NameCensus.

UK surname

Ottley

A locative surname deriving from an English place name meaning "high clearing" or "upper meadow".

In the 1881 census there were 359 people recorded with the Ottley surname, ranking it #8,614 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 869, ranked #6,459, up from #8,614 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Prestbury, London parishes and St Marylebone. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Isle of Wight, Rother and Rotherham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ottley is 905 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 142.1%.

1881 census count

359

Ranked #8,614

Modern count

869

2016, ranked #6,459

Peak year

2014

905 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ottley had 359 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,614 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 869 in 2016, ranked #6,459.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 739 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Ottley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ottley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ottley 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 223 #9,562
1861 historical 213 #11,419
1881 historical 359 #8,614
1891 historical 451 #8,062
1901 historical 585 #7,209
1911 historical 739 #5,802
1997 modern 849 #6,247
1998 modern 885 #6,245
1999 modern 890 #6,257
2000 modern 897 #6,187
2001 modern 872 #6,208
2002 modern 890 #6,233
2003 modern 878 #6,193
2004 modern 876 #6,220
2005 modern 844 #6,340
2006 modern 838 #6,384
2007 modern 843 #6,416
2008 modern 852 #6,410
2009 modern 874 #6,424
2010 modern 893 #6,431
2011 modern 891 #6,364
2012 modern 873 #6,396
2013 modern 887 #6,400
2014 modern 905 #6,349
2015 modern 889 #6,378
2016 modern 869 #6,459

Geography

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Where Ottleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Prestbury, London parishes, St Marylebone and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Isle of Wight, Rother, Rotherham, Bedford and East Hampshire. 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 Prestbury Cheshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Marylebone London (North Districts)
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Isle of Wight 016 Isle of Wight
2 Rother 007 Rother
3 Rotherham 026 Rotherham
4 Bedford 002 Bedford
5 East Hampshire 011 East Hampshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ottley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ottley

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Ottley is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ottley 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

Ottley falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Ottley 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 Ottley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Ottley

The surname Ottley originated in England, with the earliest known records dating back to the late 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "otta" and "leah," meaning a clearing or meadow where otters lived. This suggests that the name likely originated in areas with significant otter populations, such as regions near rivers or marshlands.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1196, which mention a John de Ottelea. This early spelling variation highlights the name's evolution over time. In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, including Ottelay, Oteley, and Ottelege, reflecting regional variations in pronunciation and spelling.

The Ottley name can also be traced to several place names in England, such as Ottley in Yorkshire and Otteley in Staffordshire. These locations may have served as the originating points for some Ottley families, further contributing to the name's diverse spellings and regional variations.

Notably, the Ottley name appeared in the renowned Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded landowners and tenants in England after the Norman Conquest. This early reference suggests that the Ottley family had established roots in England prior to the 11th century.

Among the notable individuals bearing the Ottley surname throughout history are:

1. Sir Francis Ottley (1601-1649), an English politician and military officer who fought for the Royalist cause during the English Civil War. 2. William Young Ottley (1771-1836), an English writer and artist known for his contributions to the study of Italian art and architecture. 3. Drury Ottley (1783-1857), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and later became a colonial governor in New Zealand. 4. Jonathan Ottley (1858-1932), an English cricketer who played first-class cricket for Derbyshire in the late 19th century. 5. Katharine Ottley (1904-1992), an English artist and illustrator renowned for her work in children's literature and educational materials.

While the Ottley surname may have originated in specific regions of England, it has since spread across the globe, reflecting the migration patterns and histories of various Ottley families over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ottley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ottley 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. Surrey leads with 66 Ottleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.86x.

County Total Index
Surrey 66 3.86x
Essex 64 9.23x
Middlesex 63 1.79x
Yorkshire 44 1.26x
Cheshire 20 2.58x
Lancashire 15 0.36x
Kent 13 1.09x
Suffolk 11 2.57x
Berkshire 10 3.79x
Dorset 10 4.34x
Lincolnshire 8 1.42x
Warwickshire 8 0.90x
Sussex 6 1.01x
Leicestershire 4 1.03x
Wiltshire 4 1.29x
Staffordshire 3 0.25x
Worcestershire 3 0.65x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.94x
Devon 2 0.27x
Derbyshire 1 0.18x
Northumberland 1 0.19x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.21x
Royal Navy 1 2.39x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Romford in Essex leads with 27 Ottleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 246.35x.

