NameCensus.

UK surname

Tapley

Derived from a place name meaning "Tappa's meadow," referring to someone who lived near or owned such a meadow.

In the 1881 census there were 574 people recorded with the Tapley surname, ranking it #6,073 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 482, ranked #10,255, down from #6,073 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Acton, Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Shropshire, Canterbury and Stafford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tapley is 659 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 16.0%.

1881 census count

574

Ranked #6,073

Modern count

482

2016, ranked #10,255

Peak year

1901

659 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Tapley had 574 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,073 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 482 in 2016, ranked #10,255.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 659 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Tapley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tapley surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tapley 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 471 #5,275
1861 historical 453 #5,718
1881 historical 574 #6,073
1891 historical 549 #6,892
1901 historical 659 #6,572
1911 historical 647 #6,468
1997 modern 518 #9,066
1998 modern 528 #9,211
1999 modern 546 #9,038
2000 modern 544 #9,031
2001 modern 525 #9,128
2002 modern 539 #9,120
2003 modern 525 #9,162
2004 modern 516 #9,302
2005 modern 502 #9,419
2006 modern 506 #9,399
2007 modern 514 #9,376
2008 modern 508 #9,521
2009 modern 512 #9,670
2010 modern 520 #9,764
2011 modern 512 #9,777
2012 modern 516 #9,654
2013 modern 493 #10,119
2014 modern 497 #10,113
2015 modern 498 #10,035
2016 modern 482 #10,255

Geography

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Where Tapleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Acton, Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841), London parishes, Pinhoe and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Shropshire, Canterbury, Stafford and Ashford. 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 Acton Cheshire
2 Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) Devon
3 London parishes London 3
4 Pinhoe Devon
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Shropshire 009 Shropshire
2 Canterbury 017 Canterbury
3 Shropshire 005 Shropshire
4 Stafford 005 Stafford
5 Ashford 011 Ashford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tapley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Tapley

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

Tapley is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Tapley

The surname Tapley is of English origin and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from a place name, possibly Taplow in Buckinghamshire or Tapeley in Devon. The name may also be connected to the Old English words "tæppa" and "leah," meaning a meadow or woodland clearing.

One of the earliest known records of the name Tapley is found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a William de Tappelegh is mentioned. The Hundred Rolls were administrative records maintained by the English government at the time.

In the 16th century, the surname appears in various spellings, including Tapley, Taplye, and Tappelegh, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling during that era. The Subsidy Rolls of 1524-1525 list a John Taplye from Gloucestershire.

The Tapley surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest was Richard Tapley (c. 1590-1670), an English civil servant and member of the Honourable Artillery Company in London.

In the 18th century, Benjamin Tapley (1718-1779) was a renowned clockmaker from Somerset, known for his intricate and precise timepieces. His clocks are now highly sought after by collectors.

Another notable figure was John Tapley (1782-1857), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars. He participated in several battles, including the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

Moving to the 19th century, we find John Tapley (1807-1889), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, such as the St. James's Church in Piccadilly.

In the 20th century, Samuel Tapley (1904-1985) was a prominent American politician and lawyer from New York. He served as a member of the New York State Assembly and was actively involved in various legal organizations.

The Tapley surname has been present in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Somerset, Devon, and Buckinghamshire, where the earliest records of the name can be found. It has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and immigration.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Tapley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tapley 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. Cheshire leads with 104 Tapleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.38x.

County Total Index
Cheshire 104 8.38x
Devon 103 8.81x
Kent 96 5.01x
Middlesex 68 1.21x
Lancashire 42 0.63x
Surrey 36 1.31x
Leicestershire 33 5.30x
Staffordshire 23 1.21x
Derbyshire 11 1.25x
Northamptonshire 10 1.89x
Yorkshire 8 0.14x
Warwickshire 6 0.42x
Essex 5 0.45x
Worcestershire 5 0.68x
Bedfordshire 3 1.03x
Berkshire 3 0.71x
Sussex 3 0.32x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.59x
Carmarthenshire 2 0.84x
Durham 2 0.12x
Hampshire 2 0.17x
Ayrshire 1 0.24x
Flintshire 1 0.66x
Glamorgan 1 0.10x
Herefordshire 1 0.43x
Hertfordshire 1 0.26x
Isle of Man 1 0.96x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.13x
Royal Navy 1 1.49x
Somerset 1 0.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Pinhoe in Devon leads with 20 Tapleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1904.76x.

