UK surname
An English habitational name from any of several places named Stanley.
In the 1881 census there were 186 people recorded with the Stanly surname, ranking it #13,448 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 39, ranked #35,484, down from #13,448 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Narborough (Narborough), Cosby with Little Thorpe, Alvesdiston and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Stanly is 336 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 79.0%.
1881 census count
186
Ranked #13,448
Modern count
39
2016, ranked #35,484
Peak year
1861
336 bearers
Map years
5
1851 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Stanly surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Stanly 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 | 302 | #7,606 |
| 1861 | historical | 336 | #7,589 |
| 1881 | historical | 186 | #13,448 |
| 1891 | historical | 216 | #14,107 |
| 1901 | historical | 146 | #18,335 |
| 1997 | modern | 5 | #37,891 |
| 1998 | modern | 8 | #37,334 |
| 1999 | modern | 7 | #37,513 |
| 2000 | modern | 7 | #37,430 |
| 2001 | modern | 6 | #37,456 |
| 2002 | modern | 9 | #37,051 |
| 2003 | modern | 10 | #36,964 |
| 2004 | modern | 12 | #36,835 |
| 2005 | modern | 11 | #37,065 |
| 2006 | modern | 15 | #36,707 |
| 2007 | modern | 19 | #36,450 |
| 2008 | modern | 25 | #36,072 |
| 2009 | modern | 26 | #36,111 |
| 2010 | modern | 25 | #36,273 |
| 2011 | modern | 24 | #36,306 |
| 2012 | modern | 28 | #36,048 |
| 2013 | modern | 29 | #36,040 |
| 2014 | modern | 34 | #35,784 |
| 2015 | modern | 38 | #35,526 |
| 2016 | modern | 39 | #35,484 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Narborough (Narborough), Cosby with Little Thorpe, Alvesdiston, Manchester, St Marylebone and Portsmouth, Portsea. 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 | Narborough (Narborough), Cosby with Little Thorpe | Leicestershire |
| 2 | Alvesdiston | Wiltshire |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Portsmouth, Portsea | Hampshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Stanly 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 Stanly, 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 Stanly surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Stanly 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, Stanly 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 Stanly is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Stanly, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname STANLY is of English origin, deriving from the Old English words 'stan' meaning stone and 'leah' meaning a clearing or meadow. It is believed to have emerged as a locational surname, referring to individuals who lived near a stony clearing or meadow.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname STANLY can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as 'Stanlei'. This suggests that the name was already well-established in certain regions of England by the late 11th century.
During the Middle Ages, the STANLY name was particularly prevalent in the counties of Derbyshire and Staffordshire, where several villages and manors bore variations of the name, such as Stanleigh, Staneley, and Stanleye. These place names likely contributed to the further proliferation of the surname in those areas.
Notable historical figures bearing the STANLY surname include John Stanly (c. 1350-1414), a member of the English Parliament and landowner in Derbyshire. Another prominent individual was Sir John Stanly (1456-1508), who served as the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland under King Henry VII.
In the 16th century, the spelling of the surname began to solidify into its modern form of STANLY. One significant figure from this era was Sir William Stanly (1548-1630), a landowner and Member of Parliament who played a role in the establishment of the English colony in Virginia.
Moving into the 17th century, Edward Stanly (1609-1671) was a prominent Puritan minister and co-founder of the town of Taunton, Massachusetts. His grandson, John Stanly (1663-1744), became a notable merchant and served as the Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
During the 18th century, the STANLY name continued to be associated with influential individuals, such as John Stanly (1714-1789), a British Army officer who served in the French and Indian War. Another notable figure was John Stanly (1763-1833), a member of the United States House of Representatives from North Carolina.
