UK surname
A surname derived from the place name Purley, referring to someone from that location.
In the 1881 census there were 41 people recorded with the Purley surname, ranking it #27,870 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 5, ranked #38,264, down from #27,870 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Brightlingsea, St Pancras and St Marylebone. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Purley is 115 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 87.8%.
1881 census count
41
Ranked #27,870
Modern count
5
2016, ranked #38,264
Peak year
1861
115 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Purley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Purley 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 | 27 | #28,467 |
| 1861 | historical | 115 | #18,880 |
| 1881 | historical | 41 | #27,870 |
| 1891 | historical | 33 | #31,681 |
| 1901 | historical | 9 | #33,154 |
| 1911 | historical | 22 | #31,030 |
| 1997 | modern | 6 | #37,704 |
| 1998 | modern | 3 | #38,304 |
| 1999 | modern | 3 | #38,318 |
| 2000 | modern | 5 | #37,823 |
| 2001 | modern | 5 | #37,652 |
| 2002 | modern | 5 | #37,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 5 | #37,750 |
| 2004 | modern | 5 | #37,830 |
| 2005 | modern | 9 | #37,302 |
| 2006 | modern | 8 | #37,481 |
| 2007 | modern | 8 | #37,572 |
| 2008 | modern | 9 | #37,473 |
| 2009 | modern | 10 | #37,446 |
| 2010 | modern | 5 | #38,186 |
| 2011 | modern | 4 | #38,338 |
| 2012 | modern | 4 | #38,335 |
| 2013 | modern | 5 | #38,195 |
| 2014 | modern | 7 | #37,929 |
| 2015 | modern | 6 | #38,076 |
| 2016 | modern | 5 | #38,264 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Brightlingsea, St Pancras, St Marylebone, Preston and St Paul, St Saviour, St Edmund, St Simon and Jude, St Peter Hungate, St Michael at Plea, St Martin a. 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 | Brightlingsea | Essex |
| 2 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 3 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Preston | Lancashire |
| 5 | St Paul, St Saviour, St Edmund, St Simon and Jude, St Peter Hungate, St Michael at Plea, St Martin a | Norfolk |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Purley 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 Purley, 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 Purley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Purley 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, Purley 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 Purley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Purley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Purley is of English origin, derived from the Old English "pyrig" meaning a small enclosed space or pear tree orchard, and the suffix "leah" meaning a clearing or meadow. This suggests the name originally referred to someone who lived near a pear tree orchard or a clearing where pear trees grew.
The earliest known record of the surname Purley dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was listed as "Pyrigelei" in Surrey, England. This indicates the name was already established in the region by the 11th century.
Over time, the name underwent various spelling variations, including Purley, Pyrley, Pirley, and Perley. These changes reflect the influence of local dialects and the evolution of the English language.
One of the earliest known bearers of the surname was William de Purley, who was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Berkshire in 1207. Another notable figure was John Purley, born in 1490, who served as the Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex during the reign of King Henry VIII.
In the 16th century, the Purley family held lands and estates in the village of Purley, located in Surrey, England. This connection to the place name further solidified the surname's association with the region.
During the 17th century, several members of the Purley family made significant contributions. Thomas Purley (1603-1670) was a renowned scholar and author, best known for his work "The True and Ancient Manner of Reading Hebrew." His contemporary, Richard Purley (1615-1685), was a prominent lawyer and served as a Member of Parliament for the borough of Southwark.
Another notable figure was Sir John Purley (1720-1798), a distinguished military officer who served in the British Army during the American Revolutionary War. He rose to the rank of Major General and was awarded the Order of the Bath for his service.
In the 19th century, the name gained further recognition with the birth of John Purley (1823-1895), a renowned architect who designed several iconic buildings in London, including the Royal Opera House and the Natural History Museum.
Over the centuries, the surname Purley has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, lawyers, military officers, and architects, all contributing to the rich history and legacy of this English surname.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Purley 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. Middlesex leads with 12 Purleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.00x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 12 | 3.00x |
| Essex | 10 | 12.67x |
| Hampshire | 5 | 6.10x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.84x |
| Worcestershire | 4 | 7.66x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.50x |
| Buckinghamshire | 1 | 4.14x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 1.27x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.74x |
| Sussex | 1 | 1.48x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Marylebone London in Middlesex leads with 8 Purleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 37.47x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Marylebone London | 8 | 37.47x |
| East Donyland | 5 | 2631.58x |
| Fawley | 5 | 1923.08x |
| Hammersmith London | 4 | 40.61x |
| Preston | 4 | 31.50x |
| Wolverley | 4 | 869.57x |
| Colchester St Giles | 2 | 256.41x |
| East Ham | 2 | 136.05x |
| Scarborough | 2 | 55.56x |
| Buckingham | 1 | 204.08x |
| Burton Upon Trent | 1 | 31.65x |
| Clifton | 1 | 25.19x |
| Hastings St Leonards | 1 | 101.01x |
| Tendring | 1 | 833.33x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Purley 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 Purley 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 Purley households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 8 |
| No Occupation | 2 |
| (DS) | 1 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Ag Lab Wife | 1 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Boiler Maker | 1 |
| Cotton Warper | 1 |
| Cotton Weaver | 1 |
| Foreman Shipbuilder | 1 |
| Gen Serv Domestic | 1 |
| General Laborer | 1 |
| Grocer | 1 |
| Groom | 1 |
| Groom (Domestic) | 1 |
| Milk Carrier | 1 |
| Milkman | 1 |
| Railway Clerk | 1 |
| Sailor (Pauper) | 1 |
| Shop Keeper | 1 |
| Soldier | 1 |
| Sub & Dividends | 1 |
| Tailor | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 41 people were recorded with the Purley surname. That placed it at #27,870 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 5 in 2016. That gives Purley a modern rank of #38,264.
A surname derived from the place name Purley, referring to someone from that location.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Purley 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.