UK surname
A surname derived from an Old French phrase meaning "to cultivate or work the soil".
In the 1881 census there were 17 people recorded with the Telly surname, ranking it #31,170 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 9, ranked #37,705, down from #31,170 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Dudley, Llanwonno and Caple, Tudeley, Pembury. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Telly is 128 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 47.1%.
1881 census count
17
Ranked #31,170
Modern count
9
2016, ranked #37,705
Peak year
1861
128 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Telly surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Telly surname density by area, 1861 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 | 59 | #22,756 |
| 1861 | historical | 128 | #17,375 |
| 1881 | historical | 17 | #31,170 |
| 1891 | historical | 80 | #26,785 |
| 1901 | historical | 12 | #32,772 |
| 1911 | historical | 23 | #30,923 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 1998 | modern | 2 | #38,550 |
| 1999 | modern | 1 | #38,820 |
| 2001 | modern | 1 | #38,647 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 2 | #38,532 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2007 | modern | 1 | #38,907 |
| 2008 | modern | 1 | #38,949 |
| 2009 | modern | 4 | #38,287 |
| 2010 | modern | 3 | #38,552 |
| 2011 | modern | 3 | #38,546 |
| 2012 | modern | 4 | #38,335 |
| 2013 | modern | 6 | #38,049 |
| 2014 | modern | 8 | #37,806 |
| 2015 | modern | 7 | #37,920 |
| 2016 | modern | 9 | #37,705 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Dudley, Llanwonno, Caple, Tudeley, Pembury, St Marylebone and Southampton St Michael. 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 | Dudley | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Llanwonno | Glamorganshire |
| 3 | Caple, Tudeley, Pembury | Kent |
| 4 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Southampton St Michael | Hampshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Telly 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 Telly, 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 Telly surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Telly 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, Telly 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 Telly is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Telly, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Telly is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, possibly as early as the 12th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "telga," which means "branch" or "twig." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a prominent tree or wooded area.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Telly can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1191, where a person named Robert Telge is mentioned. This spelling variation further supports the connection to the Old English word "telga."
During the 13th century, the name appears to have spread to other parts of England, with records showing individuals named Telly residing in counties such as Oxfordshire and Lincolnshire. One notable example is John Telly, who was born in Oxfordshire around 1250 and served as a local magistrate.
In the 14th century, the surname Telly was found in various historical documents, including the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from 1379, which listed a Thomas Telly as a taxpayer. This period also saw the emergence of variations in spelling, such as Telley and Telli, possibly due to regional dialects and the inconsistent nature of written records at the time.
One of the earliest known place names associated with the surname Telly is Tellytown, a small hamlet located in Lincolnshire. This name likely derived from the presence of individuals bearing the Telly surname in the area, indicating their connection to the land.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Telly. One such figure was Richard Telly, born in 1567 in Oxfordshire, who was a renowned scholar and author of several theological works. Another was William Telly, born in 1624 in Yorkshire, who served as a captain in the English Civil War and fought alongside Oliver Cromwell's Parliamentary forces.
In the 18th century, the name gained prominence with the birth of James Telly (1724-1802), a successful merchant and landowner from Gloucestershire. His son, John Telly (1753-1819), followed in his footsteps and became a prominent figure in the textile industry.
As the centuries progressed, the Telly surname continued to be found across various regions of England, with individuals from this family making contributions in various fields, including agriculture, education, and the military.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Telly 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 6 Tellys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.62x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Whitstable in Kent leads with 5 Tellys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1785.71x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Whitstable | 5 | 1785.71x |
| St Pancras London | 3 | 22.51x |
| Bedminster | 2 | 79.68x |
| Liverpool | 2 | 16.75x |
| Chiswick | 1 | 109.89x |
| Clerkenwell London | 1 | 25.58x |
| Holy Trinity St Mary | 1 | 400.00x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 10.86x |
| Tiverton | 1 | 169.49x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Telly 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 Telly 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 Telly households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 3 |
| Clerk | 1 |
| Drapers Assistant | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Formerly Lace Factory Hand | 1 |
| Hackney Carriage Driver | 1 |
| Labourer (Genl) | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Mariner | 1 |
| Retired Publican | 1 |
| Traveller | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 17 people were recorded with the Telly surname. That placed it at #31,170 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 9 in 2016. That gives Telly a modern rank of #37,705.
A surname derived from an Old French phrase meaning "to cultivate or work the soil".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Telly 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.