Place Total Index
Romford 27 246.35x
Lambeth 19 6.21x
Bollington In 17 246.38x
Camberwell 15 6.69x
Islington London 15 4.41x
Croydon 14 14.74x
Kensington London 13 6.66x
Battersea 11 8.51x
Hoyland Nether 9 105.51x
Leeds 9 4.58x
Portland 9 72.64x
Stondon Massey 9 2903.23x
Birmingham 8 2.71x
Clewer 8 74.07x
Great Grimsby 8 22.45x
Margaretting 8 1269.84x
Millington W Little 8 3636.36x
St Pancras London 8 2.83x
Witham 8 224.09x
Greenwich 5 8.94x
Hampstead London 5 9.14x
Ingham 5 1470.59x
Plumstead 5 12.52x
St Marylebone London 5 2.67x
Ilkley 4 70.30x
Paddington London 4 3.10x
Toxteth Park 4 2.83x
Wath On Dearne 4 57.64x
Dishley Cum Thorpacre 3 1200.00x
Harborne 3 7.90x
Headingley Cum Burley 3 13.39x
Luckington 3 750.00x
Mile End Old Town 3 5.41x
Navestock 3 300.00x
Snaith Cowick 3 144.23x
St George Hanover 3 6.55x
Sutton 3 24.23x
Ashton Under Lyne 2 2.20x
Bury St Edmunds St Mary 2 24.91x
Dawlish 2 36.70x
Fulwood 2 44.44x
Grays Thurrock 2 31.06x
Hackney London 2 1.02x
Hyde 2 8.75x
Inworth 2 259.74x
Isleworth 2 12.81x
Leigh 2 35.91x
Leominster 2 104.71x
Newport Pagnell 2 45.05x
North Meols 2 4.90x
Openshaw 2 10.25x
Ousden 2 540.54x
Bobbing 1 175.44x
Broadwater 1 7.36x
Bury St Edmunds St James 1 8.76x
Charlton Next Woolwich 1 8.01x
Chelsea London 1 0.95x
Chertsey 1 9.04x
Ecclesfield 1 3.92x
Glemsford 1 33.33x
Great Dunmow 1 27.70x
Hastings St Mary 1 6.79x
Herne 1 18.87x
Litchurch 1 4.52x
Liverpool 1 0.40x
Pocklington 1 30.40x
Poulton Cum Seacombe 1 11.21x
Preston 1 0.90x
Radipole 1 62.89x
Royal Navy 1 2.80x
Salisbury The Close 1 131.58x
Sandhurst 1 19.61x
Shere 1 48.31x
St Martin Orgars 1 1250.00x
Tanshelf 1 35.97x
Towerof London London 1 89.29x
Warley Wigorn 1 68.49x
Willingale Spain 1 400.00x
Winkfield 1 22.88x
Writtle 1 35.34x

Top female names

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

Name Count
George 17
William 16
John 15
Charles 11
Thomas 11
Henry 10
Walter 10
Alfred 8
Edward 6
James 5
Richard 4
Samuel 4
Albert 3
Francis 3
Frederick 3
Robert 3
Coghill 2
David 2
Glendower 2
Harry 2
Joseph 2
Peter 2
Philip 2
Sidney 2
Allan 1
Arthur 1
Ashton 1
Benjamin 1
Chas.E. 1
Daniel 1
Drewery 1
F.R.V. 1
Fielding 1
Frank 1
Frdk. 1
Fred. 1
Fredrick 1
H. 1
Herbert 1
Isaac 1
Jesse 1
Jessie 1
Jethro 1
Laurence 1
Loga 1
Luke 1
Margaret 1
Reginald 1
Richd. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Ottley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ottley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 359 people were recorded with the Ottley surname. That placed it at #8,614 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ottley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 869 in 2016. That gives Ottley a modern rank of #6,459.

What does the Ottley surname mean?

A locative surname deriving from an English place name meaning "high clearing" or "upper meadow".

What does the Ottley map show?

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