NameCensus.

UK surname

Pooley

Originally denoting someone from a place with pools or marshes.

In the 1881 census there were 2,407 people recorded with the Pooley surname, ranking it #1,848 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,013, ranked #2,231, down from #1,848 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Illogan and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Forest Heath and North Norfolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pooley is 3,299 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 25.2%.

1881 census count

2,407

Ranked #1,848

Modern count

3,013

2016, ranked #2,231

Peak year

1999

3,299 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pooley had 2,407 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,848 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,013 in 2016, ranked #2,231.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,292 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Pooley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pooley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pooley 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 1,623 #1,772
1861 historical 1,372 #2,088
1881 historical 2,407 #1,848
1891 historical 2,507 #1,890
1901 historical 3,079 #1,816
1911 historical 3,292 #1,584
1997 modern 3,179 #2,022
1998 modern 3,289 #2,034
1999 modern 3,299 #2,054
2000 modern 3,290 #2,048
2001 modern 3,206 #2,057
2002 modern 3,243 #2,075
2003 modern 3,184 #2,066
2004 modern 3,151 #2,083
2005 modern 3,044 #2,126
2006 modern 2,986 #2,171
2007 modern 2,999 #2,175
2008 modern 3,032 #2,166
2009 modern 3,110 #2,172
2010 modern 3,157 #2,190
2011 modern 3,102 #2,196
2012 modern 3,049 #2,191
2013 modern 3,108 #2,189
2014 modern 3,112 #2,194
2015 modern 3,028 #2,233
2016 modern 3,013 #2,231

Geography

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Where Pooleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Illogan, Lambeth and St Giles Camberwell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Forest Heath and North Norfolk. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Illogan Cornwall
3 London parishes London 3
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 St Giles Camberwell London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 003 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 004 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 052 Cornwall
4 Forest Heath 003 Forest Heath
5 North Norfolk 010 North Norfolk

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pooley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Pooley

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Pooley is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Pooley is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Pooley 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 Pooley 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 Pooley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Pooley

The surname Pooley originates from England and is believed to have derived from the Old English word 'pol' meaning a pool or stream. It is thought to have been an occupational surname given to those who lived near or worked around pools or bodies of water.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as 'de Poolega' and 'de Poligia'. These early spellings suggest the name was initially derived from a place name, likely referring to a settlement near a pool or stream.

In the 13th century, the name began to appear in various forms such as 'Polly', 'Poolie', and 'Pooley'. During this time, the surname was particularly prevalent in the counties of Cumberland, Westmorland, and Yorkshire, where many places containing the word 'pool' were located.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Pooley was John Pooley, who was born in Westmorland around 1320. Another notable figure was Sir William Pooley, a knight from Yorkshire who lived in the late 14th century.

In the 16th century, the name Pooley was associated with several prominent families in the Lake District region of Cumbria. One such family was the Pooleys of Calgarth, whose ancestral home was located near the village of Troutbeck. This family produced several notable individuals, including Thomas Pooley (1697-1761), a renowned author and antiquarian.

Another significant bearer of the Pooley name was Robert Pooley (1758-1808), a renowned English naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars. He was celebrated for his bravery and leadership in several major battles, including the Battle of Trafalgar.

In the 19th century, the Pooley family continued to maintain a presence in the Lake District, with several members becoming involved in the local mining industry. One such individual was John Pooley (1820-1892), who was a prominent mine owner and businessman in the area.

