NameCensus.

UK surname

Radley

From an English place name meaning "red meadow," referring to a person who lived near such a field.

In the 1881 census there were 1,717 people recorded with the Radley surname, ranking it #2,508 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,183, ranked #2,971, down from #2,508 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Silkstone, London parishes and St John Hackney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kirklees, Malvern Hills and Chelmsford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Radley is 2,434 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 27.1%.

1881 census count

1,717

Ranked #2,508

Modern count

2,183

2016, ranked #2,971

Peak year

1911

2,434 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Radley had 1,717 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,508 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,183 in 2016, ranked #2,971.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,434 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Radley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Radley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Radley 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 1,061 #2,640
1861 historical 1,022 #2,743
1881 historical 1,717 #2,508
1891 historical 1,877 #2,454
1901 historical 2,153 #2,498
1911 historical 2,434 #2,108
1997 modern 2,269 #2,736
1998 modern 2,368 #2,740
1999 modern 2,365 #2,763
2000 modern 2,331 #2,775
2001 modern 2,272 #2,779
2002 modern 2,261 #2,862
2003 modern 2,171 #2,897
2004 modern 2,143 #2,936
2005 modern 2,075 #2,977
2006 modern 2,068 #2,992
2007 modern 2,086 #2,998
2008 modern 2,084 #3,028
2009 modern 2,146 #3,020
2010 modern 2,193 #3,021
2011 modern 2,173 #3,008
2012 modern 2,122 #3,016
2013 modern 2,193 #2,977
2014 modern 2,209 #2,968
2015 modern 2,194 #2,960
2016 modern 2,183 #2,971

Geography

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Where Radleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Silkstone, London parishes, St John Hackney, Sheffield and St Matthew Bethnal Green. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kirklees, Malvern Hills, Chelmsford and Forest of Dean. 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 Silkstone Yorkshire, West Riding
2 London parishes London 3
3 St John Hackney London (North Districts)
4 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 St Matthew Bethnal Green London (East Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kirklees 054 Kirklees
2 Malvern Hills 011 Malvern Hills
3 Chelmsford 020 Chelmsford
4 Kirklees 057 Kirklees
5 Forest of Dean 005 Forest of Dean

Forenames

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First names often paired with Radley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Radley

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Radley is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Radley is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Radley falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Radley

The surname Radley has its origins in England and dates back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the place name Radley, which is found in several counties in England, including Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Warwickshire.

The name Radley itself is thought to have originated from the Old English words "rad" meaning "red" and "leah" meaning "a clearing in a forest." This suggests that the name was initially given to someone who lived near a red-colored clearing or settlement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Radley can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Redlei" and "Radleia." This reference indicates that the name was already in use during the Norman Conquest of England.

In the 13th century, the name appears in various forms such as "Radeleye," "Radeleygh," and "Radelegh" in various historical records and documents, reflecting the evolving spelling of the name over time.

One notable bearer of the name was John Radley, a 15th-century English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Oxfordshire in 1472. Another was Sir George Radley, a 17th-century English landowner and politician who represented Oxfordshire in the House of Commons from 1640 to 1644.

In the 18th century, the name gained prominence with William Radley (1698-1778), an English architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Radley House in Bloomsbury.

Another significant figure was Robert Radley (1753-1827), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. He rose to the rank of Vice Admiral and was known for his bravery and leadership in several battles.

In the 19th century, the name was associated with Thomas Radley (1803-1885), an English theologian and academic who served as the Principal of St. Mary Hall, Oxford, and later became the President of St. John's College, Oxford.

Throughout its history, the surname Radley has been associated with various professions, including politics, architecture, military service, and academia, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who have carried this name over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Radley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Radley 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 407 Radleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.44x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 407 2.44x
Essex 348 10.48x
Middlesex 340 2.02x
Lancashire 138 0.69x
Surrey 102 1.24x
Nottinghamshire 65 2.87x
Cheshire 50 1.35x
Lincolnshire 43 1.60x
Somerset 37 1.37x
Kent 33 0.57x
Glamorgan 23 0.79x
Derbyshire 22 0.84x
Durham 17 0.34x
Devon 16 0.46x
Hertfordshire 13 1.12x
Leicestershire 10 0.54x
Staffordshire 10 0.18x
Gloucestershire 9 0.27x
Sussex 7 0.25x
Channel Islands 5 1.00x
Hampshire 4 0.12x
Northumberland 4 0.16x
Warwickshire 4 0.09x
Cambridgeshire 3 0.28x
Bedfordshire 2 0.23x
Berkshire 2 0.16x
Isle of Man 2 0.64x
Suffolk 2 0.10x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.15x
Lanarkshire 1 0.02x
Monmouthshire 1 0.08x
Norfolk 1 0.04x
Northamptonshire 1 0.06x
Royal Navy 1 0.50x
Westmorland 1 0.27x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hackney London in Middlesex leads with 57 Radleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.04x.

