UK surname
Derived from a place name meaning "a woodland clearing" in Old English, or from the French surname Taillé.
In the 1881 census there were 43 people recorded with the Talley surname, ranking it #27,575 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 86, ranked #32,570, down from #27,575 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Kingsteignton and Wigan. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Talley is 191 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 100.0%.
1881 census count
43
Ranked #27,575
Modern count
86
2016, ranked #32,570
Peak year
1861
191 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Talley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Talley surname density by area, 1901 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 | 100 | #17,164 |
| 1861 | historical | 191 | #12,467 |
| 1881 | historical | 43 | #27,575 |
| 1891 | historical | 106 | #23,105 |
| 1901 | historical | 103 | #22,444 |
| 1911 | historical | 65 | #26,343 |
| 1997 | modern | 62 | #31,412 |
| 1998 | modern | 63 | #31,639 |
| 1999 | modern | 66 | #31,509 |
| 2000 | modern | 69 | #31,273 |
| 2001 | modern | 69 | #31,098 |
| 2002 | modern | 65 | #31,903 |
| 2003 | modern | 57 | #32,704 |
| 2004 | modern | 61 | #32,581 |
| 2005 | modern | 58 | #33,094 |
| 2006 | modern | 53 | #33,854 |
| 2007 | modern | 57 | #33,800 |
| 2008 | modern | 62 | #33,565 |
| 2009 | modern | 62 | #33,832 |
| 2010 | modern | 68 | #33,632 |
| 2011 | modern | 70 | #33,465 |
| 2012 | modern | 80 | #32,877 |
| 2013 | modern | 76 | #33,329 |
| 2014 | modern | 80 | #33,133 |
| 2015 | modern | 81 | #32,975 |
| 2016 | modern | 86 | #32,570 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Kingsteignton, Wigan, Portsmouth, Portsea and Lindridge. 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 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 2 | Kingsteignton | Devon |
| 3 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| 4 | Portsmouth, Portsea | Hampshire |
| 5 | Lindridge | Worcestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Talley 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 Talley, 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 Talley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Talley 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, Talley 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 Talley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Talley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Talley is of Anglo-Norman origin, derived from the Old French name "Taillé" or "Tailley," meaning "cut" or "pruned." It is believed to have originated in England during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.
The name may have been initially given to individuals who were employed as woodcutters or foresters, responsible for managing and maintaining woodlands. Alternatively, it could have referred to a person with a slender or trim physique.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is spelled "Tailleur." This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, recorded landowners and their properties throughout England.
Another early reference to the name can be found in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire in 1379, where it is listed as "Taylyor." This spelling variation highlights the fluidity of surnames during that period.
Notable individuals with the surname Talley include Sir John Talley (1389-1459), an English soldier and Member of Parliament during the Wars of the Roses. He served under King Henry VI and was knighted for his military service.
In the 16th century, William Talley (1518-1592) was a prominent English merchant and alderman of the City of London. He was known for his philanthropic efforts and contributed to the construction of hospitals and almshouses.
During the American Revolutionary War, Matthew Talley (1744-1825) fought as a captain in the Continental Army under General George Washington. After the war, he became a successful farmer and landowner in Virginia.
In the realm of literature, Susan Talley (1835-1898) was an American author and poet, known for her works exploring themes of nature and spirituality. Her collection of poems, "Songs of the Sierras," gained widespread acclaim.
More recently, Beatrice Talley (1919-2003) was an American journalist and civil rights activist. She worked tirelessly to promote racial equality and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999 for her contributions.
The surname Talley has a rich history spanning centuries, with its origins rooted in the Anglo-Norman period. From soldiers and merchants to authors and activists, individuals bearing this name have left their mark across various fields throughout history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Talley 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. Middlesex leads with 11 Talleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.56x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 11 | 2.56x |
| Lancashire | 7 | 1.37x |
| Derbyshire | 6 | 8.93x |
| Kent | 4 | 2.73x |
| Surrey | 4 | 1.91x |
| Warwickshire | 3 | 2.77x |
| Worcestershire | 2 | 3.57x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.47x |
| Devon | 1 | 1.12x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 1.19x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1.14x |
| Herefordshire | 1 | 5.68x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 19.57x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Peter Le Poer in Middlesex leads with 8 Talleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 40000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Peter Le Poer | 8 | 40000.00x |
| Toxteth Park | 7 | 40.60x |
| Ilkeston | 5 | 265.96x |
| Newington | 4 | 25.24x |
| Berrow | 2 | 4000.00x |
| Birmingham | 2 | 5.54x |
| Goodnestone In Eastry | 2 | 3333.33x |
| Aston | 1 | 3.36x |
| Chislehurst | 1 | 126.58x |
| Eastington | 1 | 357.14x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 4.19x |
| Leeds | 1 | 4.16x |
| Linton In Bromyard | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Mile End Old Town | 1 | 14.77x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 1 | 14.53x |
| Pontefract | 1 | 108.70x |
| Portsea | 1 | 5.80x |
| Ramsgate | 1 | 41.84x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 22.88x |
| Shardlow | 1 | 769.23x |
| St Giles In Fields | 1 | 67.57x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Talley 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 Talley 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 Talley households.
FAQ
In 1881, 43 people were recorded with the Talley surname. That placed it at #27,575 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 86 in 2016. That gives Talley a modern rank of #32,570.
Derived from a place name meaning "a woodland clearing" in Old English, or from the French surname Taillé.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Talley 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.