Throughout its history, the surname Pooley has been associated with various occupations and professions, from authors and antiquarians to naval officers and mine owners. Its origins can be traced back to the medieval period in England, where it was likely derived from a place name or occupational reference related to pools or streams.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Pooley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pooley 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. Middlesex leads with 315 Pooleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.34x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 315 1.34x
Cornwall 296 11.08x
Norfolk 292 8.05x
Suffolk 238 8.28x
Surrey 204 1.78x
Lancashire 132 0.47x
Devon 130 2.65x
Essex 124 2.66x
Kent 106 1.32x
Yorkshire 77 0.33x
Cheshire 67 1.29x
Cambridgeshire 63 4.22x
Cumberland 61 3.00x
Hertfordshire 39 2.40x
Durham 32 0.46x
Sussex 32 0.80x
Lincolnshire 24 0.64x
Glamorgan 22 0.54x
Bedfordshire 19 1.56x
Hampshire 19 0.39x
Berkshire 17 0.96x
Gloucestershire 15 0.32x
Warwickshire 14 0.24x
Buckinghamshire 12 0.84x
Staffordshire 10 0.13x
Channel Islands 7 1.00x
Nottinghamshire 6 0.19x
Westmorland 6 1.16x
Anglesey 5 1.20x
Huntingdonshire 5 1.07x
Oxfordshire 5 0.34x
Derbyshire 4 0.11x
Northumberland 4 0.11x
Dorset 3 0.19x
Royal Navy 3 1.07x
Somerset 3 0.08x
Worcestershire 3 0.10x
Northamptonshire 2 0.09x
Isle of Man 1 0.23x
Leicestershire 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 43 Pooleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.88x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 43 1.88x
Camberwell 39 2.59x
Illogan 32 45.26x
Battersea 29 3.34x
Lambeth 29 1.41x
Deptford St Paul 27 4.35x
Hackney London 26 1.97x
Hammersmith London 25 4.30x
Shipdham 23 186.84x
St Marylebone London 23 1.83x
Everton 21 2.35x
Lewisham 21 4.89x
Liscard 21 22.39x
Plymouth Charles The 21 9.71x
Bermondsey 20 2.85x
Madron Penzance 20 20.60x
Ipswich St Helen 19 55.78x
St Pancras London 19 1.00x
Gwinear 18 142.07x
St Agnes 18 48.13x
Bethnal Green London 17 1.66x
Eye 17 91.59x
Whitstone 17 513.60x
North Walsham 16 61.19x
Stotfold 16 68.43x
Cleator 15 17.75x
Camborne 14 12.72x
Plymouth St Andrew 14 3.70x
Shoreditch London 14 1.37x
Skeyton 14 553.36x
South Lynn 14 34.20x
Wetheringsett Cum 14 167.66x
Croydon 13 2.04x
Liskeard 13 29.10x
Newington 13 1.49x
West Ham 13 1.26x
Birmingham 12 0.61x
Dean 12 180.18x
Reading St Mary 12 8.46x
Snettisham 12 119.52x
Southwark St John 12 16.63x
St Osyth 12 106.01x
Sutton 12 262.01x
Timperley 12 66.30x
Toxteth Park 12 1.27x
Crowan 11 52.01x
Ely Holy Trinity St Mary 11 16.88x
Great Little Marsden 11 8.58x
Ipswich St Mathew 11 13.66x
North Petherwyn 11 158.50x
North Tamerton 11 284.24x
Stoke Damerel 11 3.20x
Sutton Stoneferry 11 16.45x
Wiggenhall St Mary 11 195.73x
Worlington 11 464.14x
Crosscanonby 10 14.89x
Fulbourn 10 69.98x
Great Wigborough 10 462.96x
Ipswich St Margaret 10 10.26x
Kensington London 10 0.76x
Norwich St John 10 307.69x
Peldon 10 270.27x
Portsea 10 1.06x
Southwark St George Martyr 10 2.11x
Tanfield 10 11.98x
Tottenham 10 2.66x
Wimbledon 10 7.75x
Blickling 9 358.57x
Bradwell 9 44.84x
Chelsea London 9 1.27x
Colchester St Botolph 9 22.73x
Cowpe Lench Newhall Hey 9 30.09x
Hornsey 9 3.02x
Royston 9 64.98x
Stonham Aspall 9 153.58x
Stowmarket 9 27.11x
Ticehurst 9 36.98x
Tilney All Sts 9 196.94x
Wendron 9 24.27x
Wimbotsham 9 195.23x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 173
Elizabeth 110
Sarah 65
Ann 47
Eliza 45
Jane 45
Emma 42
Emily 30
Alice 27
Annie 27
Ellen 22
Maria 22
Harriet 21
Louisa 21
Fanny 20
Florence 20
Martha 20
Caroline 19
Hannah 18
Margaret 17
Charlotte 16
Lucy 16
Susan 15
Amelia 14
Agnes 13
Harriett 12
Ada 11
Catherine 11
Laura 11
Rose 11
Anna 9
Edith 9
Kate 9
Rebecca 9
Susannah 9
Clara 7
Ethel 7
Anne 6
Beatrice 6
Frances 6
Grace 6
Lizzie 6
Minnie 6
Rachel 6
Selina 6
Sophia 6
Eleanor 5
Matilda 5
Rosa 5
Jessie 4

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 167
John 138
George 87
James 65
Thomas 59
Charles 46
Edward 39
Robert 39
Henry 38
Samuel 31
Arthur 27
Frederick 26
Richard 26
Alfred 25
Joseph 23
Harry 19
Walter 19
Frank 13
Albert 11
Isaac 11
Herbert 10
Daniel 8
Philip 8
Francis 7
Alexander 6
Ernest 6
Chas. 5
David 5
Horace 5
Stephen 5
Fred 4
Frederic 4
Fredrick 4
Wm. 4
Adam 3
Edgar 3
Edmund 3
Edwin 3
Fredk. 3
Jonathan 3
Joshua 3
Percy 3
Peter 3
Saml. 3
Sidney 3
Lat 2
Leonard 2
Mathew 2
Matthew 2
Ralph 2

FAQ

Pooley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pooley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,407 people were recorded with the Pooley surname. That placed it at #1,848 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pooley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,013 in 2016. That gives Pooley a modern rank of #2,231.

What does the Pooley surname mean?

Originally denoting someone from a place with pools or marshes.

What does the Pooley map show?

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