NameCensus.

UK surname

Parmley

Derived from a place name meaning "pear meadow" in Old English, referring to someone who lived near a pear orchard.

In the 1881 census there were 139 people recorded with the Parmley surname, ranking it #16,228 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 269, ranked #15,956, up from #16,228 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Gateshead, Auckland St Andrew and Middleton-in-Teesdale. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Northumberland and County Durham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Parmley is 291 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 93.5%.

1881 census count

139

Ranked #16,228

Modern count

269

2016, ranked #15,956

Peak year

1998

291 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Parmley had 139 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,228 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 269 in 2016, ranked #15,956.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 269 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Parmley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Parmley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Parmley 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 103 #16,835
1861 historical 142 #15,982
1881 historical 139 #16,228
1891 historical 194 #15,277
1901 historical 231 #13,805
1911 historical 269 #12,300
1997 modern 284 #14,006
1998 modern 291 #14,155
1999 modern 291 #14,234
2000 modern 288 #14,312
2001 modern 290 #14,033
2002 modern 285 #14,483
2003 modern 276 #14,604
2004 modern 286 #14,312
2005 modern 270 #14,822
2006 modern 268 #15,000
2007 modern 278 #14,773
2008 modern 270 #15,219
2009 modern 282 #15,059
2010 modern 284 #15,312
2011 modern 271 #15,708
2012 modern 270 #15,667
2013 modern 271 #15,875
2014 modern 273 #15,914
2015 modern 271 #15,881
2016 modern 269 #15,956

Geography

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Where Parmleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Gateshead, Auckland St Andrew, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Alston and Newcastle St John. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Northumberland and County Durham. 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 Gateshead Durham
2 Auckland St Andrew Durham
3 Middleton-in-Teesdale Durham
4 Alston Cumberland
5 Newcastle St John Northumberland

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Northumberland 010 Northumberland
2 Northumberland 028 Northumberland
3 Northumberland 014 Northumberland
4 County Durham 042 County Durham
5 Northumberland 017 Northumberland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Parmley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Parmley

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Parmley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Parmley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Parmley is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

These very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Parmley is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Parmley falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Parmley

The surname Parmley is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval era. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "pærehm" and "leah," which collectively translate to "pear tree meadow" or "pear tree clearing." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near or owned a meadow or clearing with pear trees.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Parmley can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of Norfolk, dating back to the late 13th century. This ancient document mentions a William de Parmele, indicating the surname's presence in the region during that time period.

In the 15th century, the name appears to have evolved into various spellings, such as Parmeley, Parmely, and Parmly, as recorded in various tax rolls and parish records across various counties in England, including Essex, Suffolk, and Hertfordshire.

Notably, the Parmley surname is mentioned in the renowned Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This historical record lists a landowner named Robertus de Parmele, suggesting the name's long-standing presence in England.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Parmley. One such example is John Parmley (1542-1611), a prominent English merchant and Member of Parliament for Gloucester in the late 16th century. Another notable figure was Sir Thomas Parmley (1678-1743), a renowned jurist and politician who served as Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales in the early 18th century.

In the literary realm, William Parmley (1788-1856) was an esteemed English poet and writer, known for his contributions to romantic poetry during the early 19th century. Additionally, Elizabeth Parmley (1820-1892) was a celebrated novelist and playwright whose works explored themes of social injustice and women's rights in Victorian England.

The Parmley surname has also been associated with notable figures in the fields of science and exploration. Sir Richard Parmley (1845-1921) was a renowned British explorer and naturalist who contributed significantly to the study of flora and fauna in the Amazon region during the late 19th century.

These examples showcase the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of individuals who have carried the Parmley surname throughout history, reflecting its long-standing presence in various areas of English society and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Parmley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Parmley 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. Durham leads with 50 Parmleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.40x.

County Total Index
Durham 50 12.40x
Cumberland 46 39.41x
Lancashire 19 1.18x
Northumberland 12 5.95x
Yorkshire 8 0.60x
Middlesex 3 0.22x
Westmorland 1 3.36x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Alston in Cumberland leads with 36 Parmleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1674.42x.

Place Total Index
Alston 36 1674.42x
Middleton In Teesdale 34 3207.55x
Accrington 13 88.86x
Richmond 7 333.33x
Hexham 6 192.31x
Heworth 5 62.89x
Staffield 5 4545.45x
Urswick 5 833.33x
Evenwood Barony 4 291.97x
Whitfield 4 2857.14x
Cleator 3 61.73x
Darlington 3 19.27x
St Pancras London 3 2.75x
Newfield 2 370.37x
Barnard Castle 1 50.25x
Broomhaugh 1 1000.00x
Cotherston 1 333.33x
Gamblesby 1 833.33x
Habergham Eaves 1 6.80x
Haydon 1 90.91x
Lowther 1 454.55x
St Cuthbert W O 1 17.57x
Stanhope 1 24.04x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 18
Elizabeth 15
Annie 6
Margaret 6
Isabella 5
Jane 5
Ann 4
Maria 3
Sarah 2
Anne 1
Charlotte 1
Dorothy 1
Eliza 1
Ellen 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Hannah 1
Maggie 1
Margarite 1
Phillis 1
Ruth 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 14
Thomas 8
William 7
Joseph 5
George 3
Jonathan 3
Wm. 3
Henry 2
James 2
Robert 2
Thos. 2
Charles 1
Edward 1
Frank 1
Hazwel 1
Jonathon 1
Joselph 1
Josh. 1
Paul 1
Randolph 1
Samuel 1
Vipond 1

FAQ

Parmley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Parmley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 139 people were recorded with the Parmley surname. That placed it at #16,228 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Parmley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 269 in 2016. That gives Parmley a modern rank of #15,956.

What does the Parmley surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "pear meadow" in Old English, referring to someone who lived near a pear orchard.

What does the Parmley map show?

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