NameCensus.

UK surname

Trolley

A surname derived from the occupational term for one who operated a trolley, a small wheeled cart.

In the 1881 census there were 151 people recorded with the Trolley surname, ranking it #15,419 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 171, ranked #21,726, down from #15,419 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wellingborough, Lantwit-juxta-Neath and Baldock, Willian, Weston, Clothall, Bygrave, Norton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Erewash, Bolsover and Bedford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Trolley is 258 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 13.2%.

1881 census count

151

Ranked #15,419

Modern count

171

2016, ranked #21,726

Peak year

1911

258 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Trolley had 151 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,419 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 171 in 2016, ranked #21,726.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 258 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Trolley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Trolley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Trolley 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 97 #17,484
1861 historical 103 #20,650
1881 historical 151 #15,419
1891 historical 201 #14,866
1901 historical 216 #14,426
1911 historical 258 #12,614
1997 modern 201 #17,564
1998 modern 201 #18,047
1999 modern 204 #18,021
2000 modern 198 #18,330
2001 modern 195 #18,215
2002 modern 193 #18,713
2003 modern 188 #18,810
2004 modern 191 #18,723
2005 modern 178 #19,535
2006 modern 167 #20,447
2007 modern 167 #20,719
2008 modern 168 #20,828
2009 modern 180 #20,341
2010 modern 185 #20,453
2011 modern 178 #20,809
2012 modern 165 #21,782
2013 modern 173 #21,486
2014 modern 175 #21,477
2015 modern 172 #21,649
2016 modern 171 #21,726

Geography

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Where Trolleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wellingborough, Lantwit-juxta-Neath, Baldock, Willian, Weston, Clothall, Bygrave, Norton, Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory and Eynesbury. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Erewash, Bolsover, Bedford and Cornwall. 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 Wellingborough Northamptonshire
2 Lantwit-juxta-Neath Glamorganshire
3 Baldock, Willian, Weston, Clothall, Bygrave, Norton Hertfordshire
4 Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory Northamptonshire
5 Eynesbury Huntingdonshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Erewash 005 Erewash
2 Bolsover 007 Bolsover
3 Bedford 004 Bedford
4 Erewash 006 Erewash
5 Cornwall 043 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Trolley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Trolley

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Trolley 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

Trolley is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Trolley

The surname Trolley finds its origins in England, predominantly during the late medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word trolle, meaning to drag or to trail, which may have been used to describe a person's occupation or characteristics. The name is also similar to the Middle English word trollien, which means to roll or to wander.

The earliest records of the surname appear in the 14th century. One notable mention is John Trolley, recorded in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield, Yorkshire, in 1379. This indicates that the name was not uncommon in northern England at that time. Another early example is found in the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire in 1327, where a William Trolley is listed. These documents suggest that the surname was established in various regions of England by the early 14th century.

In historical texts, variant spellings such as Trollie and Trolly are also observed, reflecting the fluidity of spelling in the medieval English language. An example is Richard Trollie, who appears in the Feet of Fines in Lancashire in 1431. These records provide insight into the distribution and social status of individuals bearing the surname Trolley during this period.

One prominent figure with the surname was Sir James Trolley, a merchant and alderman in London during the late 15th century. Born around 1450, Sir James played a significant role in the city's trade and political life until his death in 1510. His contributions are documented in various city records, highlighting the emergence of the Trolley name in urban settings.

The Trolley surname also appears in early colonial America. Thomas Trolley, born in 1609, was one of the early settlers in Virginia, arriving in the 1620s. His presence in the New World marks the transatlantic spread of the surname and its establishment in early American society.

Another notable figure is Elizabeth Trolley, born in 1618, who was a known herbalist and healer in the rural regions of East Anglia. Her practices and remedies are recorded in local parish registers and provide a glimpse into the lives of women bearing the surname during the early 17th century.

Lastly, a fascinating mention is George Trolley, an English sailor born in 1682, who served in the Royal Navy and was involved in notable naval battles of the early 18th century. His maritime career is chronicled in naval logs and muster rolls, reflecting the adventurous spirit often associated with the surname.

The surname Trolley demonstrates a rich and varied history, with its roots firmly planted in medieval England and its branches extending across the Atlantic and into various facets of society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Trolley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Trolley 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. Lincolnshire leads with 41 Trolleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.96x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 41 16.96x
Cambridgeshire 26 27.15x
Northamptonshire 21 14.77x
Huntingdonshire 12 39.97x
Leicestershire 9 5.37x
Nottinghamshire 7 3.44x
Glamorgan 6 2.28x
Hertfordshire 5 4.80x
Surrey 5 0.68x
Essex 4 1.34x
Middlesex 4 0.26x
Channel Islands 3 6.70x
Norfolk 3 1.29x
Yorkshire 3 0.20x
Hampshire 2 0.65x
Bedfordshire 1 1.28x
Buckinghamshire 1 1.09x
Royal Navy 1 5.55x
Rutland 1 9.01x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wellingborough in Northamptonshire leads with 16 Trolleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 223.78x.

Place Total Index
Wellingborough 16 223.78x
Eynesbury 12 1714.29x
Wisbech St Peter 12 250.00x
Leicester St Margaret 9 22.02x
Cherry Willingham 8 10000.00x
Spittlegate 7 209.58x
Sutton St Edmunds 7 2058.82x
Neath 6 111.94x
Newton 6 1621.62x
Wisbech St Mary 6 545.45x
Baldock 5 510.20x
Camberwell 5 5.18x
Northampton Priory St 5 58.62x
Kirkby Green 4 6666.67x
Newark Upon Trent 4 54.64x
Alford 3 200.00x
St Helier 3 20.58x
Terrington St John 3 857.14x
Tetford 3 967.74x
West Ham 3 4.55x
Bleasby 2 1333.33x
Clee With Weelsby 2 37.81x
Cowbit 2 606.06x
Halifax 2 9.10x
Hampstead London 2 8.49x
Helpringham 2 408.16x
Mile End Old Town 2 8.38x
Portsea 2 3.29x
Wimblington 2 357.14x
Basford 1 10.65x
Bedford St Cuthbert 1 142.86x
Bradwell 1 77.52x
Gainsborough 1 17.54x
Grantham 1 31.75x
Grays Thurrock 1 36.10x
Holy Trinity 1 2.78x
Ketton 1 172.41x
Pinchbeck 1 64.52x
Royal Navy 1 6.49x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 13
Sarah 7
Elizabeth 6
Emma 4
Ada 3
Eliza 3
A.M.M. 2
Ann 2
Annie 2
Ellen 2
Fanny 2
Kate 2
Leah 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Anne 1
Catherine 1
Charlotte 1
Edith 1
Elisabeth 1
Emily 1
Florence 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Hiles 1
I.Lizzie 1
Jessie 1
Julie 1
Levinia 1
Lydia 1
Olive 1
Rose 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 11
William 8
George 6
Robert 6
Henry 5
Thomas 5
A.J. 3
Charles 3
Joseph 3
Alfred 2
Arthur 2
Frederick 2
Isaac 2
Joshua 2
Saml. 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Archibald 1
Aron 1
Chas.F. 1
Douglas 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Phillip 1
Sam 1
Samuel 1
Tom 1
W.Arther 1

FAQ

Trolley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Trolley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 151 people were recorded with the Trolley surname. That placed it at #15,419 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Trolley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 171 in 2016. That gives Trolley a modern rank of #21,726.

What does the Trolley surname mean?

A surname derived from the occupational term for one who operated a trolley, a small wheeled cart.

What does the Trolley map show?

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