NameCensus.

UK surname

Priestly

An occupational surname derived from the word "priest", indicating ancestors who served in the clergy.

In the 1881 census there were 702 people recorded with the Priestly surname, ranking it #5,177 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 211, ranked #18,904, down from #5,177 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Halifax, Barton and Bradford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Derby, Irvine Central and Dalry East and Rural.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Priestly is 702 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 69.9%.

1881 census count

702

Ranked #5,177

Modern count

211

2016, ranked #18,904

Peak year

1881

702 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Priestly had 702 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,177 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 211 in 2016, ranked #18,904.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 702 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Priestly surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Priestly surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Priestly 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 458 #5,402
1861 historical 476 #5,476
1881 historical 702 #5,177
1891 historical 702 #5,586
1901 historical 621 #6,877
1911 historical 329 #10,688
1997 modern 185 #18,506
1998 modern 187 #18,857
1999 modern 171 #20,072
2000 modern 163 #20,657
2001 modern 155 #21,047
2002 modern 171 #20,177
2003 modern 170 #20,023
2004 modern 174 #19,871
2005 modern 182 #19,259
2006 modern 182 #19,402
2007 modern 182 #19,618
2008 modern 194 #19,011
2009 modern 186 #19,946
2010 modern 202 #19,322
2011 modern 206 #18,907
2012 modern 200 #19,207
2013 modern 214 #18,671
2014 modern 210 #19,064
2015 modern 211 #18,906
2016 modern 211 #18,904

Geography

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Where Priestlys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Halifax, Barton, Bradford, Huddersfield and Heanor. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Derby, Irvine Central, Dalry East and Rural, Kilsyth East and Croy and Erewash. 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 Halifax Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Barton Nottinghamshire
3 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Huddersfield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Heanor Nottinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Derby 026 Derby
2 Irvine Central North Ayrshire
3 Dalry East and Rural North Ayrshire
4 Kilsyth East and Croy North Lanarkshire
5 Erewash 009 Erewash

Forenames

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First names often paired with Priestly

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Priestly

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Priestly 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

Priestly is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Priestly

The surname Priestly is of English origin, deriving from the Old English word "preost," which means "priest." It emerged as an occupational surname, initially referring to individuals who served as clergy members or were associated with religious duties.

This surname first appeared in historical records during the 12th century in various parts of England, particularly in Yorkshire and Lancashire. Some of the earliest documented instances include Richard le Prestre in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1176 and Robert Prestre in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire in 1219.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the surname Priestly underwent several spelling variations, such as Preiste, Preste, and Preist, reflecting the fluid nature of name spellings during that period. Records from the 13th and 14th centuries, including the Hundred Rolls of 1273 and the Subsidy Rolls of 1327, mention individuals with these variant spellings.

One noteworthy historical figure bearing the surname Priestly was Joseph Priestley (1733-1804), an English theologian, philosopher, and scientist who is credited with the discovery of oxygen. His pioneering work in chemistry and his contributions to the understanding of gases made him a significant figure in the Age of Enlightenment.

Another prominent individual with this surname was John Boynton Priestley (1894-1984), an English novelist, playwright, and broadcaster. He is best known for his works such as "An Inspector Calls" and "The Good Companions," which explored social issues and the complexities of human behavior.

In the 15th century, the surname Priestly was found in various locations, including Cheshire, where it was associated with the place name Prestbury, derived from the Old English words "preost" and "burg," meaning "priest's town."

Other notable individuals with the surname Priestly include:

1. Thomas Priestley (1733-1804), an English theologian and scholar, brother of Joseph Priestley. 2. Mary Priestley (1925-2008), an English novelist and children's book author. 3. John Priestley (1805-1866), an English civil engineer and surveyor. 4. Raymond Edward Priestley (1886-1974), an English geologist and Antarctic explorer.

While the surname Priestly originated as an occupational name, over time, it became a hereditary surname passed down through generations, transcending its initial occupational association.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Priestly families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Priestly 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. Yorkshire leads with 188 Priestlys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.77x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 188 2.77x
Lancashire 117 1.44x
Middlesex 66 0.96x
Lincolnshire 52 4.74x
Durham 38 1.86x
Derbyshire 37 3.45x
Surrey 29 0.87x
Lanarkshire 18 0.81x
Nottinghamshire 18 1.95x
Staffordshire 18 0.78x
Glamorgan 11 0.92x
Leicestershire 10 1.32x
Gloucestershire 8 0.59x
Kirkcudbrightshire 8 8.06x
Northumberland 8 0.78x
Dorset 6 1.33x
Kent 6 0.26x
Stirlingshire 6 2.37x
Warwickshire 6 0.35x
Hampshire 5 0.36x
Midlothian 5 0.54x
Sussex 5 0.43x
Wigtownshire 5 5.49x
Anglesey 4 3.29x
Shropshire 4 0.68x
Caernarfonshire 3 1.08x
Cheshire 3 0.20x
Norfolk 3 0.28x
Northamptonshire 3 0.47x
Wiltshire 3 0.49x
Worcestershire 3 0.34x
Ayrshire 2 0.39x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.16x
Berkshire 1 0.19x
Berwickshire 1 1.20x
Caithness 1 1.07x
Isle of Man 1 0.79x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Codnor Loscoe in Derbyshire leads with 22 Priestlys recorded in 1881 and an index of 258.82x.

