NameCensus.

UK surname

Sleight

An occupational surname referring to a person skilled in dexterity or trickery.

In the 1881 census there were 621 people recorded with the Sleight surname, ranking it #5,686 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,091, ranked #5,366, up from #5,686 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hull Holy Trinity, Clee and Gainsborough, Paddocks. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Lindsey, Barnsley and Lincoln.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sleight is 1,165 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 75.7%.

1881 census count

621

Ranked #5,686

Modern count

1,091

2016, ranked #5,366

Peak year

2010

1,165 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sleight had 621 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,686 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,091 in 2016, ranked #5,366.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 903 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Sleight surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sleight surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sleight 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 423 #5,770
1861 historical 200 #12,005
1881 historical 621 #5,686
1891 historical 626 #6,177
1901 historical 781 #5,750
1911 historical 903 #4,940
1997 modern 1,097 #5,084
1998 modern 1,134 #5,120
1999 modern 1,154 #5,096
2000 modern 1,140 #5,120
2001 modern 1,101 #5,171
2002 modern 1,133 #5,154
2003 modern 1,129 #5,066
2004 modern 1,138 #5,043
2005 modern 1,136 #4,997
2006 modern 1,126 #5,039
2007 modern 1,132 #5,059
2008 modern 1,133 #5,098
2009 modern 1,156 #5,113
2010 modern 1,165 #5,173
2011 modern 1,143 #5,207
2012 modern 1,096 #5,307
2013 modern 1,126 #5,276
2014 modern 1,138 #5,252
2015 modern 1,112 #5,310
2016 modern 1,091 #5,366

Geography

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Where Sleights are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hull Holy Trinity, Clee, Gainsborough, Paddocks, Darfield and Laughton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to West Lindsey, Barnsley, Lincoln and North Lincolnshire. 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 Hull Holy Trinity Yorkshire, East Riding
2 Clee Lincolnshire
3 Gainsborough, Paddocks Lincolnshire
4 Darfield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Laughton Lincolnshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 West Lindsey 002 West Lindsey
2 West Lindsey 004 West Lindsey
3 Barnsley 002 Barnsley
4 Lincoln 003 Lincoln
5 North Lincolnshire 015 North Lincolnshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sleight

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sleight

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Sleight 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

Sleight is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Sleight

The surname SLEIGHT has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "sleght," which means "skill" or "dexterity." The name was likely given to someone who possessed exceptional skills, particularly in a craft or trade.

In its earliest forms, the name was spelled as "Slehte" or "Sleghte" in various records from the 13th and 14th centuries. It is believed to have originated in the counties of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, where several early bearers of the name were documented.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the SLEIGHT surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which lists a Robert Sleght from Lincolnshire. Another early reference is in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire from 1379, which mentions a John Sleghte.

The SLEIGHT surname has also been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was Sir Andrew Sleight, a prominent English merchant and politician who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1597 and was a member of the East India Company.

Another individual of note was Robert Sleight, a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19th century. He participated in several significant battles and was commended for his bravery and leadership.

In the literary world, Mary Sleight (1836-1910) was a notable English author and poet. She published several collections of poetry and was known for her works that explored themes of nature and spirituality.

John Sleight (1882-1948), a renowned British artist, was known for his landscape and portrait paintings. His works were exhibited at the Royal Academy and other prestigious galleries during his lifetime.

Another notable bearer of the SLEIGHT surname was Sir Edward Sleight (1905-1987), a British businessman and philanthropist. He founded a successful engineering company and was actively involved in various charitable organizations.

While the SLEIGHT surname may not be as common as some others, it has a rich history and has been borne by many notable individuals throughout the centuries, reflecting its origins as a name associated with skill and dexterity.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sleight families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sleight 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. Lincolnshire leads with 292 Sleights recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.20x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 292 30.20x
Yorkshire 181 3.02x
Northumberland 18 2.00x
Essex 16 1.34x
Nottinghamshire 16 1.96x
Derbyshire 12 1.27x
Norfolk 12 1.29x
Hampshire 10 0.81x
Lancashire 10 0.14x
Sussex 10 0.98x
Lanarkshire 8 0.41x
Berkshire 7 1.54x
Durham 5 0.28x
Middlesex 5 0.08x
Kent 4 0.19x
Cambridgeshire 3 0.78x
Surrey 3 0.10x
Leicestershire 2 0.30x
Staffordshire 2 0.10x
Stirlingshire 2 0.90x
Midlothian 1 0.12x
Worcestershire 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire leads with 32 Sleights recorded in 1881 and an index of 562.39x.

