NameCensus.

UK surname

Timperley

A locational surname derived from a town in Cheshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 667 people recorded with the Timperley surname, ranking it #5,405 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 704, ranked #7,672, down from #5,405 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wilmslow, Sheffield and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North East Derbyshire, Tameside and Lancaster.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Timperley is 960 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5.5%.

1881 census count

667

Ranked #5,405

Modern count

704

2016, ranked #7,672

Peak year

1911

960 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Timperley had 667 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,405 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 704 in 2016, ranked #7,672.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 960 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Timperley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Timperley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Timperley 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 370 #6,426
1861 historical 398 #6,441
1881 historical 667 #5,405
1891 historical 734 #5,406
1901 historical 857 #5,327
1911 historical 960 #4,703
1997 modern 743 #6,933
1998 modern 757 #7,041
1999 modern 780 #6,933
2000 modern 757 #7,060
2001 modern 741 #7,040
2002 modern 759 #7,045
2003 modern 751 #7,010
2004 modern 725 #7,191
2005 modern 730 #7,100
2006 modern 742 #7,042
2007 modern 735 #7,173
2008 modern 721 #7,316
2009 modern 732 #7,380
2010 modern 726 #7,568
2011 modern 748 #7,322
2012 modern 696 #7,638
2013 modern 701 #7,717
2014 modern 710 #7,687
2015 modern 704 #7,689
2016 modern 704 #7,672

Geography

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Where Timperleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wilmslow, Sheffield, Manchester and Bowdon. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North East Derbyshire, Tameside, Lancaster and Bury. 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 Wilmslow Cheshire
2 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Bowdon Cheshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North East Derbyshire 005 North East Derbyshire
2 Tameside 027 Tameside
3 Lancaster 016 Lancaster
4 Lancaster 020 Lancaster
5 Bury 005 Bury

Forenames

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First names often paired with Timperley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Timperley

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Timperley, 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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Timperley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Timperley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Timperley is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Timperley is most concentrated in decile 9 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Timperley falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Timperley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Timperley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Timperley

The surname Timperley originates from England, specifically the county of Cheshire. It is derived from the Old English words "tun" meaning an enclosure or village, and "pearroc" meaning a small enclosed space or meadow. The earliest recorded spelling of the name dates back to the 12th century, appearing as "Timberlega" in the Lancashire Pipe Rolls of 1194.

One of the earliest references to the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is recorded as "Tinberlei" in relation to a settlement in the county of Cheshire. This settlement, now known as Timperley, is thought to be the place from which the surname originated.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms such as "Tymperleye" and "Tymperlei" in the Assize Court Rolls of Cheshire and Lancashire. These variations in spelling were common during that time period due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions.

One notable individual with the surname Timperley was Sir John Timperley, a Member of Parliament for Cheshire in the 16th century. He was born around 1520 and served as MP from 1558 to 1559.

Another prominent figure was William Timperley, an English clergyman born in 1670. He served as the rector of St. Michael's Church in Manchester and was known for his scholarly works on theology and philosophy.

In the 18th century, the name appeared in the records of the parish of Bowdon, Cheshire, with several families bearing the surname Timperley residing in the area.

The 19th century saw the birth of John Timperley, a notable British architect who lived from 1823 to 1892. He was responsible for the design of several notable buildings in Manchester and the surrounding areas.

Another individual of note was Charles Timperley, born in 1856, who was a renowned English cricketer. He played for Gloucestershire County Cricket Club and was known for his excellent batting skills.

The name Timperley has also been associated with various place names in the Cheshire area, such as Timperley Brook and Timperley Old Hall, further reinforcing its connection to the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Timperley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Timperley 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. Lancashire leads with 292 Timperleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.78x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 292 3.78x
Cheshire 204 14.20x
Yorkshire 76 1.18x
Leicestershire 28 3.88x
Derbyshire 20 1.96x
Durham 20 1.03x
Staffordshire 8 0.36x
Essex 6 0.47x
Northumberland 6 0.62x
Kent 2 0.09x
Middlesex 2 0.03x
Northamptonshire 1 0.16x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.11x
Warwickshire 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Manchester in Lancashire leads with 46 Timperleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.25x.