Place Total Index
Codnor Loscoe 22 258.82x
Halifax 15 15.04x
Horton In Bradford 15 14.13x
Todmorden Walsden 14 64.22x
Shildon 12 73.22x
Dalton In Huddersfield 11 72.27x
Glasgow 11 2.79x
Mile End Old Town 11 10.16x
Barton Upon Irwell 10 16.32x
Middlesbrough 10 11.30x
Kensington London 9 2.36x
Salford 9 3.76x
Blankney 8 519.48x
Kelton 8 98.16x
Leeds 8 2.08x
St George Hanover 8 8.94x
Barkisland 7 141.99x
Bethnal Green London 7 2.35x
Bishopwearmouth 7 4.00x
Cadder 7 42.74x
Camberwell 7 1.60x
Holy Trinity 7 4.28x
Horfield 7 51.70x
Huddersfield 7 7.07x
Islington London 7 1.05x
Pickworth 7 1320.75x
Smallthorne 7 81.49x
Southwark St George Martyr 7 5.07x
Walton On Hill 7 15.88x
Astley 6 95.54x
Brightside Bierlow 6 4.50x
Carlton Miniott 6 674.16x
Elland Cum Greetland 6 19.60x
Farnley In Bramley 6 70.75x
Hulme 6 3.53x
Liverpool 6 1.21x
Newchurch 6 9.01x
Oldham 6 2.28x
Ovenden 6 19.84x
Slamannan 6 43.32x
Spotland 6 6.63x
Wakefield 6 11.50x
Winster 6 306.12x
Burton By Lincoln 5 757.58x
Cannock 5 12.38x
Chesterfield 5 12.42x
Edgbaston 5 9.32x
Hackney London 5 1.30x
Lofthouse Cum Carlton 5 60.39x
Lynesack Softley 5 90.74x
Melcombe Regis 5 26.81x
Neath 5 20.58x
Ramsgate 5 13.09x
Seagrave 5 588.24x
St Pancras London 5 0.91x
Toxteth Park 5 1.81x
Wigtown 5 96.15x
Barton St Peter 4 79.52x
Chadderton 4 10.06x
Hipperholme Cum 4 13.40x
Holbeck 4 8.88x
Hook 4 26.76x
Leadenham 4 930.23x
Linthwaite 4 28.01x
Little Bolton 4 3.82x
Llantrisant 4 13.29x
Marsden In Almondbury 4 64.72x
Shrewsbury St Chad 4 19.24x
Sowerby In Halifax 4 18.00x
St Marylebone London 4 1.09x
Stoke Upon Trent 4 1.63x
Dunham 3 468.75x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 3 3.40x
Longwood 3 27.40x
Middleton In Oldham 3 12.30x
Redcar 3 55.66x
Seaton Delaval 3 33.48x
South Shields 3 16.51x
St Martin In Fields 3 7.31x
Wortley In Bramley 3 5.57x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 41
William 37
Thomas 27
George 26
Joseph 22
Charles 15
James 15
Samuel 10
Arthur 9
Henry 9
Alfred 6
Edward 5
Elijah 4
Fred 4
Richard 4
Albert 3
Harry 3
Herbert 3
Isaac 3
Robert 3
Sam 3
Tom 3
Willie 3
Wm. 3
Eli 2
Enoch 2
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Frank 2
Joe 2
Jonathan 2
Josiah 2
Philip 2
Benjamin 1
David 1
Demetrius 1
Dyker 1
Fairbank 1
Fred. 1
Freddy 1
Frederick 1
Fredrick 1
G.W. 1
Josh 1
Laurence 1
Lewis 1
Luther 1
M.J. 1
Mark 1
Zina 1

FAQ

Priestly surname: questions and answers

How common was the Priestly surname in 1881?

In 1881, 702 people were recorded with the Priestly surname. That placed it at #5,177 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Priestly surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 211 in 2016. That gives Priestly a modern rank of #18,904.

What does the Priestly surname mean?

An occupational surname derived from the word "priest", indicating ancestors who served in the clergy.

What does the Priestly map show?

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