NameCensus.

UK surname

Scally

An origin surname from the Old English word meaning "squint eye" or "squinting".

In the 1881 census there were 219 people recorded with the Scally surname, ranking it #12,122 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,121, ranked #5,256, up from #12,122 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to New Monkland, Wigan and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Campbeltown, Cardenden and Northumberland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Scally is 1,141 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 411.9%.

1881 census count

219

Ranked #12,122

Modern count

1,121

2016, ranked #5,256

Peak year

2010

1,141 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Scally had 219 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,122 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,121 in 2016, ranked #5,256.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 372 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Scally surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Scally surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Scally 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 125 #14,700
1861 historical 148 #15,452
1881 historical 219 #12,122
1891 historical 227 #13,629
1901 historical 372 #9,972
1911 historical 212 #14,423
1997 modern 1,045 #5,290
1998 modern 1,082 #5,329
1999 modern 1,112 #5,249
2000 modern 1,106 #5,247
2001 modern 1,070 #5,286
2002 modern 1,092 #5,302
2003 modern 1,084 #5,242
2004 modern 1,083 #5,266
2005 modern 1,070 #5,255
2006 modern 1,066 #5,265
2007 modern 1,074 #5,283
2008 modern 1,078 #5,304
2009 modern 1,103 #5,308
2010 modern 1,141 #5,269
2011 modern 1,116 #5,311
2012 modern 1,107 #5,263
2013 modern 1,100 #5,369
2014 modern 1,101 #5,396
2015 modern 1,104 #5,336
2016 modern 1,121 #5,256

Geography

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Where Scallys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around New Monkland, Wigan, Manchester, Glasgow and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Campbeltown, Cardenden, Northumberland, Doon Valley South and Kirklees. 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 New Monkland Lanark
2 Wigan Lancashire
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Campbeltown Argyll and Bute
2 Cardenden Fife
3 Northumberland 005 Northumberland
4 Doon Valley South East Ayrshire
5 Kirklees 023 Kirklees

Forenames

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First names often paired with Scally

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Scally

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Scally, 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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Scally surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Scally household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Scally 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

Scally is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Scally 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 Scally is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

This describes the area pattern most associated with Scally, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Scally

The surname Scally originated in Ireland, likely derived from the Gaelic word "scálaidhe," meaning "farmer" or "husbandman." It is believed to have emerged during the Middle Ages, possibly as early as the 12th or 13th century.

The name was predominantly found in the counties of Leinster, particularly in the areas around Dublin and Meath. Historical records show variations in spelling, such as Scally, Scally, Scalie, and Scallie, reflecting the phonetic nature of the name's transcription.

One of the earliest documented instances of the Scally name appears in the Annals of Loch Cé, a medieval Irish chronicle compiled in the late 15th century. The annals mention a certain "Ruaidhri Scálaidhe" (Rory Scally) who was involved in a conflict in the year 1305.

Another notable early reference can be found in the Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns, a collection of official documents from the reign of Henry VIII. These records, dated around 1537, mention a "Patrick Scally" who was granted lands in County Meath.

In the 16th century, a prominent figure named John Scally (c. 1520 - 1590) served as the Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1573. He played a significant role in the city's governance and is remembered for his contributions during a tumultuous period of Irish history.

Moving into the 17th century, the Scally name appears in the 1659 Census of Ireland, which recorded the distribution of surnames across the island. This census provides valuable insight into the geographical spread of the Scally family during that era.

One notable bearer of the Scally name was Sir John Scally (1690 - 1768), an Irish politician and landowner. He served as a Member of Parliament for the constituency of Carysfort in the Irish House of Commons from 1727 until his death.

In the 18th century, James Scally (1740 - 1820) was a renowned Catholic priest and educator who founded several schools in Ireland, making significant contributions to education during a time of religious and political upheaval.

As the centuries progressed, the Scally name continued to be associated with various notable individuals, including authors, artists, and public figures, further solidifying its place in Irish history and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Scally families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Scally 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. Lanarkshire leads with 57 Scallys recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.44x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 57 8.44x
Lancashire 57 2.30x
Staffordshire 19 2.70x
Renfrewshire 13 8.04x
Yorkshire 13 0.63x
Argyllshire 11 18.93x
Durham 10 1.61x
Essex 6 1.46x
Midlothian 6 2.15x
Cheshire 4 0.87x
Derbyshire 4 1.22x
Middlesex 4 0.19x
Warwickshire 3 0.57x
Northumberland 2 0.64x
Surrey 2 0.20x
Caernarfonshire 1 1.18x
Norfolk 1 0.31x
Orkney 1 4.36x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Maryhill in Lanarkshire leads with 19 Scallys recorded in 1881 and an index of 143.83x.

Place Total Index
Maryhill 19 143.83x
New Monkland 16 80.20x
Barony 13 7.61x
Liverpool 13 8.64x
Campbeltown 11 156.92x
Manchester 11 9.88x
Tanfield 10 135.50x
Port Glasgow 8 102.30x
Walsall Foreign 7 19.23x
Widnes 7 39.19x
Golborne 6 185.76x
Sheffield 6 9.11x
Shettleston 6 99.34x
Stoke Upon Trent 6 8.03x
Edinburgh St Georges 5 86.21x
Newcastle Under Lyme 5 40.10x
Walthamstow 5 33.72x
Wigan 5 14.45x
Derby St Michael 4 579.71x
Lochwinnoch 4 165.98x
Nantwich 4 74.77x
Pendleton In Salford 4 13.55x
Barton Upon Irwell 3 16.09x
Birmingham 3 1.71x
Glasgow 3 2.50x
Islington London 3 1.48x
Bermondsey 2 3.22x
Hutton Lowcross 2 1176.47x
Kimberworth 2 17.42x
Newcastle On Tyne St John 2 49.02x
Pilkington 2 21.25x
Sutton 2 24.07x
Ashton Under Lyne 1 1.85x
Bangor 1 12.29x
Bury 1 3.53x
Colchester St Botolph 1 28.57x
Crumpsall 1 17.12x
Eastwood 1 10.04x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 0.89x
Leeds 1 0.86x
Nether Hallam 1 3.57x
Normanton 1 16.08x
Norwich St Peter 1 47.39x
Orphir 1 136.99x
Parr 1 11.29x
St Stephen Coleman 1 178.57x
Stafford St Mary 1 10.03x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 10
Bridget 5
Catherine 5
Elizabeth 5
Margaret 4
Ann 3
Caroline 3
Ellen 3
Sarah 3
Alice 2
Annie 2
Edy 2
Jane 2
Kate 2
Maria 2
Agnes 1
Anne 1
Elizabth 1
Elizth. 1
Emma 1
Hannah 1
Isabella 1
Julia 1
Marcella 1
Rosanna 1
Susannah 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 10
Edward 6
John 6
Michael 6
Patrick 5
Thomas 5
William 4
Martin 3
Wm. 2
Alexander 1
Annie 1
Charles 1
Cornelius 1
Dillon 1
Dominic 1
George 1
Jas. 1
Joseph 1
Michal 1
Michel 1
Michl. 1
Peter 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Scally surname: questions and answers

How common was the Scally surname in 1881?

In 1881, 219 people were recorded with the Scally surname. That placed it at #12,122 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Scally surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,121 in 2016. That gives Scally a modern rank of #5,256.

What does the Scally surname mean?

An origin surname from the Old English word meaning "squint eye" or "squinting".

What does the Scally map show?

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