UK surname
A locational surname derived from a place called Warmsley, likely referring to someone who lived in that location.
In the 1881 census there were 87 people recorded with the Warmsley surname, ranking it #21,334 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 40, ranked #35,434, down from #21,334 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Brampton, Clee and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Warmsley is 129 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 54.0%.
1881 census count
87
Ranked #21,334
Modern count
40
2016, ranked #35,434
Peak year
1861
129 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Warmsley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Warmsley surname density by area, 1901 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 62 | #22,232 |
| 1861 | historical | 129 | #17,271 |
| 1881 | historical | 87 | #21,334 |
| 1891 | historical | 120 | #21,292 |
| 1901 | historical | 101 | #22,726 |
| 1911 | historical | 95 | #23,294 |
| 1997 | modern | 46 | #33,077 |
| 1998 | modern | 46 | #33,286 |
| 1999 | modern | 46 | #33,424 |
| 2000 | modern | 53 | #32,805 |
| 2001 | modern | 49 | #33,048 |
| 2002 | modern | 56 | #32,753 |
| 2003 | modern | 54 | #32,990 |
| 2004 | modern | 59 | #32,787 |
| 2005 | modern | 56 | #33,264 |
| 2006 | modern | 60 | #33,235 |
| 2007 | modern | 65 | #33,045 |
| 2008 | modern | 62 | #33,565 |
| 2009 | modern | 62 | #33,832 |
| 2010 | modern | 62 | #34,069 |
| 2011 | modern | 60 | #34,202 |
| 2012 | modern | 38 | #35,481 |
| 2013 | modern | 42 | #35,325 |
| 2014 | modern | 40 | #35,454 |
| 2015 | modern | 39 | #35,472 |
| 2016 | modern | 40 | #35,434 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Brampton, Clee, Gateshead, Manchester and Chesterfield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brampton | Derbyshire |
| 2 | Clee | Lincolnshire |
| 3 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Chesterfield | Derbyshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Warmsley surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Warmsley, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Warmsley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Warmsley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Warmsley is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Warmsley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Warmsley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Warmsley is of English origin, derived from the Old English words 'wearm' meaning warm and 'leah' meaning a meadow or clearing. It first emerged in the 11th century, referring to someone who lived near a warm meadow or clearing.
One of the earliest known records of the name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as 'Warmesleah'. This entry suggests the name was already well-established in parts of southern England by the late 11th century.
As the name evolved over time, various spellings emerged, including Warmeslie, Warmesleigh, and Warmsley. Some of the earliest references to these variations can be found in medieval records from counties like Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.
One notable bearer of the name was Sir John Warmsley (1547-1621), a member of the English gentry from Gloucestershire. He served as a Member of Parliament and was known for his involvement in local politics and community affairs.
Another prominent figure was Reverend Thomas Warmsley (1612-1665), an English clergyman who served as the Vicar of Stratton in Wiltshire during the mid-17th century. He was recognized for his contributions to religious education and community service.
In the 18th century, the name can be found associated with the Warmsley Manor in Gloucestershire, which was owned by the Warmsley family for several generations. This further emphasizes the name's roots in the region.
The 19th century saw the emergence of Samuel Warmsley (1819-1892), a renowned English architect who designed several notable buildings in London and other parts of the country.
Another notable bearer was Mary Warmsley (1855-1932), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights. She played a significant role in establishing educational opportunities for women in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
While the name Warmsley is not among the most common surnames today, its rich history and origins can be traced back to the medieval period in England, where it was closely associated with specific regions and families.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Warmsley surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lincolnshire leads with 19 Warmsleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.85x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lincolnshire | 19 | 13.85x |
| Lancashire | 17 | 1.67x |
| Renfrewshire | 10 | 15.03x |
| Derbyshire | 9 | 6.70x |
| Northamptonshire | 8 | 9.91x |
| Warwickshire | 6 | 2.77x |
| Yorkshire | 6 | 0.71x |
| Essex | 4 | 2.36x |
| Cheshire | 3 | 1.58x |
| Suffolk | 3 | 2.87x |
| Channel Islands | 1 | 3.93x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.57x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.12x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Paisley High Church in Renfrewshire leads with 10 Warmsleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 188.68x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Paisley High Church | 10 | 188.68x |
| Brampton | 9 | 478.72x |
| Bratoft | 8 | 13333.33x |
| St Swithin Lincoln | 7 | 324.07x |
| Ashton Under Lyne | 6 | 26.95x |
| Leamington Priors | 6 | 112.57x |
| Salford | 6 | 20.03x |
| Towcester | 5 | 602.41x |
| Leeds | 4 | 8.33x |
| Leyton | 4 | 136.99x |
| Horncastle | 3 | 211.27x |
| Ipswich St Mary Stoke | 3 | 309.28x |
| West Derby | 3 | 10.07x |
| Hurdsfield | 2 | 170.94x |
| Passenham | 2 | 606.06x |
| Birkenhead | 1 | 6.62x |
| Cleckheaton | 1 | 31.95x |
| Denaby | 1 | 208.33x |
| Everton | 1 | 3.08x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 1.62x |
| Northampton St Giles | 1 | 32.47x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 3.17x |
| Portsea | 1 | 2.90x |
| Skirbeck | 1 | 129.87x |
| Trinity | 1 | 169.49x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Warmsley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Warmsley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Warmsley households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 8 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Assistant | 1 |
| Bankers Clerk Unemployed | 1 |
| Bazaar Keeper | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Carpenters Apprentice | 1 |
| Chimney Sweeper | 1 |
| Clerk | 1 |
| Clerk Coml | 1 |
| Clerk Gas Works | 1 |
| Clerk Gas Works Wife | 1 |
| Cloth Mill Worker | 1 |
| Cloth Mill Worker Out Of Employ | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Commission Agent | 1 |
| Cordwainer | 1 |
| Cotton Weaver | 1 |
| Farm Labourer | 1 |
| Flax Doffer | 1 |
| Gen Serv Domestic | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Housemaid Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Iron Lab (Manuf) | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Lacemaker | 1 |
| Minder (CM) | 1 |
| O Seaman | 1 |
| Pad Groom (V D) | 1 |
| Potman Inn Service | 1 |
| Seamstress | 1 |
| Shoemaker | 1 |
| Silk Dyer | 1 |
| Sister | 1 |
| Smith (Black) | 1 |
| Tenter | 1 |
| Warehouse Man (CM) | 1 |
| Weaver (C) | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 87 people were recorded with the Warmsley surname. That placed it at #21,334 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 40 in 2016. That gives Warmsley a modern rank of #35,434.
A locational surname derived from a place called Warmsley, likely referring to someone who lived in that location.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Warmsley bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.