NameCensus.

UK surname

Wakley

A surname derived from a place name, possibly from Wakeley in Yorkshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 243 people recorded with the Wakley surname, ranking it #11,294 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 469, ranked #10,491, up from #11,294 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Devon, North Devon and Taunton Deane.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wakley is 486 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 93.0%.

1881 census count

243

Ranked #11,294

Modern count

469

2016, ranked #10,491

Peak year

2010

486 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wakley had 243 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,294 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 469 in 2016, ranked #10,491.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 447 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Wakley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wakley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wakley 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 184 #11,120
1861 historical 247 #9,977
1881 historical 243 #11,294
1891 historical 369 #9,447
1901 historical 256 #12,934
1911 historical 447 #8,552
1997 modern 459 #9,920
1998 modern 468 #10,098
1999 modern 474 #10,055
2000 modern 468 #10,125
2001 modern 451 #10,212
2002 modern 441 #10,618
2003 modern 426 #10,742
2004 modern 421 #10,866
2005 modern 435 #10,480
2006 modern 435 #10,525
2007 modern 446 #10,409
2008 modern 448 #10,458
2009 modern 469 #10,344
2010 modern 486 #10,264
2011 modern 472 #10,400
2012 modern 474 #10,254
2013 modern 469 #10,492
2014 modern 475 #10,472
2015 modern 471 #10,467
2016 modern 469 #10,491

Geography

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Where Wakleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton and Chardstock, Membury, Yarcombe (Combe St Nicholas, Somerset). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Devon, North Devon and Taunton Deane. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton Devon
4 London parishes London 3
5 Chardstock, Membury, Yarcombe (Combe St Nicholas, Somerset) Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Devon 007 East Devon
2 North Devon 002 North Devon
3 East Devon 001 East Devon
4 East Devon 004 East Devon
5 Taunton Deane 014 Taunton Deane

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wakley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wakley

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Wakley 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

Wakley is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Wakley falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Wakley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Wakley

The surname Wakley traces its origins to England, and it is believed to have emerged in the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "wac" or "wacu," which means "watch" or "watchman." This suggests that the name initially referred to someone who performed guard duty or served as a watchman.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1190, where it is listed as "Wachelinus de Sutton." The suffix "de Sutton" indicates that this individual was from the town of Sutton, suggesting a connection between the name and a specific location.

The Wakley surname is also mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, an important record of landowners and their estates in England during the reign of King Edward I. This document includes references to individuals such as Walterus Wakeleyn and Johannes Wacelyn, demonstrating the variations in spelling that were common during that era.

In the 14th century, the name appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, where it is recorded as "Wakeleye." This variation highlights the influence of regional dialects and pronunciations on the spelling of surnames.

Among notable individuals with the Wakley surname, one of the earliest was John Wakley (c. 1498-1560), an English churchman who served as the Bishop of Gloucester from 1541 until his death. Another prominent figure was Thomas Wakley (1795-1862), a renowned English surgeon and founder of the medical journal The Lancet.

Other individuals of note include George Wakley (1759-1841), an English painter and engraver; William Wakley (1801-1875), a British politician and journalist; and Edward Wakley (1831-1908), an English architect who designed numerous buildings in London.

The Wakley surname has also been associated with various place names, such as Wakeley Hill in Worcestershire and Wakeley Farm in Oxfordshire, further reinforcing its connection to specific geographical locations in England.

Overall, the surname Wakley has a rich history deeply rooted in medieval England, with its origins linked to the concept of watchmen or guardians and its variations reflecting the linguistic and regional diversity of the time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wakley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wakley 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. Devon leads with 63 Wakleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.36x.

County Total Index
Devon 63 12.36x
Somerset 24 6.09x
Surrey 23 1.93x
Wiltshire 19 8.77x
Middlesex 18 0.74x
Hampshire 17 3.39x
Glamorgan 16 3.75x
Gloucestershire 10 2.08x
Staffordshire 10 1.21x
Warwickshire 10 1.62x
Channel Islands 8 11.03x
Kent 6 0.72x
Nottinghamshire 6 1.82x
Dorset 5 3.11x
Monmouthshire 5 2.82x
Leicestershire 4 1.47x
Lancashire 3 0.10x
Flintshire 2 3.04x
Royal Navy 1 3.43x
Suffolk 1 0.34x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Axminster in Devon leads with 23 Wakleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 962.34x.

