 4 | 32.71x |
| Islington London | 4 | 3.99x |
| Over Darwen | 4 | 40.82x |
| Rutherglen | 4 | 81.47x |
| Wakefield | 4 | 50.83x |
| Barony | 3 | 3.55x |
| Birmingham | 3 | 3.45x |
| Aston | 2 | 2.79x |
| Coxhoe | 2 | 229.89x |
| Glasgow | 2 | 3.37x |
| Bethnal Green London | 1 | 2.23x |
| Dundee | 1 | 2.80x |
| Edgbaston | 1 | 12.38x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 1.73x |
| Seaton Delaval | 1 | 74.07x |
| West Ham | 1 | 2.22x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Melley 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 Melley 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 Melley households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 9 |
| Ag Lab | 2 |
| Bricklayers Labourers | 2 |
| Charwoman | 2 |
| Cotton Weaver | 2 |
| House Keeper (Dom) | 2 |
| Nail Maker | 2 |
| Wrought Nail Forger | 2 |
| ... Serv Dom | 1 |
| Assistant In Grocers Shop | 1 |
| Bricklayers Laborer | 1 |
| Builders Labr | 1 |
| Carter | 1 |
| Clerk | 1 |
| Day Labourer | 1 |
| Dock Labr. | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Farm Labourer | 1 |
| Fish Hook Maker | 1 |
| Fitter (Mechanic) | 1 |
| Foundry Hand (Iron) | 1 |
| Gen Laborer | 1 |
| Genl. Servant | 1 |
| Grocer And Innkeeper | 1 |
| Hawker | 1 |
| House Maid Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Iron Works Labourer | 1 |
| Kitchen Maid | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Nailer | 1 |
| Needle Case Maker | 1 |
| Needle Setter | 1 |
| Pen Holder Maker | 1 |
| Porter Cotton | 1 |
| Sawyer | 1 |
| Schoolmaster Tobacconist | 1 |
| Shoemaker | 1 |
| Shopkeeper | 1 |
| Stone Mason | 1 |
| Visitor | 1 |
| Warehouse Porter | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 106 people were recorded with the Melley surname. That placed it at #19,083 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 71 in 2016. That gives Melley a modern rank of #33,633.
A surname derived from a place name, possibly of French origins.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Melley 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.