Throughout its history, the STANLY surname has maintained a strong presence, particularly in England and the United States, reflecting its enduring legacy as a locational surname with roots dating back to the medieval era.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Stanly 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. Hampshire leads with 22 Stanlys recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.01x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hampshire | 22 | 6.01x |
| Staffordshire | 22 | 3.65x |
| Lancashire | 21 | 0.99x |
| Middlesex | 16 | 0.90x |
| Surrey | 14 | 1.61x |
| Worcestershire | 12 | 5.15x |
| Nottinghamshire | 11 | 4.57x |
| Wiltshire | 11 | 6.97x |
| Yorkshire | 9 | 0.51x |
| Gloucestershire | 6 | 1.71x |
| Oxfordshire | 6 | 5.44x |
| Kent | 5 | 0.82x |
| Warwickshire | 5 | 1.11x |
| Essex | 4 | 1.14x |
| Norfolk | 4 | 1.46x |
| Shropshire | 4 | 2.59x |
| Durham | 3 | 0.56x |
| Leicestershire | 2 | 1.01x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 0.36x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.27x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 0.42x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 0.78x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.35x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.33x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Alvesdiston in Wiltshire leads with 11 Stanlys recorded in 1881 and an index of 7333.33x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Alvesdiston | 11 | 7333.33x |
| Millbrook | 9 | 97.72x |
| Handsworth | 8 | 53.87x |
| Chinnor | 6 | 789.47x |
| Eccleshall | 6 | 263.16x |
| Liverpool | 6 | 4.66x |
| Clapham | 5 | 22.41x |
| Granby Sutton | 5 | 2083.33x |
| Bermondsey | 4 | 7.53x |
| Blockley | 4 | 303.03x |
| Fareham | 4 | 90.91x |
| Great Yarmouth | 4 | 17.60x |
| Hawn | 4 | 909.09x |
| Hulme | 4 | 9.05x |
| Marchington | 4 | 1428.57x |
| Oldham | 4 | 5.85x |
| Skircoat | 4 | 57.31x |
| Sopley | 4 | 800.00x |
| Carlton | 3 | 109.09x |
| Fyfield | 3 | 2727.27x |
| Gillingham | 3 | 23.89x |
| Kingswinford | 3 | 13.71x |
| Leeds | 3 | 3.00x |
| Moreton Say | 3 | 750.00x |
| St Marylebone London | 3 | 3.15x |
| West Derby | 3 | 4.84x |
| Westbury On Trym | 3 | 25.30x |
| Aston | 2 | 1.61x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 2 | 4.39x |
| Bulwell | 2 | 38.24x |
| Chelsea London | 2 | 3.72x |
| Clerkenwell London | 2 | 4.75x |
| Cosby | 2 | 327.87x |
| Dudley | 2 | 7.06x |
| Everton | 2 | 2.96x |
| Foleshill | 2 | 42.19x |
| Hackney London | 2 | 2.00x |
| Hornsey | 2 | 8.86x |
| Newington | 2 | 3.03x |
| South Weald | 2 | 66.23x |
| Takeley | 2 | 400.00x |
| Toddington | 2 | 1538.46x |
| Astley | 1 | 714.29x |
| Barrow In Furness | 1 | 3.47x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 0.67x |
| Bradford | 1 | 2.34x |
| Bratton Clovelly | 1 | 270.27x |
| Brighton | 1 | 1.65x |
| Christchurch | 1 | 12.61x |
| Clevedon | 1 | 33.44x |
| Codnor Loscoe | 1 | 45.25x |
| Croydon | 1 | 2.07x |
| Hanbury | 1 | 158.73x |
| Hardwicke | 1 | 250.00x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 1.01x |
| Kings Norton | 1 | 4.78x |
| Leek Lowe | 1 | 12.47x |
| Manningham | 1 | 4.59x |
| Milton In Gravesend | 1 | 10.95x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 1.52x |
| Portsea | 1 | 1.39x |
| Sedgefield | 1 | 52.91x |
| South Leith | 1 | 3.72x |
| St Andrew Holborn | 1 | 16.53x |
| St George In East | 1 | 8.24x |
| Thames Ditton | 1 | 55.25x |
| Trevethin | 1 | 8.20x |
| Willesden | 1 | 5.94x |
| Wimbledon | 1 | 10.24x |
| Winthorpe | 1 | 625.00x |
| Worsley | 1 | 7.66x |
| Wrotham | 1 | 49.51x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Stanly surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth | 10 |
| Emma | 9 |
| Mary | 6 |
| Annie | 5 |
| Ann | 4 |
| Maria | 4 |
| Martha | 4 |
| Sarah | 4 |
| Agnes | 3 |
| Amelia | 3 |
| Emily | 3 |
| Hannah | 3 |
| Caroline | 2 |
| Catherine | 2 |
| Harriet | 2 |
| Jane | 2 |
| Kate | 2 |
| Louisa | 2 |
| Lucy | 2 |
| Adalaide | 1 |
| Agness | 1 |
| Alice | 1 |
| Anne | 1 |
| Edith | 1 |
| Eleanor | 1 |
| Eliz. | 1 |
| Eliza | 1 |
| Elizth. | 1 |
| Elizth.A. | 1 |
| Ellen | 1 |
| Ellinor | 1 |
| Ester | 1 |
| Fanny | 1 |
| Florence | 1 |
| Francis | 1 |
| Harriett | 1 |
| Lizza | 1 |
| Mabel | 1 |
| Margaret | 1 |
| Minnie | 1 |
| Rebecca | 1 |
| Rose | 1 |
| Selina | 1 |
| Susan | 1 |
| Theresa | 1 |
| Thersa | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Stanly 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 Stanly households.
FAQ
In 1881, 186 people were recorded with the Stanly surname. That placed it at #13,448 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 39 in 2016. That gives Stanly a modern rank of #35,484.
An English habitational name from any of several places named Stanley.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Stanly 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.