Place Total Index
Pinhoe 20 1904.76x
Dodcott Cum Wilkesley 17 1338.58x
Canterbury St Mildred 16 351.65x
Great Boughton 16 373.83x
Leicester St Margaret 15 9.87x
Audley 14 74.59x
Baddiley 14 2545.45x
Lambeth 14 2.86x
Lower Hardres 14 2545.45x
Islington London 12 2.20x
Deal 11 67.28x
Newhall In Nantwich 11 802.92x
Plymstock 10 163.40x
Sidmouth 10 149.25x
Hougham 9 78.95x
Mile End Old Town 9 10.15x
Berry Pomeroy 8 412.37x
Chester Holy Trinity 8 137.69x
Clerkenwell London 8 6.03x
Lewisham 8 7.83x
Castle Church 7 61.40x
Fulwood 7 97.22x
Kingstone 7 1228.07x
Spurstow 7 804.60x
Aston 6 1.54x
Bethnal Green London 6 2.46x
Brasted 6 241.94x
Exeter St Sidwell 6 22.40x
Kenton 6 162.60x
Leicester St Mary 6 11.92x
Marburywith Quoisley 6 461.54x
Newington 6 2.89x
St Pancras London 6 1.33x
Tormoham 6 12.12x
Totnes 6 87.72x
Toxteth Park 6 2.66x
Belgrave 5 35.56x
Derby St Werburgh 5 9.84x
Hoo St Mary 5 847.46x
Kensington London 5 1.60x
Kidderminster Foreign 5 48.22x
Litchurch 5 14.12x
Liverpool 5 1.23x
Manchester 5 1.67x
Topsham 5 90.58x
West Ham 5 2.04x
Willaston In Nantwich 5 130.55x
Ardwick 4 6.65x
Charlton 4 31.42x
Clapham 4 5.69x
Dukinfield 4 6.98x
Elland Cum Greetland 4 15.95x
Lancaster 4 10.08x
Nantwich 4 27.76x
Pendleton In Salford 4 5.04x
Weedon Beck 4 105.54x
Whitwick 4 50.51x
Bray 3 24.21x
Bromley London 3 2.43x
Bunbury 3 176.47x
Dover St James 3 35.71x
Dover St Mary Virgin 3 16.17x
Exeter St Edmund 3 119.05x
Farthingstone 3 508.47x
Great Torrington 3 45.25x
Layton With Warbreck 3 12.26x
Shipley 3 10.38x
Shoreditch London 3 1.23x
Stoke Gabriel 3 243.90x
Cobham 2 44.54x
Croydon 2 1.32x
East Stonehouse 2 8.68x
Farnham 2 9.39x
Knighton 2 56.98x
Limehouse London 2 3.24x
Lytham 2 19.65x
Ratcliffe London 2 6.45x
St George In East 2 5.23x
Thanington Wilton In 2 222.22x
Weedon Loys 2 229.89x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 47
Sarah 28
Elizabeth 20
Ann 11
Emily 11
Eliza 10
Alice 9
Jane 9
Martha 8
Clara 7
Ellen 7
Amy 5
Annie 5
Catherine 5
Charlotte 5
Emma 5
Ada 4
Anna 4
Edith 4
Florence 4
Harriet 4
Laura 4
Margaret 4
Caroline 3
Hannah 3
Kate 3
Rose 3
Amelia 2
Bertha 2
Ethel 2
Fanny 2
Harriett 2
Julia 2
Lucy 2
Lydia 2
Maria 2
Mart. 2
Matilda 2
Maude 2
Minnie 2
Selina 2
Sophia 2
Susan 2
Susannah 2
Carry 1
Ema 1
Flora 1
Lizze 1
Louisa 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 37
Thomas 30
William 26
James 23
George 20
Charles 9
Edward 8
Frederick 7
Henry 7
Albert 6
Frank 6
Richard 6
Robert 6
Samuel 6
Harry 5
Peter 5
Walter 5
Ernest 4
Joseph 4
Mark 4
Alfred 3
Arthur 3
Daniel 3
Herbert 3
Ralph 3
Bernard 2
Edmond 2
Edwin 2
Francis 2
Willm. 2
Alfd. 1
Annie 1
Davie 1
Edmund 1
Emmanuel 1
Fredk. 1
Fredric 1
Geo.Edward 1
Hammon 1
Harold 1
Herman 1
J. 1
Job 1
Lionel 1
Octavius 1
Percy 1
Robt. 1
Sidney 1
Thos. 1
Thos.C. 1

FAQ

Tapley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Tapley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 574 people were recorded with the Tapley surname. That placed it at #6,073 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Tapley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 482 in 2016. That gives Tapley a modern rank of #10,255.

What does the Tapley surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "Tappa's meadow," referring to someone who lived near or owned such a meadow.

What does the Tapley map show?

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