UK surname
A diminutive form of Cornelius, derived from the Latin name meaning "horn."
In the 1881 census there were 48 people recorded with the Nelly surname, ranking it #26,869 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 20, ranked #36,679, down from #26,869 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Toxteth Park, Manchester and St George the Martyr, St Andrew Holborn above the Bars, Furnival's Inn. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nelly is 119 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 58.3%.
1881 census count
48
Ranked #26,869
Modern count
20
2016, ranked #36,679
Peak year
1891
119 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Nelly surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Nelly surname density by area, 1891 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 | 32 | #27,570 |
| 1861 | historical | 78 | #23,836 |
| 1881 | historical | 48 | #26,869 |
| 1891 | historical | 119 | #21,415 |
| 1901 | historical | 56 | #27,952 |
| 1911 | historical | 59 | #26,914 |
| 1997 | modern | 14 | #36,528 |
| 1998 | modern | 11 | #36,908 |
| 1999 | modern | 11 | #36,917 |
| 2000 | modern | 11 | #36,879 |
| 2001 | modern | 8 | #37,124 |
| 2002 | modern | 10 | #36,902 |
| 2003 | modern | 8 | #37,248 |
| 2004 | modern | 9 | #37,213 |
| 2005 | modern | 14 | #36,730 |
| 2006 | modern | 18 | #36,412 |
| 2007 | modern | 15 | #36,793 |
| 2008 | modern | 15 | #36,843 |
| 2009 | modern | 14 | #37,041 |
| 2010 | modern | 15 | #37,038 |
| 2011 | modern | 12 | #37,287 |
| 2012 | modern | 7 | #37,854 |
| 2013 | modern | 14 | #37,127 |
| 2014 | modern | 15 | #37,070 |
| 2015 | modern | 17 | #36,887 |
| 2016 | modern | 20 | #36,679 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Toxteth Park, Manchester, St George the Martyr, St Andrew Holborn above the Bars, Furnival's Inn, Brighton and Glasgow. 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 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 2 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 3 | St George the Martyr, St Andrew Holborn above the Bars, Furnival's Inn | London (Central Districts) |
| 4 | Brighton | Sussex |
| 5 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Nelly 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 Nelly, 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 Nelly surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Nelly 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, Nelly 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 Nelly is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Nelly, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Nelly is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be a variant of the Norman French name Nellie, which was a diminutive form of the personal name Nell or Nellie. This, in turn, was derived from the Germanic name Petronella, meaning "little rock" or "little stone."
The earliest known record of the Nelly surname dates back to the 13th century in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire, where a William Nelly was mentioned. In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Nellie, Nelly, and Nelley, in various records across England.
One notable historical figure bearing this surname was Sir Thomas Nelly (c. 1545-1600), an English courtier and Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He served as a member of the Privy Council and was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire.
Another prominent individual was John Nelly (c. 1610-1680), an English mathematician and astrologer who authored several books on astronomy and astrology. He is particularly known for his work "An Introduction to the True Astronomie, or, Astronomical Lectures," published in 1670.
In the 18th century, the Nelly surname appeared in several parish records across England, including those of Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, and Oxfordshire. One notable individual from this period was Richard Nelly (1723-1793), an English clergyman and naturalist who made significant contributions to the study of botany.
Moving to the 19th century, we find William Nelly (1791-1866), an English engineer and inventor who is credited with designing and constructing one of the earliest steam-powered fire engines. His innovative work contributed significantly to the development of modern firefighting equipment.
Another notable figure from this period was John Nelly (1817-1897), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal College of Music and the Church of St. Peter in Eaton Square.
The Nelly surname has a rich history and has been borne by various individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Nelly 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. Middlesex leads with 21 Nellys recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.49x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 21 | 4.49x |
| Lancashire | 7 | 1.26x |
| Northumberland | 5 | 7.18x |
| Durham | 4 | 2.87x |
| Renfrewshire | 3 | 8.27x |
| Essex | 1 | 1.08x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1.04x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.63x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.66x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 1.39x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.44x |
| Sussex | 1 | 1.27x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.85x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Andrew Holborn in Middlesex leads with 7 Nellys recorded in 1881 and an index of 440.25x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Andrew Holborn | 7 | 440.25x |
| Shoreditch London | 6 | 29.57x |
| Longbenton | 5 | 169.49x |
| St Marylebone London | 5 | 20.01x |
| Ryhope | 4 | 412.37x |
| Liverpool | 3 | 8.89x |
| Port Glasgow | 3 | 171.43x |
| St Pancras London | 3 | 7.96x |
| Pendleton In Salford | 2 | 30.21x |
| Aldershot | 1 | 31.15x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 2.54x |
| Castleton | 1 | 18.02x |
| Epping | 1 | 263.16x |
| Farnham | 1 | 56.50x |
| Govan | 1 | 2.67x |
| Heigham | 1 | 25.91x |
| Hove | 1 | 28.90x |
| Openshaw | 1 | 38.46x |
| Woolwich | 1 | 16.95x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Nelly 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 Nelly 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 Nelly households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 5 |
| Gen Dealer | 3 |
| Dressmaker | 2 |
| Assurance Agent | 1 |
| Bricklayers Labourer | 1 |
| Carver | 1 |
| Coach Spring Maker | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Fullen Miller | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Genl Servt | 1 |
| Grocer Shop Keeper | 1 |
| Housekeeper Dom | 1 |
| Lab Gen | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Milkman | 1 |
| Miner Screener (Coal Miner) | 1 |
| Pedlar | 1 |
| Puddler (Iron Mfr) | 1 |
| Soldier | 1 |
| Stone Mason | 1 |
| Tea Dealers Assistant | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 48 people were recorded with the Nelly surname. That placed it at #26,869 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 20 in 2016. That gives Nelly a modern rank of #36,679.
A diminutive form of Cornelius, derived from the Latin name meaning "horn."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Nelly 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.