NameCensus.

UK surname

Valley

An English topographic surname for someone who lived in a valley or near a dale.

In the 1881 census there were 60 people recorded with the Valley surname, ranking it #25,133 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 120, ranked #27,563, down from #25,133 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Tormoham with Torquay, Workington (Workington), Clossocks and Corfe Castle. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bolton, Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Valley is 127 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 100.0%.

1881 census count

60

Ranked #25,133

Modern count

120

2016, ranked #27,563

Peak year

1998

127 bearers

Map years

4

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Valley had 60 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #25,133 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 120 in 2016, ranked #27,563.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 122 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Valley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Valley surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Valley 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 49 #24,448
1861 historical 122 #18,036
1881 historical 60 #25,133
1891 historical 60 #29,204
1901 historical 65 #26,917
1911 historical 51 #27,708
1997 modern 113 #25,106
1998 modern 127 #23,940
1999 modern 125 #24,366
2000 modern 111 #26,111
2001 modern 92 #28,528
2002 modern 98 #28,243
2003 modern 110 #26,220
2004 modern 102 #27,637
2005 modern 103 #27,531
2006 modern 112 #26,415
2007 modern 121 #25,469
2008 modern 126 #25,131
2009 modern 124 #25,957
2010 modern 122 #26,876
2011 modern 118 #27,192
2012 modern 115 #27,717
2013 modern 120 #27,406
2014 modern 124 #27,049
2015 modern 117 #27,982
2016 modern 120 #27,563

Geography

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Where Valleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Tormoham with Torquay, Workington (Workington), Clossocks, Corfe Castle, Perth and Saxelby with Ingleby. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bolton, Hounslow, Richmond upon Thames and Leicester. 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 Tormoham with Torquay Devon
2 Workington (Workington), Clossocks Cumberland
3 Corfe Castle Dorset
4 Perth Perth
5 Saxelby with Ingleby Lincolnshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bolton 005 Bolton
2 Bolton 011 Bolton
3 Hounslow 015 Hounslow
4 Richmond upon Thames 016 Richmond upon Thames
5 Leicester 007 Leicester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Valley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Valley

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Valley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Valley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Valley is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Valley is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Valley falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Valley 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Valley

The surname Valley is of English origin and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is a locational name, derived from the Old English word "valley" or "valleye," which refers to a low area of land between hills or mountains. This name was given to people who lived in or near a valley.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Valley can be found in the Domesday Book, a survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "de Valeia," reflecting the French influence on English at that time.

During the 13th century, the surname began to appear in its modern spelling, "Valley." Historical records from this period show various spellings, such as "Valleye," "Valey," and "Valeye," reflecting the evolution of the English language.

The surname Valley was particularly prevalent in the counties of Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wiltshire, where many valleys and low-lying areas were found. Some notable figures with this surname include:

1. John Valley (c. 1530-1592), an English composer and organist who served at the Chapel Royal during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. 2. George Valley (1693-1767), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works. 3. William Valley (1796-1859), a British politician and Member of Parliament for Southampton. 4. Thomas Valley (1801-1876), an English artist and painter known for his landscapes and seascapes. 5. Henry Valley (1838-1922), a British engineer and inventor who patented several important innovations in the field of steam engines.

The surname Valley has also been associated with various place names, such as Valley End in Berkshire, Valley Road in London, and Valley Park in Hampshire, further reinforcing its geographical origins.

Throughout history, the surname Valley has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, politicians, clergymen, and engineers. Its enduring presence in English records reflects the significance of valleys in the country's landscape and the lasting influence of Old English on the development of modern surnames.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Valley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Valley 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 11 Valleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.57x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 11 11.57x
Cumberland 8 15.62x
Devon 8 6.46x
Yorkshire 8 1.36x
Perthshire 7 26.22x
Middlesex 6 1.01x
Lancashire 4 0.57x
Angus 1 1.81x
Ayrshire 1 2.25x
Durham 1 0.57x
Essex 1 0.85x
Lanarkshire 1 0.52x
Renfrewshire 1 2.17x
Royal Navy 1 14.10x
Staffordshire 1 0.50x
Warwickshire 1 0.67x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tormoham in Devon leads with 8 Valleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 152.67x.

Place Total Index
Tormoham 8 152.67x
Workington 8 273.04x
Auchterarder 7 933.33x
Paddington London 6 27.43x
Saxelby With Ingleby 6 2500.00x
Doncaster 4 92.81x
Holy Trinity 4 28.21x
Everton 3 13.34x
Legsby 3 4285.71x
Birmingham 1 2.00x
Bootle Cum Linacre 1 17.86x
East Ham 1 45.87x
Elsham 1 1000.00x
Hamilton 1 18.62x
Liff Benvie 1 11.96x
Ludford Magna 1 1250.00x
Monkton Prestwick 1 232.56x
Paisley Middle Church 1 37.31x
Stone 1 38.91x
Westoe 1 9.97x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 4
Joseph 3
William 3
George 2
Michael 2
Alfred 1
Charles 1
Francis 1
Hajie 1
Matthew 1
Patrick 1
Sam 1
Thomas 1

Top occupations

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 Valley households.

FAQ

Valley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Valley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 60 people were recorded with the Valley surname. That placed it at #25,133 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Valley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 120 in 2016. That gives Valley a modern rank of #27,563.

What does the Valley surname mean?

An English topographic surname for someone who lived in a valley or near a dale.

What does the Valley map show?

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