UK surname
An occupational surname for someone who worked with pulleys or ropes.
In the 1881 census there were 54 people recorded with the Pully surname, ranking it #26,009 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2, ranked #38,825, down from #26,009 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Broadway, Peckham, West and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pully is 129 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 96.3%.
1881 census count
54
Ranked #26,009
Modern count
2
2016, ranked #38,825
Peak year
1861
129 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Pully surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Pully surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 51 | #24,096 |
| 1861 | historical | 129 | #17,271 |
| 1881 | historical | 54 | #26,009 |
| 1891 | historical | 28 | #32,046 |
| 1901 | historical | 45 | #29,156 |
| 1911 | historical | 16 | #31,804 |
| 2004 | modern | 2 | #38,464 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2007 | modern | 1 | #38,907 |
| 2008 | modern | 1 | #38,949 |
| 2010 | modern | 2 | #38,775 |
| 2016 | modern | 2 | #38,825 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Broadway, Peckham, West, Lambeth, Worcester St Andrew, Block House 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 No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Broadway | Worcestershire |
| 2 | Peckham, West | Kent |
| 3 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Worcester St Andrew, Block House | Worcestershire |
| 5 | Croydon, Battersea (Penge), Sanderstead | Surrey |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Pully surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Pully, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Pully surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Pully household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Pully is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Pully is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Pully, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Pully is of English origin, with roots tracing back to the late 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "pull," meaning a small stream or brook, often referring to a subsidiary of a larger river. This name likely originated in areas where such streams were prevalent, such as the counties of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Somerset.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Pully can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1195, where a Roger de Pulle is mentioned. The name also appears in the Hundred Rolls of Wiltshire in 1273, listing a Walter de la Pulle. These early spellings demonstrate the evolution of the name from its Old English roots.
In the 14th century, the name Pully was associated with several notable individuals. Sir John Pully, born in 1320 in Somerset, was a wealthy landowner and served as a member of Parliament. Additionally, records from the Court of Common Pleas in 1365 mention a Richard Pully of Gloucestershire, involved in a dispute over land ownership.
During the 16th century, the name Pully gained further recognition with the exploits of Sir William Pully, born in 1545 in Wiltshire. He was a renowned military commander who served under Queen Elizabeth I and played a crucial role in the English victory against the Spanish Armada in 1588.
Another noteworthy figure was Robert Pully, born in 1612 in Somerset. He was a prominent scholar and writer, authoring several works on theology and philosophy. His most famous work, "The Discourse on Divine Wisdom," was published in 1658 and widely acclaimed by his contemporaries.
In the 18th century, the name Pully gained association with the village of Pully in Gloucestershire, which likely derived its name from the nearby Pully Brook. This connection further solidified the surname's origins and its ties to the region.
Throughout history, the surname Pully has maintained a strong presence in the counties of its origin, with many bearers contributing to various fields, including politics, military service, academia, and literature. While the name may have evolved in spelling and pronunciation over the centuries, its roots remain firmly grounded in the English countryside and its geographical features.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pully surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Surrey leads with 11 Pullys recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.21x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 11 | 4.21x |
| Middlesex | 10 | 1.86x |
| Warwickshire | 9 | 6.65x |
| Derbyshire | 6 | 7.15x |
| Gloucestershire | 4 | 3.80x |
| Worcestershire | 3 | 4.28x |
| Durham | 2 | 1.25x |
| Glamorgan | 2 | 2.14x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 1.10x |
| Suffolk | 2 | 3.06x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.90x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.94x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.55x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.19x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 6 Pullys recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.31x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 6 | 13.31x |
| Croydon | 6 | 41.35x |
| Litchurch | 6 | 177.51x |
| Southwark St George Martyr | 4 | 37.07x |
| St Luke London | 4 | 46.51x |
| Cheltenham | 3 | 36.95x |
| Bethnal Green London | 2 | 8.58x |
| Bishop Auckland | 2 | 93.46x |
| Clase | 2 | 57.64x |
| Old Stratford | 2 | 259.74x |
| St Martin In Fields | 2 | 62.31x |
| Worcester St Martin | 2 | 212.77x |
| Chipping Campden | 1 | 294.12x |
| Claines | 1 | 52.08x |
| Coundon | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Culford | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Deptford St Paul | 1 | 7.08x |
| Exeter St David | 1 | 105.26x |
| Grays Thurrock | 1 | 102.04x |
| Great Barton | 1 | 666.67x |
| Keighley | 1 | 17.64x |
| Kingswinford | 1 | 15.22x |
| Penge | 1 | 29.15x |
| Poplar London | 1 | 9.88x |
| Rugeley | 1 | 76.92x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 2.32x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Pully surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Pully surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Pully households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 5 |
| Confectioner | 2 |
| Domestic Servant | 2 |
| Basket Maker | 1 |
| Beer Retailer | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Coalpit Bank | 1 |
| Cook (Dom) | 1 |
| Corset Maker | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Formerly Coachman | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| Herbalist | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Laundrymaid (Inn) | 1 |
| Laundrymaid Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Nurse Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Paper Hanger | 1 |
| Railway Loc Engine Driver | 1 |
| Retired Painter | 1 |
| Secretary | 1 |
| Servant (D) | 1 |
| Steward (College) | 1 |
| Stonemason | 1 |
| Sugar Boler | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
| Working At Tin Works | 1 |
| Working Jeweller | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 54 people were recorded with the Pully surname. That placed it at #26,009 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 2 in 2016. That gives Pully a modern rank of #38,825.
An occupational surname for someone who worked with pulleys or ropes.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Pully bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.