NameCensus.

UK surname

Ottey

English surname transferred from a French place name of uncertain origin.

In the 1881 census there were 118 people recorded with the Ottey surname, ranking it #17,935 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 240, ranked #17,278, up from #17,935 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Burton-on-Trent, Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick and Ibstock. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North West Leicestershire, Wolverhampton and Chichester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ottey is 256 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 103.4%.

1881 census count

118

Ranked #17,935

Modern count

240

2016, ranked #17,278

Peak year

2010

256 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ottey had 118 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #17,935 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 240 in 2016, ranked #17,278.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 218 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Ottey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ottey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ottey 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 133 #14,106
1861 historical 123 #17,914
1881 historical 118 #17,935
1891 historical 172 #16,663
1901 historical 218 #14,332
1911 historical 217 #14,214
1997 modern 223 #16,448
1998 modern 227 #16,754
1999 modern 233 #16,554
2000 modern 219 #17,195
2001 modern 209 #17,469
2002 modern 227 #16,877
2003 modern 218 #17,131
2004 modern 227 #16,778
2005 modern 228 #16,683
2006 modern 233 #16,560
2007 modern 236 #16,617
2008 modern 239 #16,583
2009 modern 248 #16,509
2010 modern 256 #16,523
2011 modern 235 #17,328
2012 modern 224 #17,786
2013 modern 238 #17,354
2014 modern 234 #17,662
2015 modern 238 #17,378
2016 modern 240 #17,278

Geography

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Where Otteys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Burton-on-Trent, Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick, Ibstock, London parishes and Tatenhill. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North West Leicestershire, Wolverhampton, Chichester and Croydon. 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 Burton-on-Trent Staffordshire
2 Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick Worcestershire
3 Ibstock Leicestershire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Tatenhill Staffordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North West Leicestershire 013 North West Leicestershire
2 Wolverhampton 016 Wolverhampton
3 North West Leicestershire 007 North West Leicestershire
4 Chichester 005 Chichester
5 Croydon 009 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ottey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ottey

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Ottey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Ottey 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Ottey is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ottey is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ottey falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Ottey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Ottey

The surname Ottey originates from England and dates back to the late 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "hott" meaning hot or heated, and "ieg" meaning island or dry ground. This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived on a piece of land that was particularly hot or dry.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ottey can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1197, where a William Hothey is mentioned. The spelling of the name varied greatly in medieval times, with variations such as Hothey, Hotey, and Ottye appearing in various records.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, there are several place names that may be related to the origin of the surname Ottey. For example, the village of Otteleye in Staffordshire and the town of Ottery St. Mary in Devon are both mentioned, suggesting a possible connection to the surname.

One notable figure in history who bore the surname Ottey was Sir John Ottey (1563-1637), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for East Grinstead in the early 17th century.

Another individual of note was Robert Ottey (1770-1856), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the St. Pancras Church and the Euston Arch.

In the realm of literature, the author and playwright William Ottey (1821-1893) was a prominent figure in Victorian England. He is best known for his satirical works and plays that explored social issues of the time.

In the field of science, the botanist and naturalist Henry Ottey (1828-1905) made significant contributions to the study of plant life, particularly in the Caribbean region.

Finally, the military history of the surname Ottey includes Major General Charles Ottey (1885-1962), a British Army officer who served in both World Wars and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his bravery and leadership.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ottey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ottey 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. Leicestershire leads with 50 Otteys recorded in 1881 and an index of 39.18x.

County Total Index
Leicestershire 50 39.18x
Middlesex 22 1.91x
Staffordshire 16 4.12x
Lincolnshire 8 4.35x
Surrey 6 1.07x
Gloucestershire 5 2.21x
Yorkshire 4 0.35x
Hertfordshire 3 3.78x
Worcestershire 3 2.00x
Lancashire 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. Ibstock in Leicestershire leads with 35 Otteys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3763.44x.

Place Total Index
Ibstock 35 3763.44x
St Nicholas Lincoln 8 454.55x
Whitwick 8 493.83x
Burton Upon Trent 7 77.01x
Harborne 7 56.22x
Poplar London 7 32.23x
Clapham 6 41.70x
Willesden 6 55.30x
Bristol St Michael 5 257.73x
St Pancras London 5 5.40x
Broxbourne 3 191.08x
Doncaster 3 36.01x
Norton Juxta Twycross 3 1875.00x
Worcester St Nicholas 3 422.54x
Kensington London 2 3.13x
Market Bosworth 2 434.78x
Appleby 1 333.33x
Barton Under Needwood 1 140.85x
Islington London 1 0.90x
Leicester St Margaret 1 3.21x
Liverpool 1 1.21x
Manningham 1 7.12x
Rugeley 1 35.84x
St Anne Soho London 1 15.22x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 8
John 6
George 5
Thomas 5
Arthur 3
Joseph 3
Samuel 3
Walter 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Harry 2
James 2
Louis 2
Sydney 2
Alexander 1
Aurthur 1
Bertie 1
Charles 1
Chas. 1
Daniel 1
Edwin 1
Henry 1
Herbert 1
Matthew 1
Nathan 1
Percy 1
Wll. 1

FAQ

Ottey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ottey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 118 people were recorded with the Ottey surname. That placed it at #17,935 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ottey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 240 in 2016. That gives Ottey a modern rank of #17,278.

What does the Ottey surname mean?

English surname transferred from a French place name of uncertain origin.

What does the Ottey map show?

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