Place Total Index
Hackney London 57 6.04x
Skelmanthorpe 56 311.11x
Ossett Cum Gawthorpe 52 87.31x
Sheffield 34 6.40x
Bethnal Green London 30 4.10x
Halewood 30 280.37x
Bocking 27 135.14x
Chigwell 26 82.93x
Mile End Old Town 26 9.79x
Shoreditch London 26 3.56x
Islington London 25 1.53x
Bromley London 24 6.48x
Dulverton 23 290.04x
Tarbock 21 580.11x
Bermondsey 20 3.99x
Bulmer 19 473.82x
St George In East 19 16.60x
Ballingdon Cum Brundon 18 428.57x
Llandaff 18 18.47x
St Pancras London 18 1.33x
Brightside Bierlow 17 5.20x
Birkenhead 16 5.40x
Great Hallingbury 16 441.99x
West Ham 16 2.18x
Nether Hallam 15 6.65x
Barking 14 14.40x
Camberwell 14 1.30x
Gainsborough 14 22.07x
Runcorn 14 16.35x
Styrrup 14 415.43x
Felstead 13 114.24x
Brentwood 12 59.26x
Horbury 12 41.14x
Southowram 12 23.58x
Southwark St George Martyr 12 3.54x
Tottenham 12 4.48x
Knottingley 11 37.53x
Lambeth 11 0.75x
Northowram 11 9.41x
St Marylebone London 11 1.22x
Stisted 11 256.41x
Treeton 11 281.33x
Whitwood 11 46.43x
Dagenham 10 50.58x
Huddersfield 10 4.12x
Huyton With Roby 10 42.74x
Leicester St Margaret 10 2.20x
North Collingham 10 186.92x
Paddington London 10 1.62x
Pattiswick 10 510.20x
Springfield 10 68.68x
Theydon Bois 10 198.41x
Borley 9 743.80x
Ditton 9 110.29x
Eldon 9 113.49x
Preston 9 1.68x
St George Hanover 9 4.10x
Bobbingworth 8 457.14x
Castle Hedingham 8 133.56x
Ecclesfield 8 6.54x
Morton In Gainsborough 8 151.23x
Shitlington 8 46.38x
Teynham 8 77.29x
Totley 8 207.25x
Worsbrough 8 16.37x
Barugh 7 49.72x
Blyton 7 171.99x
Cheshunt 7 17.27x
Clapham 7 3.33x
Clerkenwell London 7 1.76x
Dukinfield 7 4.08x
Effingham 7 207.10x
Firbeck 7 489.51x
Littleborough 7 1891.89x
Newington 7 1.13x
North Clifton 7 673.08x
South Weald 7 24.60x
Sutton 7 11.80x
Uttoxeter 7 24.07x
Wakefield 7 5.47x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 117
Elizabeth 68
Sarah 64
Ann 40
Annie 33
Ellen 33
Alice 32
Eliza 29
Emma 28
Jane 26
Emily 22
Hannah 22
Martha 21
Margaret 17
Caroline 15
Charlotte 15
Harriet 14
Maria 14
Ada 13
Clara 13
Edith 12
Lucy 11
Louisa 9
Matilda 9
Kate 8
Florence 7
Harriett 7
Susannah 7
Amelia 6
Esther 6
Fanny 6
Sophia 6
Lydia 5
Rachel 5
Susan 5
Agnes 4
Anne 4
Charlott 4
Helen 4
Rebecca 4
Betsy 3
Catherine 3
Elizth. 3
Frances 3
Grace 3
Jessie 3
Laura 3
Minnie 3
Rhoda 3
Rose 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 103
William 102
George 77
James 70
Thomas 45
Joseph 41
Charles 37
Henry 30
Alfred 25
Arthur 20
Walter 15
Frederick 13
Wm. 11
Robert 10
Edward 9
Harry 9
David 8
Samuel 8
Albert 7
Benjamin 7
Herbert 7
Ernest 6
Frank 5
Fred 5
Chas. 4
Francis 4
Fredk. 4
Isaac 4
Jno. 4
Peter 4
Richard 4
Bertram 3
Edwin 3
Reuben 3
Stephen 3
Abraham 2
Daniel 2
Eli 2
Geo. 2
Jeremiah 2
Jonathan 2
Louis 2
Matthew 2
Maurice 2
Percy 2
Sidney 2
Sydney 2
Thos. 2
Vincent 2
Willie 2

FAQ

Radley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Radley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,717 people were recorded with the Radley surname. That placed it at #2,508 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Radley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,183 in 2016. That gives Radley a modern rank of #2,971.

What does the Radley surname mean?

From an English place name meaning "red meadow," referring to a person who lived near such a field.

What does the Radley map show?

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