NameCensus.

UK surname

Slaney

A surname derived from a place name in County Laois, Ireland.

In the 1881 census there were 930 people recorded with the Slaney surname, ranking it #4,134 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,199, ranked #4,962, down from #4,134 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Mansfield Woodhouse and Youlgrave. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mansfield, Bolsover and Pembrokeshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Slaney is 1,298 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 28.9%.

1881 census count

930

Ranked #4,134

Modern count

1,199

2016, ranked #4,962

Peak year

1998

1,298 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Slaney had 930 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,134 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,199 in 2016, ranked #4,962.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,070 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Slaney surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Slaney surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Slaney 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 530 #4,736
1861 historical 433 #5,944
1881 historical 930 #4,134
1891 historical 740 #5,376
1901 historical 1,052 #4,564
1911 historical 1,070 #4,329
1997 modern 1,237 #4,590
1998 modern 1,298 #4,571
1999 modern 1,279 #4,662
2000 modern 1,288 #4,619
2001 modern 1,260 #4,617
2002 modern 1,279 #4,641
2003 modern 1,237 #4,687
2004 modern 1,221 #4,743
2005 modern 1,215 #4,714
2006 modern 1,185 #4,822
2007 modern 1,184 #4,864
2008 modern 1,184 #4,887
2009 modern 1,233 #4,835
2010 modern 1,284 #4,749
2011 modern 1,226 #4,891
2012 modern 1,229 #4,818
2013 modern 1,249 #4,826
2014 modern 1,243 #4,860
2015 modern 1,209 #4,939
2016 modern 1,199 #4,962

Geography

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Where Slaneys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Mansfield Woodhouse, Youlgrave, Mansfield and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mansfield, Bolsover, Pembrokeshire and Staffordshire Moorlands. 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 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
2 Mansfield Woodhouse Nottinghamshire
3 Youlgrave Derbyshire
4 Mansfield Nottinghamshire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mansfield 002 Mansfield
2 Bolsover 006 Bolsover
3 Bolsover 007 Bolsover
4 Pembrokeshire 013 Pembrokeshire
5 Staffordshire Moorlands 013 Staffordshire Moorlands

Forenames

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First names often paired with Slaney

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Slaney

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Slaney surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Slaney household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Slaney is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Slaney is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Slaney 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 Slaney 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 Slaney, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Slaney

The surname Slaney originates from Ireland, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Irish Gaelic word "sláine," which means "health" or "wholeness." This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive surname, possibly referring to someone with a robust or healthy appearance.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the Slaney surname can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a historical chronicle compiled in the early 17th century. The annals reference a certain "Mathghamhain Slánadhach," which translates to "Matthew Slaney," who was involved in a conflict in County Cork in 1173.

The Slaney name is closely associated with County Wexford in Ireland, particularly in the area surrounding the River Slaney. It is possible that the surname originated from a place name derived from the river, or that the river itself was named after an individual bearing the surname Slaney.

In the 16th century, records show a Thomas Slaney serving as the Mayor of Wexford in 1541. Another notable figure was John Slaney (1592-1637), an Irish Catholic priest and philosopher who taught at the University of Paris.

During the 17th century, the Slaney family gained prominence in County Wexford, with several members holding positions of influence. One such example is Robert Slaney (1604-1678), who served as the High Sheriff of County Wexford in 1661.

Another significant figure was Walter Slaney (1619-1696), an Irish soldier who fought for the Catholic Confederacy during the Irish Confederate Wars. He later joined the French army and rose to the rank of Lieutenant-General.

In the 18th century, the Slaney surname continued to be well-represented in County Wexford. One notable individual was Robert Slaney (1718-1789), a member of the Irish Parliament who represented the borough of Wexford.

As the centuries progressed, the Slaney name spread beyond Ireland, with many individuals bearing the surname making significant contributions in various fields, such as politics, literature, and the arts.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Slaney families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Slaney 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. Nottinghamshire leads with 247 Slaneys recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.20x.

County Total Index
Nottinghamshire 247 20.20x
Staffordshire 168 5.49x
Derbyshire 114 8.03x
Warwickshire 74 3.23x
Lancashire 71 0.66x
Yorkshire 62 0.69x
Shropshire 42 5.36x
Middlesex 30 0.33x
Sussex 23 1.50x
Surrey 16 0.36x
Kent 14 0.45x
Devon 12 0.64x
Oxfordshire 8 1.43x
Cheshire 7 0.35x
Leicestershire 7 0.70x
Worcestershire 7 0.59x
Durham 6 0.22x
Essex 5 0.28x
Berwickshire 4 3.64x
Buckinghamshire 3 0.55x
Gloucestershire 2 0.11x
Hampshire 2 0.11x
Berkshire 1 0.15x
Dorset 1 0.17x
Herefordshire 1 0.27x
Lincolnshire 1 0.07x
Midlothian 1 0.08x
Royal Navy 1 0.93x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Mansfield in Nottinghamshire leads with 56 Slaneys recorded in 1881 and an index of 132.36x.

