UK surname
A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "temporary village" or "temporary dwelling".
In the 1881 census there were 73 people recorded with the Temperly surname, ranking it #23,220 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3, ranked #38,594, down from #23,220 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Walsingham, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Temperly is 103 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 95.9%.
1881 census count
73
Ranked #23,220
Modern count
3
2016, ranked #38,594
Peak year
1851
103 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Temperly surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Temperly 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 | 103 | #16,835 |
| 1861 | historical | 101 | #20,955 |
| 1881 | historical | 73 | #23,220 |
| 1891 | historical | 47 | #30,566 |
| 1901 | historical | 36 | #30,099 |
| 1911 | historical | 27 | #30,437 |
| 1997 | modern | 4 | #38,094 |
| 1998 | modern | 3 | #38,304 |
| 1999 | modern | 4 | #38,100 |
| 2000 | modern | 4 | #38,004 |
| 2001 | modern | 4 | #37,862 |
| 2002 | modern | 2 | #38,400 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 2 | #38,464 |
| 2005 | modern | 2 | #38,532 |
| 2006 | modern | 2 | #38,590 |
| 2007 | modern | 2 | #38,617 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 3 | #38,494 |
| 2010 | modern | 3 | #38,552 |
| 2011 | modern | 2 | #38,745 |
| 2012 | modern | 3 | #38,530 |
| 2013 | modern | 2 | #38,761 |
| 2014 | modern | 2 | #38,791 |
| 2015 | modern | 2 | #38,793 |
| 2016 | modern | 3 | #38,594 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Walsingham, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, London parishes, Runcorn and Whalley. 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 | Walsingham | Durham |
| 2 | Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside | Durham |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Runcorn | Cheshire |
| 5 | Whalley | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Temperly 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 Temperly, 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 Temperly surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Temperly 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, Temperly 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 Temperly is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Temperly, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Temperly has its origins in England, tracing back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English word "tempel," meaning a temple or church. This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who lived near or worked at a particular temple or religious establishment.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, where a Richard de Temperly is mentioned as residing in Oxfordshire. This historical document serves as evidence that the surname was already in use by the 13th century.
During the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Temperley" and "Temparley," reflecting the variations in spelling common in that era. One notable individual from this period was John Temperly, born around 1320, who was a prominent landowner in the village of Bampton, Oxfordshire.
In the 16th century, the Temperly family continued to establish themselves in various parts of England. Records from 1568 mention a William Temperly, a merchant from Bristol, who was involved in trade with the American colonies.
The 17th century saw the rise of a notable figure named Thomas Temperly (1615-1683), a Puritan minister who played a significant role in the English Civil War. He was a staunch supporter of Oliver Cromwell and served as a chaplain in the Parliamentarian army.
Moving into the 18th century, the Temperly surname gained recognition through the achievements of Sir Robert Temperly (1728-1802), a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Opera House.
During the 19th century, the name Temperly was associated with the literary world. One notable figure was Elizabeth Temperly (1842-1912), a prolific writer and poet whose works explored themes of nature and spirituality.
The 20th century brought forth another prominent individual with the surname Temperly – Sir William Temperly (1901-1988), a pioneering scientist who made significant contributions to the field of nuclear physics.
Throughout its history, the surname Temperly has been linked to various locations in England, such as Oxfordshire, Bristol, and London, reflecting the family's presence and influence in different regions over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Temperly 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. Northumberland leads with 28 Temperlys recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.43x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Northumberland | 28 | 26.43x |
| Durham | 18 | 8.50x |
| Cheshire | 8 | 5.09x |
| Cumberland | 6 | 9.79x |
| Staffordshire | 6 | 2.50x |
| Lincolnshire | 5 | 4.39x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.14x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.29x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Woolsington in Northumberland leads with 11 Temperlys recorded in 1881 and an index of 55000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Woolsington | 11 | 55000.00x |
| Newbrough | 8 | 4210.53x |
| Chilton | 7 | 1060.61x |
| Aspatria | 6 | 1016.95x |
| Handsworth | 6 | 101.35x |
| Runcorn | 6 | 165.75x |
| Iveston | 5 | 510.20x |
| North Somercotes | 5 | 1666.67x |
| Humshaugh | 3 | 2500.00x |
| Corbridge | 2 | 512.82x |
| Mobberley | 2 | 555.56x |
| Winlaton | 2 | 98.52x |
| Collierley | 1 | 106.38x |
| Cramlington | 1 | 71.43x |
| Gateshead | 1 | 6.31x |
| Jesmond | 1 | 67.11x |
| Newcastle On Tyne St | 1 | 18.21x |
| Poplar London | 1 | 7.44x |
| Southwark St George Martyr | 1 | 6.98x |
| Tanfield | 1 | 39.68x |
| Wark | 1 | 769.23x |
| Whitburn | 1 | 204.08x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Temperly 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 Temperly 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 Temperly households.
FAQ
In 1881, 73 people were recorded with the Temperly surname. That placed it at #23,220 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 3 in 2016. That gives Temperly a modern rank of #38,594.
A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "temporary village" or "temporary dwelling".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Temperly 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.