NameCensus.

UK surname

Postles

A surname derived from the Old English word "postol" meaning an apostle or messenger.

In the 1881 census there were 142 people recorded with the Postles surname, ranking it #16,012 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 206, ranked #19,183, down from #16,012 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Over, Stockport and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leicester, Cheshire East and West Dorset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Postles is 236 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 45.1%.

1881 census count

142

Ranked #16,012

Modern count

206

2016, ranked #19,183

Peak year

1999

236 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Postles had 142 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,012 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 206 in 2016, ranked #19,183.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 180 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Postles surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Postles surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Postles 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 59 #22,756
1861 historical 48 #27,896
1881 historical 142 #16,012
1891 historical 142 #18,995
1901 historical 180 #16,171
1911 historical 178 #16,073
1997 modern 214 #16,893
1998 modern 234 #16,404
1999 modern 236 #16,404
2000 modern 234 #16,470
2001 modern 226 #16,620
2002 modern 218 #17,338
2003 modern 215 #17,286
2004 modern 218 #17,230
2005 modern 216 #17,283
2006 modern 212 #17,612
2007 modern 213 #17,744
2008 modern 215 #17,809
2009 modern 209 #18,493
2010 modern 216 #18,492
2011 modern 203 #19,098
2012 modern 204 #18,973
2013 modern 205 #19,218
2014 modern 203 #19,504
2015 modern 202 #19,433
2016 modern 206 #19,183

Geography

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Where Postles' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Over, Stockport, Manchester, Mottram-in-Longdendale and Great Budworth (Witton with Twambrook), Davenham (Leftwich). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Leicester, Cheshire East 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 Over Cheshire
2 Stockport Cheshire
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Mottram-in-Longdendale Lancashire
5 Great Budworth (Witton with Twambrook), Davenham (Leftwich) Cheshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Leicester 028 Leicester
2 Leicester 026 Leicester
3 Cheshire East 026 Cheshire East
4 West Dorset 005 West Dorset
5 Cheshire East 027 Cheshire East

Forenames

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First names often paired with Postles

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Postles

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Postles is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Postles 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

Postles falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Postles

The surname Postles originates from England and can be traced back to the late 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "post," which referred to a messenger or a courier. This suggests that the name was initially given to individuals who worked as messengers or carried out courier duties.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Postles can be found in the parish records of Gloucestershire, where a Thomas Postles was mentioned in 1598. The name also appears in the Sussex Hearth Tax records of 1670, indicating its presence in the region during that period.

The surname Postles may also have connections to place names. For instance, there is a village called Postle in Shropshire, which could have contributed to the formation of the surname. Additionally, some historical records suggest variations in the spelling, such as Postill or Postell, which further reinforces the potential link to place names.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Postles. One such person was Robert Postles (1556-1624), an English clergyman who served as the rector of Stoke Fleming in Devon. Another prominent figure was William Postles (1679-1745), a merchant and landowner from Yorkshire, known for his involvement in local politics and charitable endeavors.

In the 19th century, John Postles (1815-1891) was a renowned architect and surveyor from Nottinghamshire, responsible for designing several notable buildings in the region. Arthur Postles (1878-1954), a British artist and illustrator, gained recognition for his depictions of rural life and landscapes.

One of the more recent historical figures with the surname Postles was Reginald Postles (1920-2003), a British soldier who served in World War II and later became a respected historian, authoring books on military history and strategy.

While the surname Postles may not be as prevalent as some other English surnames, its origins and historical references provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives and occupations of those who carried this name throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Postles families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Postles 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. Cheshire leads with 101 Postles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.03x.

County Total Index
Cheshire 101 33.03x
Lancashire 21 1.28x
Staffordshire 8 1.71x
Denbighshire 6 11.47x
Leicestershire 5 3.26x
Hertfordshire 1 1.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Witton Cum Twambrooks in Cheshire leads with 12 Postles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 441.18x.

Place Total Index
Witton Cum Twambrooks 12 441.18x
Mottram 11 797.10x
Over Alderley 11 5789.47x
Middlewich 10 1587.30x
Goostrey Cum Barnshaw 8 4705.88x
Snelson 8 8888.89x
Wolverhampton 8 22.25x
Manchester 7 9.47x
Tranmere 7 62.28x
Castle Northwich 6 594.06x
Ruabon 6 83.45x
Leicester St Margaret 5 13.35x
Newton In Northwich 5 537.63x
Winnington 5 1470.59x
Salford 4 8.27x
Birkenhead 3 12.31x
Cranage 3 1428.57x
Habergham Eaves 3 19.97x
Moulton 3 1071.43x
Broughton In Salford 2 13.31x
Chorlton On Medlock 2 7.66x
Nether Alderley 2 740.74x
Runcorn 2 28.37x
Bartington 1 2000.00x
Berkhampstead 1 46.51x
Brereton Cum Smethwick 1 344.83x
Little Bolton 1 4.73x
Liverpool 1 1.00x
Macclesfield 1 7.36x
Mooresbarrow Cum Parme 1 10000.00x
Pennington In Leigh 1 31.75x
Seven Oaks 1 1250.00x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 11
Thomas 11
William 11
George 5
James 5
Joseph 5
Charles 2
Allen 1
Edanend 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Joe 1
Johnathan 1
Nathaniel 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Postles surname: questions and answers

How common was the Postles surname in 1881?

In 1881, 142 people were recorded with the Postles surname. That placed it at #16,012 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Postles surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 206 in 2016. That gives Postles a modern rank of #19,183.

What does the Postles surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old English word "postol" meaning an apostle or messenger.

What does the Postles map show?

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