NameCensus.

UK surname

Neilly

An Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Néill meaning "descendant of Niall".

In the 1881 census there were 54 people recorded with the Neilly surname, ranking it #26,009 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 293, ranked #14,981, up from #26,009 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Dalziel, Govan Combination and Bathgate. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Muirhouse and Knowetop, Dunblane East and Peterborough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Neilly is 293 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 442.6%.

1881 census count

54

Ranked #26,009

Modern count

293

2016, ranked #14,981

Peak year

2016

293 bearers

Map years

4

1901 to 2016

Key insights

  • Neilly had 54 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #26,009 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 293 in 2016, ranked #14,981.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 116 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Neilly surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Neilly surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Neilly 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 10 #31,497
1861 historical 47 #28,023
1881 historical 54 #26,009
1891 historical 78 #27,035
1901 historical 116 #20,933
1911 historical 15 #31,938
1997 modern 261 #14,849
1998 modern 252 #15,584
1999 modern 237 #16,360
2000 modern 230 #16,644
2001 modern 235 #16,147
2002 modern 249 #15,855
2003 modern 252 #15,530
2004 modern 255 #15,504
2005 modern 244 #15,900
2006 modern 251 #15,696
2007 modern 273 #14,959
2008 modern 271 #15,182
2009 modern 258 #16,050
2010 modern 277 #15,595
2011 modern 260 #16,188
2012 modern 263 #15,954
2013 modern 274 #15,764
2014 modern 280 #15,621
2015 modern 288 #15,190
2016 modern 293 #14,981

Geography

Back to top

Where Neillys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Dalziel, Govan Combination, Bathgate, Glasgow and Cardiff St John and St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Muirhouse and Knowetop, Dunblane East, Peterborough, Wealden and Calderwood Central. 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 Dalziel Lanark
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Bathgate Linlithgow
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Cardiff St John and St Mary Glamorganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Muirhouse and Knowetop North Lanarkshire
2 Dunblane East Stirling
3 Peterborough 007 Peterborough
4 Wealden 009 Wealden
5 Calderwood Central South Lanarkshire

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Neilly

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Neilly

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Neilly surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Neilly household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Neilly is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Neilly is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Neilly 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 Neilly 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 Neilly, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Neilly

The surname NEILLY is believed to have originated in Ireland, with roots dating back to the 16th century. It is thought to be a variant spelling of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Néill, which means "descendant of Niall." Niall was a popular name among the ancient Irish kings and chieftains, particularly those of the powerful Uí Néill dynasty.

The earliest recorded instances of the NEILLY surname can be found in various historical documents from the 17th and 18th centuries. One notable example is Hugh Neilly, a prominent Irish Presbyterian minister who lived from 1680 to 1768. He played a significant role in the establishment of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and was a vocal advocate for religious tolerance.

Another historical figure bearing the NEILLY name was John Neilly, a Scottish merchant and philanthropist born in 1776. He amassed a considerable fortune through his business ventures and dedicated a portion of his wealth to establishing schools and supporting charitable causes in his native Glasgow.

In the 19th century, the NEILLY surname gained prominence with the birth of James Neilly in 1829. He was a renowned Scottish architect responsible for designing several iconic buildings in Glasgow, including the City Chambers and the Glasgow Athenaeum.

The name NEILLY can also be traced back to the Irish town of Neillysbrook, located in County Antrim. It is believed that the town's name originated from the Gaelic phrase "Án Bhaile Nua," meaning "the new town," which was eventually anglicized to Neillysbrook.

Among the notable individuals with the NEILLY surname in more recent history is John Neilly, an Irish playwright and novelist born in 1925. His works, including the play "The Judas Kiss" and the novel "The Courage Consort," explored themes of identity, social issues, and the complexities of human relationships.

Thomas Neilly, a Scottish painter and illustrator, also made significant contributions to the arts in the late 20th century. Born in 1944, his vibrant and expressive works often depicted scenes of everyday life in Scotland, capturing the essence of his homeland's culture and traditions.

While the NEILLY surname has evolved over centuries, its roots remain deeply intertwined with the rich history and heritage of Ireland and Scotland, serving as a testament to the enduring legacy of the ancient Gaelic cultures.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Neilly families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Neilly 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. Lanarkshire leads with 29 Neillys recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.02x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 29 17.02x
West Lothian 10 126.10x
Cumberland 7 15.44x
Renfrewshire 4 9.80x
Dunbartonshire 1 7.07x
Glamorgan 1 1.09x
Lancashire 1 0.16x
Warwickshire 1 0.75x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bathgate in West Lothian leads with 10 Neillys recorded in 1881 and an index of 581.40x.

Place Total Index
Bathgate 10 581.40x
Dalziel 10 546.45x
Cleator 7 370.37x
Govan 7 16.62x
Glasgow 6 19.83x
Blantyre 4 225.99x
Neilston 2 97.56x
Barony 1 2.32x
Birmingham 1 2.26x
Liverpool 1 2.63x
Llandaff 1 32.79x
Middle Greenock 1 90.09x
Old Monkland 1 14.79x
Paisley High Church 1 30.77x
Row 1 54.64x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Margaret 2
Francis 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Francis 1
Henry 1
Isaac 1
James 1
Robert 1
William 1

Top occupations

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 Neilly households.

FAQ

Neilly surname: questions and answers

How common was the Neilly surname in 1881?

In 1881, 54 people were recorded with the Neilly surname. That placed it at #26,009 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Neilly surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 293 in 2016. That gives Neilly a modern rank of #14,981.

What does the Neilly surname mean?

An Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Néill meaning "descendant of Niall".

What does the Neilly map show?

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