NameCensus.

UK surname

Tinley

A variant spelling of the English place name Tinley, derived from Old English words meaning "thin wood or clearing".

In the 1881 census there were 227 people recorded with the Tinley surname, ranking it #11,858 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 242, ranked #17,177, down from #11,858 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Whitby, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and Dover St James, Dover St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newark and Sherwood, Law and Birmingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tinley is 368 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 6.6%.

1881 census count

227

Ranked #11,858

Modern count

242

2016, ranked #17,177

Peak year

1891

368 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Tinley had 227 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,858 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 242 in 2016, ranked #17,177.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 368 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Tinley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tinley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tinley 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 189 #10,896
1861 historical 265 #9,355
1881 historical 227 #11,858
1891 historical 368 #9,464
1901 historical 326 #10,990
1911 historical 314 #11,077
1997 modern 258 #14,949
1998 modern 272 #14,846
1999 modern 258 #15,467
2000 modern 247 #15,864
2001 modern 238 #16,004
2002 modern 243 #16,147
2003 modern 252 #15,530
2004 modern 253 #15,583
2005 modern 254 #15,480
2006 modern 250 #15,749
2007 modern 258 #15,554
2008 modern 259 #15,688
2009 modern 252 #16,323
2010 modern 251 #16,749
2011 modern 238 #17,188
2012 modern 246 #16,702
2013 modern 256 #16,506
2014 modern 257 #16,598
2015 modern 245 #17,040
2016 modern 242 #17,177

Geography

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Where Tinleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Whitby, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Dover St James, Dover St Mary, Newark-on-Trent, East Stoke (East Stoke), Park Leys, Rolleston (Fiskerton), Morton and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Newark and Sherwood, Law, Birmingham, Broughty Ferry West and Derby. 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 Whitby Yorkshire, North Riding
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 Dover St James, Dover St Mary Kent
4 Newark-on-Trent, East Stoke (East Stoke), Park Leys, Rolleston (Fiskerton), Morton Nottinghamshire
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Newark and Sherwood 008 Newark and Sherwood
2 Law Dundee City
3 Birmingham 130 Birmingham
4 Broughty Ferry West Dundee City
5 Derby 010 Derby

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tinley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Tinley

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Tinley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Tinley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Tinley is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Tinley is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Tinley falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Tinley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Tinley

The surname Tinley originated in England during the Anglo-Saxon period. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the Old English word "tun," meaning an enclosure or a village, combined with "ley," which means a meadow or a pasture. This suggests that the name likely referred to someone who resided in a village or settlement surrounded by meadows.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Tunlega." This entry refers to a place in Warwickshire, indicating that the name may have originated in this region.

Over time, the name has undergone various spelling variations, including Tunley, Tynley, and Tinley. These variations reflect the differences in local dialects and the evolution of the English language.

Historically, the Tinley surname has been associated with several notable individuals. One such individual was John Tinley, born in 1585 in Stratford-upon-Avon, who was a renowned playwright and contemporary of William Shakespeare. Another notable bearer of the name was Mary Tinley, born in 1678 in Yorkshire, who was a celebrated herbalist and author of the book "The English Physitian."

In the 18th century, the name appeared in the records of the Parish of St. Mary's in Islington, London, where several Tinley families were residing. One notable member of this community was Thomas Tinley, born in 1712, who was a prominent merchant and philanthropist.

Moving into the 19th century, a well-known figure with the Tinley surname was William Tinley, born in 1825 in Lancashire. He was a renowned architect and designer, responsible for the construction of several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Albert Hall.

Another notable bearer of the Tinley name was Elizabeth Tinley, born in 1863 in Gloucestershire. She was a prominent suffragette and activist, campaigning for women's rights and playing a crucial role in the movement that eventually led to women gaining the right to vote in the United Kingdom.

Throughout its history, the Tinley surname has been associated with various locations, professions, and notable individuals, reflecting the rich tapestry of English heritage and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Tinley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tinley 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. Nottinghamshire leads with 34 Tinleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.39x.

County Total Index
Nottinghamshire 34 11.39x
Lancashire 25 0.95x
Staffordshire 20 2.68x
Yorkshire 19 0.87x
Kent 17 2.25x
Surrey 16 1.48x
Leicestershire 14 5.70x
Warwickshire 14 2.51x
Lincolnshire 11 3.11x
Durham 8 1.21x
Northamptonshire 8 3.84x
Sussex 8 2.14x
Lanarkshire 6 0.84x
Devon 5 1.08x
Hampshire 4 0.88x
Middlesex 4 0.18x
Worcestershire 4 1.38x
Derbyshire 3 0.87x
Glamorgan 2 0.52x
Cheshire 1 0.20x
Cumberland 1 0.52x
Northumberland 1 0.30x
Suffolk 1 0.37x
Westmorland 1 2.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bottesford in Leicestershire leads with 13 Tinleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1287.13x.