Place Total Index
Cleethorpes 32 562.39x
Southcoates 20 60.11x
Great Grimsby 16 26.07x
Wath On Dearne 16 133.78x
West Ham 16 6.07x
Gainsborough 15 65.79x
Ashby 13 429.04x
Sculcoates 13 13.68x
West Ashby 11 1358.02x
York St Saviour 11 192.31x
Burton Salmon 10 1754.39x
Derby St Werburgh 10 18.29x
Louth 10 45.13x
Rotherham 10 29.59x
Topcliffe 10 787.40x
Bardney 9 312.50x
Laughton In Gainsborough 9 1475.41x
St Mary Extra 9 90.18x
Stallingborough 9 900.00x
Sutton St Edmunds 9 656.93x
Westgate 9 16.15x
Clee With Weelsby 8 37.79x
Corringham 8 519.48x
Doncaster 8 18.27x
Kimberworth 8 24.05x
New Monkland 8 13.84x
West Newton W Burton 8 2666.67x
Barrow On Humber 7 124.78x
Canwick 7 1372.55x
Holy Trinity 7 4.86x
Kirton In Lindsey 7 182.77x
Leeds 7 2.07x
Nether Hallam 7 8.63x
Ragnall 7 1842.11x
St Peterat Gowts Lincoln 7 51.47x
Blyton 6 410.96x
Brighton 6 2.92x
Cammeringham 6 1875.00x
East Halton 6 447.76x
Liverpool 6 1.38x
Old Windsor 6 114.29x
St Maryle Wigford 6 79.89x
Swineshead 6 188.68x
Terrington St Clement 6 142.86x
Walsoken 6 107.33x
Chatton 5 181.16x
Holbeach 5 46.43x
Partney 5 543.48x
Ranskill 5 641.03x
Shildon 5 34.58x
Spalding 5 26.06x
Sutton Stoneferry 5 29.15x
Worlaby 5 416.67x
Epworth 4 88.69x
Newington 4 24.24x
Pinchbeck 4 64.52x
Scunthorpe 4 91.95x
York All Sts Pavement 4 579.71x
Bowling 3 5.05x
East Grinstead 3 20.79x
Erith 3 14.76x
Goxhill 3 126.05x
Market Rasen 3 55.45x
New Bewick 3 588.24x
North Carlton 3 882.35x
Rawmarsh 3 14.17x
St George Hanover 3 3.80x
Tydd St Mary 3 156.25x
Church Gresley 2 13.28x
Donington 2 57.64x
Falkirk 2 3.83x
Fleet 2 72.46x
Hempholme 2 1176.47x
Hessle In Sculcoates 2 37.81x
Messingham 2 85.47x
Mirfield 2 6.08x
Skelton In Guisbrough 2 12.34x
Somersby 2 2222.22x
Sturton Bransby 2 149.25x
Wombwell 2 11.45x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 45
John 34
George 29
Thomas 22
Charles 20
Henry 15
James 12
Joseph 11
Robert 9
Edward 8
Richard 7
Walter 6
Arthur 5
David 5
Alfred 4
Frank 4
Frederick 4
Herbert 4
Albert 3
Wm. 3
Benjamin 2
Earnest 2
Francis 2
Jno. 2
Michael 2
Tom 2
Baxter 1
Drury 1
Ed. 1
Edgar 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
G.A. 1
Harneis 1
J. 1
Jame 1
Jas. 1
Marris 1
Metcalf 1
Rowland 1
Saml. 1
Samuel 1
Shearman 1
Shem 1
Wm.Fred 1
Wm.Hy. 1

FAQ

Sleight surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sleight surname in 1881?

In 1881, 621 people were recorded with the Sleight surname. That placed it at #5,686 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sleight surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,091 in 2016. That gives Sleight a modern rank of #5,366.

What does the Sleight surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a person skilled in dexterity or trickery.

What does the Sleight map show?

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