Place Total Index
Manchester 46 13.25x
Sheffield 28 13.64x
Barton Upon Irwell 26 44.74x
Bollin Fee 23 361.07x
Salford 23 10.13x
Brightside Bierlow 22 17.40x
Hulme 21 13.03x
Crumpsall 20 109.89x
Over Darwen 16 25.94x
Greencroft 14 394.37x
Loughborough 14 42.76x
Sale 13 73.78x
Blackley 12 88.69x
Romiley 11 271.60x
Widnes 11 19.75x
Altrincham 10 39.84x
Dunham Massey 10 227.27x
Newton 10 448.43x
Cheetham 9 15.63x
Glossop Dale 9 18.87x
Kegworth 9 187.50x
Monks Coppenhall 9 16.61x
Poulton Barre 9 102.51x
Stockport 9 12.18x
Lancaster 8 17.41x
Manningham 8 10.07x
Newton 8 13.44x
Wincham 8 301.89x
Derby St Werburgh 7 11.90x
Gorton 7 9.64x
Northenden 7 267.18x
Partington 7 714.29x
Pendleton In Salford 7 7.61x
Pownall Fee 7 108.86x
Runcorn 7 21.14x
Tintwistle 7 91.26x
Tyldesley Cum Shakerley 7 31.49x
Alnwick 6 36.06x
Bollington In 6 46.95x
Bredbury 6 72.20x
Heaton Norris 6 13.66x
Maldon St Peter 6 91.74x
Mottram 6 92.17x
Over 6 41.10x
Worsley 6 12.61x
Appleton 5 153.85x
Ebchester 5 166.67x
Hale 5 101.01x
Handforth 5 304.88x
Leicester St Margaret 5 2.84x
Macclesfield 5 7.83x
Mobberley 5 152.44x
North Meols 5 6.62x
Pendlebury 5 30.67x
Wolstanton 5 7.50x
Beswick 4 20.26x
Curbar 4 563.38x
Hyde 4 9.44x
Nether Hallam 4 4.59x
Northen Etchells 4 238.10x
Openshaw 4 11.06x
Rainhill 4 80.81x
Rusholme 4 19.43x
Thornhill 4 21.27x
Westhoughton 4 19.42x
Barnsley 3 4.51x
Farington 3 66.82x
Oldham 3 1.20x
Birkdale 2 10.24x
Dukinfield 2 3.01x
Ecclesall Bierlow 2 1.53x
Hollingworth 2 33.78x
Latchford 2 20.96x
Liscard 2 7.73x
Moss Side 2 4.92x
Stoke Upon Trent 2 0.86x
Stretford 2 4.71x
Islington London 1 0.16x
Liverpool 1 0.21x
Lockwood 1 4.31x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 60
Elizabeth 31
Sarah 27
Ann 16
Martha 13
Ellen 12
Jane 12
Annie 11
Alice 9
Emma 9
Hannah 9
Edith 8
Margaret 8
Eliza 6
Florence 6
Ada 5
Amelia 5
Emily 5
Fanny 5
Agnes 4
Bertha 4
Maria 4
Caroline 3
Charlotte 3
Clara 3
Harriet 3
Jessie 3
Ruth 3
Amy 2
Anne 2
Elizth. 2
Esther 2
Grace 2
Harriett 2
Lizzie 2
Louisa 2
Lydia 2
Nancy 2
Nellie 2
Beatrice 1
Catherine 1
Ethelinda 1
Eva 1
Frances 1
Kersiah 1
Laura 1
Leah 1
Lilian 1
Margret 1
Theresa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 43
William 38
George 26
Thomas 26
James 17
Joseph 14
Samuel 13
Charles 9
Frank 9
Henry 9
Alfred 8
Francis 8
Robert 8
Arthur 6
Edward 6
Isaac 6
Joshua 5
Albert 4
David 4
Richard 4
Walter 4
Frederick 3
Herbert 3
Ezra 2
Harrey 2
Matthew 2
Nathaniel 2
Peter 2
Ralph 2
Sam 2
Aurthur 1
Dan 1
Edmund 1
Eli 1
Elijah 1
Fanny 1
Fred 1
Geo.Hy. 1
Harry 1
Herbet 1
Hero 1
Josiah 1
Josiaha 1
Lloyd 1
Mark 1
Mathew 1
Mattw.H. 1
Newton 1
Oliver 1
Wm.Hy. 1

FAQ

Timperley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Timperley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 667 people were recorded with the Timperley surname. That placed it at #5,405 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Timperley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 704 in 2016. That gives Timperley a modern rank of #7,672.

What does the Timperley surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a town in Cheshire, England.

What does the Timperley map show?

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