Place Total Index
Axminster 23 962.34x
Swindon 17 101.19x
Aston 10 5.88x
Burton Upon Trent 10 51.71x
Cardiff St John 10 71.79x
Kensington London 9 6.61x
Lambeth 9 4.22x
Musbury 8 1777.78x
Portsea 8 8.13x
Bristol St George 7 31.52x
Parkham 7 1044.78x
St Peter Port 7 52.16x
Stoke Under Hambdon 7 542.64x
Ilminster 6 218.18x
North Muskham 6 1333.33x
Roath 6 30.99x
Shute 6 1224.49x
Goytrey 5 892.86x
White Lackington 5 2083.33x
Yarcombe 5 862.07x
Bideford 4 73.26x
Carisbrooke 4 57.39x
Compton 4 1739.13x
Battersea 3 3.33x
Hammersmith London 3 4.97x
Leicester St Margaret 3 4.53x
Southwark Christchurch 3 26.16x
Wandsworth 3 12.73x
Ashill 2 512.82x
Barnstaple 2 25.00x
Blandford Forum 2 63.09x
Bristol St Paul In 2 15.64x
Chard 2 41.93x
Chertsey 2 25.94x
Folkestone 2 12.35x
Gittisham 2 526.32x
Margate St John Baptist 2 13.07x
Northop Soughton 2 400.00x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 5.09x
Shoreditch London 2 1.88x
Toxteth Park 2 2.03x
Windlesham 2 89.29x
Barrow In Furness 1 2.53x
Belgrave 1 16.31x
Bexley 1 13.53x
Bridport 1 30.21x
Bromham 1 102.04x
Camberwell 1 0.64x
Chelsea London 1 1.36x
Cheltenham 1 2.70x
Hartland 1 62.89x
Kingskerswell 1 117.65x
Martock 1 39.06x
Membury 1 185.19x
Payhembury 1 270.27x
Plumstead 1 3.59x
Poole St James 1 16.56x
Portland 1 11.57x
Royal Navy 1 4.01x
St Faith Winchester 1 42.74x
St George Hanover 1 3.13x
St Martin 1 22.52x
St Marylebone London 1 0.77x
Stanwell 1 55.25x
Trowbridge 1 10.45x
Tunstall 1 192.31x
Wilton 1 97.09x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 16
Elizabeth 15
Sarah 6
Alice 5
Eliza 5
Jane 5
Ada 4
Julia 4
Ann 3
Ellen 3
Emily 3
Hannah 3
Harriett 3
Caroline 2
Charlotte 2
Edith 2
Emma 2
Florence 2
Louisa 2
Susannah 2
Thirza 2
Anne 1
Bertha 1
Bessie 1
C. 1
Catherine 1
Clara 1
Constance 1
Eleanor 1
Elizth. 1
Ethel 1
Flora 1
Florance 1
Francess 1
Grace 1
Harrik 1
Isabel 1
Jessie 1
Kate 1
Keziah 1
Laura 1
Lucretia 1
Lydia 1
Maud 1
Olive 1
Pamila 1
Patience 1
Rogena 1
Rose 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 22
John 14
Henry 12
Charles 6
George 6
Thomas 6
James 4
Joseph 4
Samuel 4
Albert 3
Francis 3
Frank 3
Alfred 2
Archibald 2
Arthur 2
Harry 2
Ben 1
Benjamin 1
Bertram 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Fredrick 1
Freedrick 1
Henery 1
Herman 1
Hermon 1
Isaac 1
Nathaniel 1
Nathl. 1
Octavous 1
Peter 1
Phillip 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Robt. 1
Sidney 1
Stanley 1
Stephen 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Wakley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wakley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 243 people were recorded with the Wakley surname. That placed it at #11,294 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wakley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 469 in 2016. That gives Wakley a modern rank of #10,491.

What does the Wakley surname mean?

A surname derived from a place name, possibly from Wakeley in Yorkshire, England.

What does the Wakley map show?

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