NameCensus.

UK surname

Paulley

Derived from the French surname Paulin, meaning 'from Paulinis', a Roman personal name.

In the 1881 census there were 40 people recorded with the Paulley surname, ranking it #28,011 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 239, ranked #17,322, up from #28,011 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Mintern Magna, Wootton, Glanville and Cerne Abbas. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Dorset, Hinckley and Bosworth and West Dorset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Paulley is 265 in 2005. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 497.5%.

1881 census count

40

Ranked #28,011

Modern count

239

2016, ranked #17,322

Peak year

2005

265 bearers

Map years

6

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Paulley had 40 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,011 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 239 in 2016, ranked #17,322.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 153 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Paulley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Paulley surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Paulley 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 2 #33,133
1861 historical 73 #24,492
1881 historical 40 #28,011
1891 historical 148 #18,506
1901 historical 147 #18,270
1911 historical 153 #17,633
1997 modern 239 #15,718
1998 modern 247 #15,813
1999 modern 252 #15,707
2000 modern 255 #15,538
2001 modern 254 #15,363
2002 modern 262 #15,327
2003 modern 263 #15,109
2004 modern 258 #15,386
2005 modern 265 #15,048
2006 modern 251 #15,696
2007 modern 243 #16,243
2008 modern 246 #16,247
2009 modern 243 #16,742
2010 modern 243 #17,100
2011 modern 242 #17,001
2012 modern 237 #17,132
2013 modern 245 #17,025
2014 modern 242 #17,285
2015 modern 239 #17,322
2016 modern 239 #17,322

Geography

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Where Paulleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Mintern Magna, Wootton, Glanville, Cerne Abbas, Buckland Newton and Croydon, Battersea (Penge), Sanderstead. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Dorset, Hinckley and Bosworth and West Dorset. 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 Mintern Magna Dorset
2 Wootton, Glanville Dorset
3 Cerne Abbas Dorset
4 Buckland Newton Dorset
5 Croydon, Battersea (Penge), Sanderstead Surrey

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Dorset 004 North Dorset
2 North Dorset 005 North Dorset
3 Hinckley and Bosworth 010 Hinckley and Bosworth
4 West Dorset 003 West Dorset
5 West Dorset 002 West Dorset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Paulley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Paulley

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Paulley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Paulley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Paulley is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Paulley is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Paulley falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Paulley

The surname Paulley has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from a place name, possibly from a town or village in the county of Staffordshire or Shropshire.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Paulley can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "Paulee". This spelling variation suggests that the name may have originated from an Old English word meaning "small hill" or "mound".

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various records with different spellings, such as "Pauley", "Pawley", and "Pawleigh". These variations likely reflect the regional dialects and scribal errors of the time.

One notable historical figure bearing the name Paulley was Sir William Paulley, a knight who served under King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War. He was born around 1320 and fought in several battles against the French, including the Battle of Crécy in 1346.

Another individual of note was John Paulley, a wealthy landowner and merchant who lived in the town of Shrewsbury, Shropshire, during the late 15th century. Records indicate that he owned several properties and businesses in the area.

In the 16th century, a branch of the Paulley family settled in the county of Derbyshire, where they owned estates and lands. One prominent member was Thomas Paulley, born in 1542, who served as a magistrate and was involved in local governance.

During the English Civil War, a Captain Richard Paulley fought for the Parliamentarian forces under Oliver Cromwell. He was recorded as leading a company of foot soldiers in the Battle of Naseby in 1645.

In the 18th century, a notable figure was Samuel Paulley, a renowned clockmaker from the city of London. He was born in 1720 and became renowned for his intricate and highly accurate timepieces, which were sought after by the wealthy and nobility.

Throughout its history, the surname Paulley has maintained a strong presence in various parts of England, particularly in the Midlands and the northern counties. While not a widespread surname, it has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including nobility, merchants, and artisans.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Paulley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Paulley 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. Dorset leads with 33 Paulleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 128.91x.

County Total Index
Dorset 33 128.91x
Hampshire 3 3.75x
Cornwall 1 2.27x
Devon 1 1.23x
Lancashire 1 0.22x
Middlesex 1 0.26x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Minterne Magna in Dorset leads with 18 Paulleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 45000.00x.

Place Total Index
Minterne Magna 18 45000.00x
Cerne Abbas 7 5833.33x
Holdenhurst 3 142.86x
Leigh 3 6000.00x
Sherborne 3 400.00x
Chesilborne 1 2000.00x
Chetnole 1 3333.33x
Littleham 1 169.49x
Oldham 1 6.69x
St Cleer 1 263.16x
St Martin In Fields 1 42.92x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 2
Eliza 2
Elizabeth 2
Emily 2
Mary 2
Alice 1
Bessie 1
Betsy 1
Elizth. 1
Hannah 1
Jane 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
Mildra 1
Prisclla 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 4
William 3
Edwin 2
George 2
Henry 2
Charles 1
Esau 1
Francis 1
Frederick 1
Joseph 1
Lizze 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 Paulley households.

FAQ

Paulley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Paulley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 40 people were recorded with the Paulley surname. That placed it at #28,011 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Paulley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 239 in 2016. That gives Paulley a modern rank of #17,322.

What does the Paulley surname mean?

Derived from the French surname Paulin, meaning 'from Paulinis', a Roman personal name.

What does the Paulley map show?

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