Place Total Index
Bottesford 13 1287.13x
Birmingham 12 6.45x
Newark Upon Trent 12 111.84x
Streatham 12 73.04x
Radford 11 72.56x
West Bromwich 10 23.37x
Liverpool 9 5.64x
Peterborough 8 53.05x
Ruswarp 7 286.89x
Oldham 6 7.08x
Southwell 6 276.50x
Whickham 6 99.01x
Barony 5 2.76x
Burton Upon Trent 5 28.59x
Darlaston 5 48.40x
South Hyckeham 5 6250.00x
Holy Trinity 4 7.58x
Kidderminster Borough 4 23.64x
Kirkdale 4 9.05x
Millbrook 4 35.00x
Sevenoaks 4 65.36x
Tonbridge 4 14.68x
Bardney 3 283.02x
Bidborough 3 1428.57x
Clarborough 3 134.53x
Erith 3 40.32x
Hunslet 3 8.77x
Icklesham 3 454.55x
Ince In Makerfield 3 24.55x
Walmer 3 91.46x
Aston 2 1.30x
Barnsley 2 8.84x
Exeter St Mary Major 2 71.94x
Gelligaer 2 22.73x
Hallam 2 909.09x
Hastings St Leonards 2 36.43x
Newington 2 2.45x
North Hyckeham 2 588.24x
St Marylebone London 2 1.69x
Whitby 2 27.06x
Birkenhead 1 2.57x
Blackwell 1 58.82x
Brandon Byshottles 1 12.12x
Camberwell 1 0.71x
Cambusnethan 1 6.29x
Chesterfield 1 7.70x
Cockermouth 1 24.94x
Dartmouth Townstall 1 53.19x
Evenwood Barony 1 44.64x
Exeter St Sidwell 1 9.47x
Hastings All Sts 1 28.41x
Hastings St Clement 1 28.49x
Hastings St Mary In The 1 12.56x
Jesmond 1 21.55x
Kensington London 1 0.81x
Lidford 1 48.31x
Litchurch 1 7.17x
Mile End Old Town 1 2.86x
Muston 1 416.67x
New Sealford 1 136.99x
Rawmarsh 1 12.90x
Salford 1 1.29x
Toxteth Park 1 1.12x
Undermilbeck 1 62.50x
Wandsworth 1 4.69x
Woodbridge 1 28.99x
Worsley 1 6.18x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 16
Emma 9
Elizabeth 6
Annie 5
Ellen 5
Hannah 4
Margaret 4
Ann 3
Amelia 2
Caroline 2
Catherine 2
Edith 2
Emily 2
Martha 2
Alice 1
Betsy 1
Charlotte 1
Dora 1
Dorathy 1
Eliz. 1
Eliza 1
Evelyn 1
Florence 1
Flory 1
Frances 1
Harriett 1
Isabel 1
Jane 1
Julia 1
L.M. 1
L.N. 1
Laura 1
Louise 1
Lucy 1
M.A. 1
M.H. 1
Margarat 1
Marsha 1
Matilda 1
Minnie 1
Nelie 1
Nelly 1
Olivia 1
P.T.S. 1
Phillis 1
Rachel 1
Rosa 1
Rose 1
Sarah 1
Wm. 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 13
John 11
James 10
Thomas 8
George 7
Charles 6
Joseph 5
Frank 3
Matthew 3
Samuel 3
Vincent 3
Walter 3
Alfred 2
Edward 2
Ernest 2
Frederick 2
Glasier 2
Henry 2
Miles 2
Patrick 2
Robert 2
Alexander 1
Amos 1
Arthur 1
Benjamin 1
Caleb 1
Criss 1
Eli 1
Enoch 1
Francis 1
Fred. 1
G.R. 1
Geo. 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Joshua 1
Marshal 1
Newton 1
Robt.C. 1
Sam 1
Thos. 1
Tom 1

FAQ

Tinley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Tinley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 227 people were recorded with the Tinley surname. That placed it at #11,858 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Tinley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 242 in 2016. That gives Tinley a modern rank of #17,177.

What does the Tinley surname mean?

A variant spelling of the English place name Tinley, derived from Old English words meaning "thin wood or clearing".

What does the Tinley map show?

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