NameCensus.

UK surname

Reavley

Possibly an English locational name referring to a meadow or ravine.

In the 1881 census there were 109 people recorded with the Reavley surname, ranking it #18,793 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 268, ranked #16,003, up from #18,793 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Whitworth, Chatton and Woodhorn. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Northumberland, County Durham and Sunderland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Reavley is 275 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 145.9%.

1881 census count

109

Ranked #18,793

Modern count

268

2016, ranked #16,003

Peak year

2013

275 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Reavley had 109 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,793 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 268 in 2016, ranked #16,003.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 253 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Reavley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Reavley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Reavley 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 48 #24,615
1861 historical 49 #27,768
1881 historical 109 #18,793
1891 historical 157 #17,778
1901 historical 177 #16,342
1911 historical 253 #12,776
1997 modern 242 #15,597
1998 modern 253 #15,547
1999 modern 249 #15,844
2000 modern 273 #14,828
2001 modern 262 #15,034
2002 modern 260 #15,415
2003 modern 244 #15,861
2004 modern 257 #15,419
2005 modern 265 #15,048
2006 modern 258 #15,402
2007 modern 261 #15,444
2008 modern 253 #15,941
2009 modern 257 #16,099
2010 modern 273 #15,764
2011 modern 264 #16,016
2012 modern 257 #16,212
2013 modern 275 #15,719
2014 modern 274 #15,877
2015 modern 272 #15,851
2016 modern 268 #16,003

Geography

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Where Reavleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Whitworth, Chatton, Woodhorn, Gateshead and Bishop Wearmouth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Northumberland, County Durham, Sunderland and Newark and Sherwood. 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 Whitworth Durham
2 Chatton Northumberland
3 Woodhorn Northumberland
4 Gateshead Durham
5 Bishop Wearmouth Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Northumberland 003 Northumberland
2 Northumberland 002 Northumberland
3 County Durham 038 County Durham
4 Sunderland 009 Sunderland
5 Newark and Sherwood 006 Newark and Sherwood

Forenames

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First names often paired with Reavley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Reavley

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Reavley is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Reavley is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Reavley falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Reavley

The surname Reavley is of English origin, derived from a place name in the county of Lancashire. It is believed to have originated in the 13th century from the Old English words "rea" meaning roe deer and "leah" meaning a meadow or clearing, suggesting it was once a place frequented by deer.

The earliest known record of the name appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire in 1332, where it is spelled "Reaveley". This spelling variation likely arose due to the inconsistencies in written documents during that era. Other early spellings include Reaveleye and Reavelay.

In the 16th century, the Reavley family was well-established in Lancashire, with several members appearing in local parish records. One notable figure was John Reavley (1543-1617), a wealthy landowner and prominent citizen of Rochdale.

As the Reavley family spread across England, they left traces of their name in various place names. For instance, Reavley Farm in Cumbria and Reavley Hill in Yorkshire are believed to have been named after early Reavley settlers in those areas.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in the United States can be found in the 1640 records of Virginia, where William Reavley is listed as an indentured servant. This suggests that some members of the family may have sought opportunities in the New World during the colonial era.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals bearing the Reavley surname. One example is Sir Walter Reavley (1857-1934), a British diplomat who served as the Ambassador to Spain in the early 20th century. Another is Margaret Reavley (1901-1988), a Canadian author and playwright known for her works depicting life in rural Ontario.

In the realm of sports, Thomas Reavley (1887-1964) was a professional English footballer who played for Blackburn Rovers and represented England at the international level. More recently, Mark Reavley (born 1962) was a professional hockey player who played for the Hartford Whalers in the National Hockey League.

While the Reavley surname may not be as widespread as some others, it has a rich history dating back to medieval England and has produced numerous individuals who have left their mark in various fields over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Reavley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Reavley 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. Northumberland leads with 61 Reavleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 38.57x.

County Total Index
Northumberland 61 38.57x
Durham 44 13.91x
Sussex 3 1.67x
Middlesex 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chatton in Northumberland leads with 14 Reavleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2857.14x.

Place Total Index
Chatton 14 2857.14x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 13 94.89x
Bedlington 12 227.27x
North Seaton 9 1363.64x
Houghton Le Spring 8 365.30x
Tudhoe 8 288.81x
Brandon Byshottles 6 151.52x
Cowpen 6 164.84x
Wooler 6 1071.43x
Kilham 4 6666.67x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 4 42.33x
Westoe 4 22.31x
Newhaven 3 205.48x
Wallsend 3 59.76x
Boldon 2 176.99x
Longbenton 2 29.85x
Darlington 1 8.19x
Newcastle On Tyne St 1 12.20x
Penshaw 1 105.26x
South Shields 1 35.46x
Stoke Newington London 1 12.08x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 13
Ann 4
Elizabeth 4
Margaret 4
Agnes 2
Annie 2
Catherine 2
Hannah 2
Phillis 2
Sarah 2
Eleanor 1
Eliz. 1
Ellen 1
Ethel 1
Isabella 1
Jamima 1
Jane 1
Lillian 1
Margt.A. 1
Martha 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 17
George 6
Charles 4
Joseph 4
William 4
Matthew 3
Robert 3
Thomas 3
Henry 2
James 2
Nathaniel 2
Alfred 1
Andrew 1
Archibald 1
Arthur 1
Daniel 1
Dougalas 1
Douglas 1
Edward 1
Richard 1
Septimus 1
Thos.B. 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Reavley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Reavley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 109 people were recorded with the Reavley surname. That placed it at #18,793 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Reavley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 268 in 2016. That gives Reavley a modern rank of #16,003.

What does the Reavley surname mean?

Possibly an English locational name referring to a meadow or ravine.

What does the Reavley map show?

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