UK surname
A locational surname referring to someone from Palestrina, an ancient town in Italy.
In the 1881 census there were 62 people recorded with the Pales surname, ranking it #24,843 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 35, ranked #35,703, down from #24,843 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Watford and St Dunstan Stepney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pales is 141 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 43.5%.
1881 census count
62
Ranked #24,843
Modern count
35
2016, ranked #35,703
Peak year
1861
141 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Pales surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Pales 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 | 43 | #25,518 |
| 1861 | historical | 141 | #16,072 |
| 1881 | historical | 62 | #24,843 |
| 1891 | historical | 69 | #28,188 |
| 1901 | historical | 68 | #26,598 |
| 1911 | historical | 75 | #25,322 |
| 1997 | modern | 40 | #33,666 |
| 1998 | modern | 40 | #33,856 |
| 1999 | modern | 39 | #34,058 |
| 2000 | modern | 35 | #34,420 |
| 2001 | modern | 31 | #34,648 |
| 2002 | modern | 32 | #34,790 |
| 2003 | modern | 30 | #35,046 |
| 2004 | modern | 30 | #35,186 |
| 2005 | modern | 34 | #35,056 |
| 2006 | modern | 34 | #35,255 |
| 2007 | modern | 35 | #35,347 |
| 2008 | modern | 37 | #35,327 |
| 2009 | modern | 33 | #35,671 |
| 2010 | modern | 39 | #35,451 |
| 2011 | modern | 45 | #35,112 |
| 2012 | modern | 40 | #35,369 |
| 2013 | modern | 37 | #35,582 |
| 2014 | modern | 35 | #35,722 |
| 2015 | modern | 33 | #35,803 |
| 2016 | modern | 35 | #35,703 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Watford, St Dunstan Stepney, Yalding, Aylesford, Burham, Mereworth, Wateringbury, Nettlestead and Tottenham. 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 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 2 | Watford | Hertfordshire |
| 3 | St Dunstan Stepney | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | Yalding, Aylesford, Burham, Mereworth, Wateringbury, Nettlestead | Kent |
| 5 | Tottenham | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Pales 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 Pales, 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 Pales surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Pales 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, Pales 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 Pales is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Pales, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname PALES is believed to have originated from the Catalonia region of Spain. Its roots can be traced back to the 12th century when it was derived from the Catalan word "pales," which referred to a fence or small enclosure. This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with someone who lived near or worked with fences or enclosures.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name PALES appears in a 13th-century document from the village of Cardona in Catalonia. This document mentions a landowner named Pere PALES, who was likely named after his occupation or the location of his property near a fenced area.
As the name spread throughout Spain and other parts of Europe, it underwent slight variations in spelling, such as PALLAS, PALLÉS, and PALÉS. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of local record-keepers.
In the 16th century, a notable figure named Juan PALES (1515-1589) was a renowned Spanish architect and engineer who contributed to the design and construction of several important buildings and fortifications in Spain during the Renaissance era.
Another individual of note was Margarita PALES (1678-1745), a Spanish painter and engraver who gained recognition for her portraits and religious works. Her artwork can be found in various churches and museums in Spain.
Moving to more modern times, Enrique PALES (1895-1978) was a prominent Spanish sculptor known for his public monuments and statues, many of which can be found in cities across Spain and Latin America.
In the field of literature, Emilio PALES (1890-1962) was a Spanish writer and journalist who authored several novels and short stories during the early 20th century.
Lastly, one cannot overlook the contributions of Carlos PALES (1910-1989), a pioneering Spanish engineer and inventor who held numerous patents for his innovative designs in various industries, including automotive and aerospace.
While these are just a few notable examples, the surname PALES has a rich history spanning centuries and has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, each leaving their mark on the cultural and historical tapestry of Spain and beyond.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pales 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 18 Pales' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.98x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 18 | 2.98x |
| Hertfordshire | 16 | 38.39x |
| Yorkshire | 9 | 1.50x |
| Essex | 8 | 6.70x |
| Surrey | 6 | 2.04x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 1.69x |
| Kent | 2 | 0.97x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.98x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hornsey in Middlesex leads with 7 Pales' recorded in 1881 and an index of 91.50x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hornsey | 7 | 91.50x |
| Sheffield | 7 | 36.69x |
| Bushey | 6 | 606.06x |
| Chelmsford | 6 | 292.68x |
| Mile End New Town | 6 | 722.89x |
| Southwark St Thomas | 4 | 2500.00x |
| Essendon | 3 | 2307.69x |
| Hatfield | 3 | 357.14x |
| Batley | 2 | 35.15x |
| St Pancras London | 2 | 4.11x |
| Stroud | 2 | 86.58x |
| Broadwater | 1 | 42.74x |
| Chipping Barnet | 1 | 136.99x |
| Clerkenwell London | 1 | 7.01x |
| Deptford St Paul | 1 | 6.29x |
| East Barnet | 1 | 120.48x |
| Leyton Low | 1 | 41.15x |
| Merton | 1 | 192.31x |
| Mile End Old Town | 1 | 10.47x |
| North Mimms | 1 | 384.62x |
| Rotherhithe | 1 | 13.39x |
| St Albans St Peter | 1 | 70.92x |
| St Clement Danes | 1 | 102.04x |
| West Ham | 1 | 3.79x |
| Woolwich | 1 | 13.12x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Pales 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 Pales 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 Pales households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 15 |
| Labourer | 3 |
| Gamekeeper | 2 |
| Servant | 2 |
| Tailoress | 2 |
| Ag Labourer | 1 |
| Bank Messenger | 1 |
| Bank Porter | 1 |
| Bootmaker | 1 |
| Brass Finisher | 1 |
| Coachman | 1 |
| Cook Dom (Serv) | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Footman | 1 |
| Formerly General Servt | 1 |
| Game Keeper | 1 |
| Governess (Sch) | 1 |
| Grocers Assistant | 1 |
| Grocers Porter | 1 |
| House & Parlormaid | 1 |
| Ironmongers Assistant | 1 |
| No Occupation | 1 |
| Painter | 1 |
| Plait Bleacher | 1 |
| Railway Clerk | 1 |
| Slipper Maker | 1 |
| Waiter | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 62 people were recorded with the Pales surname. That placed it at #24,843 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 35 in 2016. That gives Pales a modern rank of #35,703.
A locational surname referring to someone from Palestrina, an ancient town in Italy.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Pales 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.