UK surname
A variant of the English surname Osley, derived from a place name meaning "ash tree clearing."
In the 1881 census there were 26 people recorded with the Osley surname, ranking it #29,911 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 20, ranked #36,679, down from #29,911 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Duffield and Paddington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Osley is 152 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 23.1%.
1881 census count
26
Ranked #29,911
Modern count
20
2016, ranked #36,679
Peak year
1861
152 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Osley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Osley surname density by area, 1861 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 | 35 | #27,037 |
| 1861 | historical | 152 | #15,126 |
| 1881 | historical | 26 | #29,911 |
| 1891 | historical | 99 | #24,200 |
| 1901 | historical | 40 | #29,678 |
| 1911 | historical | 40 | #28,913 |
| 1997 | modern | 28 | #34,904 |
| 1998 | modern | 24 | #35,488 |
| 1999 | modern | 23 | #35,612 |
| 2000 | modern | 24 | #35,498 |
| 2001 | modern | 23 | #35,451 |
| 2002 | modern | 23 | #35,606 |
| 2003 | modern | 25 | #35,471 |
| 2004 | modern | 25 | #35,610 |
| 2005 | modern | 25 | #35,752 |
| 2006 | modern | 23 | #36,054 |
| 2007 | modern | 22 | #36,213 |
| 2008 | modern | 22 | #36,281 |
| 2009 | modern | 21 | #36,470 |
| 2010 | modern | 21 | #36,530 |
| 2011 | modern | 22 | #36,430 |
| 2012 | modern | 20 | #36,570 |
| 2013 | modern | 23 | #36,414 |
| 2014 | modern | 23 | #36,417 |
| 2015 | modern | 23 | #36,424 |
| 2016 | modern | 20 | #36,679 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Duffield, Paddington, South Stoneham and St Pancras. 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 | Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside | Durham |
| 2 | Duffield | Derbyshire |
| 3 | Paddington | London (West Districts) |
| 4 | South Stoneham | Hampshire |
| 5 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Osley 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 Osley, 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 Osley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Osley 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, Osley 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 Osley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Osley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Osley is of English origin, derived from a place name in the county of Staffordshire. It is believed to have originated in the early medieval period, around the 11th or 12th century.
The name Osley is thought to be derived from the Old English words "os" meaning "ox" and "leah" meaning "woodland clearing" or "meadow." This suggests that the name may have referred to a clearing or meadow where oxen grazed or were kept.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Osley can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and resources commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The entry mentions a place called "Osselei" in Staffordshire, which is likely the origin of the modern surname.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the name appeared in various records with different spellings, such as Osseley, Oslegh, and Oselay. This variation in spelling was common during this period due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions.
A notable early bearer of the surname Osley was Sir John Osley, a landowner and military commander who lived in the late 14th century. He served under King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War and participated in several campaigns in France.
In the 16th century, a prominent member of the Osley family was William Osley (c. 1520-1590), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Staffordshire. He is known for his philanthropic efforts, including the establishment of a school and almshouses in his hometown.
Another notable figure with the surname Osley was Robert Osley (1642-1717), an English clergyman and author. He served as the rector of Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire and wrote several religious works, including a commentary on the Book of Revelation.
In the 18th century, John Osley (1735-1803) was a successful businessman and philanthropist from Worcestershire. He established several charitable foundations and endowed schools in his local community.
During the 19th century, the Osley family produced several notable figures, including Charles Osley (1805-1879), a renowned architect who designed several churches and public buildings in London and the surrounding areas.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have borne the surname Osley throughout history, highlighting the name's English origins and its connection to places and historical events across various regions of the country.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Osley 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 8 Osleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.15x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kensington London in Middlesex leads with 7 Osleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 49.65x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kensington London | 7 | 49.65x |
| Chardstock | 6 | 5000.00x |
| Stretford | 5 | 301.20x |
| Salisbury St Martin | 2 | 869.57x |
| Croydon | 1 | 14.58x |
| Finchley | 1 | 103.09x |
| Kimberworth | 1 | 71.94x |
| Streatham | 1 | 53.19x |
| Tormoham | 1 | 44.84x |
| West Ham | 1 | 9.05x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Osley 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 Osley 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 Osley households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 5 |
| Lacemender | 2 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Assist In Business (...Servt) | 1 |
| Carter (A L) | 1 |
| Dom Servt | 1 |
| Gen Lab | 1 |
| Governess School | 1 |
| House Decorator | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Kitchen Maide (Dom) | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Parlour Maid | 1 |
| Pupil | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 26 people were recorded with the Osley surname. That placed it at #29,911 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 20 in 2016. That gives Osley a modern rank of #36,679.
A variant of the English surname Osley, derived from a place name meaning "ash tree clearing."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Osley 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.