NameCensus.

UK surname

Passley

A locational surname referring to a pass or narrow valley between mountains.

In the 1881 census there were 28 people recorded with the Passley surname, ranking it #29,646 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 106, ranked #29,927, down from #29,646 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hastings, Lambeth and Merton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Passley is 109 in 2012. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 278.6%.

1881 census count

28

Ranked #29,646

Modern count

106

2016, ranked #29,927

Peak year

2012

109 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Passley had 28 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,646 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 106 in 2016, ranked #29,927.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 55 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Passley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Passley surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Passley 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 24 #29,038
1861 historical 44 #28,433
1881 historical 28 #29,646
1891 historical 55 #29,744
1901 historical 32 #30,501
1911 historical 26 #30,547
1997 modern 81 #29,436
1998 modern 90 #28,920
1999 modern 84 #29,700
2000 modern 82 #29,922
2001 modern 81 #29,828
2002 modern 76 #30,830
2003 modern 82 #30,206
2004 modern 83 #30,352
2005 modern 86 #30,094
2006 modern 85 #30,556
2007 modern 91 #30,061
2008 modern 96 #29,654
2009 modern 102 #29,286
2010 modern 105 #29,453
2011 modern 97 #30,552
2012 modern 109 #28,689
2013 modern 108 #29,379
2014 modern 106 #30,030
2015 modern 107 #29,708
2016 modern 106 #29,927

Geography

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Where Passleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hastings, Lambeth, Merton and Waltham Forest. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hastings 010 Hastings
2 Lambeth 018 Lambeth
3 Lambeth 021 Lambeth
4 Merton 015 Merton
5 Waltham Forest 021 Waltham Forest

Forenames

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First names often paired with Passley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Passley

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Passley 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

Passley 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

Passley falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Passley

The surname Passley is believed to have originated in England during the late medieval period, derived from the Old English words "paes" meaning a path or road, and "leah" meaning a meadow or clearing. This suggests that the name likely referred to someone who lived near a meadow or clearing alongside a path or road.

One of the earliest known records of the name Passley is found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where it appears as "Pasceleye." This variation in spelling was common during that time, as standardized spellings had not yet been established. The name is also documented in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1301, where it is recorded as "Passelaye."

In the 14th century, the surname Passley began to appear in various manorial records and court rolls throughout England. For instance, a John Passley is mentioned in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire from 1345. Additionally, a William Passley is recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1380.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name Passley continued to be found in various records across England. One notable individual was Robert Passley, a merchant and alderman who lived in London in the late 16th century. He is mentioned in several records related to the city's governance and trade activities.

Another prominent figure was John Passley, born in 1624 in Gloucestershire. He was a notable scholar and clergyman who served as the Rector of Swindon in Wiltshire from 1662 until his death in 1697. His writings on theology and religious matters were widely read during his lifetime.

In the 18th century, the name Passley continued to be found across various regions of England. One notable individual was William Passley, born in 1732 in Northamptonshire. He was a successful businessman and landowner, and his name appears in several land records and legal documents from that period.

As the centuries passed, the name Passley spread to other parts of the British Isles and eventually to other parts of the world through migration and immigration. While the spelling has remained relatively consistent, variations such as Passley, Passeley, and Passlye have been encountered in historical records.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Passley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Passley 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. Somerset leads with 19 Passleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 43.26x.

County Total Index
Somerset 19 43.26x
Kent 5 5.37x
Surrey 4 3.01x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Walcot in Somerset leads with 10 Passleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 427.35x.

Place Total Index
Walcot 10 427.35x
Martock 8 2758.62x
East Wickham 5 4545.45x
Rotherhithe 4 118.69x
Stoke Under Hambdon 1 714.29x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 3
Eliza 2
Fanny 2
Martha 2
Eva 1
Julia 1
Mary 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 3
Arthur 2
Charles 2
Robert 2
George 1
Henry 1
Richard 1
William 1
Willm.T. 1
Wm. 1

Top occupations

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 Passley households.

FAQ

Passley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Passley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 28 people were recorded with the Passley surname. That placed it at #29,646 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Passley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 106 in 2016. That gives Passley a modern rank of #29,927.

What does the Passley surname mean?

A locational surname referring to a pass or narrow valley between mountains.

What does the Passley map show?

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