NameCensus.

UK surname

Paley

A variant spelling of the English surname Palley, which originated from a place name meaning "small clearing in a wood."

In the 1881 census there were 721 people recorded with the Paley surname, ranking it #5,056 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 794, ranked #6,962, down from #5,056 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Calverley, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside and Otley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leeds, Ryedale and East Lindsey.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Paley is 959 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 10.1%.

1881 census count

721

Ranked #5,056

Modern count

794

2016, ranked #6,962

Peak year

1911

959 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Paley had 721 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,056 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 794 in 2016, ranked #6,962.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 959 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Paley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Paley surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Paley 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 446 #5,521
1861 historical 537 #4,889
1881 historical 721 #5,056
1891 historical 842 #4,845
1901 historical 851 #5,356
1911 historical 959 #4,704
1997 modern 817 #6,427
1998 modern 848 #6,452
1999 modern 832 #6,594
2000 modern 830 #6,581
2001 modern 817 #6,534
2002 modern 831 #6,575
2003 modern 785 #6,757
2004 modern 790 #6,745
2005 modern 761 #6,881
2006 modern 752 #6,972
2007 modern 747 #7,075
2008 modern 760 #7,040
2009 modern 755 #7,213
2010 modern 767 #7,267
2011 modern 761 #7,225
2012 modern 760 #7,150
2013 modern 780 #7,118
2014 modern 795 #7,037
2015 modern 803 #6,917
2016 modern 794 #6,962

Geography

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Where Paleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Calverley, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Otley, Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall and Linton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Leeds, Ryedale, East Lindsey, Bradford and Craven. 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 Calverley Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
3 Otley Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Linton Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Leeds 004 Leeds
2 Ryedale 008 Ryedale
3 East Lindsey 014 East Lindsey
4 Bradford 023 Bradford
5 Craven 008 Craven

Forenames

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First names often paired with Paley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Paley

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Paley is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Paley is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Paley falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Paley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Paley

The surname Paley is of English origin, deriving from the Old English words "pælig" or "palig," meaning a small enclosed area or enclosure. This surname is believed to have originated in the late 11th century, shortly after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

The name Paley was initially concentrated in the northern counties of England, particularly in Yorkshire and Lancashire. It is thought to have been an occupational surname, given to individuals who lived or worked near a small enclosed area or who were involved in managing or maintaining such enclosures.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Paley can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Palei" or "Palli." This suggests that the name was already established in certain regions of England by the late 11th century.

In the 13th century, the surname was recorded as "Paly" and "Paley" in various documents from Yorkshire and Lancashire. During this period, the name was often associated with specific locations, such as "Paley of Paley" or "Paley of Barnoldswick," indicating the connection between the surname and local place names.

Notable individuals with the surname Paley include William Paley (1743-1805), an English clergyman and philosopher who authored the famous work "Natural Theology." Another prominent figure was Frederick Apthorp Paley (1815-1888), a classical scholar and editor of various ancient Greek texts.

In the 19th century, the surname Paley was also associated with the influential Paley family of Yorkshire, which included several prominent members, such as Edmund Paley (1819-1904), a renowned architect and author, and Frederick John Paley (1838-1913), a noted cricketer and lawyer.

Other notable individuals with the surname Paley include Grace Paley (1922-2007), an American short story writer and poet, and Albert Paley (born 1944), a renowned American sculptor known for his large-scale metalworks.

While the surname Paley has its roots in northern England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through emigration and the establishment of new communities by individuals bearing this surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Paley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Paley 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. Yorkshire leads with 384 Paleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.56x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 384 5.56x
Lancashire 73 0.88x
Middlesex 72 1.03x
Durham 48 2.31x
Lincolnshire 30 2.69x
Northumberland 23 2.22x
Surrey 18 0.53x
Kent 10 0.42x
Dorset 7 1.53x
Warwickshire 7 0.40x
Berkshire 6 1.15x
Cornwall 5 0.63x
Essex 5 0.36x
Hampshire 5 0.35x
Suffolk 4 0.47x
Ayrshire 3 0.57x
Devon 3 0.21x
Wiltshire 3 0.49x
Cheshire 2 0.13x
Northamptonshire 2 0.30x
Anglesey 1 0.81x
Angus 1 0.15x
Derbyshire 1 0.09x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.11x
Shropshire 1 0.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leeds in Yorkshire leads with 34 Paleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.71x.

