NameCensus.

UK surname

Slee

A surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from the town of Slee or Sleigh.

In the 1881 census there were 1,169 people recorded with the Slee surname, ranking it #3,448 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,507, ranked #4,104, down from #3,448 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bongate or Appleby St Michael, London parishes and Penrith. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Torridge, North Devon and Sunderland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Slee is 1,647 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 28.9%.

1881 census count

1,169

Ranked #3,448

Modern count

1,507

2016, ranked #4,104

Peak year

1911

1,647 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Slee had 1,169 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,448 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,507 in 2016, ranked #4,104.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,647 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Slee surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Slee surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Slee 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 808 #3,319
1861 historical 568 #4,631
1881 historical 1,169 #3,448
1891 historical 1,259 #3,427
1901 historical 1,503 #3,412
1911 historical 1,647 #2,957
1997 modern 1,557 #3,788
1998 modern 1,576 #3,885
1999 modern 1,573 #3,919
2000 modern 1,636 #3,773
2001 modern 1,582 #3,815
2002 modern 1,584 #3,890
2003 modern 1,581 #3,807
2004 modern 1,574 #3,834
2005 modern 1,546 #3,850
2006 modern 1,518 #3,926
2007 modern 1,491 #4,018
2008 modern 1,515 #3,993
2009 modern 1,558 #3,975
2010 modern 1,585 #3,990
2011 modern 1,589 #3,930
2012 modern 1,525 #4,016
2013 modern 1,547 #4,036
2014 modern 1,549 #4,053
2015 modern 1,528 #4,069
2016 modern 1,507 #4,104

Geography

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Where Slees are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bongate or Appleby St Michael, London parishes, Penrith, Braunton and Swansea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Torridge, North Devon, Sunderland, Garelochhead and County Durham. 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 Bongate or Appleby St Michael Westmorland
2 London parishes London 3
3 Penrith Cumberland
4 Braunton Devon
5 Swansea Glamorganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Torridge 005 Torridge
2 North Devon 013 North Devon
3 Sunderland 028 Sunderland
4 Garelochhead Argyll and Bute
5 County Durham 016 County Durham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Slee

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Slee

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Slee is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Slee 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

Slee falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Slee

The surname SLEE originated in England, with roots that can be traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "slæge," meaning "slayer" or "striker," suggesting a possible connection to an ancestor who may have been a skilled warrior or hunter.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, where a John Slee was listed as a taxpayer. This document provides valuable insight into the name's presence in the region during that period.

In the 15th century, the surname SLEE appeared in various forms, such as "Slegh," "Sleghe," and "Sleegh," reflecting the variations in spelling common during that era. These alternate spellings highlight the name's evolution over time.

The Domesday Book, a remarkable survey commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not appear to contain any direct references to the surname SLEE. However, it does mention several place names that may have influenced the development of the surname, such as "Sleyhill" in Wiltshire and "Sleap" in Shropshire.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the surname SLEE:

1. Robert Slee (c. 1470-1535), an English landowner and member of Parliament for Bramber during the reign of Henry VIII. 2. Thomas Slee (1594-1671), a prominent English merchant and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the city of Bristol. 3. Elizabeth Slee (1670-1732), a renowned English poet and author known for her works on religion and morality. 4. William Slee (1795-1872), a British architect responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in London. 5. James Slee (1820-1904), a Scottish botanist and horticulturist who made significant contributions to the study of plant life in the Scottish Highlands.

While the surname SLEE may not be as widely recognized as some other English surnames, its history and evolution reflect the rich tapestry of cultural influences that have shaped the English language and its naming traditions over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Slee families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Slee 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. Devon leads with 365 Slees recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.38x.

County Total Index
Devon 365 15.38x
Cumberland 133 13.55x
Yorkshire 102 0.90x
Lancashire 84 0.62x
Glamorgan 71 3.58x
Westmorland 70 27.93x
Durham 64 1.89x
Surrey 64 1.15x
Middlesex 53 0.46x
Northumberland 27 1.59x
Warwickshire 26 0.90x
Cornwall 23 1.78x
Somerset 21 1.14x
Gloucestershire 15 0.67x
Kent 12 0.31x
Leicestershire 11 0.87x
Cheshire 7 0.28x
Essex 5 0.22x
Hampshire 3 0.13x
Bedfordshire 2 0.34x
Derbyshire 2 0.11x
Shropshire 2 0.20x
Sussex 2 0.10x
Berkshire 1 0.12x
Dorset 1 0.13x
Renfrewshire 1 0.11x
Royal Navy 1 0.74x
Staffordshire 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Penrith in Cumberland leads with 29 Slees recorded in 1881 and an index of 79.96x.

