NameCensus.

UK surname

Olley

An English surname derived from a place name referring to an olive tree.

In the 1881 census there were 977 people recorded with the Olley surname, ranking it #3,981 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,405, ranked #4,339, down from #3,981 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Leonard Shoreditch and Croydon, Battersea (Penge), Sanderstead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tendring, Broadland and Thurrock.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Olley is 1,479 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 43.8%.

1881 census count

977

Ranked #3,981

Modern count

1,405

2016, ranked #4,339

Peak year

1911

1,479 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Olley had 977 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,981 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,405 in 2016, ranked #4,339.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,479 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Olley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Olley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Olley 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 589 #4,340
1861 historical 598 #4,432
1881 historical 977 #3,981
1891 historical 1,056 #3,971
1901 historical 1,376 #3,655
1911 historical 1,479 #3,256
1997 modern 1,401 #4,138
1998 modern 1,427 #4,211
1999 modern 1,449 #4,195
2000 modern 1,451 #4,175
2001 modern 1,400 #4,220
2002 modern 1,407 #4,280
2003 modern 1,389 #4,249
2004 modern 1,375 #4,288
2005 modern 1,370 #4,264
2006 modern 1,366 #4,281
2007 modern 1,380 #4,276
2008 modern 1,405 #4,248
2009 modern 1,414 #4,301
2010 modern 1,449 #4,298
2011 modern 1,422 #4,316
2012 modern 1,402 #4,299
2013 modern 1,438 #4,283
2014 modern 1,445 #4,291
2015 modern 1,417 #4,319
2016 modern 1,405 #4,339

Geography

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Where Olleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Leonard Shoreditch, Croydon, Battersea (Penge), Sanderstead and Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Tendring, Broadland, Thurrock and Great Yarmouth. 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 London parishes London 1
2 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
3 London parishes London 3
4 Croydon, Battersea (Penge), Sanderstead Surrey
5 Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Tendring 011 Tendring
2 Broadland 014 Broadland
3 Thurrock 007 Thurrock
4 Broadland 004 Broadland
5 Great Yarmouth 001 Great Yarmouth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Olley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Olley

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Olley is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Olley is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Olley

The surname Olley is believed to have originated in England, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. It is thought to be a locational name, derived from a place called Olleye or Olley, which was likely a small hamlet or village in one of the English counties.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Olley can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. While the exact entry is unclear, it suggests that the name may have been associated with a particular location or landholding.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, various spellings of the name emerged, such as Olleye, Olle, and Ollie, reflecting the evolving nature of English orthography at the time. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the phonetic interpretation of the name by scribes and record-keepers.

One notable early bearer of the surname Olley was Sir John Olley (c. 1358-1418), a prominent English landowner and knight who served under King Henry IV. Sir John's descendants continued to hold estates in various parts of England, contributing to the spread and recognition of the Olley name.

Another influential figure bearing the Olley surname was William Olley (c. 1530-1599), a successful merchant and alderman in the City of London during the Elizabethan era. His commercial activities and civic involvement helped establish the Olley family as a respected and prosperous name in the capital.

In the 17th century, the name Olley was also found in various parish records and court documents, indicating its continued presence across different regions of England. One such example is Thomas Olley (1621-1688), a prominent clergyman and author who served as the rector of St. Bride's Church in London.

As the centuries progressed, the Olley surname continued to be associated with various professions and trades, from agriculture and artisanry to law and academia. Notable individuals include Sir Joseph Olley (1788-1859), a respected judge and legal scholar, and Robert Olley (1823-1893), a renowned English botanist and horticulturist.

While the origins of the Olley surname can be traced back to medieval England, its bearers have since spread across the globe, carrying with them the rich history and legacy of this distinctive name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Olley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Olley 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. Norfolk leads with 314 Olleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.43x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 314 21.43x
Middlesex 177 1.86x
Essex 127 6.75x
Surrey 75 1.62x
Durham 43 1.52x
Yorkshire 43 0.46x
Suffolk 39 3.36x
Kent 37 1.14x
Gloucestershire 21 1.12x
Cambridgeshire 13 2.15x
Warwickshire 13 0.54x
Hertfordshire 11 1.67x
Derbyshire 9 0.60x
Sussex 9 0.56x
Berkshire 8 1.12x
Bedfordshire 6 1.22x
Hampshire 6 0.31x
Northumberland 6 0.42x
Buckinghamshire 5 0.87x
Staffordshire 5 0.16x
Lincolnshire 3 0.20x
Wiltshire 3 0.36x
Devon 1 0.05x
Lancashire 1 0.01x
Royal Navy 1 0.88x
Somerset 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Great Yarmouth in Norfolk leads with 51 Olleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 42.02x.

