NameCensus.

UK surname

Minkley

A habitational name from a place with the same name, likely derived from an Old English term meaning "minnow stream".

In the 1881 census there were 104 people recorded with the Minkley surname, ranking it #19,296 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 98, ranked #31,470, down from #19,296 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Norton Disney, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and Plungar. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Broxtowe, Lincoln and Ashfield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Minkley is 188 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 5.8%.

1881 census count

104

Ranked #19,296

Modern count

98

2016, ranked #31,470

Peak year

1911

188 bearers

Map years

6

1881 to 2006

Key insights

  • Minkley had 104 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #19,296 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 98 in 2016, ranked #31,470.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 188 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Minkley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Minkley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Minkley 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 66 #21,617
1861 historical 87 #22,681
1881 historical 104 #19,296
1891 historical 128 #20,393
1901 historical 133 #19,372
1911 historical 188 #15,550
1997 modern 109 #25,650
1998 modern 113 #25,731
1999 modern 116 #25,487
2000 modern 105 #27,001
2001 modern 106 #26,468
2002 modern 108 #26,698
2003 modern 101 #27,561
2004 modern 111 #26,293
2005 modern 106 #27,044
2006 modern 105 #27,479
2007 modern 106 #27,722
2008 modern 108 #27,684
2009 modern 107 #28,483
2010 modern 114 #28,017
2011 modern 108 #28,811
2012 modern 102 #29,902
2013 modern 98 #31,078
2014 modern 100 #31,033
2015 modern 99 #31,168
2016 modern 98 #31,470

Geography

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Where Minkleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Norton Disney, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Plungar, Barrow-on-Soar (Barrow-on-Soar, Mountsorrel, Woodhouse, Woodhouse Eaves, Maplewell), Beaumanor, Roth and Oakham, Leigh Field Forest. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Broxtowe, Lincoln, Ashfield and North East Lincolnshire. 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 Norton Disney Nottinghamshire
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 Plungar Nottinghamshire
4 Barrow-on-Soar (Barrow-on-Soar, Mountsorrel, Woodhouse, Woodhouse Eaves, Maplewell), Beaumanor, Roth Leicestershire
5 Oakham, Leigh Field Forest Rutland

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Broxtowe 004 Broxtowe
2 Broxtowe 003 Broxtowe
3 Lincoln 004 Lincoln
4 Ashfield 011 Ashfield
5 North East Lincolnshire 003 North East Lincolnshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Minkley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Minkley

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Minkley is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Minkley 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

Minkley 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 Minkley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Minkley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Minkley

The surname Minkley is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the county of Wiltshire in the southwest of England. The name is believed to have derived from the Old English words "mynec" and "leah," meaning "monk" and "clearing" or "meadow," respectively. This combination suggests that the name may have initially referred to a clearing or meadow inhabited by monks or associated with a monastery.

The earliest known record of the name dates back to the 13th century, when a Robert de Monekeleye was mentioned in the Feet of Fines for Wiltshire in 1242. This reference suggests that the name may have initially been spelled as "Monekeleye" or a similar variation before evolving into its current form.

In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a document recording landholders in England, there is a mention of a Hugo de Monekelea, further indicating the name's presence in Wiltshire during that period.

The Minkley name can also be found in the Subsidy Rolls for Wiltshire in 1333, where a Johannes de Monkelegh is listed, showcasing another variation in spelling.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Minkley was Thomas Minkley, who was born in Wiltshire in the early 15th century. He was a prominent landowner and is mentioned in several historical records from the period.

Another notable figure was Sir William Minkley (1520-1587), a military officer who served under Queen Elizabeth I during the Anglo-Spanish War. He was known for his bravery and leadership in several battles against the Spanish forces.

In the 17th century, John Minkley (1645-1712) was a prominent merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers in London. He was instrumental in establishing trade routes with the Dutch and played a significant role in the city's economic growth during that era.

During the 18th century, Mary Minkley (1732-1804) was a renowned poet and author, known for her works that celebrated the beauty of the English countryside. Her poetry collection, "Pastoral Musings," was widely acclaimed and earned her recognition among literary circles of the time.

In the 19th century, Sir Charles Minkley (1812-1892) was a prominent explorer and naturalist. He embarked on several expeditions to Africa and the Middle East, documenting various plant and animal species. His contributions to the field of natural history were significant, and he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1856.

While the Minkley surname may not be as common today as it once was, its historical roots in Wiltshire and its association with various notable individuals throughout the centuries showcase its rich heritage and enduring legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Minkley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Minkley 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. Nottinghamshire leads with 32 Minkleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.41x.

County Total Index
Nottinghamshire 32 23.41x
Lincolnshire 30 18.50x
Leicestershire 18 16.01x
Derbyshire 11 6.93x
Northamptonshire 7 7.34x
Staffordshire 5 1.46x
Rutland 1 13.42x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Plungar in Leicestershire leads with 10 Minkleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 11111.11x.

Place Total Index
Plungar 10 11111.11x
Southwell 10 1000.00x
St Martin Lincoln 10 666.67x
Norton Disney 9 15000.00x
Arnold 7 350.00x
North Hyckeham 7 4375.00x
Kettering 6 155.44x
Pentrich 6 674.16x
Melton Mowbray 5 247.52x
Whitwell 5 793.65x
Wolverhampton 5 18.99x
Woodborough 5 1612.90x
Selston 4 261.44x
Heckington 3 483.87x
Nottingham St Mary 3 8.48x
Newark Upon Trent 2 40.73x
Barnwell St Andrew 1 1111.11x
Belgrave 1 39.37x
Greetwell 1 3333.33x
Lenton 1 31.06x
Loughborough 1 19.61x
Oakham Lordshold 1 128.21x
Redmile 1 588.24x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 13
Emma 4
Annie 3
Elizabeth 3
Jane 3
Kate 3
Sarah 3
Ann 2
Eliza 2
Ellen 2
Harriet 2
Susannah 2
Alice 1
Anna 1
Betsy 1
Emily 1
Fanny 1
Gertrude 1
Grace 1
Harriot 1
Jemima 1
Lily 1
Maria 1
Marianne 1
May 1
Milicent 1
Phoebe 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 8
George 7
John 5
Joseph 5
William 5
Alfred 2
Charles 2
Henry 2
Walter 2
Arthur 1
Enock 1
Frederick 1
Geo. 1
Herbert 1
J.W. 1
Jno. 1
Oscar 1
Robert 1

FAQ

Minkley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Minkley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 104 people were recorded with the Minkley surname. That placed it at #19,296 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Minkley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 98 in 2016. That gives Minkley a modern rank of #31,470.

What does the Minkley surname mean?

A habitational name from a place with the same name, likely derived from an Old English term meaning "minnow stream".

What does the Minkley map show?

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