Place Total Index
Mansfield 56 132.36x
Stoke Upon Trent 37 11.39x
Youlgreave 28 681.27x
Birmingham 26 3.41x
Mansfield Woodhouse 25 307.13x
Warsop 24 740.74x
Greasley 22 79.74x
Polesworth 20 184.16x
Basford 19 33.71x
Alfreton 17 39.40x
Sutton In Ashfield 16 60.29x
Wolverhampton 15 6.37x
Denston 14 1014.49x
Brightside Bierlow 13 7.37x
Manchester 12 2.48x
Broughton In Salford 11 11.18x
Sculcoates 11 7.72x
Shifnal 11 51.69x
Tamworth 11 67.20x
Worksop 11 30.34x
Annesley 10 217.39x
Aston 10 1.59x
Bury 10 8.13x
Wellington 10 22.70x
West Bromwich 10 5.70x
Cannock 9 16.84x
Heanor 9 42.37x
Pleasley 9 251.40x
Shrewsbury St Chad 9 32.72x
Cheadle 8 54.38x
Hayfield 8 91.85x
Salford 8 2.53x
South Bersted 8 61.49x
Tottenham 8 5.54x
Belgrave 7 30.84x
Biddulph 7 40.51x
Brampton 7 35.26x
Chichester St Martin 7 921.05x
Colwick 7 2000.00x
Radford 7 11.27x
Stoke Damerel 7 5.30x
Stone 7 17.87x
Aston Cum Aughton 6 81.63x
Bramhall 6 72.38x
Deptford St Paul 6 2.51x
Dinnington 6 750.00x
Newark Upon Trent 6 13.65x
Snenton 6 12.49x
St Marylebone London 6 1.24x
Stafford St Chad 6 422.54x
W Adderbury 6 431.65x
Allestree 5 274.73x
Bermondsey 5 1.85x
Burton Upon Trent 5 6.98x
Darley 5 87.11x
Dartmouth Townstall 5 65.02x
Hulme 5 2.22x
Kings Norton 5 4.71x
Laneham 5 526.32x
Leamington Priors 5 8.88x
Thornton In Fylde 5 21.23x
Wednesbury 5 6.53x
Wilnecote 5 76.22x
Camberwell 4 0.69x
Checkley 4 50.31x
Chirnside 4 84.93x
Clarborough 4 43.72x
Edgbaston 4 5.64x
Fazeley 4 71.81x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 4 3.42x
Kirkby In Ashfield 4 30.58x
Lexden 4 55.63x
Marston Upon Dove 4 87.72x
Sheffield 4 1.40x
Smisby 4 434.78x
Southwark St George Martyr 4 2.19x
St Pancras London 4 0.55x
Ecclesall Bierlow 3 1.64x
Huyton With Roby 3 23.79x
Shenstone 3 38.51x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 57
John 52
George 43
Henry 37
Thomas 30
James 24
Charles 20
Samuel 17
Joseph 14
Walter 11
Edward 10
Arthur 9
Frederick 9
Albert 8
Alfred 7
Frank 7
Robert 7
Richard 6
Francis 4
Harry 4
Benjamin 3
Edwin 3
Ernest 3
Herbert 3
Matthew 3
Chas. 2
Fred 2
Geo. 2
Jarvis 2
Louis 2
Peter 2
Saml. 2
Wm. 2
Barnard 1
E.J. 1
Elias 1
Fredrick 1
Geoe. 1
Gerald 1
Harold 1
Henery 1
Horatio 1
Jos. 1
Joshua 1
Levi 1
M. 1
M.B.J. 1
Nathan 1
Neville 1
Oliver 1

FAQ

Slaney surname: questions and answers

How common was the Slaney surname in 1881?

In 1881, 930 people were recorded with the Slaney surname. That placed it at #4,134 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Slaney surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,199 in 2016. That gives Slaney a modern rank of #4,962.

What does the Slaney surname mean?

A surname derived from a place name in County Laois, Ireland.

What does the Slaney map show?

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