Place Total Index
Great Yarmouth 51 42.02x
Shoreditch London 28 6.78x
Camberwell 26 4.27x
Heigham 25 31.79x
Bishopwearmouth 23 9.45x
West Ham 22 5.30x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 21 11.93x
Poplar London 17 9.45x
Sheringham 16 423.28x
Islington London 15 1.62x
Newington 14 3.98x
St Marylebone London 13 2.55x
Banningham 12 1500.00x
Hunworth 11 1571.43x
Runhall 11 1718.75x
West Somerton 11 1447.37x
Whitechapel London 11 11.71x
Sculcoates 10 6.68x
Bethnal Green London 9 2.17x
Croydon 9 3.49x
Great Barton 9 334.57x
Hackney London 9 1.68x
Lambeth 9 1.08x
Barney 8 792.08x
Clerkenwell London 8 3.56x
Deptford St Paul 8 3.19x
East Barsham 8 1355.93x
Great Burstead 8 116.79x
Inworth 8 384.62x
Maldon St Peter 8 83.51x
Middlesbrough 8 6.51x
Mile End Old Town 8 5.32x
Rayleigh 8 184.76x
Rayne 8 606.06x
Southrepps 8 282.69x
Trimingham 8 1250.00x
North Weald Bassett 7 214.07x
Norwich St John Timberhill 7 177.67x
Shadwell London 7 26.25x
Skelton In Guisbrough 7 27.40x
Weeting With Broomhill 7 642.20x
Aston 6 0.91x
Briston 6 215.83x
Chelsea London 6 2.09x
Chilton 6 67.80x
Chipping Barnet 6 52.22x
Cockfield 6 197.37x
Eccles 6 869.57x
Ely Holy Trinity St Mary 6 22.80x
Holy Trinity 6 2.64x
St Pancras London 6 0.78x
Thursford 6 560.75x
Wood Ditton 6 118.81x
Bayford 5 555.56x
Bromley London 5 2.38x
Cranham 5 367.65x
Denton 5 314.47x
Deptford St Nicholas 5 19.38x
Gateshead 5 2.36x
Hambledon 5 101.63x
Ipswich St Clement 5 16.94x
Leamington Priors 5 8.45x
Leyton 5 15.43x
Messing 5 212.77x
Normanton 5 39.68x
Plumstead 5 4.61x
Southcoates 5 9.54x
Southminster 5 121.07x
Thurning 5 862.07x
Tonbridge 5 4.26x
Winkfield 5 42.12x
Wolverton 5 41.95x
Heanor 4 17.93x
North Walsham 4 37.84x
Norwich St Michael At 4 47.06x
Penge 4 6.57x
Rye 4 26.20x
St George In East 4 6.17x
Westgate 4 4.56x
Wimbledon 4 7.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 73
George 39
John 34
James 30
Henry 29
Thomas 28
Charles 26
Arthur 17
Robert 17
Edward 13
Alfred 12
Walter 12
Albert 11
Joseph 11
Richard 9
Frederick 7
Harry 6
Fredk. 5
Herbert 5
Samuel 5
Edgar 3
Edwin 3
Ernest 3
Francis 3
Geo. 3
Wm. 3
Fred 2
Gregory 2
Henery 2
Jas. 2
Percy 2
Stephen 2
Thos. 2
Alma 1
Amos 1
Charley 1
Christopher 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Frank 1
Fredrick 1
Geo.T. 1
Jesse 1
Justies 1
Leonard 1
Levi 1
Malcolm 1
Mark 1
Martin 1
Matthew 1

FAQ

Olley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Olley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 977 people were recorded with the Olley surname. That placed it at #3,981 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Olley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,405 in 2016. That gives Olley a modern rank of #4,339.

What does the Olley surname mean?

An English surname derived from a place name referring to an olive tree.

What does the Olley map show?

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