Place Total Index
Penrith 29 79.96x
Swansea Town 29 17.81x
Exeter Heavitree 28 158.19x
Camberwell 22 3.02x
Okehampton 21 234.64x
High Bickington 19 706.32x
Ilfracombe 19 77.74x
Bishop Auckland 16 35.16x
Braunton 16 198.76x
Dunster 16 363.64x
Great Torrington 16 118.87x
Dacre 14 369.39x
St Cuthbert W O 14 29.25x
Bideford 13 51.12x
Plymouth Charles The 13 12.43x
Bradworthy 12 346.82x
Chittlehampton 12 204.78x
Everton 12 2.78x
Gateshead 12 4.72x
Lambeth 12 1.21x
North Bedburn 12 126.58x
Appleby St Michael 11 195.38x
Manchester 11 1.81x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 11 10.86x
Pennington In Ulverston 11 163.45x
St George Hanover 11 7.39x
Tormoham 11 10.95x
Wakefield 11 12.68x
Woolfardisworthy 11 319.77x
Borrowdale 10 571.43x
Holsworthy 10 149.25x
Aston 9 1.14x
Barrow In Furness 9 4.89x
Clase 9 12.19x
Sculcoates 9 5.02x
Skirwith 9 833.33x
Abbotsham 8 434.78x
Bridlington 8 30.92x
Clovelly 8 258.06x
Down St Mary 8 629.92x
Littleham 8 46.11x
St John Near Swansea 8 32.59x
Sutcombe 8 493.83x
Warcop 8 284.70x
York St Mary 8 17.09x
Appleby St Lawrence 7 122.59x
Berkswell 7 123.24x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 7 18.11x
Bradford 7 2.56x
Clifton 7 6.19x
Coedfrank 7 50.87x
Dearham 7 54.05x
Hawkshead Monk Coniston 7 148.31x
Kings Nympton 7 284.55x
Linthorpe 7 10.38x
Long Marton 7 250.00x
Newcastle On Tyne St 7 7.96x
Sockbridge 7 823.53x
Stranton 7 6.13x
Streatham 7 8.27x
Arthuret 6 58.59x
Barnstaple 6 16.10x
Brinklow 6 196.08x
Brough 6 244.90x
Kirkheaton 6 32.73x
Middlesbrough 6 4.08x
Newby 6 625.00x
Pyworthy 6 304.57x
Swansea St Thomas 6 30.08x
Whitwick 6 37.34x
Woking 6 17.92x
Blackburn 5 1.39x
Bury 5 3.23x
Croydon 5 1.62x
Darlington 5 3.82x
Leeds 5 0.78x
Salford 5 1.26x
St Giles Cripplegate 5 33.03x
Wadsworth 5 27.19x
West Down 5 240.38x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 92
William 87
Thomas 48
James 32
George 29
Richard 24
Robert 24
Charles 19
Henry 19
Joseph 17
Alfred 11
Frederick 11
Samuel 9
Benjamin 8
Francis 8
Harry 7
Walter 7
Edward 6
Albert 5
Arthur 5
Frank 5
Fred 5
Edwin 4
Ernest 4
Herbert 4
Mark 4
Adam 3
Caleb 3
Isaac 3
Wm. 3
Anthony 2
Heslop 2
Matthew 2
Reginald 2
Richd. 2
Solomon 2
Alice 1
Bernard 1
Bryant 1
C. 1
Edmund 1
Emanuel 1
Evan 1
Felix 1
Fitz 1
Foster 1
Hedley 1
Jared 1
Jas. 1
Wm.Hy. 1

FAQ

Slee surname: questions and answers

How common was the Slee surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,169 people were recorded with the Slee surname. That placed it at #3,448 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Slee surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,507 in 2016. That gives Slee a modern rank of #4,104.

What does the Slee surname mean?

A surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from the town of Slee or Sleigh.

What does the Slee map show?

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