UK surname
A surname derived from the Middle English word "tale", meaning a narrative or story.
In the 1881 census there were 59 people recorded with the Tale surname, ranking it #25,281 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 12, ranked #37,385, down from #25,281 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Pershore Holy Cross, Pershore St Andrew, London parishes and Charton-next-Woolwich. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tale is 127 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 79.7%.
1881 census count
59
Ranked #25,281
Modern count
12
2016, ranked #37,385
Peak year
1851
127 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Tale surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Tale surname density by area, 1911 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 | 127 | #14,547 |
| 1861 | historical | 19 | #31,470 |
| 1881 | historical | 59 | #25,281 |
| 1891 | historical | 18 | #32,706 |
| 1901 | historical | 50 | #28,590 |
| 1911 | historical | 125 | #19,932 |
| 1997 | modern | 7 | #37,533 |
| 1998 | modern | 3 | #38,304 |
| 1999 | modern | 3 | #38,318 |
| 2000 | modern | 2 | #38,472 |
| 2001 | modern | 2 | #38,335 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 5 | #37,956 |
| 2007 | modern | 5 | #38,004 |
| 2008 | modern | 4 | #38,216 |
| 2009 | modern | 5 | #38,122 |
| 2010 | modern | 6 | #38,024 |
| 2011 | modern | 4 | #38,338 |
| 2012 | modern | 9 | #37,614 |
| 2013 | modern | 7 | #37,909 |
| 2014 | modern | 9 | #37,679 |
| 2015 | modern | 13 | #37,251 |
| 2016 | modern | 12 | #37,385 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Pershore Holy Cross, Pershore St Andrew, London parishes, Charton-next-Woolwich, Witham, South and Holywell. 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 | Pershore Holy Cross, Pershore St Andrew | Worcestershire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Charton-next-Woolwich | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Witham, South | Lincolnshire |
| 5 | Holywell | Flintshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Tale 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 Tale, 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 Tale surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Tale 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, Tale 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 Tale is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Tale, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname TALE is of English and French origin, emerging in the medieval period around the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "taille", which referred to a tax or toll collected from medieval peasants and serfs. Those who collected this tax were known as "taleors" or "talesmen", and over time, this occupational title evolved into the surname TALE.
In England, the earliest recorded instances of the surname TALE can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "le Talour" and "le Taillur". These rolls were administrative records maintained by the government, listing individuals who held land and their tax obligations.
The TALE surname also appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and property across England commissioned by William the Conqueror. Here, it is recorded in various spellings, such as "Taillefer" and "Tailleur", reflecting the Norman French influence on the language at the time.
One of the earliest documented individuals bearing the TALE surname was John Tale, a merchant and landowner from Somerset, England, who was mentioned in records dating back to 1327. Another notable figure was William Tale, a Member of Parliament for Bridgwater in 1395 and 1399.
In Scotland, the TALE surname is associated with the village of Talla, located in the Scottish Borders region. It is believed that some bearers of the surname may have derived their name from this place name, which itself is derived from the Gaelic word "talla", meaning "hall" or "mansion".
Across the centuries, several prominent individuals have borne the TALE surname. These include:
1. Sir John Tale (c. 1450 - 1515), an English lawyer and judge who served as a Baron of the Exchequer. 2. Henry Tale (c. 1535 - 1586), an English clergyman and theological writer who served as the Dean of Ely Cathedral. 3. Samuel Tale (1615 - 1692), an English nonconformist minister and author known for his writings on religious subjects. 4. Nathaniel Tale (1669 - 1715), an English mathematician and Fellow of the Royal Society, known for his contributions to the study of algebra and calculus. 5. Jane Tale (1703 - 1767), an English novelist and playwright, known for her satirical works critiquing social norms and conventions of the time.
These examples illustrate the rich history and diverse backgrounds associated with the TALE surname, spanning various professions, regions, and time periods.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tale 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. Yorkshire leads with 18 Tales recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.16x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 18 | 3.16x |
| Derbyshire | 7 | 7.77x |
| Flintshire | 7 | 45.25x |
| Cambridgeshire | 6 | 16.46x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 1.04x |
| Surrey | 5 | 1.78x |
| Gloucestershire | 4 | 3.54x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.44x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.85x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.51x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.69x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hunslet in Yorkshire leads with 11 Tales recorded in 1881 and an index of 123.73x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hunslet | 11 | 123.73x |
| Derby All Sts | 7 | 933.33x |
| Holywell | 7 | 360.82x |
| Leeds | 7 | 21.74x |
| Chatteris | 6 | 645.16x |
| Cheltenham | 4 | 45.92x |
| Lambeth | 3 | 5.98x |
| Hampstead London | 2 | 22.32x |
| Ashton Under Lyne | 1 | 6.70x |
| Betchworth | 1 | 285.71x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 2.07x |
| Blackley | 1 | 83.33x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 3.10x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 7.05x |
| Harborne | 1 | 16.05x |
| Holdenhurst | 1 | 32.36x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 3.13x |
| Leatherhead | 1 | 142.86x |
| North Meols | 1 | 14.97x |
| Westminster St James | 1 | 16.89x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Tale 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 Tale 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 Tale households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 14 |
| General Serv Domestic | 2 |
| (Ag Lab) | 1 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Assist Market Hall Keeper | 1 |
| Baker | 1 |
| Barmaid | 1 |
| Boiler Maker | 1 |
| Brass Founder | 1 |
| Collier | 1 |
| Collier Wife | 1 |
| Domes Serv | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Engineman (.22) | 1 |
| Gas Inspector | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Ironmongers Assistant | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Pauper | 1 |
| Professional Cricketer Games | 1 |
| Puddler (Iron) | 1 |
| Railway Inspector | 1 |
| Railway Platelayer | 1 |
| Stuff Weaver | 1 |
| Whitesmith | 1 |
| Works in Flannel Factory | 1 |
| Worsted Spinner | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 59 people were recorded with the Tale surname. That placed it at #25,281 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 12 in 2016. That gives Tale a modern rank of #37,385.
A surname derived from the Middle English word "tale", meaning a narrative or story.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Tale 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.