Place Total Index
Leeds 34 8.71x
Baildon 22 169.10x
Burnley 18 25.83x
Billinghay 17 494.19x
Linton Upon Ouse 17 2394.37x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 15 63.45x
Crofton 13 760.23x
Islington London 13 1.92x
Kensington London 13 3.35x
Bainbridge 12 736.20x
Bishopwearmouth 12 6.74x
Skipton 12 55.17x
Shipley 11 30.67x
West Scrafton 11 4400.00x
Kirkleatham 10 107.18x
St Luke London 10 8.94x
Bradford 9 5.38x
Kildwick 9 143.08x
Lambeth 9 1.48x
Potter Newton 9 73.83x
Tynemouth 9 16.20x
Barrow In Furness 8 7.11x
Middlestone 8 192.31x
Normanton 8 38.52x
Ripon 8 49.91x
Austwick 7 619.47x
Bethnal Green London 7 2.31x
Hartwith Cum Winsley 7 276.68x
Horton In Bradford 7 6.49x
Linton In Skipton 7 1000.00x
Manchester 7 1.88x
Manningham 7 8.22x
Preston 7 3.16x
Rochdale 7 115.89x
Thorpe In Skipton 7 4375.00x
Collierley 6 64.94x
Ecclesall Bierlow 6 4.27x
Esh 6 39.74x
Huddersfield 6 5.96x
Longbenton 6 13.65x
Otley 6 35.76x
Paddington London 6 2.34x
Parkstone 6 112.36x
Scarborough 6 9.55x
St George Hanover 6 6.59x
Wadworth 6 441.18x
Ackworth 5 94.16x
Bromley 5 13.79x
Dedham 5 119.62x
Ealing 5 8.02x
East Thickley 5 118.76x
Headingley Cum Burley 5 11.24x
Illogan 5 23.91x
Lambourn 5 96.34x
Laverton 5 684.93x
Musbury 5 206.61x
Scotforth 5 92.94x
Altofts 4 52.42x
Aston 4 0.83x
Barnes 4 27.84x
Brightside Bierlow 4 2.95x
Byers Green 4 68.38x
Eston 4 26.58x
Freckenham 4 449.44x
Holdenhurst 4 10.67x
Menwith Cum Darley 4 289.86x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 4 6.45x
Purston Jaglin 4 236.69x
Sheffield 4 1.82x
Shoreditch London 4 1.32x
Skellingthorpe 4 232.56x
Warter 4 277.78x
Woolwich 4 4.55x
Worsley 4 7.84x
York All Sts North 4 116.96x
Carlton In Skipton 3 74.26x
Grantham 3 20.65x
Laycock 3 107.14x
South Kirkby 3 198.68x
St Peterin Eastgate 3 86.96x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 64
Sarah 23
Ann 20
Elizabeth 18
Margaret 16
Jane 14
Alice 12
Annie 11
Hannah 11
Eliza 9
Ellen 8
Emily 7
Maria 7
Martha 7
Charlotte 6
Florence 5
Catherine 4
Frances 4
Ada 3
Anne 3
Harriet 3
Helen 3
Jessie 3
Kate 3
Lizzie 3
Louisa 3
Margt. 3
Ruth 3
Agnes 2
Catharine 2
Clara 2
Dorothy 2
Elizth. 2
Emma 2
Francis 2
Harriett 2
Hettie 2
Ida 2
Jemima 2
Lucy 2
May 2
Rose 2
Sophia 2
Susan 2
Betty 1
Eileen 1
Eleanor 1
Elinor 1
Elisa 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 48
William 43
George 29
Thomas 27
James 23
Joseph 18
Henry 10
Robert 10
Benjamin 8
Charles 8
Richard 7
Edward 6
Francis 6
Frederick 6
Arthur 4
Fred 4
Samuel 4
Tom 4
Christopher 3
Philip 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Cornelius 2
Edmund 2
Frederic 2
Herbert 2
Jno. 2
Joshua 2
Morris 2
Oliver 2
Percy 2
Roger 2
Thos. 2
Walter 2
Cuthbert 1
David 1
Earnest 1
Edmond 1
Ettie 1
Ezra 1
Frank 1
Fredrick 1
Geo.Ed.Pinswell 1
Harry 1
Josh. 1
Lorell 1
Luke 1
Michael 1
Owen 1
Wright 1

FAQ

Paley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Paley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 721 people were recorded with the Paley surname. That placed it at #5,056 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Paley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 794 in 2016. That gives Paley a modern rank of #6,962.

What does the Paley surname mean?

A variant spelling of the English surname Palley, which originated from a place name meaning "small clearing in a wood."

What does the Paley map show?

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