UK surname
A habitational name for someone residing near a willow grove or meadow.
In the 1881 census there were 132 people recorded with the Selly surname, ranking it #16,744 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 40, ranked #35,434, down from #16,744 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Sidmouth, London parishes and Kenn, Ide, Ashton, Exminster. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Selly is 386 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 69.7%.
1881 census count
132
Ranked #16,744
Modern count
40
2016, ranked #35,434
Peak year
1861
386 bearers
Map years
6
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Selly surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Selly surname density by area, 1881 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 | 155 | #12,604 |
| 1861 | historical | 386 | #6,638 |
| 1881 | historical | 132 | #16,744 |
| 1891 | historical | 206 | #14,597 |
| 1901 | historical | 163 | #17,205 |
| 1911 | historical | 187 | #15,600 |
| 1997 | modern | 27 | #35,016 |
| 1998 | modern | 23 | #35,603 |
| 1999 | modern | 20 | #35,923 |
| 2000 | modern | 19 | #36,007 |
| 2001 | modern | 21 | #35,646 |
| 2002 | modern | 25 | #35,428 |
| 2003 | modern | 28 | #35,200 |
| 2004 | modern | 27 | #35,444 |
| 2005 | modern | 23 | #35,924 |
| 2006 | modern | 28 | #35,665 |
| 2007 | modern | 31 | #35,592 |
| 2008 | modern | 28 | #35,875 |
| 2009 | modern | 29 | #35,922 |
| 2010 | modern | 30 | #35,967 |
| 2011 | modern | 33 | #35,777 |
| 2012 | modern | 33 | #35,767 |
| 2013 | modern | 35 | #35,697 |
| 2014 | modern | 40 | #35,454 |
| 2015 | modern | 39 | #35,472 |
| 2016 | modern | 40 | #35,434 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Sidmouth, London parishes, Kenn, Ide, Ashton, Exminster and Manchester. 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 | Sidmouth | Devon |
| 2 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Kenn, Ide, Ashton, Exminster | Devon |
| 5 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Selly 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 Selly, 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 Selly surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Selly 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, Selly 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 Selly is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Selly, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Selly is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "sellan," which means "to sell" or "to give." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with merchants or traders.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Selly surname can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The entry mentions a landowner named Radulfus Selly in the county of Oxfordshire.
During the 13th century, the name appears in various historical records from different regions of England. For example, in 1273, a Robert Selly is mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire. Additionally, in 1296, a John Selly is listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex.
The name Selly may also have connections to certain place names in England. For instance, there is a village called Selly Oak in the West Midlands region, which could potentially be linked to the surname's origins.
One notable individual with the surname Selly was Sir John Selly, a wealthy merchant and landowner who lived in the 16th century. He was born in Worcestershire in 1518 and became a prominent figure in Birmingham, where he served as a Member of Parliament and played a significant role in the city's development.
Another historical figure bearing the Selly name was William Selly, a 17th-century English clergyman and author. He was born in Wiltshire in 1624 and is known for his theological writings, including "The Covenant of Redemption," published in 1655.
In the 18th century, a notable Selly was Benjamin Selly, a successful businessman and philanthropist from Derbyshire. Born in 1716, he made his fortune in the textile industry and was renowned for his charitable contributions to various causes, including the establishment of schools and hospitals.
The 19th century saw the emergence of Thomas Selly, a prominent architect from London. Born in 1823, he designed several notable buildings, including the Royal Albert Hall and the Natural History Museum in South Kensington.
Lastly, in the early 20th century, there was Margaret Selly, a pioneering British aviator. Born in 1895 in Yorkshire, she became one of the first women to obtain a pilot's license in the United Kingdom and participated in numerous air races and competitions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Selly 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. Devon leads with 58 Sellys recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.64x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Devon | 58 | 21.64x |
| Middlesex | 19 | 1.48x |
| Lancashire | 11 | 0.72x |
| Cornwall | 9 | 6.18x |
| Gloucestershire | 9 | 3.56x |
| Staffordshire | 5 | 1.15x |
| Shropshire | 4 | 3.60x |
| Surrey | 3 | 0.48x |
| Warwickshire | 3 | 0.92x |
| Kent | 2 | 0.46x |
| Monmouthshire | 2 | 2.15x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.16x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 0.49x |
| Renfrewshire | 1 | 1.00x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.48x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.46x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 0.59x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Silverton in Devon leads with 21 Sellys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3750.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Silverton | 21 | 3750.00x |
| Exminster | 13 | 1354.17x |
| Antony | 9 | 638.30x |
| Kenton | 9 | 1058.82x |
| St Pancras London | 9 | 8.68x |
| Tetbury | 6 | 419.58x |
| Bethnal Green London | 5 | 8.94x |
| Gorton | 5 | 34.82x |
| Shoreditch London | 5 | 8.96x |
| West Derby | 5 | 11.19x |
| Sidbury | 4 | 701.75x |
| Wednesbury | 4 | 36.83x |
| Westleigh | 4 | 1818.18x |
| Cheltenham | 3 | 15.40x |
| Battersea | 2 | 4.22x |
| Birmingham | 2 | 1.85x |
| Broad Clist | 2 | 217.39x |
| Chittlehampton | 2 | 303.03x |
| Shrewsbury St Julian | 2 | 72.73x |
| Upper Llanvrechva | 2 | 137.93x |
| Aston | 1 | 1.12x |
| Bishops Nympton | 1 | 196.08x |
| Blackburn | 1 | 2.46x |
| Brightside Bierlow | 1 | 4.00x |
| Brixham | 1 | 32.15x |
| Cheddar | 1 | 96.15x |
| Clun Eddycliff | 1 | 476.19x |
| Clunbury | 1 | 232.56x |
| Deptford St Paul | 1 | 2.95x |
| Exeter Heavitree | 1 | 50.00x |
| Grantham | 1 | 37.31x |
| Hanley Child | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Hastings St Mary | 1 | 18.52x |
| Kingstonupon Hull | 1 | 98.04x |
| Richmond | 1 | 11.38x |
| St Lawrence | 1 | 33.11x |
| Uttoxeter | 1 | 45.05x |
| West Greenock | 1 | 5.58x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Selly 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 Selly 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 Selly households.
FAQ
In 1881, 132 people were recorded with the Selly surname. That placed it at #16,744 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 40 in 2016. That gives Selly a modern rank of #35,434.
A habitational name for someone residing near a willow grove or meadow.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Selly 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.